How to Save Money When Moving: 8 Essential Tips

Moving to a new house can be an overwhelming experience, especially when you start to think about the costs involved. But don’t worry. With some preparation and cost-saving moving tricks, you can make it work even on a tight budget.

As you start planning your move, you may wonder how much it will cost and how to save money when moving. But the more you research and educate yourself on proven cost-saving moving strategies, the more confident you will feel about your ability to pull off a successful move without breaking the bank.

So, how to move cheaply when you know that moving is expensive? Here are the top 8 tips that can help you reduce your moving expenses to a minimum.

Tip #1: Get your relocation cost estimated

Before you begin your moving preparations and start completing task after task, the one thing that you need straight from the beginning is a good idea of how much your move will cost you. Of course, you can never know the exact final sum upfront, but you can still get a relatively accurate estimate of the moving expenses you’re about to incur.

Be mindful that some of these relocation costs are not that clear, and it will take a bit of research on your part to learn what to expect and prepare for the inevitable hidden costs when moving house. But first things first. To create a budget – a must-do task that will enable you to keep tabs on your finances-you will have to get a few moving estimates (at least 3, preferably 5) so that you get familiar with the price range of your relocation.

The preferred way to receive these estimates, which will be optimized for your specific needs, is to fill out a moving quote and then have trustworthy moving experts get back to you with price offers. Remember, you’re looking for the best deals from top-rated but low-cost moving companies nearby.

When you contact reliable, professional movers, don’t forget to request on-site cost estimation to calculate the moving price accurately. Do not accept estimates made over the phone or via e-mail – those often become vastly inaccurate and misleading simply because they are NOT the result of any actual inspection of your household items and on-site relocation conditions.

Once you know the cost of your upcoming move, you can go ahead and set a budget so that you can monitor your expenses more closely.

Tip #2: Compare the moving estimates you got

When moving out on a budget, it’s fundamental that you compare the moving estimates you received to select the best offer for your move. While carefully comparing the estimates, pay attention to the additional services offered – packing, unpacking, disassembly and re-assembly of large furniture, temporary storage, etc. – and how much each extra service costs. Moreover, check for additional charges in the estimate and request more information from the moving company.

A word of caution: Should you get an offer that seems too good to be true, proceed with extra caution. Attempt to figure out on your own why exactly the estimated price is so much lower than the other quotes, and if you fail to do so, contact the company that has provided the low estimate and demand answers to the puzzle of why their price is so much lower than the rest.

Tip #3: Consider pulling off a DIY move

Having a limited budget means you must explore all low-cost moving solutions from companies and go with the one that will show greater mercy toward your bank account. However, suppose you meet specific criteria such as relocating within the same area, having dependable friends, not transporting any specialty items, and having previous experience with moving. In that case, consider renting a moving truck and moving on your own.

A self-move will incur expenses, including renting a truck and equipment, purchasing fuel, packing materials, hiring extra help, and other hidden costs. So, it’s crucial to include them in your DIY moving budget.

Tip #4: Choose your moving date wisely

Our tips continue with advice on saving money by booking your move prudently. It’s well-known that the 5-month period from May to September is when about 70% of all household moves occur, so the demand for relocation professionals reaches its highest point. As a result, good moving companies are fully booked during the summer and will not usually be willing to offer you a good bargain. Therefore, if you can exercise flexibility when booking your move-out date, then a proven technique to cut moving costs is to reserve your relocation during the off-peak season and, thus, save.

Remember that weekends, as opposed to weekdays, are usually the more expensive periods to move, as are the first and last days of each month. So, consider the above information when you’re moving house on a tight budget, and whenever possible, use the unique chance to bring down the overall relocation price by being flexible in choosing an off-peak move date for your upcoming move. Note: Some moving companies offer discounts for early booking!

Tip #5: Turn unwanted stuff into cash

The above advice on moving on a low budget will help you keep more money in your savings account, but what if you could earn additional cash to cover some of the moving expenses? It is possible. The answer is to hold a profitable garage sale for all the items you no longer need or want. Also, you can choose to sell them online to make money for your limited budget.

• Check the items you have decided NOT to take to your new home and assess their current condition. Set apart the ones which are not damaged and still seem to have a good market value, and then spend some time preparing them for sale – thorough cleaning, minor repairs, etc.
• Consider placing a fair price tag on each one and research online for similar stuff. Underprice your possessions, and you won’t get any real profit from the moving sale; overprice them, and people will not be particularly interested.
• Come up with an advertising plan and consider various methods of spreading the word about your sale – via social networks, local newspapers, or signs and posters throughout the neighbourhood.
• On the day of the garage sale, sort and display your stuff attractively and logically, greet the strangers to your home with a smile, and be ready for price negotiations.

Tip #6: Get free packing supplies

If you think that packing supplies is not an expense worth mentioning, you’ll most definitely be pleasantly surprised when you finish the necessary calculations. Packing materials will add up quickly to your limited budget, so you’ll have to get creative to organize and execute a cheap cross-country move.

Needless to say, your main concern will be how to get more moving boxes for free. You can ask all your friends if they have any moving containers you can borrow permanently.

Alternatively, you can visit local businesses, such as supermarkets, office supply stores, specialized liquor stores, and bookstores, and speak to their managers about getting free cardboard boxes in good condition. Those businesses must recycle the cardboard boxes they no longer need anyway, so you can go home with piles of boxes of various sizes. If there is a recycling center near your home, try your luck there.

Tip #7: Pack on your own

Your limited moving budget will undoubtedly take a big blow if you leave the entire packing process to professional packers. So, to lower the moving expenses to the absolute minimum, begin the packing process by yourself as soon as the moving date is confirmed. Start from the rooms you use the least (spare rooms and storage areas) so you don’t clutter your home unnecessarily, and then pack your way toward the spaces you occupy daily.

Also, consider disassembling and preparing for moving the pieces you think you can safely handle on your own. However, leave only the heavy and bulky pieces to the pro movers. If you feel that you’ve fallen behind on your packing schedule and still can’t afford to pay professional packers, consider asking some good friends to give you a hand so you can fit into your moving calendar.

Provided that you have enough time until the move-out date and don’t own any items that require special packing care, you can pack up your things on your own so that you won’t have to pay professional packers to do it for you.

Tip #8: Avoid making costly mistakes

When moving out on a budget, the last thing you want is to make a mistake that will ultimately cost you money. After all, you can’t afford to waste money you don’t have, so be careful not to let any significant slip-ups rob you of your only chance to make it to the new home with little money. Here are the top mistakes that may prove too costly at the end of the day:

• Accepting the first quote that comes your way without comparing it with at least 3-4 other. Always do your homework right!
• Falling for a low-ball cost estimate that turns out to be fraudulent later. Always keep your guard up!
  Agreeing to sign incomplete or blank documents when urged by movers to do so. Never do it!
• Entrusting your valuables to movers. If you have to do it, always purchase more insurance for peace of mind.
• Lifting and carrying heavy household items without using proper moving equipment and without using lifting techniques. Remember that potential injuries (medical bills) or property damage (home repair bills) will hurt your budget the most.

Use our tips and make your move as cheap as possible!