Moving into a new home can be an extremely stressful time for many homeowners. One of the biggest stressors at this time is finances. On top of the cost of your home purchase, you have to worry about your moving expenses. Luckily, with some research and planning, you can keep your moving costs low and save money.
Time is money, and if you’re left packing till the wee hours of the morning, and/or straining your back moving heavy furniture, you may wish to consider hiring a moving company. They might actually save you money in the long run!
Before you begin packing, it may be wise to start to consolidate some of your possessions. Why move things you don’t use, things are broken or you don’t need? Donate these items to a charity such as the Salvation Army. They will be pleased to have your unwanted items, and in turn, you won’t be paying to move stuff you won’t want. If you have broken items, recycling or garbage, take it to the nearest landfill or transfer station. This is an easy way to cut down on your moving expenses – and clear out clutter!
It is a good idea to spend money on speciality packing papers and supplies for your valued positions but you can also use what you already have! Tea towels, bed sheets, pillow cases and bath towels act as great wrapping for not so fragile or delicate items. Make sure your breakable items are packed with care and use alternative methods for everyday low value goods. Don’t forget to label the boxes FRAGILE so that your movers know to handle them carefully. You can buy a selection of quality packing material on our website.
When you’re labelling boxes, make sure you put the room in the home where the box should go. For example, if you are packing up stationary, pens, pencils etc. and your new home has an office space, make sure you write office on the box so the movers will put the box in the appropriate room. This will save you moving boxes around the house yourself after the movers have left. If the movers see clearly marked boxes, they can work quicker, ultimately cutting down on your moving expenses.
If at all possible, try to avoid moving in peak moving season. Scheduling a move in the winter, spring or fall versus the summer months may save you a lot of money. Make sure you speak to a reputable moving company such as McWilliams Moving and Storage to ask questions about fees, policies and moving insurance. With no cost to you, we will provide you an in-home estimate to assess your moving needs.
Don’t forget to get your free McWilliams relocation application for your smart phone for more great advice and information on moving