Moving is stressful for many reasons. It’s time-consuming and can eat through your savings if you’re not careful. But at least once in our life, we all have to move. So we get to that point where we need to make that difficult decision on how to transition.
Of course, one of the most effortless moving experiences is by going with a long-time trusted and reliable moving company. Unfortunately, that can cost a pretty penny, and even some of the most expensive moving companies still have their shortcomings. The fact of the matter is, there is no such thing as a perfect move. But there are some ways to make the process a lot easier on your wallet. Here are a few things you’ll want to take into consideration.
1. Make a Budget and Stick to It
The online generation is also a treasure trove of information, and it pays dividends to do your research. But before you start looking into options for a moving company, first you’ll have to decide on a budget. If you’ve relocated before, you probably have a rough idea of the average cost of moving. So you can start from there, then take into consideration the new variables.
On the other hand, if you’re moving for the first time, moving out of state, or even cross-country. Then you may need to dig a little deeper into what it’s going to take. Fortunately, there are many ways to find information on moving costs. Looking up the prices and rates of moving companies is the most obvious answer. But asking friends, family, or even joining online communities is a great way to get a ballpark figure of the moving costs.
The one thing to remember is to stick to your budget no matter what. Of course, you should leave some wiggle room for unforeseen circumstances, but otherwise, don’t spend any more than you need to. In other words, don’t fall for any sales talks and sugar-coated spiels. If the additional service is unnecessary, then you have no reason to pay for it.
2. Lose Items and Make Money
It’s always funny how you never realize how much you’ve collected through the years until it comes time to move to a new home. Many families and even individuals have scratched their heads at the end of a move. Staring at all their things and wondering, “when did we get all of this stuff?” You’ll discover that for yourself, or maybe you’re already scratching your head as you’re trying to get things organized before moving.
The good news is that you can get rid of all that extra bulk and earn some money back in the process. The bad news is that you’ll have to part with a few things, and everyone knows that’s a lot easier said than done. But like everything else in life, it’s all a matter of perspective – just look at it this way, the more you get rid of things, the more money you get to put into a better moving experience. Plus, you can always make new memories in your new home – hopefully, that’ll lessen the sentimental value of things.
3. Buy Pizza and Do-It-Yourself
A surefire way to keep costs down is by handling the entire move all by yourself. Well, maybe you’ll have to pay for a few boxes of pizzas and drinks for your happy helpers of family and friends. But otherwise, it’s a whole lot cheaper than going with professional movers that charge by the hour.
Of course, this is only a great idea if you don’t mind doing all the heavy-lifting yourself. Or maybe the better point is if your friends and family don’t mind helping you do the heavy-lifting. Another thing to consider is if you’re particular about dings and scratches on either your belongings or your property. Because – let’s face it – unless your family owns a moving business, you’re not going to have professional quality assistance in this area.
On the flip side, you do get a lot of fun out of the whole experience. And there are a lot of “hybrid” solutions you can consider to take some of the load off your shoulder. Not everyone can drive a truck across town, let alone across the state or beyond. Or it may be that you just don’t want to drive yourself.
Hybrid moving companies offer portable storage units where you can load up specialized containers delivered right to your doorstep. Then when you’re ready, professional drivers will pick up your container with all your stuff in it and deliver it either to your new home or a storage facility. It frees up a lot of your time and reduces the costs of going with a traditional full-service mover. You do part of the move, and professionals take care of the time-consuming parts.
4. Plan Ahead and Reduce Hours
If you’re hiring movers to get things done for you, then preparing your home and belongings for maximum efficiency can lop off a couple of hours from your move. Most moving companies charge by the hour, so keeping it to the bare minimum will help you avoid going over the budget you set.
Efficiency is something you have control over. That’s why it’s always advised that you start preparing for your move weeks in advance. It’s so you can get rid of the things you need to, pack up what you don’t need right away, and organize everything so when the movers arrive, it’s a lot easier for them to load and go.
Picking your schedule is also an essential part of making sure you stay efficient. Reputable moving companies that offer expert consultation services can also help you in that regard. Understanding the traffic conditions, rules, and regulations of the area you’re moving into can help speed things up and reduce additional costs.
5. Find Referrals and Get Discounts
There are hundreds of moving companies scattered on the internet. But finding the right one that fits your budget is like a needle in a haystack. It’s always good to get referrals from friends and family. Reputation is the lifeblood of the moving industry, and movers are always eager to make a good impression. Returning customers and referrals are like a gold star on any movers book, which helps if someone vouches for you. If you’re lucky, you might even get a discount.
Even without a referral offer, many movers still offer discounts for qualified individuals. Seniors, students, and military families are some of the more common groups that can find special deals. But there are also seasonal discounts during the off-peak moving season. If you can be more flexible with your moving schedule, you could get a few bucks lopped off your moving rate.
This isn’t a tried and true method to reduce your moving costs, but sweet-talking can go both ways. And it helps to look for more than a couple of estimates so you can decide which one has the best offer. Again, just remember the first point – stick to your budget no matter what. It’s really the best advice for anyone moving.
