Moving into a new home is never an easy proposition, but sometimes it can also be a hit to the wallet. Buying a home, of course, has all kinds of additional costs from closing fees to the down payment. Renting a home also comes with added costs such as utilities and security deposits. That’s why it’s important to save as much money as possible when it comes to the move itself.
Here are 5 great tips on how to save money when to moving into your new home:
Get rid of as much stuff as possible — Professional movers tend to charge by the hour, so if you want to save money you can start by reducing how long it takes to move you. One way to do this is to do a major purge of your belongings before you move. We recommend doing a room-by-room approach. When you’re coming to each room, separate your items into three stacks: To Pack, To Donate, and To Trash. If you can even get rid of a few items in each room, you will save yourself in the long run and (if you can donate the items) even possibly earn yourself a tax deduction with the items.
Pack creatively — Another way to save time on your move (and therefore money) is to reduce the number of packages you have to pack. No, we aren’t saying to pack your boxes to the point of bursting. That’s going to cost you in the long run when the boxes break. Instead, get creative on the way you pack. For instance, don’t empty your dressers and pack all of your clothes separately. Instead, pull out the drawers and wrap them with plastic wrap with the clothes still inside. Also, pack fragile items with towels and blankets that you will have to move anyway. In this way, you combine some of your packing jobs and save yourself some money.
Don’t forget the free boxes — Although we are big fans of using traditional moving boxes, we know that some people want to save money with these purchases. If that’s you, try hanging out at the local package shops and grocery stores to get free boxes when they toss them out. Another option is to look at rental services that let you rent plastic moving bins instead of having to pay for the boxes.
Shop around — Not all moving companies are the same. If you want to ensure that you’re saving money on your move, get price quotes from all of the local companies. Find out if they offer discounts depending on the day of the week. Fridays and Saturdays are always the biggest moving days, so if the company offers a discount for taking a “slow day” such as a Monday or Tuesday, then it might be in your best interest to be flexible.
Be sure to compare apples to apples here during your search. Not all moving companies are created equal and while some companies will have low fees, it’s important that you find a well-established moving company that has a great reputation. Moving is when you need to know your furniture and important items will be handled with care and moved professionally.
Read the fine print — When you’re shopping around for relocators, read the fine print of your contract. Some companies will charge lots of “extras” that you may not necessarily need (or even use). Be sure that you know where all of your money is going with the move and don’t sign on the dotted line if you are being charged more for what should be basic delivery items.
Enjoy Your Moving Day Without Worrying About Your Finances
Moving might not be a fun experience, but it also doesn’t have to be that expensive of one. If you plan and prepare ahead of time, you’ll find that there are several ways to limit your moving budget so that you can save your cash for other things that you will need after your move is complete.
Are you ready to find a BBB-accredited and certified moving company in Canada?
Contact us today for a virtual moving quote. As part of our new moving guidelines, we are offering optional virtual moving quotes in order to keep our customers and staff safe. Moving consultations can be done over the phone or through an online video conferencing program. This limits the face-to-face contact between our staff and your family. If you’re looking for a quote on moving costs, you can fill out the form on our website. We can provide an accurate and no-obligation estimate without coming to your house.