Are you in the process of planning a move? If so, you’re likely looking for ways to reduce the cost of your move. Moving is not cheap and moving services come with some pretty serious requirements.
It might seem easy to transport pieces of furniture from point A to point B, but there are lots of variables that impact the final cost: Labor time, fuel, truck, supplies, insurance charges…The list goes on.
It is understandable, that customers prefer to stay within their budget, but sometimes things do not go as they were planned.
Fortunately, there are practical ways to make moving less expensive without sacrificing the quality of service.
Let’s take a look at some of them.
1 – Plan Your Move
Moves are often planned at the last minute which can drive the cost up. If you have the opportunity to plan your move in advance, do it!
The best way to reduce the cost of your move is to plan it as far in advance as possible. This will give you time to shop around for the best deals on services. You might need to consider a lot if you are moving to another state.
Start looking for the moving company at least a month ahead of the actual moving date. The earlier you book, the better the price you will likely get.
Keep in mind, the end-of-month period is in high demand, therefore prices are higher. Try to schedule a move in the middle of the month. This way you can avoid the price increase and get better deals on services.
If it is technically impossible (e.g., your lease expires at the end of the month and you MUST be out of your apartment no later than the 30th), schedule the move ahead of time. You might be eligible for a discount.
2 – Reserve An Elevator
If you are moving in or out of a high-rise building, make sure to reserve an elevator in advance. The cost of moving items up and down the stairs will quickly add up, so this is an important cost-saving measure.
Reserving an elevator will ensure that your belongings are moved efficiently and safely. This will help to avoid potential damage to your belongings and reduce the cost of your move.
Most buildings have time frames for their elevator operations. For example, some buildings only allow elevator use for moving during specific hours on weekdays.
If elevators are not reserved, there is a possibility other moving crews or tenants will have to take turns to use them. This can significantly delay the move, increase the labor portion of your move, and, as a result, the final cost.
Check the rules and regulations for elevator use and discuss elevator availability with building management. Once you have an elevator reserved, make sure to let your moving company know in advance so they can plan your move accordingly. If you need to read about cross country moving tips, visit here.
3 – Pack Smart For Moving
Packing is often one of the most time-consuming and expensive parts of moving.
If you decide to self–pack, do it “smart”. One box may fit many things, but it does not mean all of them to need to go in one box.
Movers are strong and can lift pretty much anything, but a poorly packed box may be damaged during transportation. These boxes will have to be re-packed, resulting in more labor time and, as a result, a higher moving cost.
You can avoid this if you take some time to pack smart for moving.
Use smaller boxes for heavy items and larger ones for light items such as clothes, linens, and pillows. This will make it easier for movers to lift and transport your belongings, and will also help to avoid potential damage.
Here are some tips to become a smart packer:
· Use the appropriate boxes while packing your belongings. Pack linen in a linen box and your kitchenware and glassware in a dish box.
· Use packing paper and DO NOT FORGET to label boxes containing fragile items.
· Place heavy objects first into a box.
· Consolidate so-called “loose items” in one box. Movers have commercial bins for loose items. Using these bins will reduce the number of trips to the truck.
· Use heavy-duty packing tape only. The standard tape will not do the job
4- Get Rid Of Unwanted Items
One of the best ways to reduce the cost of move is to get rid of unwanted items before the move. This can include anything from clothes you no longer wear, to furniture and appliances you do not need.
The less stuff you have, the less there is to move. This will save you money on packing materials, labor, and transportation costs.
Here are some tips for getting rid of unwanted items:
Have a garage sale: This is a great way to get rid of unwanted items and make some extra cash.
Donate items to charity: Donating items to charity is a great way to declutter your home and help those in need. Most charities will even come and pick up your donations for free.
Sell items online: There are many online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist where you can sell unwanted items. This is a great way to declutter your home
and make some extra cash.
5 – Have A Set-Up Plan At The New Location.
Having a set-up plan at the new location will help the movers place your furniture and belongings in the right rooms. This will save time and labor, and as a result, make your move more efficient and less expensive.
Make sure to have a floor plan of your new home or apartment ready for your movers. This will help them to know where each piece of furniture should go.
We will place your furniture as you want in your new home. Usually, it is pretty simple: the bed goes to the bedroom, the couch goes to the living room, etc.
Visit your new place ahead of the move. Visualize furniture placement, the exact way your bedroom will be set up, and in which corner your L-shape sleeper sofa will be placed.
This will speed up the process of unloading the truck and staging your new home your way.
Conclusion
Moving is a costly and time-consuming process. However, there are ways to reduce the cost of your move. By following the tips above, you can save time and money on your upcoming move.
Planning your move ahead, getting rid of unwanted items, and packing smart for moving will help to make your move more efficient and less
expensive.
If you have a set-up plan for your new home, this can also help to save time and money.
Click here and get a free quote today!
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