Money-Saving Tips for Moving

Moving is a complex job and there’s a lot of expenses to it besides just the physical moving part. Luckily, breaking down those expenses means that you can find ways to spend less when moving. If you’re about to move house but you’re not sure how to make it affordable, we’ve got you covered. Carry on reading to find our money-saving tips for moving.

Ask for a fixed rate

The first way to save money is to ask your moving company if they can give you a fixed rate. Simply put, that means that you’ll pay exactly what the rate is and you can calculate whether it fits your budget. This is a good option if you know exactly what you’re planning to move because you’ll be required to keep the agreed inventory.

Get several moving quotes

The first way to save money when moving is to get in touch with several movers and ask for quotes. Any reputable moving company in Brooklyn will offer a quote completely free of charge, so get at least three different ones. Once you have three different costs from reliable companies, compare them to see what works best. However, before you decide, go through the following tip to make sure you’re choosing the best option.

Understand costs and extra fees

After you get quotes from various movers, it’s necessary to understand what’s included in that price. Be sure to learn as much as you can about how much does a moving company costs. Ask as many questions as you need to learn about moving costs and extra fees. Some movers charge extra fees, including stair charges, fuel charges, long carry charges, use of packing materials, etc. Always ask what is included in the rate and what other charges you might expect.

Don’t go for cheap movers

Here comes the important part – the cheapest moving services will not always be the best option when you’re moving on a budget. The reason for that is because some movers will give you a cheap moving quote but they’ll add any extra fees or unexpected expenses. If one quote seems too good to be true, then it probably is – be aware of fraudulent companies and choose carefully. So, you should be extra careful and know how to choose the best movers. Protect yourself and always check mover’s USDOT number and their reviews.

DIY move

DIY moving is not always the best option but you may want to consider it if you’re moving locally. Sometimes it’s cheaper to move on your own instead of hiring movers but it depends on your specific situation. In case your household is not too big, you may be able to pack on your own and move everything in a few trips. Calculate all expenses like money for gas, renting a moving vehicle, buying packing materials, and other things necessary for a successful move, and then compare the cost with the moving company’s quote.

Deals and coupons

You should get various coupons from the post office for different services related to moving when you change the address. Don’t discard them but check which ones you can use to save money when moving. This is the reason why you should change your address as soon as possible because as soon as you do it you’ll start getting moving discounts and coupons.

Make a garage sale

A garage sale is an obvious money maker – you can organize a garage sale before moving, earn extra cash and spend less for moving those items. To make the best out of it, go through your entire household and check room by room. Start from areas with less traffic like attic or basement and proceed to the busiest rooms like kitchen and living room. Declutter and put everything you don’t need in separate boxes and be diligent about it – don’t move what you don’t need. If you’re planning on buying new appliances, this is a great time to sell the old ones and make money for getting new appliances after you move.

Meal prep

Go through your freezer and pantry a few weeks before moving day and use everything you have. Plan your meals based on groceries you have to save money on eating out. Although eating at restaurants will likely happen, avoid eating out every day because it will easily add up and cost a great deal of money. It will be tempting to go out and have dinner when your kitchen is packed and moving day is approaching, so prepare meals in advance to stick to your budget. You can also go for cheaper options and order a pizza or similar inexpensive food delivery.

Start early

Many expenses come from bad planning and last-minute decisions. The sooner the moving day is the more services will cost you. Plan early and take care of as many moving-related tasks as you can. Book movers at least three months in advance and start packing at the same time to be prepared when movers arrive.

Get free moving boxes

Another way to save money when moving is to get free moving boxes. Many people will have boxes they want to get rid of, so check out websites like Craigslist, Offerup, Letgo, etc. You can also visit your local grocery or liquor store and ask them if they have boxes they don’t need. If you can’t find enough free boxes, renting reusable bins and moving boxes is also a great option.

DIY packing

Instead of hiring a moving company to pack your belongings go ahead and do so yourself. It will be time-consuming but will save you a lot of money. If you have everything packed up and ready to go, movers will only have to load and transport your belongings, which will cut down your moving costs significantly.

Ask friends to help

Everybody needs a few helping hands when they’re moving on a budget. Ask your close friends or family members to help you out with some of the tasks. They can help you declutter, prepare a yard sale, or pack. They can also help you out by babysitting if you’re moving with children or look after your pets so you cut down the cost of hiring a babysitter or a pet hotel.