The Saunders Blog

Smart Moving – Top 10 Tips to Help Cut Moving Costs

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Moving your things from one home to another doesn't have to be costly.

After searching properties, making offers, securing financing and signing piles of closing papers, you’re finally ready to move your possessions into your new home. Understandably, by this point you and your finances are equally exhausted, so the thoughts of shelling out more money for moving can become quite daunting.

Fortunately, moving your things from one abode to another doesn’t have to be as costly as you think. By following the 10 tips below, you can help make your move a little easier and a lot more wallet-friendly:

1.  Garage Sale – If you plan to hire a moving company, many base their prices on what they need to move. So, get rid of the things you really don’t need or no longer use. The best way? Sell it in a garage sale. If you don’t have a lot of items to sell, consider a joint sale with some neighbors. With luck, you can rid yourself of extra baggage and put some money back into your pockets. Can’t sell it? Donate it.

2. Timing is Everything – Most people move on the weekend, so truck rental companies and moving companies will increase their rates for weekends. Move during the week, and you’ll save on a truck rental and movers if you need help loading up or unloading the truck. Also, most choose to move in the summer months, when work may be slower and the kids are out of school. The least expensive time of the year to move is between October and April, so try to schedule your move date then.

3.  Do-It-Yourself – Save money and do all your packing and unpacking yourself. You’ll need to plan at least six weeks to pack and get ready for a move. You can purchase boxes and wrapping materials pretty reasonably from moving companies or storage rental places. You can also save money by filling up containers you already have, like suitcases or plastic bins.

4. Go Online – Before going out to buy brand new moving materials and supplies, check some online sites like Craigslist. Here, you can easily find some sturdy moving boxes and good packing paper or bubble wrap at a very good price.

5.   Truck Rental – For a totally do-it-yourself experience, renting a truck is the most cost-effective way to move. This is a great time to enlist your friends and family for packing and helping carry the big items like furniture. Why not make it a moving party? If you’ve got the brawn and the inclination, this is an obvious cost saver. If you do rent a truck, don’t do any extra riding or make any errands around town with it. They are not very good on gas.

6.  Be Careful – If you can’t rent a truck and do the job yourself, be sure to choose a trustworthy moving company to help. You’ll be loading up all your worldly possessions and putting them on a truck with a few workers you barely know. Protect yourself! Look for red flags and get recommendations from friends and neighbors.

7.  Estimates – If you’re hiring a professional mover to do the heavy lifting and packing, prices can vary widely between companies. To make sure you’re getting the best deal possible, get at least three estimates. Quotes will vary — perhaps by as much as 5%, but you also need to do some research like checking in with the Better Business Bureau to review any complaints.

8.  Just in Case – If you hire a professional, keep in mind that even the best movers can make mistakes. If you do wind up with a lost or damaged item, the cost to repair or replace can be pretty high. For peace of mind, do some research into purchasing moving insurance. Your existing homeowners insurance policy might cover your move, so you don’t have to buy additional moving protection.

9.  Safe Transport – Your valuables demand special attention, so arrange for a safe transfer. Start with the contents of your safe-deposit box. Carry small valuables like jewelry, legal documents and insurance policies with you, or  send by insured or registered mail. Items of great value should not be included in your shipment.

10. Tax Time – You can also save some money after your big move, so don’t forget to keep any receipts. If you relocated for a new full-time job at least 50 miles away from your previous home, you can deduct the cost of packing, transporting or storing your household goods from next year’s tax return. Also, if you donate your unwanted items to charity, remember to ask for a receipt so you can document it on your income tax return.