The costs of moving can strain the healthiest of bank accounts. But the following tips can help you keep the expenses under control:
Pack yourself
Even if you need to use a professional mover, you can slash hundreds of dollars off your mover’s bill by purchasing your own packing supplies and packing your things yourself.
- Pick up boxes for free from your supermarket or other local businesses. Or purchase used boxes -- usually at half price -- from your moving company.
- Save old newspapers and crumple them up to use as wrapping for dishes and other small fragile items -- a much cheaper alternative to plastic bubble packaging that professional movers might choose to use (and charge you for). Local newspapers often sell leftover newsprint for much less than what you’d pay to buy from a professional mover. It’s also free of ink -- leaving your dishes and your hands clean when you pack.
- Purchase packaging tape from a hardware store to save up to $5 a roll compared with what your moving company might charge if you purchase the tape from them.
- Buy your own wardrobe boxes from a self-moving company or a shipping supply company.
Cut down on the load
Before you start packing, go through your possessions and get rid of clothes you haven’t worn for years and everything else you don’t use. Now is the time to hold a garage sale, put an ad in the newspaper for the couch you don’t need, or give away those extra utensils. The less stuff you have to move, the better price you can get from a mover.
Get an estimate from at least three movers
Movers generally base their rate on the weight of your possessions, the miles they have to drive and additional services, such as packing for you or disconnecting your appliances. The price can easily come to several thousand dollars if you have many possessions and are moving a fair distance.
It’s a competitive profession, though, so ask at least three movers for an estimate to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. For information on finding a mover in your area, visit the Web site of The American Moving and Storage Association.
Move in the off-season
Most people move between May and September. And throughout the year, they move during the first and last week of the month, or on weekends. You can probably bargain for a good rate if you can schedule your move outside these busy times. Movers are particularly eager for business on weekdays throughout the year, or any time during January and February.
Do it yourself
You’ll probably need to hire a moving company to transport heavy or difficult-to-move items such as appliances or large furniture, but the savings can still be substantial if you move the rest of your possessions yourself.
- Rent a truck for as little as a hundred dollars a day and recruit friends and family to help (for the price of refreshments).
- Use your own blankets and towels to wrap large items instead of renting padded blankets from the truck rental company.
- When using a moving company, save by arranging to do the packing and unpacking of the trailer yourself. Get quotes from at least three companies to compare savings.
Claim expenses
If you’re moving for your job, ask your employer to cover some, or all, of your expenses. If that’s not possible, you may still be able to deduct expenses if the reasons for your move are related to your work. Be sure to keep all your receipts and check with a tax advisor. For more information on deducting moving expenses, visit the Web site of the Internal Revenue Service.
Send “change of address” information out via e-mail
This will save you the time and cost of sending the information out by mail.
Protect yourself from fraud
Most moving companies are reputable but you need to be careful. Information on how to protect yourself from fraud is available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
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