10 Best Ways To Save Money On Moving Costs
How To Save Money On a Move
Are you searching for ways to reduce your moving costs? Here are ten great ways to make moving cheaper!
Moving is exciting to look forward to but can also be stressful and time-consuming. To avoid added stress, most homebuyers choose to hire a professional moving company to assist with packing and moving their items from one place to another.
Hiring a moving company is great if you are looking to save time and avoid manual labor, but if you are on a tight budget, it might not be the best option for your wallet.
Whether you are moving to a new neighborhood in Raleigh or are figuring out the best way to move cross-country, even the smallest moving expenses can add up.
Learning to save money on moving costs can go a long way to ensure you can afford your move. Whether you are buying your dream home or a home right out of college, follow this guide to save money while having an easy and efficient move.
This is how to save money on moving costs
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1. Get Multiple Estimates
A moving estimate is a detailed calculation that professional movers provide that explains how much moving services will cost based on total inventory, weight of belongings, distance of the move, and any additional services requested.
If you want to save money on moving costs, the best thing to do is get multiple estimates from at least three moving companies before hiring a professional mover. While moving estimates can be discussed online, in-person interactions are more reliable and accurate.
Receiving a moving estimate is an important part of the moving process so that you are aware of what you need to pay. You can figure out your best option quickly by getting three separate quotes from different companies.
Getting multiple quotes can help you find the best price while learning how reputable a moving company is by how they behave. Be wary of moving companies who will not give you a moving quote upfront or require full payment upfront. Make sure to ask if the quote you are given has an expiration date.
Here are the pros and cons of getting multiple moving estimates from professional moving companies:
| Pros | Cons |
| Are able to compare prices and negotiate | Some estimates might be misleading |
| Learn about the service of each company | The process can be overwhelming |
| Detect scams and find a reputable moving company | Binding and non-binding moving quotes can be confusing |
*Data Sourced from Allied Van Lines.
2. Pack Yourself
While packing yourself can be a lot more work, it is one of the best ways to save money on moving costs. Most moving companies offer the option of packing everything for you, which can help save you time but not money.
By choosing to pack your belongings yourself, you will be able to reduce your moving expenses. Some of the best packing tips to follow for an efficient move include setting aside enough time to pack, packing one room at a time, and labeling everything so that all of your boxes stay organized.
If you are moving with kids, having them help with packing is the perfect way to get them involved and excited about the upcoming move. While it certainly depends on the moving company, the average cost for full-service packing and unpacking services is $700 per hour.
3. Move During an Off-Peak Time
Most Americans move between mid-May and mid-September due to the favorable weather, and more people are likely to use their vacation days during this time of the year.
Since most people move in the spring and summer, this means that professional moving companies receive most of their business at this time and are most likely to raise their prices due to an increase in demand.
If you want to avoid high moving costs and want to ensure that there is a moving company that can fit you into their schedule, opt to move during the off-season.
Choosing to move during late fall and winter can get you the best prices if you want to use a moving company. Even though the weather will be colder and not as ideal, this is the most cost-effective time of year to move, and you will also have more options regarding moving companies and dates.
If you choose to sell your house in the winter and move, be aware that you will have fewer daylight hours to work with. This time of the year might also require you to be flexible due to an increased risk of unsafe weather conditions due to snow and ice.
4. Avoid Buying Supplies
In order to have a successful move, you are going to need the right packing supplies. Much like anything else, packing supplies can add up, especially if you have many items to pack and bring on your move.
Instead of buying brand-new supplies, consider borrowing materials from family and friends. Renting companies such as Uhaul also offer the option of renting plastic moving boxes, which will help you save money on cardboard boxes, tape, and box cutters.
You might be able to find neighbors or friends on Facebook Marketplace who are giving away free packing boxes that are still in good shape. If you can find gently used supplies, there is no reason to have to spend money and buy new supplies.
Common packing supplies you will need include:
- Packing tape
- Boxes
- Stretch wrap
- Packing paper
- Permanent markers
- Scissors
- Bubble wrap
- Moving blankets
- Hand truck
- Box cutter
- Labels
- Furniture pads
5. Sell Items You No Longer Need
Save money on moving costs by removing items you no longer need. If you have a lot of belongings, consider having a yard sale and selling items you no longer use or want.
Not only will you make some extra money towards the move, but cutting back on the amount you are moving will further cut down moving costs. The less you have to pack, the less you have to worry about.
Selling items you no longer need should be an important step on your moving checklist.
6. Consider the Cost of Moving Yourself
Using a professional mover is definitely easier, but choosing to move yourself is a more affordable option that you might want to consider. If you are moving cross-country, then moving yourself will probably not make sense, but if you are moving locally, it could help save you a lot of money.
If you are on a tight budget, a DIY move is favorable but will require you to do all the heavy lifting yourself. Evaluating your risk tolerance is important before choosing whether or not you want to complete the move yourself.
The amount of items you have to move might also be the deciding factor for whether or not you want to move yourself or hire a moving company. If you have a small amount of items, you might be able to get away with renting a small moving truck or enlisting the help of your friends.
7. Negotiate and Ask For a Deal
Before choosing a moving company, do not hesitate to negotiate and ask for a deal. Once you have received estimates from at least three moving companies, you can negotiate for the best price.
Much like negotiating on a home or negotiating repairs after a home inspection, choose your favorite of the three companies you received estimates from and ask if they can offer you a better price from the three quotes provided.
Each estimate should include the same services and a list of items that need to be moved. Most moving companies are not able to haggle but are known to offer discounts and promotions, which could help lower your moving costs.
8. Pack Strategically
Do not underestimate the benefits of strategic packing. Smart and efficient packing will not only reduce the number of boxes needed to move but can, in turn, reduce moving costs since there will not be as much to move.
The more items you can fit into one box, the fewer boxes you will need. This could lead to the possibility of only needing a small moving truck that costs less instead of a larger and more expensive one.
When packing, place heavier items into smaller boxes and lighter items into smaller boxes. The smarter you pack, the less your items will be at risk of damage during the move.
9. Understand Moving Insurance
Moving insurance is a great option to have and can come in handy since it covers the losses or damage to any possessions during the move. Since moving comes with the risk of damage and theft, having a backup plan, such as an insurance policy, can provide reimbursement if something happens to your belongings during the moving process.
Moving companies typically sell basic valuation coverage, ensuring that a homeowner gets paid for damage or loss of belongings. If you are moving out of state, movers are required to offer two liability coverage options.
Even if you are not hiring movers, it is still a good idea to consider getting moving insurance for yourself. Understanding your moving insurance options will guarantee you do not lose money if something happens to your items.
10. Ship Packages
If you do not have many belongings and want to completly bypass hiring movers, consider shipping your packing boxes through UPS, FedEx, and the United States Postal Service.
Not only do these companies specialize in shipping packages, but this could be the most affordable option for your move, depending on the weight of the boxes and how far you need to send them.
Methodology
We used data and information from USA Today, Forbes, Architectural Digest, and Nerd Wallet to determine the best ways to save money on moving costs.
FAQs
How much should I budget for moving costs?
Depending on how far you move will determine how much moving will cost for you and your family. A typical local move will cost anywhere between $882 and $2,547, while a cross-country move can range from $2,462 to upwards of $6,874.
Can you negotiate moving costs?
Much like any other service, moving services are negotiable if you are looking for the best price, which is why it is important to get multiple quotes from different companies.
What is the least expensive month to move?
One of the best ways to save on moving costs is to avoid moving during peak season and instead schedule your move between the months of September and April when costs are lowest.
What is the least expensive day to move?
The best day of the week to move is during the weekday on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday since moving companies are most busy on the weekends.
Best Ways To Save Money On Moving Costs - Final Thoughts
Whether you move at an off-time to avoid high moving costs or pack yourself instead of paying extra fees, there are multiple ways to make moving cheaper.
While it may seem like extra work, getting multiple estimates from different moving companies can save you a lot of money in the long run. Moving can be a large financial burden if you do not take the time to consider all of your costs and options.
If you are moving to Raleigh and are ready to start the moving process, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. We are here to help and answer any questions.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!
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