Moving is stressful enough on its own. When you factor the costs of moving in with the time it takes to get everything together, it’s easy to see why this is such an intimidating process.
The farther you’re planning to move, the more you can expect to pay. The average cost of an in-state move is around $2,000 per home. Luckily, you don’t have to settle for high moving costs. If you’re a bit crafty and you’re not afraid to put in some hard work yourself, you can effectively cut costs when moving with these tips below.
1. Choose your date wisely.
The first way to cut costs is to be careful with the time and date of your move. While we don’t really think about this playing a role, it truly can. There’s such thing as a peak moving “season” and even peak moving times.
When is the moving season? This season runs from May to August, during the warmest months of the year when there’s likely to be better weather. Nobody wants to move in the snow and cold, but these “off-season” months could save you significantly.
Similarly, pay attention to the time of the day/week. Moving on the weekends will cost you more, and so will moving after business hours. The right date and time choice could shave the cost down more than you think.
2. Find free boxes.
Free boxes are out there just waiting to be found. If you have to buy your own boxes and storage bins, this could be time-consuming and expensive, especially considering you’ll likely only use these once.
Source online community groups, local businesses, and friends for free boxes. A lot of people get rid of their boxes when they’re finished moving, so you might be surprised by just how available these are.
3. Shop around for movers.
Don’t go with the first movers you find. Like anything else when buying a house, you need to be careful about extra fees and costs in your budget. You can shop around for quotes from multiple moving companies to see who offers the best deal.
It’s a good idea to aim for at least 3 quotes before deciding on the best option. Be upfront about just how many belongings you’ll need moved, and get your quote in writing.
4. Pack everything yourself.
Even if you hire professional movers, you can save big by doing the packing yourself. This is a time-consuming process, but it’s the best way to make sure everything is packed in the right place. Otherwise, it’s likely that things will be broken or lost during your transition.
If you do choose to hire professional packers, ask how much they charge per moving hour as well as how long their services generally take. These are the questions that will help you budget effectively.
5. Keep taxes in mind.
Did you know you can deduct some moving expenses during tax season? It’s true, and that’s why you should always save your receipts. If you move to a new location because of work, you might qualify for a moving expense deduction. This is an unexpected way to relieve the costs of moving.
6. Throw out (or donate) things you don’t need.
Finally, the best way to keep costs down during your move is to get rid of the things you don’t need. Organizing your new home is stressful enough. You don’t want to bother moving things that you don’t need or use.
Even if you’re not downsizing, odds are you’ll purchase some new things for your new place. Eliminating any clothes you don’t wear, electronics you don’t use, and so on will give you more space to buy things you do want. Plus, it’ll cut down on the cost of moving.
Are you ready for moving day?
Now that you know the best tips to cut costs when moving, it’s time to get started. The moving process is definitely stressful, but it doesn’t need to put a strain on your budget as well. These tips above will help you keep those costs lower when you’re planning a move, whether you’re going down the street or across the country.
Like with most things, a bit of creative thinking and DIY know-how will go a long way. It’s time to start packing without the stress!