One of the certain parts of being a Central West End renter is that you will need to move house sooner or later. And disappointingly, moving can be not only time-consuming but expensive, mostly if you are moving a long distance away or need to hire people to help you. The good news is that there are things that you can do to save money during your move to help keep those costs down. From a little extra planning and some insider know-how, these money-saving tips can help make your next journey a bit more affordable.
1. Donate, Toss, or Sell Unwanted Items
One of the excellent ways to make your next move faster and less expensive is to lower the amount of stuff you plan to bring with you. This is particularly evident if you are moving a long distance but can be just as much of a money-saver even if you are only moving a few miles away. Sit down and go through your belongings and select what to donate, throw out, or sell. It may also be necessary to sell items you no longer want or need at a yard sale. This can greatly lighten the load while putting a little extra cash in your pocket.
2. Plan Ahead
If possible, think about planning your move earlier. Waiting to try and schedule a moving truck or helpers at the last minute will surely cost you more since your options will be restricted. You can also start planning your move by creating a system for packing each room. Rarely utilized items can be packed months ahead of a move, and all boxes need to be clearly labeled according to contents and which room they will be put in. Everything you can do to speed up your move will definitely save you money on moving day.
3. Start Gathering Supplies ASAP
Another method to save money during a move is to find and use as much free packing material as you need. However, obtaining free packing supplies might take quite a while, so it’s recommended to begin collecting boxes and other supplies as soon as possible. Review local classifieds for people disposing of moving boxes, or ask local stores whether they have some that they will let you take.
4. Move During the Week
Even better, plan your move for a day or season outside of peak demand. For example, hiring a moving company for a weekend or during the summer will cost more since demand is high. On the other hand, the same movers may quote you a lower rate for moving on a weekday or during the off-season. The same can happen if you want to rent a truck and do it yourself. While it is not always achievable to choose your moving date, it can save you substantial money if you have that possibility.
5. Hire the Right Movers
If you choose to hire movers to help you, it is important to shop around and compare rates. There is no set fee for moving, and even moving companies that perform the same services can charge very different rates. However, the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best, either. You need to explore the company’s customer reviews online and solicit recommendations from friends and neighbors.
Working with a quality mover is a wonderful way to save money because their staff should be well-trained and efficient. Unscrupulous movers may dangle a great rate and then charge by the hour and drag out the move much longer than it would take for somebody else. To avoid the chance of being exploited this way, ask about fixed-rate options.
6. Divide and Conquer
You can make the most of the movers you hire if you are well-prepared and organized on moving day itself. If you are moving to a new place nearby, it would be great to move as many of the boxes and small items yourself as you can. It just makes sense: if your movers only need to focus on moving your furniture, the move will take less time and probably cost less, too.
The more time the movers spend on packing, loading, and unloading your things, the more likely you’ll turn out spending far more than you wanted to on your move. So have everything boxed and ready to go before the movers arrive!
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