Moving into your new home is undoubtedly an exciting experience but with all that excitement can occasionally come money concerns. Whilst some costs are inevitable (unfortunately, they can’t give you the house for free) there are a few tricks that can help alleviate some of that unwanted financial burden. From pre-move purging to a backloading bonus, here are some of the best ways to reduce costs in your next house move. 

1. The Great Pre-Move Purge

You wouldn’t pay lots of money for a T-shirt you were never going to wear or for a car when you don’t yet drive, so, why would you pay for movers to take belongings that you’re never going to use again? Whilst, you may feel like you don’t have the time to declutter all the old belongings you no longer use, it is the perfect way to save money when moving. Those mysterious garage boxes and dusty closets are all hiding potential savings.

To help eliminate unwanted items, create three piles: sell, donate and chuck. Every box that doesn’t make the move represents money saved on moving costs. Better yet, those items in the sell pile can transform into extra cash for the moving fund, it’s a win-win situation!  

2. Invest in Quality Movers

Now, something that might surprise you is that sometimes spending a bit more upfront can save you a fortune later down the line. Although, it may feel slightly counterintuitive to spend more money in order to save money, when it comes to hiring removalists investing in a good quality company will prevent greater unforeseen costs and disappointment from arising. Choosing reliable removalists minimizes the risk of damage to your belongings with professional services like wrapping and packing providing an extra layer of protection to your most precious items. Additionally, any certified removals company should also offer a range of insurance options, so that in the case of an accident your belongings are covered. 

Qualities such as these will not only help give you peace of mind that your belongings are genuinely being cared for but they will save you the cost of replacing any items that are broken or damaged, which could be far greater than the cost of any removalist itself.  

3. The Art of Box Hunting 

High-quality packing supplies aren’t exactly cheap which means finding a good alternative can save you some extra pennies when it comes to packing your goods. Tapping into your network of friends and colleagues should help to churn up enough boxes to cover your whole house, which means you won’t have to buy a single one. Here’s the crucial part though – you have to be picky. If a box is worn down and looks like it’s had its day then stay far away. On the other hand, did your work just have a huge delivery of fragile goods? Then stock up. Being picky with boxes may take a little longer but will also ensure your favourite glassware set stays intact in the moving transition without multiple rolls of tape wrapped around it to hold it together. 

4. Timing is Everything: The Off-Season Moving Hack

Here’s an insider tip that could save you big bucks – spring and summer are the moving industry’s equivalent of peak-hour traffic. Everyone’s moving, prices are sky-high, and availability is tight. Therefore, if you can swing an autumn or winter move, try to book your removalists within this period and save yourself a heap of money. During slow periods moving companies often offer reduced rates and competitive prices that peak months won’t do. 

[Photo courtesy of Mister Mister/pexels.com]

In the same respect, you should also be doing all that you can to reduce obstacles for your removalists that could slow them down, particularly for local moves that are charged by the hour. Make sure to disassemble any furniture, pack all boxes ready to go and make sure there is a clear path for your removalists to travel from the truck to the door. If your moving team has to carry your belongings further than necessary or take apart bed frames, these are all additional costs for you. So, get your bargain-hunting mindset on, and make sure to work in off-peak periods.  

5. Share the Journey

Planning an interstate move? Here’s a savvy money-saver tip – opt for a consolidated run rather than a VIP private service. This backloading service is basically just carpooling for your furniture and will save you a tonne of money! However, sharing truck space with other movers requires a relatively small inventory, so if you have a particularly large amount of stuff to be transported across states, then a consolidated run may not be an option for you. Backloading also means that you will need to be a bit flexible with dates, so allow for plenty of time to prepare. With that being said, the money savings that you will make are worth every day of patience and with a reputable moving company, your belongings are just as safe as they would be in a truck of their own. 

In Conclusion 

Remember, saving money is as simple as just getting the cheapest moving quote and crossing your fingers that it’ll all be fine because that’ll probably cost you more in the long run. When hunting for removalist quotes, look for value for money, not just price to save you in the grand scheme of moving. Whilst moving house can be an expensive ordeal, knowing the small ways to help reduce cost can make all the difference. So, if you’re soon to be moving make sure to choose off-peak periods, store up spare boxes and invest where it counts for a cost-effective and stress-free move.

Moving to a new home is always an incredibly emotional experience. As you prepare to leave the place you’ve called home for a long time, you will realize just how much you’ve enjoyed your time there. Of course, though, it’s not only joy, nostalgia, and excitement taking the stage, and you’ll have another feeling standing in the way of your move; stress. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring a procedure which will remove the element of dread from your relocation, all while making the job a lot easier for you.

To begin, it’s important to come up with a solid plan of action before you start working on the job itself. This plan should be made with your removalists in mind, as they will be the ones doing most of the hard work for you. Your plan should include the order, labeling, and methods you’ll use to get this job done. Of course, though, it also helps to think about unpacking at the other end. The way that you pack your items up will have a huge impact on your experience at the other end of your journey.

[Photo courtesy of Jillien Minera/unsplash.com]

Once you have a good idea of how you’ll be taking on your move, you can start to think about the resources you’ll be using to help you. Boxes will be a big part of this, and you have the option to buy them new or to go on a hunt for some free ones. But, most importantly, you need to think about your labeling system. Permanent markers are great for most applications. But, for items which can’t be written on, you might need some proper tags or labels to seal the deal.

After a little bit of shopping, you should be well on your way to being able to start your packing, and it’s time to consider the items you’ll be packing first. This sort of information should be covered loosely by your plan. But, for the most part, logic and organization will be the best tools to help you here. Starting with the smallest and least-fragile items, you should work on packing room by room. Each container or piece of storage furniture should have a box or two to itself which is clearly marked to help you with unpacking.

Some of the items around your home will be unlikely to fit into a box or other container, and you’ll need to devise a way to move these items easily, as well. This is where your labels come in. By marking which rooms each large item will be going to, you will make the job of unpacking a lot easier. Along with this, though, you could also consider investing in some plastic wrapping material. Not only will this protect your furniture and other big possessions, but it will also make them easier to move around.

Hopefully, this post will give you everything you need to start taking action and working towards moving home. In a lot of cases, people struggle with this sort of work. Stress and worry become big factors, making the whole thing a lot harder, and it can feel like there’s nothing you can do to make it better. In most cases, though, a little bit of work will go a very long way.

Have you recently moved house, or have you got a moving date looming? Relocating is one of the most stressful things you’ll do. It’s up there with changing job and planning a wedding. If you’re knee-deep in boxes or tackling a lengthy to-do list, here are some tips that may come in handy.

Before you move

If you haven’t moved yet, try and plan ahead. If you can get organized in advance, this will really help when it comes to moving day. When you move, you’ll probably realize you’ve got more stuff than you imagined. It may also take longer than expected. Book some time off work, and start packing as early as possible. To save stress, get a removals firm in to help. You can tailor your package to include packing and unpacking, or just the actual move. Some companies offer a list of services, including international and interstate moves. If you’re looking for firms, you can see these movers here.

[Photo courtesy of Caitlin Childs/flickr.com]

The first night

After a day of heavy lifting and climbing endless flights of stairs, you’ll want to relax. The last thing you need is to be trying to track down pajamas or find the kettle in a kitchen full of cardboard. Label your boxes when packing, and create an essentials kit for the first night. Put together an overnight bag with toiletries, a change of clothes, and sleepwear. Pack a box with everything you’ll need immediately. You may want coffee, tea bags, and some cereal and bread for the morning, for example. Most of us don’t want to think about cooking after a long day, so check out the local takeout options and put your feet up.

Once you’re in your new home, you can then do an online shop, to save you time and effort. You can choose your delivery slot, and you don’t have to worry about traffic or carrying heavy bags.

[Photo courtesy of Kai Chan Vong/flickr.com]

Tackling priority jobs

Have you got a list of things you want to do in your new home? If so, it’s important to decide which tasks are going to take priority. It’s impossible to get everything sorted straight away. Think about what you actually need to do to live comfortably. Once the major things are ticked off, you can focus on the details. You may wish to get your bedroom, the bathroom, and kitchen sorted before the spare room, for example. Be methodical when it comes to unpacking. Sort out the boxes you’ll need before those that are going straight into the attic.

Asking for help

Moving house is no mean feat. If there are people around offering to help, don’t turn them down. Invite friends and family over to help you unpack or even just make you a coffee when your energy levels are running low. You’ll get through jobs much faster if others muck in.

If you’re moving house, every little helps! Take these tips on board to keep stress at bay. Ask for help, investigate removal services, and try and be as organized as possible.

Good luck in your new home!