Congratulations! You have purchased a new home and are excited to start your new journey. Unfortunately, before you can begin celebrating, you will have to go through the daunting task of moving. Packing up and transporting your life is stressful and can also be costly. Here we will show you your basic expenses and tips on how you can save.
Hiring Movers or DIY?
One of the first decisions you’ll want to make will be to hire a moving company or handle the move on your own. Ask friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family for recommendations for moving companies and get quotes from a few companies to find one that will work for you. Hiring professionals is more costly; however, they can help alleviate some of the stress and a few aches and pains of doing the heavy lifting yourself. Also, consider a combination of the two to keep costs down. Have the moving company pick up and transport the more oversized, heavier items and then take care of the rest on your own.
Renting a Truck
You can rent a large truck or a small truck, or a cargo van. The fees you will incur will be the cost of the truck plus the mileage fee. Your price is determined by the size of the vehicle and how far it will be traveling. Again, call around to get quotes from different companies, and even ask for times that rentals may cost less if you are flexible.
Storage Container
A storage container may be an option if your items will fit. Companies will drop the container off for you to fill, then move it to your new home to unpack. Prices depend on size, the time you will have the container, and the distance it will need to travel.
Moving Supplies
It is important to remember to factor your moving supplies into your costs. This will include:
- Boxes
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap costs
- Labels and markers
- Moving blankets
- Dollies
Tips On How To Save
Here are some tips on how to save during your move.
- Don’t try to move everything. Use moving as an opportunity to declutter and eliminate items you don’t use.
- Use what you have and save on boxes. Use your old Amazon boxes or even pack things up in your suitcases to reduce your costs.
- Use linens and towels. Reduce the amount of bubble wrap you purchase by wrapping certain items in your linens and towels.
- Move during the week. See if your movers have reduced pricing for off-peak hours.
- Be prepared for the movers. Stage your boxes in the garage or easily accessible places for your movers. The less time they need to pack the container, the less money you will spend.
- Label boxes clearly where they need to go. Again, this will save time when the movers have to unload at your new home.