Let’s face it, moving home is expensive. Many people fail to accurately budget for an upcoming move between buying new packing supplies, hiring a van, or paying a mover. Fortunately, with a bit of foresight, there are many ways to save money before moving house.
Paying to move items around that you don’t use is a big waste of money. If you have a move coming up, declutter your home before you pack up your things. There’s no point in packing clothes, books, electronics or even pieces of furniture that you don’t like if you’re not going to use them in your new home.
Go through all your drawers, closets and storage areas at your current home. Get rid of, sell, throw away or donate items that you haven’t used in the past twelve months (unless there’s a particular reason).
Think about the furniture you currently own. If you’re planning on getting a new coffee table or bookcase, why not sell these items before moving? You’ll save money on your moving costs (and time if you’re moving things yourself) by selling them early.
You don’t even have to drop the items off yourself. According to the Citizens Advice Bureau, a range of charities offer free pickup for large household items, including the Salvation Army. Check out their list here.
Save space and money by eating what you’ve got at home before moving. Go through your fridge, freezer and pantry and try to eat as many frozen meals, vegetables and canned goods as possible. You’ll cut down on grocery bills for a few weeks before moving and have less stuff to cart to your new home.
Eating through your pantry, fridge, and freezer is an excellent idea if you are moving cities. Canned goods are heavy, and you may struggle to transport your frozen items. Using up what you own will save money and restock your pantry.
The earlier you start thinking about your move better. Start looking for free boxes left out on the street (most central business districts in New Zealand have a day where cardboard gets put out on the curb), collecting newspapers, paper bags, bubble wrap and other supplies.
Ask your friends if they have any moving supplies you could borrow, like a masking tape dispenser, small trolleys or box cutters. There shouldn’t be any reason you need to buy these things yourself. If you have these supplies at work, ask if you can borrow them for the weekend or the day of your move.
Use what you already have in your linen cupboard to protect your fragile items. Rather than buying bubble wrap or protective inserts, use towels, sheets, blankets, and even clothing items (preferably ones designed for hardwearing) to wrap up your breakables. You’ll save money and potentially save a bit of space too.
Save space by packing as many items in containers you already own. Suitcases are great for transporting heavy objects. Use your bags that have wheels to pack up your book collection.
Some movers will want you to buy special boxes to protect certain items, like televisions. Keeping the box your tv came in (and the polystyrene) means you can easily pack it back into place.
Repacking these items will save you from paying for any special packing supplies your movers provide. You’ll also gain peace of mind knowing your valuable items are packed securely and are unlikely to get damaged during the move.
Summer is a busy time for movers because more houses sell during the summer months. Many movers around New Zealand are busy between the end of January and March. Try to avoid moving during these times. Alternatively, book your mover as soon as possible.
The same goes for moving during the week. Many movers are busy on weekends, and you might get a favourable moving rate on a Monday or Tuesday.
If you own your car or have access to a family or friend's vehicle to help you move, fill it with as much small stuff as possible. You can cut down on moving costs by only getting your movers to take the oversized items you can’t transport yourself.
Even if you have to take a few trips, it can sometimes be cheaper to leave small boxes behind and move them yourself at the end of the day.
Before you move, do some research into which companies offer free sign-ups or perks for joining as a new customer. You might be able to get a discount on your power, internet or gas if you end things with your current supplier when you move. Shopping around for your utilities is one of the best ways to save money long-term.
Don’t just take the first moving quote you are given. Shop around for movers to compare rates and see who will provide you with the best deal. At Wise Move, we make it easy to compare prices and save money on the transportation costs of your move.
Whether you’re moving house or just need one or two items moved, Wise Move finds space on existing moving routes, giving you the best prices and keeping your delivery costs down. Book your move today.
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