How To Keep Your Moving Costs Down
Posted on 21/07/2014
Moving can be a costly time for individuals, families and businesses alike and if it is not managed properly costs can spiral out of control. With just a few quick steps you can reduce these costs and make sure that you’ve get enough money left to decorate your new home. 1. Set a Realistic BudgetBefore you go ahead and book a removals firm or man and van service, sit down and calculate exactly what you can afford and where the money is going to come from. There is little worse than having the added stress of moving costs on your mind when you’re trying to get everything organised. Once you’ve set a budget, make sure you stick to it, only ever making exceptions in unavoidable circumstances. 2. Shop Around When you’re looking for a professional moving firm to help coordinate your move don’t just accept the first quote you get. Do some research on which companies are the best and then get quotes from a selection of these. Even if it’s only a small difference, every little bit helps. 3. Make Some MoneyBefore you move it is always good practice to have a sort through all of your things so that you don’t end of moving a whole load of old furniture or books that you just don’t need. So if you’re doing it anyway, then you may as well try to make a little bit of extra money to put towards your new home. Traditional house sales or car boot sales can be a quick and easy cash-builder, while the internet can be great if you have that little bit more time on your hands. 4. DonateIf you haven’t got time for a sale then donating your unwanted possessions can also save you time and money on moving day, as with less to pack and carry there will be less removal boxes needed and fewer actual trips. 5. Find Free Removal BoxesWhile most removal and storage companies sell quality packing materials you can save yourself a little bit of money by finding second-hand moving boxes from shops or other local businesses. Most small firms will be happy to give you their unwanted boxes as it gives them less rubbish to get rid of come collection day. If you don’t want to visit random firms then ask family and friends to ask at their workplaces for you, even if you only get a few it will still end up saving you a little bit of money. 6. Use Creative Packing TechniquesAs well as saving money on removal boxes, you can also save money on other packing materials such as bubble wrap and protective film by utilising other household items. Socks, tea-towels and other soft furnishings are ideal for protecting small fragile items, while newspaper or magazines are ideal box fillers. 7. Be PreparedIf you’ve hired a van or a removals firm for a set period of time then do everything you can to complete your move within your set timeframe. Make sure that everything is packed up ready for when they arrive and that nothing is left to the last minute, this way you can get your move on the road without any significant delays. 8. Get Help From Family & Friends The more help you can get from family and friends, the less you generally have to pay professional moving firms. So whether its help packing, lifting or loading the more hands you can get on deck for free the better!
