Moving costs can add up fast, especially if you need to move across the country. From hiring professional movers to renting a transportation vehicle, you could find yourself paying thousands of dollars just to relocate! Add this to the first month’s rent, security deposit and other move-in fees and you could be facing a pretty hefty bill.
Luckily, finding a cheap way to move is not as difficult as you might think. In fact, there are a few tips you can use to minimize your moving costs while still having a seamless moving experience. Here are 7 ways to minimize your moving costs, whether moving across the country or just across the street.
Some of the sneakiest moving costs result from purchasing expensive supplies. But what if we told you that you can find most of these supplies for free, just by asking around?
Relocating, even just across town, means packing up your belongings and transporting them safely. Instead of buying moving boxes and packing tape that you’ll end up throwing away, ask friends and family if they have any lying around. If you know someone who moved recently, they may have leftover supplies that you can use.
Most grocery stores have piles and piles of boxes that end up going into the recycling bin. Ask the store manager if they have any spare boxes you can use during your move. It could end up saving you hundreds of dollars!
If you’re looking for a cheap way to move, you might consider getting rid of some items that you no longer use or need. Your moving costs can significantly decrease if you reduce the number of items you take with you.
Before your move, take some time to go through your belongings and determine which items are the most important. It may help to divide your belongings into piles based on their importance. Create a donation pile for items you no longer need.
It may be a good idea to host a garage sale for some of the items you no longer need. This is one way to reimburse yourself for belongings you do not plan to take with you. The money you earn doing the sale could help you pay for other moving costs, such as a rental truck or moving company.
Hiring moving companies to assist you in your move may not work with your budget, and that’s okay. Consider recruiting some friends or family members to help you pack and transport your belongings. It’s a good idea to ask them a few weeks in advance so they are prepared.
Keep in mind that they are not professional movers and may not know the best ways to pack and organize belongings. If you have fragile or important items, consider packing them yourself to reduce the risks.
Be sure to let your friends or family know how long you think the move will take. This will help you get a better idea of the commitment.
Paying for moving services – especially a rental truck or trailer – can set you back a few hundred dollars. If you have a friend or family member that owns a truck, ask them to borrow it for the day of your move. You may consider offering to pay for gas as a way to reimburse them for using it.
If you’re relocating across the country, borrowing a friend’s truck may not be the best idea. However, a small truck is ideal for local moves because you can make several trips to transport all of your belongings.
Finding cheap moving companies may require you to do a bit of research beforehand. The best way to find the most affordable moving company is to get several quotes from a variety of companies.
Professional movers typically charge based on the number of belongings you have as well as the distance of your move. If you are moving house items such as a couch, mattress, bed frame or other bulky items, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Some companies may offer other moving services, such as packing and organizing your belongings. You can generally save a few hundred dollars by packing items yourself and only utilizing the company for the transportation process.
You can find a variety of cheap moving companies by doing a simple online search. Just remember – cheap doesn’t always mean good. As you do your research, here are a few things to look for in a moving company:
- Reviews – The professional movers you choose should have a good track record as evidenced by several positive reviews.
- Recommendations – Ask friends or family members if they have any recommendations for a good moving company.
- License and insurance – All good moving companies carry an insurance policy to protect both the employees and the customer from liability. If a mover is injured on your property and the company does not have insurance, you could face some financial issues.
One of the biggest moving costs comes from renting a vehicle to transport your belongings. If you need to rent a truck or trailer for your move, it helps to measure your belongings, so you don’t overpay. You might find that you only need a small box truck to transport your items, which typically costs less than renting a trailer.
You may find that the cheapest way to move across country is to take most of your belongings with you and rent a truck. Consider the value of your belongings and the price you might pay for purchasing new items once you move in. The cost of renting a truck and taking your items with you could be far less than the cost of buying brand-new furniture.
Moving costs can significantly increase during peak moving seasons. Millions of Americans relocate during the summer months so they don’t have to deal with snow and cold temperatures. If you can, avoid moving during the summer.
Professional movers may also charge more money if you plan to move on the weekend, especially if it is a holiday weekend. Coordinating your move on a weekday during the fall or spring could save you hundreds – even thousands – of dollars.