If you’re looking to move in the upcoming months or years, planning ahead of time is the key to saving as much money as possible and giving yourself the smooth move that you can. Whether renting or buying a new home, the process is of course very exciting, but getting too caught up in it can cause you to spend a lot more money on your process than you should. Moving can be incredibly expensive without the right research or planning, without even taking into account your packing expenses or the costs of storage if you choose to use it.
Though moving can often be expensive, especially if moving over long distances, finding the right movers and having the right cost-cutting strategy will let you budget accordingly and spend responsibly. It will also give you the most efficient process possible when it comes time for your actual move.
If you’re wondering how to cut moving costs, we’ve got the best tips to help you save on moving costs while still having the best moving experience possible. You might be surprised by how some small actions can help you save a lot of money, so you’ll be set up for success with our moving tips.
How to Find Affordable Movers
Before getting into our best tips for saving on moving costs, let’s touch on one of the biggest ways to save money on your move: hiring the right professional moving company. One of the biggest expenses you can come across in the moving process comes in the form of hiring professional movers, so finding a company that will give you the best service and the best pricing makes a huge difference in not only your move itself but in your budgeting process.
As we mentioned, the costs of hiring a professional moving company for your relocation can add up quickly if you haven’t done the right research or planning. It can be hard to find a moving company that will work for you and meshes with your needs, so we’ve compiled a couple of ways to ensure you’re going with the right movers for you.
When looking up moving companies, look at the reviews of each company you’re intrigued by on third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, or Google Reviews. Hearing directly from past customers will let you get an accurate idea of what to expect from your moving company and how they operate. It will also give you a heads-up regarding any unsavory customer experiences and how the company in question might react to negative reviews.
If you can’t find reviews for a prospective company, it’s a good indication that they might be a moving scam at worst, or just not reputable at the least. Regardless, you should never use a company without any reviews.
When looking up movers, you should also check for their licensing and accreditations. Look up their USDOT number to ensure that they’re licensed with a federal agency and have what they need to legally operate (especially in the case of long-distance movers). If they don’t have a USDOT number or any federal licenses, it’s another indication of a possible moving scam.
After narrowing down companies, you can then shop around and get quotes and estimates from the final ones you’ll be choosing between. Getting multiple quotes will give you a good idea of what you should be paying around for your services and the level of service you’ll receive in your budget.
How to Cut Moving Costs
After finding the right affordable movers, you’ll next have to determine how to save money on your move itself. There are plenty of ways to do this, so don’t worry! The following are a couple of great ways to save on moving services.
1. Get Free Packing Supplies
You might be surprised by how quickly the costs of packing supplies can end up being if you don’t use the right strategy to save. However, packing supplies can be surprisingly easy to save money on or to get for free. Ask around family and friends for old boxes they won’t be using, or spare packing supplies like tape or bubble wrap they might have left over from online orders.
You can also ask around local businesses, which often have a large number of boxes and shipping supplies from their daily shipments. You can also look on sites like Facebook Marketplace to get free boxes or supplies from others who have just recently moved.
2. Declutter Your Items
One of the easiest ways to make your entire move easier and cheaper is by decluttering items you don’t use, want, or need in the first place.
Getting rid of things you don’t want will let you have an easier and smoother packing process, and will lower the cost of your move. Keep in mind that many moving companies charge for your move based on the estimated weight of your items, so getting rid of things you don’t need will make a huge difference in your moving costs.
3. Move Off Season
A surprising way to save money on your relocation is by moving off-season, or outside of peak moving times. Peak moving season ranges from April-September and makes the demand for moving companies especially competitive. When moving off-season, you not only get to avoid this competition but can also have more room to get cheaper services or negotiate on your costs. Doing something as little as moving during the week instead of on a weekend can also allow you to save big on your moving costs as well.
Though moving can be very expensive, it doesn’t have to be with the right preparation, planning, and research. If you’re looking for a moving company that will give you the most affordable move possible and the best service, look to see what Excel Moving & Storage can do for you and your household today.
