How To Save Money When Moving: Tips You Need To Know
Moving is one of the most demanding tasks you can think of. Whether you're moving a few blocks or across the country, the process can be extremely stressful and costly.
The good news is it does not have to be this way. There are several deliberate steps you can take to simplify the job and even make the process less costly. By hiring a professional moving company instead of doing the job yourself, you can save a significant amount of time and money since professionals have what it takes to do the job more efficiently.
Below is a rundown of the tips you can count on to minimize the cost of moving and save some money.
Avoid the Moving Season
Most people want to move in the summer. This is because the weather in summer makes it possible to work without worrying about slipping on the ice or stepping through slush puddles.
Unfortunately, during this season, moving companies generally charge more due to the increased demand for their services.
If your schedule is flexible, you should avoid moving during the moving season. By doing so, you will be in a better position to negotiate for lower moving charges, which should enable you to save a significant amount of money in the end.
Plan Ahead
Moving is a complex process that involves many steps: packing your goods, disassembling pieces of furniture, and loading and unloading your belongings into transportation to then be arranged to fit in your new home. If you decide to start this job without a plan, it might end up costing you quite a bit more than you expected.
As you make your moving plan, you need to determine the best time to move, close or transfer over your utility accounts, and even what you are going to be eating as you settle down in your new home.
If you don’t time your move accurately, you might end up paying for utility services you will never use. Similarly, if you do not prepare your meals in advance, you will need to dine out for every meal before you can settle in your new home. Planning ahead will ensure everything falls in place, which should significantly reduce your cost of moving.
Declutter
If you have lived in your current house for several years, there is a good chance you have accumulated a lot of household items you no longer find useful. These could be outdated electronics, broken appliances, books, magazines, clothes or even sports equipment. If you decide to move with these things to your new house, the move will certainly cost you more than it should. For instance, the items will need extra boxes and space in the van.
Instead of moving with items you don’t need to your new house, it is imperative for you to get rid of them. You should take your time to determine what you can sell, donate or even throw away. This way, you can minimize the number of items to be shipped to your new house and save a significant amount of money.
Remember To Call Your Utility Services on Time
Double paying for your internet, cable, water, electricity, gas, and rent at two separate locations is obviously something you do not want to do. However, the truth is this can happen if you do not prepare adequately.
It's best to call your utility services providers in advance to ensure the start and end dates of your accounts are aligned with the date of your move. If you do not do so, you might end up paying for services you will barely use, which will effectively increase the cost of your move.
To prevent such an eventuality, you need to inform your utility services of your intention to move and ensure your old accounts are terminated on time. You will also need to talk to utility services providers in your new location to ensure your services are installed or activated on time.
If you can demonstrate you have a history of making timely payments, you can even negotiate with your new utility companies to waive installation or activation fees, which will also push the cost of the move further down.
Find the Best Moving Company
Moving is a hectic job. If you decide to do it yourself, a lot of things can go wrong. You might end up damaging some of your belongings or even hurting yourself.
While you might think moving on your own might help you save some money, it might end up costing you more since it might leave you with expensive repairs to do and painful injuries to nurse.
So, for your own good, it is imperative to ensure the job is done by professional moving experts. This is because professionals have the necessary skills, experience, and equipment to handle your delicate belongings safely and minimize breakages.
Most professional moving companies are insured, and any serious damages will be covered by their insurance. By hiring a professional moving company, you can protect yourself against the cost of breakages and save a significant amount of money.
Don’t Spend on Boxes
When you are planning to move, you might be tempted to start buying moving boxes. However, doing this might astronomically increase the cost of the move. This is because moving companies can add on extra charges for the cost of using their boxes.
The good news is you do not have to pay for these boxes. Boxes are everywhere, and in most cases, they are yours for the taking if you just ask. You can find them in offices or even ask your friends to save some boxes for you.
By doing this, you can save your moving company some boxes, which will embolden you to negotiate for more favorable moving charges. By avoiding paying for moving boxes, you can end up saving a significant amount of money.
The Bottom Line
Moving can be extremely expensive. The good news is if you are planning to move, there are several steps you can take to minimize the cost of the move.
If you are looking for a reliable moving company to help you move at the lowest cost possible, North American Van Lines is the answer.
Although there are many other moving companies, North American Van Lines stands out for several reasons. We have a quality program that ensures all our employees, agents, and drivers observe the highest standards of professionalism.
All our professionals are trained to safely handle delicate items, and you can count on us to move your valuable belongings without causing significant damage.
Feel free to contact us today for more information about our company and services.