Moving home is one of the biggest decisions you can make as a family. It’s also one of the most expensive. If you’re already slimming down your budget and looking at the prospect of having instant noodles for lunch for the next seventeen months after buying a home, then you’re not going to want an expensive move to put even more strain on your poor wallet. To that end, here are a few ways you can make sure that your move isn’t going to (entirely) break your bank.
If you’re hiring professionals, do it early
If you don’t have the time or the inclination to do it yourself, there’s nothing wrong with leaving it to the pros. Most people are going to do just that, after all. However, you should make sure that you time it well, getting to your home movers early before all their days are booked up. The more booked they are for any given period, the more they are likely to charge for their services.
Don’t bring so much junk
The more stuff you have to move, the more space it’s going to require, meaning that you’re likely to need a larger vehicle. Look at the ways that you can get rid of the items that you might not truly need or want to bring along with you. Of course, the best way to do it, if you have the time, is to sell it, either through online marketplaces or via a garage sale. But otherwise, you can look at ways you can donate or recycle your unwanted items, as well.
Do it yourself
If you have the time and the confidence for it, then you could save yourself trouble and money by doing the move yourself. Make sure that you don’t need any equipment to lift any particularly heavy pieces, and see if you can get the transportation space you need with van hire and rentals. Don’t break your back trying to lift a safe by yourself, of course. Bear in mind any responsibilities you may have to move your car or kids (don’t want to forget those now) as well. Given that moving services are typically the most expensive part of any trip to a new home, renting out a vehicle can be cheaper.
Find free supplies
Every little helps! Don’t turn your nose up at free, especially when the other option is to buy moving supplies, in which case you almost always end up buying more than you need and who wants to decorate their new home with empty boxes and packing tape? There are plenty of places you might be able to get free or cheap moving supplies, including local businesses such as shops. Ask around and you might have to skip going to your local packing store altogether. Just make sure that you have all the supplies you need days in advance. Don’t go asking on the day before the move.
A home move is a big project. It’s not going to come for free. However, with the tips above, it can at least be a little bit more affordable.