10 Ways to Make Your Move Less Expensive

The possibilities that come with relocating bring excitement most times. That excitement might not be long-lived though.

This is because most people don’t know how many things they own until they want to move. When a person sees what they own, the excitement might turn to dread.

This is the first indication that your move will be expensive. There is no way that all this is fitting into your SUV. You will have to get bigger transportation. That is already the first cost.

Moves are expensive. They are like a Rubik’s cube. No matter where you approach it from, you will still have to solve the puzzle. Getting that out of the way, there are ways to reduce the financial hit your wallet will take.

Before you get excited about that, know that not all moves happen when you want. Many are inconvenient and can happen when you are not financially prepared.

This will make even the moving tips seem unimportant but they still are. They can move the cost of moving, from impossible to possible and expensive.

You might get a lot of advice about moving on the cheap but only experienced people can give you the best advice on how to reduce the cost of moving.

How Much Moving Costs

We have established that moving is unavoidably expensive but how much does it cost?

For a start, DIY moves aren’t the cheap gifts of the gods we might believe them to be.

Renting a truck can range from $500-$1800 for short to mid-distance moves. If the move is long-distance, expect to pass the $2000 mark easily. This is for a single trip. So, if you make multiple trips, you will pay more.

This doesn’t include moving boxes which cost about $25 per 10 boxes and you might use 20. Or special moving equipment you will rent. It doesn’t include gas money.

On the other side of the fence, hiring a professional mover for a local move will cost you about $1400 with the range being $800-$2500.

For a long-distance move, the range is wider. It will cost you anything from $1000 to $5000 for a move. These are average prices for simple non-complicated moves.

All these prices tell you that you aren’t spending $100 on a move. Relocating is expensive.

10 Ways to Make Your Move Less Expensive

While moves are expensive, they can be less so. There are a few things you can do that will save you anything from a few bucks to $1000. Here are 10 of those things.

1. Be Wide-Eyed for Moving Discounts

While the moving rates of many moving companies are fixed, they occasionally have discounts and sales. Search for these opportunities.

It will surprise you how many of such discounts you might find. Most discounts are for moves that will happen when business is slow.

Moving companies do these sales to keep customer flow during downtimes.

Note though that terms and conditions might apply. Read the fine print to ensure you aren’t being tricked into committing to a move with hidden costs.

2. Employ Your Friends and Family

Packing is one of the most stressful parts of moving. It is, however, bested by loading the moving truck. Cheap moving companies have services for these two, compulsory moving tasks but you can cut costs by using family and friends instead.

Inform the people you want to ask for the help of your intentions early. It should be part of your checklist and it should be high on the list.

Get your helpers food and drinks as rewards for helping you. You can even give them dibs on things you want to donate.

3. Use Container You Own Before Getting More

Before you head to Amazon or your local hardware store to buy moving boxes, go through your stuff and use box-like items to pack your things.

You can use file cabinets, plastic boxes and tubes, beanbags, and other things that can be used in place of cardboard boxes.

Note though that some of these shipping moving containers might be weak from being used over and over again. Others might be fragile by design. It is okay to replace such items with actual moving boxes.

4. Look For Free Storage

Storage is almost a certain cost in long-distance moves. In short-distance moves, they might still be needed while you put the new apartment in shape.

Storage will be an added cost to your move. You can save a lot of money if you have a family member or friend with a free basement, attic, or garage.

Make sure your items are well packed and that there is nothing that can spill or is flammable. That way you can store your things with no fear of destroying another person’s house.

If you still require storage search for discounts. You might be lucky.

5. Compare DIY to Hiring Professionals

While it is a general idea that do-it-yourself moves are cheaper, that might not be the case for your particular move.

The items people own vary greatly. The distance to be traveled also influences the cost of the move. A DIY might be a good idea for your best friend, but for you, it might just be a vortex of unplanned expenses.

Calculate the cost of your move if you were to do it yourself and compare it with the estimate you will get from a professional. If the costs are close, hiring a mover will be better in the long run.

6. Reduce the Junk

The term ‘junk’ might seem harsh but there are things you will never use in your house. They have to go. It doesn’t matter if the move is a DIY move or if you are hiring a professional. The more you move, the more you will pay.

Sell items you know you can sell, and donate the rest. If you do it right, you might get rid of half of your things.

While many things hold sentimental value, not everything will be useful in your new home.

7. Get Moving Estimates from Multiple Movers

You might’ve gotten the name of a mover from your friendly neighbor. That doesn’t mean that the mover is the best for you.

Do some research on flat rate movers near you. Contact them, go through their brochure, ask questions and get free estimates from them.

Compare the estimates to the quality and scope of service you will be getting. Choose the most balanced quote. Don’t just settle for the cheapest. You might pay for the cheap move in low-quality service.

While you do this, stay away from estimates that are too good to be true. They usually are.

8. Move Your Books Yourself

It might seem trivial in the grand scheme of moving but books are a big deal. They are heavy and fragile at the same time. They might be one of the heaviest things you pack into a box.

A single book can be as heavy as 7 pounds and most aren’t lighter than 2 pounds. This means 50 books will already be 100 pounds of weight at least.

To reduce cost, particularly when hiring a mover, move your books in your vehicle. This will reduce the overall weight of your items.

9. Plan Early

One of the first ways of reducing the cost of moving is to plan early. Early is relative in most cases but moving can be reduced to a science. Early will be anything above 4 weeks to the move.

This will reduce cost by giving you time to contact several movers and get estimates, it will give you time to fish around for free moving boxes. It will also give you time to downsize your items.

Make sure you write down your plans in a detailed manner. This will increase your efficiency and reduce your moving cost.

10. Don’t Move During Peak Moving Seasons

If you are on a tight budget, consider planning for a move in an off-season. This is the time when the fewest people move to that particular area.

While this varies from community to community, the summer is generally seen as the most popular time to move. If you are on a tight budget, a summer move won’t be helping your wallet. This is because companies set moving rates are at their highest due to demand.

Also, don’t move during the weekends or at the end of the month. Those are also peak moving times.

Move in the winter if you can. That is the cheapest time to move in most cases. You will find discounts and deals. Most people don’t relocate in the winter.

Where We Come In

While these tips will help you in most cases, know that there are situations where you will have to think on your feet. Take these tips and finetune to your situation.

You can begin your journey to a cost-effective move by contacting Three Movers for your move. We will give you a free moving quote and free consultation.

You can visit our website or call us on 888-202-0036.