Moving tips

20 Simple Ways to Cut the Cost of Moving

1. Be Flexible :

If possible, try to move during non-peak periods. Demand spikes during the summer because children are out of school and parents are scrambling to get into their new place before the new academic year starts. The first and last days of the month — especially around Sept. 1 in a college town — are peak moving periods, too, as leases expire and renters swap apartments.
Can’t move in the fall or winter? At the least, try to avoid holidays, weekends, and the beginning and end of the month to avoid paying a slight premium.
And don’t forget to solicit the services of a sitter for your little ones and furry friends

2. Do Your Homework :

Whether you’re moving yourself or hiring someone, weigh your options and look for promotional offers. But don’t wait until the last minute to shop around or the quotes you receive for both truck rentals and professional movers could be steeper if demand is higher.

3. Do It Yourself :

But only if you’re brave enough to embark on an extended journey driving an oversized truck with your belongings in tow. Be sure to avoid rush-hour traffic to decrease fuel costs and anxiety (if you’re not used to driving a vehicle three times the size of your own). And make note of the clearance beneath low underpasses

4. Go Pro :

Although it can cost more, going pro decreases the chances of running behind schedule and ending up with broken goods. Once you have your quotes, don’t feel compelled to go for the cheaper option without doing any research. Instead, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website to gain insight into how to evaluate movers. They have a number of helpful resources, including “Choosing a Reputable Mover,” “Moving Checklist,” and “Tips for a Successful Interstate Move.”

5. Purge :

When was the last time you used that 20-year-old lamp you got from your great-grandmother? How about those business suits that are two sizes too big (or too small)? Movers charge by the pound and distance covered, so it’s pointless to waste time packing stuff you don’t need and paying extra for space fillers. Besides, purging your stuff can help you save money.

6. Avoid Moving Trash :

This can happen if you have garbage bags lying around and your friends or movers mistake them for your belongings. And moving companies sure don’t mind collecting your trash because it increases the weight of your goods, which equates to more money on your bill.

7. Get Organized :

Tempted to throw what remains after the purge into boxes and tape them up without giving it much thought? Don’t, or you’ll pull your hair out when searching for those items, such as your favorite fragrance or pearl necklace from your grandmother, that are too costly to replace.

8. Don’t Buy Packing Supplies :

With the exception of tape, everything you need to pack can be retrieved for free if you do a little searching.
For boxes, ask your friends, relatives, and employers or look for advertisements on Freecycle or Craigslist. Liquor stores and supermarkets also tend to have plenty of extra boxes on hand — just ask.
And no need to spend your dough on bubble wrap; clothing or towels will suffice, and tubed socks work for protecting glassware. Also, make use of idle containers, such as suitcases, baskets with lids, and plastic bins.

9. Label Your Boxes :

Categorize each box and note its final destination (e.g., ‘kitchen’ or ‘master bedroom’) on the label to avoid purchasing duplicate toiletries, cleaners, or other common household products when you arrive (or if unpacking is delayed).
Colored labels also facilitate grouping or unpacking efforts. And don’t forget to number your boxes so you’ll easily know if one was lost or left behind.
Another option: Use clear plastic bins to transport items high on your unpacking priority list.

10. Leave Items in Dresser Drawers :

For dressers, use small Ziploc bags to contain the contents and affix Press N’ Seal cling wrap to the drawers to keep them shut during the move.

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11. Defrost the Fridge and Freezer :

If you’re taking the refrigerator with you, defrost it first. This should be done 24 to 48 hours in advance so movers won’t have to deal with leaky appliances during transport. (You’ll also spare yourself — and your stuff — from the unpleasant aromas.)

12. Have a Garage Sale :

Not only will it put money in your pocket, but you’ll have fewer items to move. This should be done several weeks in advance, as you’ll have bigger fish to fry as the big day nears. Donate whatever remains to get it out of your hair. Just be sure to give helpers first dibs on the items up for grabs.

13. Have a Packing Party :

A few tips to keep in mind:

Stackable plates often shatter when stacked, so pack them vertically.
Saran wrap works wonders for toiletries with unsecured lids.
Clothes on hangers can be grouped and placed in large trash bags.
All small tools and assembly pieces should be placed in Ziploc bags.
As larger electronics are broken down, take a snapshot of the setup and email it to yourself in case you need to jog your memory in your new place (when the manuals are probably long gone).

14. Drive Your Own Car :

Unless you’re moving thousands of miles away, doing so will enable you to eliminate the cost of airfare from your long list of expenses. Load up your car with moving boxes or plastic storage bins containing essentials and valuables, since you’ll be inclined to unpack these things as soon as you reach your destination.
If the trip calls for an overnight stay, select a hotel with secured parking to minimize the chances of theft (and don’t leave your jewelry box or laptop in the car). But if you have to ship your car

15. Ship Your Books :

Through the Postal Service’s media mail, you can ship books containing eight pages or more at a much lower rate, since the pricing is based on weight and size instead of distance. But delivery usually takes longer.

16. Allocate Funds for Service Providers :

Set aside funds for final bills and new service charges for your electric, gas, cable TV, and Internet providers. The key here is to shut off and activate in a synchronized manner to avoid incurring charges in two locations
If you’re a first-time customer or have less than perfect credit, service providers may require a deposit. Inquire about costs in advance and go with bundle deals if possible to get the best bang for your buck

17. Prepare for the Unknown :

Stash some cash in case things take a turn for the worse. Recently, a relative was set to close on a house but the date got pushed back by three weeks to resolve interior issues. She wasn’t prepared and had nowhere to go, since her old place was already occupied by new tenants, so she incurred over $1,000 in lodging and storage unit expenses

18. Tax Implications :

Don’t toss those receipts yet; your expenses may be deductible. You’ll need to check IRS Publication 521 to determine if you qualify. The guidance states you can deduct your moving expenses if your move is closely related to the start of work, and you meet the IRS distance and time test requirements.

19. Pack a Suitcase :

When your belongings finally arrive, there’s a strong chance you’ll be too tired to dig through boxes to retrieve clean clothes and toiletries. And if you’re heading to work or have an important appointment the following day, the last thing you want to do is forfeit a good night’s rest to search for the perfect outfit.

20. Don’t Try to Pack and Move Simultaneously :

I took this approach in college and it was an absolute nightmare. I’d spent most of my time in the last few weeks of the semester preparing for finals without remembering I had to be out within 24 hours of the last exam. I was snatching items from all corners of the room and throwing them into boxes and plastic storage bins. I can’t remember how many trips I made to Target or how much money I spent, but I definitely regretted not preparing beforehand.

How to identify and avoid a lowball estimate from movers

To protect your move from moving scams, you need to be able to identify a lowball moving estimate. Below is what to search for:

1. Moving that is not binding :

One thing you have to know when you are requesting for moving estimate is that there are various types of moving estimates. You can either go for binding or non-binding estimates. What then is the difference between them? Well, when you receive binding estimates, it implies that you will pay the actual amount you get quoted. On the contrary, non-binding moving estimates provide the moving company an opportunity to add more charges in the future. So, when you are getting quotes, ensure you receive non-binding ones to prevent being scammed by lowball moving estimates from movers.

2. The movers don’t check your shipments :

Did the moving company send its agent to your house and check all of your shipments in person? Did they ask to access your shipments via video or photos? If no, then you may be working with a rogue moving company and a lowball moving estimate. Know that any moving estimates received via the phone are completely not accurate. After all, how can a mover quote you an accurate estimate when they are yet to see your belongings physically?

Together with assessing the quantity and weight of your items, professional moving companies will possibly ask about stairs, parking rules, elevators, and other issues that may affect the overall estimate.

3. Movers that don’t ask for your moving details :

If a company cannot send an agent to your home, then this option can bridge the gap to get a moving quote online. A moving company cannot provide an accurate and real estimate without understanding the specifics of the move.

Two factors can affect the overall price – not only the moving distance and the number of bedrooms you plan to move – so the moving company needs to find out the entire details of your move to provide an accurate quote (the quantity and type of belongings you have to move, the specifics involved with the pick-up and delivery points (stairs, parking rules, the layout of the property, elevators, physical obstacles, and so on), any unique requirements you may have, and so on). If the moving company provides you a lowball quote without asking a lot of questions about your relocation, you should run from them.

4. You are only quoted over the phone :

Another way to prevent lowball estimates for your move is to stay away from moving companies that only quote you via the phone. This is one other thing that the moving companies can do to get the opportunity to charge you more later.

On the other hand, if you received written estimates, you can be more certain that the estimated price is exactly what you are paying. If you are only quoted on the phone, you won’t have any evidence to show if things go south. Therefore, it would be difficult for you to file a complaint or anything of that kind because it will only be your work against the moving companies.

5. What is a Lowball Moving Estimate?

A lowball moving estimate is a significantly low moving quote gotten from a moving company, attracted by the ridiculously cheap price (that is often too good to be considered true), unsuspecting people may take this offer and hire the moving company. This is one of the popular types of relocation scams – dishonest moving companies make significantly low offers to attract unsuspecting customers and then maybe go away with the deposit or add more charges for extra services, unforeseen encounters during the move, and so on.

The moving contract is signed already and you can’t start looking for another moving company, so the customers are left with no choice but to pay the toughest price (can even be twice the actual quote). In a different case, a lowball moving estimate may identify incompetent moving companies, those that offer ridiculously low moving quotes may not be adequately licensed and/or sufficiently insured, may not have the relevant moving equipment, may not offer specialized relocation services, and so on.

Cheap moving labor may also imply that the moving companies are not properly trained professionals and don’t have the relevant skill and experience needed to offer a smooth and efficient move.

6. Conclusion

If a moving company gives you a lowball moving estimate, you should be alert – something is likely wrong. You may want to check other companies – to make sure your move is smooth, successful, with great experience. You need to take the price and reliability of the moving company into consideration, together with the quality of their service. A higher moving estimate by an insured, licensed and trustworthy mover may save you in the end (including time and efforts). Smartly select and safeguard your move.

This guide on identifying lowball moving estimates from state to state moving companies will be useful for you. Just don’t forget to be alert and always research your movers and other offers. Immediately you have a conclusion and understand the warning signals to check, you are ready

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