The process of moving to a new home is one of those things that is almost universally disliked. It takes a lot of time and energy, it costs money and for some people, it’s a major source of stress. That new place might be amazing but getting there? It’s not always fun! (Don’t worry, it will be worth it in the end.)
We can’t promise that your next move will be stress-free, but you can definitely take steps to minimize the financial impact on your life. Here are some simple ways to save money when moving to a new house or apartment.
Shop around—and read reviews
If you’re hiring a moving company, call around for a few different quotes before signing a contract. You don’t necessarily want to go with the cheapest movers in town, but you’ll want to gain a sense of price range and quality. In many cases, there are moderately priced moving options with excellent service. Websites like Homestars are a great source for honest consumer reviews, and looking at recent Google Reviews can be helpful.
Some moving companies charge more during peak times of the month (often first and last days). If you have flexibility around your moving date, ask your movers if there’s a more cost effective time to use their services. You might save money just by moving on the 6th instead of the 1st!
Read the fine print
Whether it’s a rental agreement or a contract with your moving company, be sure to read and understand all of the fine print on anything you sign. You don’t want to be surprised by unexpected fees or overlooked details in an agreement (for example, a large security deposit or overtime pay for your moving crew after a certain number of hours). And if you’re buying your first home, be sure to plan for all associated costs including land transfer fees, realtor commissions and lawyer fees. You can’t always avoid these costs, but you can avoid being surprised by them!
Call your service providers ASAP
If you have cable television, a landline phone, home Internet service, utilities in your name or other services linked to your address, call them as soon as you have your new address and moving details. Not only will you want to ensure a seamless transition of all services, you’ll want to avoid extra costs and/or cancellation fees. Don’t be afraid to ask your service providers to waive certain fees, particularly if you’re a longtime customer. It may be their standard to charge for connecting services at your new place, but a bit of polite negotiation with a customer service representative often makes these fees disappear.
Be prepared on moving day
When you hire professional movers, you often pay by the hour. To save money, be sure to pack up everything (and we mean EVERYTHING) long before they arrive. Tape up all boxes well and avoid loose items. Drop off all of those charitable donations ahead of time and get rid of all garbage if possible. Empty your fridge and clean anything that needs cleaning before you can return the keys. If you paid a security deposit, do everything necessary to get it back on moving day. You’ll be glad you did!
When packing for your move, consider renting reusable containers instead of a mis-matched set of cardboard boxes. This costs slightly more up front but usually saves your movers significant time as reusable boxes stack well and are very efficient to load/unload from a truck. Every hour saved is money back in your pocket, so be prepared and enjoy the savings! Then, once all of the hard work is done, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy your new home. (We told you it would be worth it.)