Where are you moving?
Glad the catchy title of this post got you here, but we’re not really going to show you how to rip off movers. Movers are hard working people who I am thrilled to see when I am moving. What I am going to share with you are ways to significantly reduce the number of hours your movers spend at your home while reducing your liabilities. Moving home can prove to be an expensive undertaking. The final cost of doing this can come as a huge shock if you are not careful. If you have just invested a lot of money in your new home this is not the time for further huge expenses.
One way that you can save money is by doing as much of the preparation work as you can. Moving companies can charge you a fortune for packing. If everything isn’t ready when the movers arrive it can also waste a lot of time; this is not what you want when paying by the hour. Start getting ready at least a week before the move and begin packing those things that you are not going to need before the move. Try to avoid packing anything that you are going to be hunting for before moving day as this can get frustrating.
Moving is so much faster.
Another factor in paying less for your move is making good choices when it comes to deciding where to buy moving boxes. You should be able to pick up some cheap boxes or even some free moving boxes. The problem is that these don’t tend to be very sturdy and there is a good chance that your belongings could get damaged during transit to your new home. One solution to this is to use reusable plastic crates for moving. The great thing about these green boxes is that not only are they crush proof, tear proof, and water-proof, but they also speed up your move by almost 50% and are incredibly better for the environment. Green box moving will help you reduce the price of your move by decreasing the amount of time moving companies will bill you for. As well as being cautious when buy moving boxes you should also pay a bit of attention to how you pack things. Make sure you pad any breakables securely with old clothes or newspaper. Using petroleum based bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts is not good for the environment, so its always better to use recycled moving supplies.
By the time the movers arrive you should already have everything stored away in your moving boxes. Try to avoid a last minute scramble to get things ready; this will only add to your stress levels and moving is difficult enough without this added pressure. Your last hour or so should be spent saying goodbye to your home and neighbors and not spent packing moving boxes and trying to find room for half your stuff. If you pack well in advance you will have had more time to consider your moving supplies and realize if you don’t have enough. Suddenly finding that you have nowhere to put things is not the ideal scenario – especially with the moving truck parked in your driveway.
It is probably best to choose a local mover if you are trying to save money on your relocation; shop around and ask for an hourly rate in writing. Try and get a recommendation for a mover if you can; ask friends and family for advice. You can also check web services like Yelp or similar online communities; pick a mover that has received positive feedback. Don’t always assume that the cheapest quote offered is the best deal. If the mover takes twice as long and breaks your stuff in the process, you won’t be saving any money.
Another issue you will want to consider is insurance. You could even go to the extreme of buying moving boxes made of steel and still find that items can get broken or lost in transit. If you are using cheap moving boxes then there is a big risk of things getting damaged. If you choose a mover that offers insurance then at least you will be covered financially for your loss. These are just some tips to follow to reduce the costs associated with moving homes. A little preparation can go a long way. What kind of experiences have you had with moving companies in the past? I would love to hear from you in the comments below.