A Comprehensive Guide to Saving on Moving
Moving can be a stressful ordeal, ranking closely behind getting teeth pulled and filing taxes as one of life's most dreaded activities.
What's more, the moving process can be expensive. There's movers to hire, trucks to rent and boxes to buy. Before you know it, you can end up spending hundreds, even thousands of dollars. According to the American Moving & Storage Association, the estimated cost of an intrastate move is $1,170. When you're moving out of state, that number can soar to about $5,630.
[See: Answers to 7 Burning Tax Questions.]
Happily, you can save yourself both money and hassle with proper planning and a solid plan of action. To help you cut back on spending and stress, here's a guide to relocating without breaking the bank.
How to Find Packaging
You'd be surprised how quickly the cost of boxes, Bubble Wrap and tape can add up. Rather than blowing your hard-earned money on pricey packaging materials from moving agencies, hunt down freebies. You can often score free packaging materials from recycling centers, supermarkets and appliance stores. Try asking for unneeded boxes at work, and hit up your friends to see if they have extra packaging materials to spare.
[See: 13 Money Tips for Married Couples.]
Surprising as it sounds, a do-it-yourself moving job isn't necessarily the cheapest option. If you are not an experienced mover, you can end up spending a lot of time, effort and money during the DIY process. And in some cases, renting a truck will even exceed the cost of hiring professional movers.
By enlisting the aid of trained movers from a trusted moving agency, you're guaranteed efficiency. Movers can perform in hours the same job that would take you days or weeks. In addition to speediness, there's the additional benefit of safety. Skilled movers will ensure your belongings are securely packed and delivered to your new house undamaged and intact.
Ready to hire a moving team? Here are some tips to help you get the best deal from a reputable company:
Plan your move at the right time. If it's possible, you can cut costs by scheduling your move during the summer, when rates are typically at their lowest. You can also save money if you plan to move on a weekday versus the weekend, when there is often more demand.
Ask for recommendations. Turn to friends, co-workers and real estate agents for recommendations on moving companies.
Do your research. Before reaching out to a moving company, research reviews and ask for references from previous customers. You should visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's website, safersys.org, to check that the company has the necessary license and insurance. Compare quotes from at least three different moving agencies.
Get an exact quote. When you think you've found a trustworthy company, ask for a guaranteed price. To determine a quote, an estimator from a reliable agency should visit your home to take inventory of your property and assess the weight of the job. Make sure you show the estimator everything you want moved, including belongings in your closets and other storage places.
Prepare for the move. Give yourself plenty of time before moving day to pack up as much as possible. Bring over soft items -- such as clothes, towels and linens -- to your new home yourself. Disassemble any bed frames, lamps and other furniture pieces you can.
Get a copy of the inventory list. On the day of the big move, secure a copy of the moving agency's inventory list. Explain to the movers carefully how to get to your new house, and be sure to take down a contact phone number.
Look up phone and electricity companies in your new neighborhood to see if they are running any specials. Remember to factor the expense of utility deposits and prepayments into your moving budget.
[See: 11 Expenses Destroying Your Budget.]
How to Score Deductions
Most of us don't realize how much stuff we own -- until we move. You can reduce extra weight and trim costs by ditching your rarely used belongings. Before moving, conduct a thorough clean of your house. You can sell unused furniture to earn some cash, or donate excess items to a charity for a tax deduction.
You may also qualify for a tax deduction if your move meets certain terms. Take the time to track your expenses and check IRS specifications to see if you are eligible. Typically, your move must relate to a new job, and your new place of work must be a far enough distance from your previous home. To ensure your eligibility, it's a good idea to speak with an accountant.
Maria Lalonde honed her deal-hunting skills while traveling through South America and Southeast Asia, combing colorful local markets for unique finds. Her love of blogging and thirst for deals brought her to Offers.com, where she blogs about savings tips.
