We all like to save money where we can when we’re moving house on a budget. But there are many popular ideas about saving money on moving that don’t work, aren’t true or could actually end up costing you more. If you need to keep your moving budget lean, here are five sure-fire tips to save you money.
Tip 1: Declutter
The equation for moving costs is simple. The more you have to move, the more it costs. If you’re paying to move items you don’t need anymore, you’re throwing money away. There’s plenty of detailed advice about decluttering and the benefits of doing it, but let’s look at it purely from the cost savings.
Selling any items of value that you don’t need, use or want anymore puts money back into your pocket and lowers your moving costs. Donating other items and disposing or recycling clutter lowers your moving costs. Having less to pack makes it quicker. If you’re using a professional packing service, it makes packing cheaper.
Tip 2: Use capable people, not friends to help you move
Time is money. Free labour from friends and hiring a small truck may seem like a way to save money, but the longer it takes, the more it costs. We don’t need to tell anyone about the current price of fuel. If you can’t move in one trip, you’re blowing out fuel costs.
Unless you have friends who are moving professionals, it’ll take you longer. This can eat into your budget with other costs, like truck hire. And if you have any mishaps, like a dropped box of breakables, your budget is toast. Burnt toast, not the good kind.
While hiring professionals may seem more expensive, it offers price assurance. You’ll know where you stand and can stick to the budget. Professionals move household lots every day. We have skilled people, the best equipment and know the latest techniques to optimise the moving process, allowing us to complete most local moves within a day. Plus, you can get cover with moving insurance, which protects you against breakages or damage.
Tip 3: Don’t take shortcuts with packing
Not packing your belongings properly to save money on packing materials is asking for breakages and damage. People often don’t pack properly because they believe packing materials are expensive. Those damages often cost more than buying new packing materials.
You can save money by not using new packing materials. As long as a box isn’t damaged, you can use it again. Search your local social media pages for anyone giving boxes away. Improvise with replacing bubble wrap with towels and old linen and clothes. As long as you have covered and protected items properly and secured your boxes with tape, you can save a few extra dollars here too.
Tip 4: Delays cost extra
Again, time is money. We work to a fixed price, but many moving companies make provisions in the contract for charging additional fees for unexpected delays. This is because movers estimate their costs based on how long they expect it will take them to collect and carry your items.
- Delays which may incur an additional fee include:
- Waiting time if you haven’t finished packing.
- Not organising a space for the moving truck, so they have to carry items further.
- Waiting due to not having access to your new home.
Tip 5: Get advice if you’re unsure about anything
Moving isn’t easy, and mistakes come at a cost of time, money or accidents, such as breakages, injuries or both. Get advice if any part of the process seems daunting. Our advice is free because it’s our job to make your move go as smoothly as possible. Feel free to get in touch.