One of the expected parts of being a St. George renter is that you will need to move house sooner or later. And unfortunately, moving is not only time-consuming but expensive, mainly if you are moving a long distance away or need to hire people to help you. The good news is that there are certain measures you can do to save money during your move to help keep those costs down. These money-saving tips can help make your next relocation a little more affordable with a little additional planning and some insider know-how.
1. Donate, Toss, or Sell Unwanted Items
One of the ideal methods to make your next move faster and less expensive is to minimize the amount of stuff you have to carry with you. This is extremely vital if you are moving a long distance but can be just as much of a money-saver even though you are just moving a few miles away. Take a moment to go through your belongings and choose what to donate, throw out, or sell. It is also recommended to sell items you no longer want or need at a yard sale. This can both lighten the load while also put a little extra cash in your pocket.
2. Plan Ahead
If feasible, think about planning your move as early as possible. Waiting to try and schedule a moving truck or helpers at the last minute will surely cost you more because your options will be limited. You can also start planning your move by creating a system for packing each room. Infrequently used items can be packed months ahead of a move, and all boxes must be clearly labeled according to contents and which room they will be located. Anything you can do to speed up your move can usually save you money on moving day.
3. Start Gathering Supplies ASAP
Another technique to save money during a move is finding and utilizing free packing material as much as possible. Yet, finding free packing supplies requires time; that’s why it is imperative to start collecting boxes and other supplies as soon as possible. Look through the local classifieds for those who are getting rid of moving boxes, or check local stores if they have any that you can get.
4. Move During the Week
Ideally, plan your move for a day or season outside of peak demand. For example, hiring a moving company for a weekend or during the summer will cost more because demand is high. On the other side, the same movers may quote you a lower rate for moving on a weekday or during the off-season. The same could be true if you opt to rent a truck and do it yourself. While it’s not always feasible to choose your moving date, it may save you a great deal of money if you do have that option.
5. Hire the Right Movers
If you need to hire movers to help you, it’s advisable to shop around and compare rates. There is no set fee for moving, and even moving companies that appear to offer the same services might demand very different rates. Yet, the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best, either. Don’t forget to inspect the company’s customer reviews online and ask for recommendations from friends and neighbors.
Appointing a quality mover is the best approach to save money since their staff should be well-trained and efficient. Unscrupulous movers may dangle a great rate and then charge by the hour and drag out the move much longer than it would take for somebody else. To protect you from being exploited this way, ask about fixed-rate options.
6. Divide and Conquer
You can make the most of the movers you hire if you are well-prepared and organized on moving day itself. If you are moving to a new place nearby, it is recommended to move as many of the boxes and small items yourself as you can. It just fits with the facts: if your movers only need to focus on moving your furniture, the move will take less time and probably cost less, too.
The more time the movers spend on packing, loading, and unloading your things, the more likely you’ll end up spending far more than you wanted to on your move. So have everything boxed and ready to go before the movers arrive!
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