5 Money Saving Moving Tips

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when making a move, even if it’sjust across town. Being organized will help you save money, even if youhire professional movers. Whether you hire movers, do it yourself orsomething in between, here are five moving tips that will help you savemoney.

Moving Tips 1: Time Your Move

Everyone wants to move in the summer because of the weather or the kids are outof school. If possible, don’t plan your move around the busy months ofJune and July. The farther away from these months, the less work thereis for movers and the better deal you can negotiate.

Moving Tips 2: Shed the Weight

Your belongings are worth their weight in gold. Unfortunately, it’s yourgold you will be using to pay the bill. Getting rid of excessbelongings, whether you donate them for the tax break or have a garagesale, is the best way to save money. The more things you have, thebigger the truck you’ll need and, remember, professional movers chargeby weight and distance.

Moving Tips 3: Be Flexible

Consider a mid-week move if you will be using a moving truck rental companybecause they have much less demand than on the weekends. If you’rehiring professional movers, you can usually negotiate a discount if youallow the movers to pick up and deliver on their schedule. This isbecause they may already have a job on the day you request but have anopening a couple days later.

Moving Tips 4: Plan Ahead

You not only need to be organized on the moving end, but also on delivery.If you don’t have your new residence ready to move into, you will incurstorage and transit fees. If you know it’s going to be a day or two,you can try to negotiate that into your contract with the movers. Butif you don’t mention it until they show, be prepared to pay the moversextra.

Moving Tips 5: Do It Yourself

You may want to consider moving yourself if you have a small load and it’sjust across town. Most rental moving truck companies have reasonableday rates, so they make their money on the mileage charges. Either way,have a loading plan and everything packed and ready to go. Like mostthings, moving takes more time than you think. Move the biggest andheaviest items first so you can return the truck sooner and move thesmaller boxes in your car. The fewer trips you make in the movingtruck, the cheaper your move. On long-distance moves, you can packyourself and have the professional movers load and ship. Or you canchoose a self-service move for which you pack and load yourself andjust pay for having your belongings driven to their new home.