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7 smart strategies to reduce moving costs

8th Jun '17 • By Elizabeth Lee

Moving home can be one of the most stressful events of your life, and on top of that, it costs a lot of money too. Just buying or renting a new home is only the tip of the iceberg – there are all kinds of other things to think about too. Here’s how to cut those costs while still doing everything the right way.

Reduce Moving Costs

1. Get Some Help
 

The easiest way to reduce costs is to do everything yourself. If you have friends and family who might be able to help, ask them to lend a hand. This will reduce your need for hired help and will get the job done a lot quicker, which means you might not need to rent a van for as long or stay in a hotel while you move.

Get Some Help

2. Check The Prices
 

Do a bit of shopping around before renting your movers, and be sure to look for bargains. Let’s say you have figured out you will need a truck for two days. Is it cheaper to hire a truck for two days – or to hire two for one day and get all of your moving done at once? You should also try to hire from a company which has multiple depots, as you may be able to save on fuel by taking it back to a depot nearer to your new home.

3. Move In The Week
 

Prices tend to be higher for moving services at the weekend, because that’s when everyone wants to do it. If you move on a weekday instead, you could save a lot of money. You could also leave kids in school if you have any, which means not having to pay for a sitter while you do all the work.

Moving Truck

4. Clear Things Out
 

Before you move, while you’re packing, start going through your belongings. Sort them into three types: those you will take with you, those you might be able to sell, and those to throw out. Doing this well in advance will give you time to make a little money from the things you don’t need anymore. It also means that you will be able to move with fewer things, making it cheaper and quicker.

5. Find Packing Supplies
 

It can be tempting to spend money on packing supplies, but you don’t need to. Many moving companies will include materials such as tape and boxes for free. What’s more, you can also grab boxes at work, from friends and family, or even on services like Freecycle. Don’t pay for something you are only going to use once before throwing it out.

6. Try Shipping
 

Especially if you are moving a long distance, you might want to think about shipping smaller items. This will take longer for them to arrive, but the cost overall could be cheaper than having to hire a second van. You can even go the whole hog and ship your furniture too, if you have a good quote from a reliable company.

Interstate Moves

7. Think Insurance
 

Remember to check that you have insurance for your move before you so much as pack a single box. When your goods get to the other side, if you have hired a moving company, never sign a release which says they are off the hook for any damages. Tell them you will only sign if you don’t have those words on the paperwork. You will then have the ability to make a claim if, when unpacking, you do find that something has been damaged or treated roughly.

When you put all of these strategies together, you could be looking at a significant reduction in the fees that you have to pay when moving. This will be a real weight off your shoulders, especially if you are looking at a large deposit to pay before you can settle into your new home.

Author's Bio:

Elizabeth Lee is a blogger deeply interested in international trade and shipping, currently supporting PACK & SEND – experts in the field of transportation. Elizabeth is an huge supporter of self-improvement and might constantly be found reading self-growth books and watching motivational videos. 

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