Moving house can be exciting and daunting at the same time. The thought of looking for a reliable moving company, packing, and transporting your items to the new destination can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be so.
With proper planning, moving can be done with minimal stress. If you feel stuck and are unsure how to go about it, you can use the services of moving companies who can guide you on what to do.
If you’re planning to move house soon and are looking for ways to save money while at it, below are some tips you can use to achieve your goal:
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Start Preparing Early
The earlier you start preparing for your house move, the better. Doing so will afford you time to set a move date, gather packing materials, get rid of what you don’t need, and also give you enough time to research the best moving company to use. Some moving companies give good prices to customers who book well in advance. Moreover, many expenses are incurred when making last-minute purchases for a lack of preparedness.
Pack Yourself
Packing is one of the most time-consuming aspects of the moving process. So, it makes sense to start packing as soon as you know you’re moving house. This will save you time and money, especially if the moving company charges you hourly rates. Pack smaller items you can handle and leave the bigger ones to the moving professionals. Packing yourself will also make it easier to identify in what boxes the items you want to use are packed. Color coding and labeling will keep your things organized.
It’d be better for you to start collecting packing materials and boxes in advance.
Use Your Packing Materials
When packing, think out of the box. You’ll spend less on packing materials if you first use what you already have. Use blankets, sleeping bags, and comforters to wrap items. Old newspapers can be used to wrap dishes and glassware. Tea and bathroom towels can also be used for breakable items. Apart from saving you on packing materials, using these items will also save you space because you don’t have to pack them separately.
Don’t forget to use your backpacks, laundry bags, plastic tubs, and suitcases as storage for the items you’re moving with. You can also use the packing materials strategically by nesting some things inside others. Don’t spend unnecessarily on new boxes when you’ve used up your packing materials. Borrow them from friends and family or get them free from retail stores.
Don’t Carry What You Don’t Need
A time for moving house is also a time to separate what you need from what you don’t. Carrying what you’ll not use will only cost you unnecessarily. If it’s difficult to decide what to ditch, use the month’s rule – what you’ve not used in the last six months, you don’t need. You can use available options to dispose of items like kitchenware, electronics, toys, and furniture. For instance, you can hold a garage sale or take your clothing and furniture to a consignment store to get back a good percentage of the purchase price on the items. This is an excellent way to declutter and ensure you only carry what you need while making money. It avoids having to pay for storage or removal, especially for things like furniture.
Donating items to charitable organizations or thrift stores is also a good way to minimize your moving load and costs. It helps to organize unwanted items to sell, donate, or throw away when you plan your move.
Photo credit: Move Central
Use Up Stored Food
Food can be bulky and heavy to transport, especially frozen foods and those in your pantry. To cut down on moving expenses, use up as much of the stored food as possible leading to the day of your move. You can keep food that can be used in a day or two as you settle in after moving. This is also a way of preventing food contamination during the move. Moreover, you can always stock up once you get to your new destination.
Do Your Research In Advance
Before you select a moving company, check out several things and do a background check on them. Read online reviews or find out about them from friends. You’ll find that some movers charge per hour but operate slowly, so their final costs will be higher. Settle on movers who move quickly and efficiently. You could find that fixed rates favor your load more than per-hour rates.
This is also the time to compare whether moving by yourself will be cheaper than using a moving company or vice versa.
Strategize Your Move For A Discount
Most house moves happen during the weekend, towards the end, or the start of another month. Moving during those times will cost you more than moving during the week or other times of the month. Some moving companies offer discounts for mid-month or mid-week moves. You can shop around and see if you’re eligible for such discounts.
Pack A Necessities Bag
A bag packed with things you use daily will prevent you from purchasing items you need because you can’t locate the box they’ve been packed in. The bag should have an emergency kit, toilet paper, soap, and other essential utilities. Doing so will prevent you from spending unnecessarily.
Don’t Settle On The Cheapest Moving Company
Cheap isn’t always a good deal. Some movers may quote lower rates than their competitors just to get your business, but eventually, you’ll pay more. This can happen especially if you fall into the hands of unprofessional movers. Your items may be damaged in the moving process when loading, in transit, or off-loading. They may surprise you with hidden charges and even hold your goods hostage if you refuse to pay the extra.
Use Hired Services For Big Loads
If you’re moving locally or a short distance, consider transporting manageable items yourself and only hire help for bigger loads like furniture. This will save you a lot on moving costs.
Conclusion
Moving house can appear easy in thought, but it’s a lot of work. It’s therefore important to make proper moving plans in advance by thinking through every step. Having a moving checklist will help things run smoothly. Planning your move in good time will enable you to cut unnecessary costs and make the right decisions. Time spent and the distance of your move will significantly affect your final moving cost.
