5 Ways to Save on Moving Expenses
Moving can get expensive really fast. Whether you’re moving a one bedroom apartment, or a 5 bedroom mansion, moving can take a significant chunk out of your budget. According to the American Moving and Storage Association, the average cost of a local move is around $2,000. With that amount of cash on the line, it’s really important to consider all the factors that go into estimating the cost of your move. Are there any ways you can decrease the cost? Sure. You are ultimately the one in control of your move as well as the expense associated with it. In this article we’ll discuss 5 ways you can save on moving expenses.
Move as less stuff as possible.
The first question to ask yourself is - How much do you plan to move? The less stuff you’re moving, the better it will be on your wallet. Moving less items takes less labor, less time, and ultimately less money. Consider giving away items you don’t use or need. Have a garage sale. Bring unwanted items to Goodwill. It doesn’t make sense to bring items you don’t need over to your new house, especially if you are transitioning into a smaller home.
Move during off-peak season.
In the moving industry there are certain times of the year when a lot of people are not moving. Times during the late fall and winter are the best times to move because people have already settled their children into school. This is often the best time to take advantage of moving specials. In order to make up for the loss of business during this time, moving companies try to incentivize movers by lowering the moving cost. Therefore, moving during the late fall and winter seasons can save you money.
Move during the week.
In addition to moving during off season, the other big moving hack is to move Monday-Thursday while people are at work. Moving companies get significantly less business during the week compared to the weekends. Even though there are more days during the week, most moving companies complete more moves on the weekends - Friday through Sunday. Because people have to request time off from work and possibly lose out on their pay during that time, they find it more costly to move during the week. On the flip side, moving companies want to provide an incentive to fill their schedule up during the week. For this reason, moving fees are much less Monday through Thursday. So, if you have the luxury of time and can move during the week, your bank account will thank you.
Get creative with moving supplies.
Boxes and other moving supplies can be costly. You could spend up to $100 on packing supplies alone. Try to get free boxes by asking friends, grocery stores and retail stores for their used boxes. Don’t buy packing peanuts. You can use blankets and stuffed animals as padding instead. Instead of packing clothes and drawers, just move them as they are. Don’t bother putting clothes and items from your drawers in boxes. Leave the clothes on their hangers and cover them in trash bags. Similarly, leave items in drawers, wrap the drawers in plastic and put them in the truck as is.
DIY as much as you can.
Most moving companies offer extra perks like packing, assembly, and cleaning in addition to moving. But if you can do all of this yourself, you’ll save a ton on your moving bill. The trick is giving yourself enough time so you can do it. This involves planning ahead and being diligent on getting these tasks done. You can also ask friends and family to help. Delegate specific chores out to various members in the family over the course of a few months leading up to your move. Putting these tasks on a timeline and doing them one by one can make your move a lot less stressful and much easier on your pocket.
Moving does not have to break the bank. Even though the average cost can be upwards of $2,000, there are things you can do to bring that cost down significantly. Following these tips can help you save money on your next move. Also, going with the right moving company can make a big difference. Shop around. Get recommendations from your friends and family, and shop locally. Most family owned moving companies have significantly less overhead than national chains. Plus, you’ll be investing back into your economy.
If you have a move coming up, call us to get an estimate. We provide free estimates and we can help you find the best option for your move, even if we can’t help you.