Let’s face it, moving can be expensive! In addition to the physical move cost there are also closing costs on your new home, real estate fees on your previous house and travel and accommodation costs.

By contrast, the cost of hiring a professional mover is minimal when you consider the big picture.The cost of a full service, professional long distance move is only about 20% of your overall relocation budget; local moves represent an even smaller percentage. However, the physical move is one area where you have some control over costs and moving on a budget is possible. There are a number of ways to save money and still have a professional moving company handle the move for you:

Purge

One of the best ways to save on a move is not to move items you no longer need or want. When you move long distance, the cost is determined by the weight of your shipment so reducing the weight will help lower the cost. On a local move, the cost is based on the number of hours it takes to move so less items to move means less time to pay for.  

Sell Unwanted Items

Go through your home and garage and take a close look at your furniture and your other possessions. Many people plan to buy new furniture and other decor items for their new home. Why not discard the old furniture and other items before you move? Don’t pay to move things that will end up stored in the basement or garage of your new home.

Advertise your items on-line. Furniture in good condition generally will fetch a better resale price if you advertise it on sites like Kijiji or Varage Sale than if you include it in a garage sale. The same is true for electronics, sporting equipment and collectibles.

Donate Unwanted Items

If you don’t want to go to the trouble of advertising or holding your own garage sale then donating items is a great option. You will be keeping them out of the landfill and helping people in need. There are several organizations who accept donations of gently used furniture, clothing, electronics and general household possessions:

  1. Value Village
  2. Diabetes Association
  3. Salvation Army
  4. Furniture Bank
  5. Habitat for Humanity

Reduce Moving Company Costs

Using a professional moving company like Premiere Van Lines will make your move a lot less stressful than trying to do it yourself. It makes sense to hire a professional moving company when you consider the cost of renting a truck and other moving equipment, trying to find family or friends willing to help, then factor in possible damage to your belongings and the risk of someone getting hurt.

Moving on a budget is still possible. A few ways to save with a professional mover are:

  • Doing some or all your own packing. A Premiere representative can provide you with professional packing tips and can sell you packing materials at a reasonable cost. This will ensure that your possessions are properly prepared for transport, so they arrive damage free at your new home.
  •  If you are moving locally, consider having the moving company only move the large items. Smaller items and clothing could be moved in your own car or van.
  •  Schedule your move for off-peak period if possible. The hourly rate for local moves is usually less mid-month as opposed to the last few days of the month. For a long distance move, the late fall and winter months are considered off season and as a result, rates are usually lower.

As you can see, moving on a budget is possible with some advance planning. Want to know more? Contact Premiere Van Lines today at 1-877-671-6683 for a moving quote!