Five money-saving tips for moving house

Moving, whether it’s across town or across the country, is expensive, especially if you have a family and you are moving your whole house. However, there are many things you can do to cut down on the costs involved. Here are five of the most common.

1. Move yourself
A full-service move costs thousands of dollars, but you can save a bundle by doing many of the tasks yourself. For example, there are many companies that will rent you a large moving truck, which will cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on how big the truck is and how far you are moving. You can also save money by packing things yourself and loading as much stuff as you can handle. If you need help with the big stuff, moving companies hire out van services and crews by the hour to load trucks. You could also get friends and relatives to help.

2. Don’t buy boxes and other supplies
You’d be surprised how lucrative a business selling boxes is. But there’s no need for you to incur that expense. Check out your local recycling center to see what boxes you can salvage. You can also hit up friends, relatives or coworkers who have moved recently to see if they still have their boxes. Also, don’t buy expensive packing materials such as Styrofoam and bubble wrap. Good old newspaper or butcher paper works just fine to protect your fragile items.

3. Move less stuff
Selling your home and deciding to move is a great time to take inventory and decide what you really need to take with you and what can be left behind. You can have a garage sale to make a little extra money to pay for your move or you can donate items to charity. If you are selling and moving because of a divorce, a professional family solicitor can advise you on what stuff should be sold or disposed of. Getting rid of old pieces of furniture, old appliances, lawn and garden machines and large pieces of art can save you significant amounts of money on your move.

4. Move at off times
If you are flexible on when to move, pick a slow time. Most people move during the summer, so if you can, move during the winter. Moving companies are more likely to give discounts to drum up business during slow periods. Also, if you move during times of year when gas prices are traditionally lower, you can avoid costly fuel surcharges. You can use services of removalist preston for your home and office moving.

5. Shop around and negotiate
Perhaps the best money-saving moving tip is the most obvious one. When pricing your move, you need to shop around and get as many bids as you can. If your move is being paid by someone else, such as an employer, you will typically have to get three bids and use the lowest one. If you are paying for your own move, however, you might want to take the time to get five or six bids. Also, keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to accept the price given. Talk to the moving company about what services you might be able to adapt or get rid of altogether to lower the price.