No matter how you look at it, moving is expensive. There’s the money to find a new place to live. You shell out money for new schools and new alarm systems, etc. Of course, there’s the cost of packing and transporting your goods from your old place to the new one. We aren’t experts on how to save money on the new home, or the etcetera, but we can certainly help you save money on your move in pretty surprising ways.
Do — Pack Yourself
If you have the time, you can hundreds of dollars just by packing your own boxes. Your moving company can supply you with packing materials, or you can buy them used or at a store like Home Depot for a savings. Just make sure that the boxes are in good condition. Your moving company can also give you packing tips. Note, don’t use garbage bags. They might be fine to transport in your car, but most movers will not move them because they are prone to breakage.
Don’t — Move the Boxes
It might seem logical to move your boxes on your own, but they’re the easiest thing for a mover to move, and because of their shape, they make very efficient use of space.
Do — Move Weird Items
When we say “weird items,” we aren’t talking about your grandmother’s set of goblin figurines (that’s just my grandmother?). We’re talking about odd-shaped items that either don’t fit well in a box, or that you can easily move in your car. Some examples are lamps, pictures and mirrors, and electronics. In fact, we always advise you move your computers, after backing up your hard drives.
Don’t — Help the Movers Carry Things
A moving team is a little like a dance ensemble, they choreograph who does what and how. We want to save you money, but when you are moving long distance, you are paying for what we are moving for you, not for the time involved. Sit back, relax, or…
Do — Help the Movers Label Items
Invest in some room labels before the move. The movers will wrap each and every piece of furniture. If you know where that furniture goes in your new home, slap a room label on. This might not help you save money on your move, but it will save you time and headaches at delivery.
Don’t — Forget to Arrange Parking for the Moving Truck
The last thing you want is to be hit with a shuttle fee if you don’t need it. If you live on a narrow street, or you live on a steep hill, a semi-truck might not be able to make it, so we will have to move everything to a smaller truck. If, however, your street is wide, but there’s no parking, speak to your city in advance, and arrange to reserve the spaces. Your city will charge for a parking permit, but it’s less than having to shuttle your goods. The same goes for the place you’re moving to.
Do — Reserve the Service Elevator
Talk to your building’s management and find out if you need to reserve the elevator for moving day. Ask your moving coordinator about timing.
Your moving coordinator is an expert. Ask about ways you might be able to save money on your move. For any legitimate company, a happy customer is worth far more than the money you might save.
Featured Image CC 2.0, by 401(k) 2012, via Flickr
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