Without a doubt, moving homes can be an expensive endeavour. From renting a truck and purchasing packing materials to cleaning your old home, it becomes a pricey day. But with preparation, there are always ways to alleviate the costs. Here are some of my top tips to help you save money when you move.
Pick Off-Peak Times
If you need a rental truck (or trucks), get a few quotes and check their estimate carefully noting the difference between weekday/weekend service. Moves over the weekend may incur overtime rates and could mean 50% more than the normal rate! Also, there may be a premium rate on dates 3-5 days before and after the month-end. This is due to the high demand during traditional rental periods.
Choose the Right Rental Truck
What size truck do you need? Consider the cost difference between one 5-tonne truck or five 1-tonne trucks. If you’re going with the smaller truck, take into consideration the travel time charged back and forth for five trips. Pick a company large enough to have a fleet of larger trucks to accommodate the size of your load.
Find Inexpensive Packing Materials
Check Craigslist or kijiji at the end or beginning of the month for packing boxes and paper for sale (or even free) from individuals who have recently moved and unpacked. You can always ask for liquor or grocery store boxes. However, keep in mind they are often not the right size for the volume you need to pack. Also, some boxes don’t come with lids so they won’t be stackable inside the moving truck. Smaller boxes may mean more boxes and therefore, more billable time to carry boxes back and forth.
In many cases, moving companies can recommend that you keep some of your items in your furniture. For example, leaving clothes in dresser drawers is possible but only in sturdy, solid pieces ( Sorry IKEA). Check with your moving company as this can save packing materials and space.
Downsize in Advance
It’s pretty simple: the more you move, the more you pay. Start downsizing weeks or months in advance to edit down your home contents to what you truly need and have space for. Donate or sell everything else. I generally suggest avoiding renting a self-storage unit if possible as these can be very costly in the long run. (Check out my post 3 Reasons You Don’t Need a Storage Unit.)
Research Your Cleaning Options
If you’re not cleaning your old home yourself, take the time to compare cleaning costs from a few different companies. Similar to moving companies, many cleaners charge higher fees on weekends. In fact, some don’t provide service on Sundays or holidays so you may find yourself scrambling if you have to hand over keys on a weekend.
Preparation is key to helping you save money when you move. For more tips on moving, be sure to check out my post Top 3 Moving Tips from a Professional Organizer. Out of Chaos Professional Organizing Solutions provides a wide range of organizing and move management services. Just contact us at info@outfochaos.ca or 604-813-8189.
