Here at Lennar, we love sharing news and articles that will truly move you. Here are some helpful tips from U.S. News on how to save some extra dollars on your big moving day.
Most people who hire professional movers do so for peace of mind and for convenience. A reputable moving company can do the job efficiently with little or no risk to your home or property, leaving you with little to do but supervise. In fact, a reputable company will offer insurance against loss or damage.
Professional movers do cost more than doing it yourself, but here are a few ways to save if you plan to outsource the job.
As with hiring any professional, it pays to shop around. Start with recommendations from friends and colleagues, and seek out three or four candidates. To give you an accurate estimate, your contenders will likely need to visit your place and take an inventory of your stuff. The estimator will also note stairs in your building or narrow streets outside – anything that will complicate the work on moving day. With the estimates in hand, compare, but beware of any bids that are well below the others. Before you decide, be sure you understand each of the listed charges. You might also check with the Better Business Bureau and a site like movingscam.com for any complaints about the moving company.
You also want to pick the right time to move. Movers are generally busier around the last 10 days of the month, because that’s when most people move. If you can time your move in the middle of the month, you may be able to negotiate a better rate. The months of May through September are the busy season for movers. Time your move in early spring – or even winter, weather permitting – and the moving company may be more willing to negotiate.
For many, moving is also an opportunity to do a deep declutter. Stuff that’s been hidden behind other stuff in dark cubbies reappears and suddenly seems less useful and interesting. Are you really going to miss that ceramic kitten with the broken ear? More importantly for your budget, now that you’re paying someone to haul your property, it pays to trim down your lifestyle. In fact, many movers charge by weight, which means they’re perfectly happy to haul your set of barbells and your library across the country. Beyond saving yourself the hassle of finding new places to hide your forgotten stuff, getting rid of stuff will save you money – maybe enough to take up a more frugal fitness routine in your new home.
