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How to Save on Moving Costs

If you are planning to move to a new home, it is important for you to learn how to save money on moving costs as moving can quickly become quite the expense.

With a bit of knowhow, you can better plan your budget that includes all of your moving expenses. Review the benefits and drawbacks of hiring a professional mover and whether or not hiring one will be more expensive than renting a truck.

Always shop around and obtain offers from different movers, truck rental companies and storage units if you need them. Additionally, it is very important to contact you internet or television service provider beforehand and see what options that you may have to lower installation costs to your new residence. To learn more about the tips and tricks that can save you money on your next move, review the information that has been provided within the sections below.

Create a Moving Budget

One of the first steps that you should take towards saving on moving expenses is to create a moving budget. It is common for individuals who are moving to underestimate the amount of moving expenses that they may incur, especially if they must rent a storage unit and then move their property again. Avoid these common misconceptions and pitfalls in order to better prepare for your move.

When creating your moving budget, be sure to research and include costs for:

  • Packaging supplies.
  • Moving truck rental.
  • Moving professionals, if applicable.
  • Storage unit costs, if applicable.
  • The cost to disconnect and reconnect utilities, television services and internet services.

It is recommended that you plan an excess amount of money for the expenses, just in case something ends up being a little more expensive than you had originally thought that it would be.

Save Money on Boxes

There are a variety of ways that you can obtain free boxes. You can generally find free boxes if you look ahead of time on websites like Freecycle and Craigslist, but you can also ask friends and coworkers if they have any moving boxes to spare. Additionally, you can check with your local grocery stores, superstores and liquor stores, as these retail locations will generally have dozens of boxes each day after restocking.

Most retail locations do not mind giving up some boxes for free if they have it available. Again, this works even better if you plan your move in advance as you will have more time to check with these locations. Some retailers do a great majority of stocking on certain days of the week and thus have more boxes to give the following morning.

DIY Move or Hire Professional Movers

There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to hiring professional movers. Professional movers are not always cheap, but with the right preparation, hiring a professional mover may not be as expensive as you think. It is recommended that you ask multiple moving companies for bids in order to compare the rates and find the best deal. Another factor to consider is whether or not the professional moving company will include the truck rental within the bid itself as this could potentially save you money on the cost of a truck rental.

Do your research on any professional movers that are offering a great deal. Utilize the Better Business Bureau website or Yelp to view any reviews that have been left by former customers. Be on the lookout for any reviews that claim that a moving company provided slower service on move-in day in order to receive a higher rate as most moving companies will charge you by the hour. Avoid any company that has a history of taking its time in order to drag out the move, no matter the rate that they have offered to you.

Should you choose to forgo the movers, you can always rent a truck and move items yourself or with the help of friends and family. No matter whether or not you choose to hire movers or do it yourself, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to pack beforehand so that you are not still attempting to pack on moving day.


Save on Moving Trucks and Storage Units

If you need to rent a storage unit, you may be able to save on the cost of one by shopping around and looking for units that are just out of town. While this may add a small amount of commute time, there are several storage companies that will advertise special offers as low as a dollar on your first month’s rental.

If you are renting a moving truck, it is recommended that you shop around at different companies in order to find the best price and offer. It is worth knowing that doing so in advance can often save you hundreds as the prices are generally higher for last minute reservations. Some moving truck companies may even offer combo deals that save you money on your truck rental when combined with a storage unit rental.

Sell Some of Your Unwanted Belongings

If you have an excess amount of property and there is much of it that does not get much use, consider selling or donating unwanted belongings before your move date. By donating to a donation center, such as Goodwill, you can aid someone in need while saving yourself money on moving expenses, as well as packaging time. Should you choose to sell some of your property, garage sales, yard sales and online sales are a great way to do so. While you will still need to devote time towards selling your property, the money that you make can be put towards those moving expenses and you will have less to haul to your new residence.

How to Save on the Cost of Reinstalling Internet and Television Services

Once you have set a move date, it is recommended that you contact your internet and television service providers within three weeks of your move, if possible. This will ensure that there is enough time for a technician to come out to your new residence quickly so that you do not need to wait a week or more for service.

If you currently have a contract with a television or internet service provider, it will likely be able to waive your early termination fee so long as you set up a new contract at your new address. If it does not offer service in your new area, it may even agree to waive your early termination fee as a courtesy. Keep in mind that each location will have its own offers and special deals. Being flexible in what you want can help you to achieve lower costs on your internet and television expenses and oftentimes free installation.

If you are not currently under contract with your provider, consider shopping around to see which provider offers the best deals and services within the area that you will be residing within.

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