Looking to save money when moving? Here are 8 tips to show you how.
The cost of moving can add up quickly. Whether you DIY the process with friends or are hiring movers, there are many ways to save money when moving.
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Plan Ahead
I know, it’s stereotypical, but planning ahead really can save you money when moving. If you know you’re going to move 3 months in advance, you can ask your friends, family, and coworkers to save their Amazon boxes and newspapers for you to box everything up. It also allows you to take the time to find the right mover (many movers charge a premium if you try and book close to your move date), and sell any items or furniture you don’t want to take with you to your new residence.
Downsize Where You Can
Fewer items to move = the less time it takes to move! If you already know you’re getting a new couch or bed when you move, sell your old one on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or OfferUp before you leave! That way you can get the extra cash in hand before your move, and your movers aren’t spending time on the clock (that you’re paying for!) to wrap, load, and unload an item you aren’t planning on keeping.
Pack Boxes Well
If you want to save money when moving, make sure your boxes are packed well! Get strong, sturdy boxes (Home Depot has the cheapest ones, from our experience), and use bubble wrap or packing paper (newspaper also works) for your delicate items such as glassware. Also, tape up your boxes – don’t just fold them! When boxes are folded and not taped, the bottom is more likely to fall out and the tops are more likely to cave in. This can cause the items inside to be more likely to be damaged.
Choose the Right Movers
If you’re hiring professional movers for your move (which we obviously recommend), choosing the right movers can save you SO much money! I don’t recommend going for the cheapest rate you can find, though – being able to properly wrap furniture and stack a truck is a skill, and paying a bit more for licensed, experienced, background-checked movers is usually worth it. If you want to know more about how to hire reputable movers, check out my post on “8 Questions to Ask When Hiring Movers” which has a PDF cheat sheet for you!
Move During Winter
May-September is considered “moving season.” Families with children often want to move during the summer to not disrupt the school season, and the weather is more amenable for moving to all. Moving companies often raise their prices by up to 25% because there’s more demand. If you don’t have the school year or other timing issues to worry about, try and time your move between Oct-April and you can possibly get professional movers for a discount.
Be Ready When The Movers Arrive
If you’re hiring professional movers, they’ll tell you one of the biggest delays is not being ready for them to arrive. If your boxes aren’t packed and taped up, movers will have to work around you or wait for you to finish packing boxes. Since most movers are hourly, the time they spend waiting on your dime. So have everything ready before they get there, and they can work quickly and efficiently for you!
Pad and Wrap Furniture
If you’re hiring movers, they should be doing this for you (Again, see “8 Questions to Ask When Hiring Movers“). If you’re taking the DIY route with a few strong friends when you’re renting your Uhaul, rent out some moving blankets and buy some stretch wrap. Watch some youtube videos on how to pad and wrap furniture to keep it safe during your move, and the money spent on the blankets and wrap will be worth it when you don’t have to replace your damaged furniture.
Box Your TVs
This is something a lot of people don’t think about, but spending a bit more on boxes for your TVs can help you save money when moving overall. A television is right at the crossroads between delicate and expensive, and a moving company’s standard cargo insurance is $.60/lb. Spending $20 to protect your $300+ television is a small investment to make and will save you from having to purchase a new television should something happen during transport.
You can find TV boxes at Lowes, Home Depot, and Amazon (affiliate link), but we’ve personally found that the best prices for tv boxes are at Uhaul.
At the end of the day, moving is almost never cheap – you’ll pay for it one way or another. But with the right planning, you can save money when moving. We hope you have a happy move!
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