Moving can be stressful and financially draining and want money-saving tips by hiring professional movers. Luckily there are numerous ways to help you make the process as stress-free and cost-effective as possible. Note that early preparation and using readily available resources go a long way in preventing unnecessary spending. If you plan to relocate, read on for moving tips and tricks for reducing moving expenses.
What Are The Best Money-Saving Tips to Follow?
Moving tips and tricks can help you cut costs by minimizing unnecessary expenses, reducing your load, and giving you access to the best moving rates. Below are ten moving and packing tips to help you reduce your moving costs whether you are moving locally or across the country.
- Try to Declutter the Stuff before Moving
Before you relocate, get rid of all the items you no longer use to reduce your load. Throw them away if they are beyond salvaging, or donate them if they are functional. You can also sell them if you are looking for extra cash. Since decluttering reduces your load, it also helps you cut costs as you will have fewer items to move.
- Set A Moving Budget and Stick By It
Create a budget covering all your moving costs, and stick by it. Doing so gives you control of your finances and ensures that you stay within your financial limit when relocating. Remember to set aside utility funds so that you can disconnect utilities in your current location and activate in your destination simultaneously to avoid double charges.
- Get At Least Three Estimates From Different Movers and Packers
The best way to find affordable moving services is by shopping around. Don’t settle for the first company you get. Instead, get at least three estimates and compare them to help you get a rate that fits your financial situation. While picking an affordable company is the goal, remember that the cheapest is not always the best. Also, consider other factors like experience and customer reviews to get the best services on a budget.
- Move When There’s Less Demand for Moving In the Market
The timing of your move can make a difference in your moving costs. Schedule your relocation when fewer people are relocating, such as weekdays, as most people tend to move during weekends and summer. When there’s a low demand for movers, rates drop, and moving companies are readily available. Peak moving seasons attract higher rates due to high demand.
- Don’t Buy Something from Movers That You Can Get For Less
Explore your options before opting to buy moving supplies as the costs can pile up quite fast. Besides moving tapes, you can get packing boxes from your friends and family, new neighbors, and even social media sites. Idle containers, bins, and suitcases can also come in handy if you need extra space; however, you must not overpack these containers as they are not made for moving.
- Use Bed Linens, Towels, and Sheets to Pack Items
Instead of buying bubble wraps to protect some items, use available materials when packing. Wrap your glassware and other fragile items with hand cloths, towels, and sheets before placing them in packing boxes to prevent them from shifting while in transit. Ensure that you do use the proper materials for your valuables or other items that mean the most to you.
- Pack the Belongings Yourself
Most moving companies offer packing services at an extra fee. To cut on costs, pack your items yourself instead of hiring professional packing services. Unfortunately, you may not have special packing skills, so if you begin early, you may complete the exercise in time for your move. While items like clothing, beddings, and kitchen items do not require special skills, you may need professional help for special items like china and other delicate valuables.
- Get Help from Friends and Family
If you don’t mind a few damaged pieces of furniture or banged-up friends then you don’t have to pay movers to help you pack and move your belongings. Ask your family and friends for help when packing and moving heavy items during the moving day to minimize your expenses. You can hold a packing party complete with snacks and drinks for your loved ones to help you pack and move your items at no extra costs.
- Ensure a Good Move
Moving insurance will cover any damage to your belongings, such as breakages during the moving process. Note that movers offer two insurance options; full-value protection and released value protection. Full-value protection repairs or replaces your damaged items or reimburses you the current value of the item. On the other hand, released-value insurance offers reimbursement at a rate of up to 60cents per pound. While you can use your mover’s insurance, your insurance company may insure your items at much cheaper rates.
- Keep Good Records
Keeping a record of your items will come in handy when you have to file claims for damages or losses. Maintain an inventory of all your belongings and take pictures and videos of your valuables before packing them and loading them to the mover’s trucks.
The best way to ease the moving process is by working with professionals. Not only do they have the best equipment and expertise to facilitate a successful move, but they also save you time and money in the long run.
What Professional Movers Say about Saving Money on Moving
Professional Movers like Sunshine Movers have been in business for years and understand what it takes to achieve cost savings when moving. Below are expert moving house tips you should always keep in mind for a cost-effective and successful relocation.
Pack before the movers come. Packing in advance ensures that you are ready to go when movers arrive. Since packing is an overwhelming and time-consuming activity, last-minute packing can add more time to your move and increase your costs.
Move when it’s least convenient. Most people move when it’s most convenient, such as during summer when kids are on holiday or on weekends. The high demand for movers during these periods leads to inflated moving costs. Therefore, consider odd timings, like between September and May or weekdays when demand for movers is low.
Don’t buy many boxes to pack your items. You can get boxes for free from Craigslist and people who recently moved and are looking to get rid of them. You can also get them from social media sites for free, so you don’t have to buy them.
Consider getting moving insurance. Always consider full-value insurance for your items as it covers the entire value of your belongings. Alternatively, you can take up full-value insurance for expensive items only to reduce your expenses.
Using all the above moving tips and tricks will help you reduce your moving costs and make the process easier. Get in touch with Sunshine Movers for affordable moving services in Sarasota.