Ways to Save on Moving Costs

Apartment Complex Life

Relocating can be an extraordinarily stressful life event. You have to find a new place to live, say goodbye to family and friends, and work out all of the logistics of the move. On top of everything else, you also have to deal with the prodigious expenses associated with moving. From cardboard boxes to packing materials to truck rentals, expenses seem to spring up at every turn when you’re relocating. To help you contain the costs of your upcoming move, we’ve provided the following budget-friendly suggestions.

• Time your move wisely. The season, time of the month, and day of the week you move will all have profound impacts on your moving expenses. Movers and moving trucks tend to be busiest from May-September, so moving any time but summer will qualify you for off-season rates. Additionally, since most people move at the end of the month, you can save on moving costs by scheduling your move toward the middle of the month. Lastly, weekends are the busiest time for movers, and rates go up on Friday-Sunday. If you can, move in the middle or beginning of the week.
• Do it yourself. Especially if you live in an apartment, you can probably handle at least the packing and transportation of your things yourself. Boxing up your belongings and driving the moving truck yourself will substantially reduce your moving costs. If you need help loading and unloading your moving truck, you can always hire hourly moving help.
• Compare rates. When you look for movers and trucks, compare the rates of at least three different companies. You can find a variety of moving sites on the Internet that allow you to compare the hourly rates and customer satisfaction levels of local movers. You can also easily obtain quotes from various moving truck rental companies online for free.
• Collect your own boxes. Try collecting your own boxes by visiting supermarkets, malls, and other stores after they unpack shipments. Another option is to get boxes from a family member or friend who recently moved. You may also be able to find ads for free boxes online or in the paper. The cost of cardboard boxes even for a small move can be very expensive, so even if you can only find a few boxes you will still reap substantial savings.
• Pare down your load. As you pack, seize the opportunity to pare down your belongings. If you haven’t worn it or used it in a year or more, chances are that you probably don’t need it. The more you get rid of before you move, the less you’ll have to spend on boxes, packing materials, and fuel expenses for the truck.