8 ways to save money on moving
It’s no secret that moving can be an expensive undertaking. Whether you are moving downtown or across the country, moving can take months of saving, preparation and planning. There are numerous ways to complete your move. The national average cost for local moving is $1400, with prices that range between $800 and $2500. When it comes to long distance moving, the prices soar even higher, ranging between $2200 and 7500. We’ve compiled a list of ways to help you save money on moving!
How to make your move easier and more wallet friendly:
- Ask your friends for help!
To make your move less strenuous, you may need to enlist the help of your friends, family and neighbors. You can also pay a TaskRabbit or a freelance mover on Craigslist, though they may not be as professional as a moving company. While a moving company can seem like a luxury, there are ways to save money on movers, and we’ll tell you how!
- Estimate the cost of moving and save up
When you are planning a move, it’s important to be realistic about cost. You should start planning a few months in advance to understand the financial reality of your move. Set aside some money each week so that you can cover all moving costs. Do as much research as possible. See how much a U-Haul costs in your area, or consider renting a PODS container.
Potential moving costs:
- Moving boxes
Acquiring moving boxes and moving supplies is necessary to make any move happen. If you are on a budget, it is always cheaper to pack yourself, however, packing supplies can add up if you are not thrifty.
- Storage costs
While renting a storage unit is not always a necessity, storage can be a useful tool if you are waiting on closing a new house, but have already sold your home.
- Moving Insurance
When you hire movers, there is usually some form of moving insurance included. When you do a D.I.Y move, you may have to pay for your own additional insurance or risk it.
- Van insurance
In a similar vein, when you rent a U-Haul, you may have to cover van insurance.
- Gasoline
With rising gas prices, the cost of gasoline is something to consider when moving yourself.
- Parking tickets
With most moving companies, parking tickets are covered by them. However, if you decide to move yourself, you can end up double parked and faced with some pricey tickets.
- Hotels/overnight accommodation (depending on how far you are moving)
This can be an expense regardless if you hire movers or not.
- Get as many moving quotes as possible
If you choose to hire a moving company, you should try to get as many quotes as possible. And, while it may be tempting to go with the cheapest quote, it may not be the best idea to use the cheapest movers you find. Make sure that you hire a reputable, licensed and insured moving company.
4. Downsize your life!
Because moving costs are directly correlated to volume (how much stuff you have), it can be cost efficient to get rid of old clothes, broken appliances and so forth. As humans we tend to nest and get comfortable in our spaces, which means that we accumulate belongings. Be sure to go through your house and get rid of things you no longer use or want. This can be a huge weight off your shoulders especially if you have lived in the same home for a long time.
5. Have a yard sale!
If you are going to get rid of some stuff, it can be nice to make a few bucks while you downsize. A yard sale is an efficient way to sell a lot of your belongings all at once.
6. Move in the off season (or during the week)
This may not always work with your schedule, but if you have some flexibility, moving in the off-peak season can be a blessing for your wallet! Most moving companies have high seasons and low seasons. The low season tends to be between September and May, though this may vary depending on where you live. Moving companies often offer discounts when their business is slow, which is something to take note of if you can schedule when you move during any time of the season. Moreover, if you choose to move during the middle of the week, you can also save a bit of money as weekends tend to be busier for movers.
7. Get creative with packing supplies
When it comes to packing, it’s always cheaper to do it yourself. There are also workarounds to help make the cost of moving supplies even cheaper. You don’t have to order expensive supplies, you can reuse cardboard boxes that you find in your neighborhood. Ask local restaurants, neighbors and businesses. Compile boxes from online orders. You can also try using reusable plastic crates which are more durable and can double up as storage containers.
8. Remember that moving is tax deductible!
Fortunately, in most U.S states, moving is not a taxable expense. However, moving costs can be tax deductible so be sure to save all your receipts for tax season.
READY TO MOVE?
Whenever you are ready to move, be sure to request a free quote from USA Preferred Movers. We offer local, long distance and commercial moving. We also have a number of storage options available.