Best Ways To Save Money On Movers

It’s hard to avoid spending a small fortune when you hire movers. Both flat rates and hourly moves are pricey, but movers offer a luxury that is hard to pass on. Luckily, there are several easy ways to save money on movers.

Declutter your home and sell or donate furniture and useless items to lessen the shipping weight and save truck space. Repurpose old boxes, totes, clothes, and towels to pack and protect your belongings instead of buying boxes. You can also save money when moving if you pay for temporary storage, so the movers don’t have to handle as much stuff.

Make sure to ask about insurance options, or else you won’t be covered if items break during the move. It also helps to get quotes from several moving companies. Follow along as we explore the best ways to save money on movers.

How To Move On A Budget

Hiring professional movers is an expensive prospect, but it doesn’t have to be. A little preparation and research can make all the difference in how much you spend while moving. Here are some simple tips to save money when you hire movers:

1. Lighten Your Load

Few things are as satisfying as getting rid of clutter and old furniture before a move. Not only does this simplify your move, but it can also make it cheaper. Weight is one of many factors that moving companies use to provide a cost estimate.

You can save money while moving if you get rid of as much stuff as you can. Today, it’s easy to sell furniture, clothes, and random items from your home through Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Many places accept furniture and clothing donations, such as Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Otherwise, you can simply give furniture, collectibles, and clothes away to your friends and family. This won’t just lighten the load, but it will also make the move go by much faster. That comes in handy if the moving company charges an hourly rate.

2. Don’t Skimp On Insurance

Moving companies offer insurance options that come at a cost, but they’re worth every penny. You won’t receive any compensation if movers damage your property unless you get insurance. It’s also worth it to get the best insurance option that the moving company offers.

Most movers offer premium insurance plans that cover the full cost of broken items. The overall insurance cost is typically tied to the value of the items you’re moving with. In that case, your insurance rate is typically higher if you have lots of valuable items.

Make sure to keep a copy of the contract and document your conversations with the company about it. This comes in handy if you’re insured and the company tries to get out of compensating you for damaged property.

3. Do Some Of The Work Yourself

Full-service movers handle nearly every aspect of a move for their customers. That’s why they charge premium prices, but not everyone needs all the services they offer. For example, you may not need them to pack your belongings for you.

In that case, there’s no reason to pay extra for full packing and unpacking if you plan to do it yourself. You can also save money if you forego other services, such as furniture disassembly and assembly. Talk to multiple moving companies and figure out the most bare-bones packages they offer.

Some moving companies even offer a service where their crew simply loads the truck for you. Of course, you must then drive a rental moving truck, but it’s much cheaper than a full-service move. Request the most simple services possible if you want to save money on movers.

4. Get Creative When You Pack

There’s no reason to spend a fortune on moving supplies. Instead, you can repurpose totes and old boxes to pack your belongings. You can even forego bubble wrap if you use old T-shirts, blankets, and towels to protect your stuff.

It’s a great idea to save the boxes you get from online orders in the months before you move. Some businesses are also willing to give away free boxes if you ask politely. Gas stations, big box stores, and some U-Haul locations sometimes also have free boxes.

5. Talk To Several Companies

It’s sometimes shocking how much of a price difference there is between moving companies. Professional movers assess moving costs based on many factors, such as volume, weight, distance, and time. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t get a second opinion from another moving company if the first cost estimate sounds wrong.

That is especially important for long-distance moves, as they can easily cost $12,000 or more for cross-country moves. Read online reviews and even check out a company’s Better Business Bureau page if you don’t trust the quote. Customer reviews can say a lot about how trustworthy any given moving company is.

6. Ship Whatever You Can

Shipping is sometimes pricey, but it’s also a great chance to save space on the moving truck. This is helpful whether you hire professional movers or rent a moving truck. Shipping is useful if you are moving out of state and have lots of miscellaneous items that you don’t know where to put.

Depending on the service you use, you can ship up to 70 pounds worth of items for as little as $40-$60 in some cases. This is a great option if you have lots of old records, CDs, books, and other collectible items to pack. However, shipping isn’t the best choice if you have large items, as the cost may outweigh the benefits.

7. Consider Storage

Storage units offer an inexpensive way to lighten the load of your move. They typically cost under $200 per month to rent, and many cost under $100. This is a great short-term option to lower the cost of moving.

That’s because the movers won’t have to handle as much stuff, and they may be able to use a smaller truck. Simply move some of your belongings to the storage unit without professional help. You can go get those belongings after you move and terminate the contract on the storage unit rental.

This will make your move go by quicker, which saves money on an hourly contract. It will also lower the shipping weight, and that can save hundreds of dollars.

8. Move Without Professional Help

Do you live in a small home or apartment without too much furniture? In that case, it may be worth it to forego professional help altogether. DIY moves are relatively inexpensive if you rent a small truck and get it done in one day.

This is easier said than done, but it’s doable if you have a few helping hands. It costs an average of $60 to rent a moving truck, but it can cost hundreds of dollars. The cost depends on the size of the truck, mileage, and how long you have it.

That’s why it’s a great idea to rent a truck for local moves. You won’t have to spend much on mileage, and you can likely get it done in one day.

Summing It Up

Sell, donate, or throw away old clothes and furniture to save space on the moving truck to save money. Invest in temporary storage to lessen the shipping weight, as that’s a big cost factor when it comes to moving. Pack your belongings yourself instead of paying movers extra to do it for you. Otherwise, you’ll spend several hundred dollars extra.

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