Let’s be clear on one thing, moving can be really pricey. Not only are there expenses that you would normally expect, like moving company fees, but there’s a ton of hidden costs. If left unchecked these can add up quickly, and then you find yourself wondering where did all that money go? So, the smart thing here would be to do some research and plan ahead. But what if we told you we’ve done that part for you? All you have to do is read through these tips and tricks for saving money on your move, and you’ll be well prepared to minimize the hit your wallet will take in the transition process.
Compare moving company prices
As with all things related to moving, the organization is key. This goes double for moving costs. Lose track of all the things you’re spending on and suddenly you’ll find yourself losing more than you had to. Luckily this is preventable with a little research and time left for planning. Firstly, before deciding on a moving company, compare their rates. Make a list of all the companies and how much moving with them would cost you and single out the ones that give you the most value for your money.
If you find a moving company that offers services that fit you just right, but is a bit pricier than the second best, contact them. Inform them that you would like to use their services, however, their competitor is offering a better price. It’s quite likely they will offer you a discount. After all toning down the price and getting the job is far better than losing the client altogether.
Write down a moving budget
Another smart thing to do is form a moving budget. It will help you plan the expenses in advance as well as keep track of the new ones that may arise. Just think about all the expenses you may expect during your move and make a list. You can also use programs like Excel to make an interactive table that, when using the sum function, can update your calculations for you. To get you started, here’s a list of common moving expenses:
- Moving company fees
- Insurance
- Additional charges (for moving items like delicate art pieces or instruments)
- Packing material costs
- Transportation for you and your family to your new home
- Lawyer fees (if you’re selling your old or buying your new home)
- Apartment deposits both rental and for pets, damage (if you’re renting)
Also, it’s a good idea to add 5-10% to the total costs to account for unexpected expenses.
Sell excess items
Every move is a great chance to re-organize your possessions and remove extra clutter. Not only will this reduce the costs of moving your items (as you will be moving with less) it can also earn you some money to dampen the moving costs. Firstly, think about what you actually need and can bring to your new home. Maybe you’ve grown attached to your old sofa, but if it can’t fit in your new place. There’s no point in taking it with. Set emotions aside and think with a clear head. Once you’ve organized your items into two groups, one for sale and one for keeping, you can sell the ones you won’t be taking with. Either online (if you have the time) or make a garage sale, whatever you chose, selling the things you won’t need is a good choice.
Moving offseason
Moving company rates vary. If you have the time and flexible schedule, always try to move off-season and on a workday. Preferably in the middle of the work week. Also, avoid moving at the end of the month and during the holidays. You can always call up your moving company to get different rates for different days and then plan your move accordingly. In general, moving in the summer is more expensive and summer is considered peak moving season, so moving at a different time of the year will contribute to saving money on your move.
Saving money by cutting expenses
There are several ways you can cut your expenses while moving. Instead of paying for moving supplies you can get free boxes and other supplies online. You can also visit your local stores. They usually have boxes to give away for free. Liquor stores have very sturdy boxes that they use for transporting bottles, which are great for moving! You can also check at your workplace to see if there are some excess boxes you can take.
Another good trick is to check with your friends. If some of them have moved recently chances are they have a lot of boxes and other moving material just lying around. Also, consider wrapping your fragile items in your own clothes, blankets or towels. These can work just as good as bubble-wrap if applied properly. This way you won’t be saving money just on supplies, you will be reducing the number of packages you need to move as well!
Insurance
Moving is a rough process, not only for you but for your items as well. It’s far too common for accidents to happen, like a box being dropped or not being fastened well enough in the transportation vehicle. Therefore getting moving insurance will surely help ease your stress when moving. However, it can also be pricey. One way you could cut the expenses of insurance down is checking out other insurance options. Besides your movers, your insurance company may offer a better deal for ensuring your items during the transition.
Deductibles
One of the greatest ways of saving money on your move is tax deductibles. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers deductibles for certain aspects and conditions of your move. Although the terms for these are strict, following them through, if they apply to your move, will mitigate the costs that you’re facing. All the conditions you need to know can be found in Publication 521. Just remember to keep bills, mileage logs, credit card statements, and other logs, as you will need them to apply for the deductible.
Reaping the benefits
Having read all this, you should be well prepared to cut the costs and save as much money as possible on your move. Not only will that make the process easier on you, but you might also be able to buy yourself a little something to make your new home even more enjoyable. Just plan it right and you will enjoy saving money on your move!
