Top 5 ways to save money while moving

Estimate the Cost

Online moving calculators are a great way to help gauge approximately how much your move should cost. This is a good place to start before reaching out to different moving companies and getting quotes, as it will give you a solid median. Knowing roughly how much your move should cost will help prevent you from overspending by going with a bid that is otherwise, unbeknownst to you, way too high.

Establish a Plan B

While you can try everything in your power to ensure a smooth move, there’s always a possibility that your timeline, including your move-in date, could go awry at the last minute. Having a backup plan in place can actually help save you money in the long run.

For instance, you can make plans ahead of time to stay with a friend or family member, in case your move is delayed, so you don’t end up paying expensive hotels fees. Additionally, consider choosing a long distance moving company with flexible options that won’t charge you a fee for making a change on short notice.

Avoid Buying Supplies

Purchasing boxes, paper and bubble wrap can really add up. However, you can cut down on your moving costs by getting creative with how you source these items. Consider asking neighbors and friends who have recently moved or are about to move—to save their boxes and any extra moving supplies for you. You can also stop by select retail locations like grocery, furniture or appliance stores and ask if they have any boxes leftover from their recent deliveries. Try being resourceful by using what you already have. Items such as socks, towels, T-shirts and sweaters all work great as alternatives for wrapping glassware and protecting your valuables.

Don’t Pick the Lowest Bidding Movers

Considering that they’re going to be responsible for safely and successfully transporting all of your belongings, you’ll want to ensure that you’re choosing from the best moving companies for your job. While you may be tempted to save money up front by selecting the movers with the lowest bid, doing so may actually end up costing you more in the long run.

A low bid might indicate low-quality work, which could end with your belongings showing up late, or even broken, meaning you could end up spending more money to repair or replace your valuables. You can save yourself money by choosing a more reputable contractor off the bat, with a bid that is more in the middle.

Host a Sale

Holding a yard sale is a great way to not only make money, but it can actually help save you money on your move, too. By taking the time to get rid of any clothes, furniture or other items that you don’t want prior to your move, you create an opportunity to decrease the number of necessary movers, as well as possibly decrease the size of the moving vehicle that will be needed for your job. All of these factors can impact the price of your move, so by selling unwanted items ahead of time, there’s an opportunity to decrease your overall moving costs, while also earning a little cast to put toward the total expenses.