7 Money Saving Tips When Planning a Home Move

Moving home is often considered as a very intense process.

 

Having to pack all that stuff up, looking for house movers, seeing that everything is transported safely to the new house, and then unpacking and settling in is surely stressful.

 

And to top it all, moving house also ends up being a substantial expense. You will need boxes, packing materials, and the house movers fee may be rather hefty.

 

However, there are some ways which can help you save some money when planning your home move. 

 

1. Careful Planning

 

Planning ahead can help you save a considerable amount of money when moving house. 

 

Planning allows you to think things out in advance, and you would be considering the various expenses. For instance, avoid stocking up your fridge and cupboards shortly before the move. 

 

You can also be better able to pack wisely and this can save up on packing materials. You could manage to get some boxes for free from shops or relatives, rather than having to buy them.

 

These are just some examples of how you could save money if you start planning in advance.

 

2. Decluttering

 

Decluttering is a critical part of moving house. First of all when you declutter you will be able to consider what you really need to take with you to the new house, and what you could do without.

 

Not taking everything is imperative if you are downsizing, and even if you are not, most probably there are various furniture items and stuff that you could leave behind. 

 

Remember that the more things you decide to move, the more the movers will charge you. 

 

Besides you would be spending more time as well as more money on packing stuff which you might not really need. Such stuff might end up being a nuisance once you settle in your new house in case you do not find a space for it. Chances are you might even end up throwing such items away!

 

Decluttering also gives you a chance to make some extra money if you decide which items could possibly be sold before you move house.

 

3. Compare House Movers

 

There are many house movers which you can hire, but it is not a good idea to simply pick the first one you come across. Prices vary, and you should try to request a few quotes so as to compare their rates.

 

This will allow you to hire house movers that are reputable as well as affordable.

 

4. Choosing an Off-Peak Date

 

Most house moves tend to be carried out over the summer months. With longer days and more free time, many people prefer to move during the summer if they can.

 

Consequently prices during this season tend to be slightly higher. So if possible you should consider moving house either in spring or autumn, when the house moving prices may be more reasonable and the weather is still reasonable.

 

5. Gather Free Packing Materials Instead of Buying

 

You will need many cardboard boxes, as well as bubble-wrap or other packing materials to get your stuff ready for the move. You could save money by trying to gather boxes for free from local shops, especially supermarkets who tend to simply dump them.

 

Some friends and relatives could also give or lend you a good number of cardboard boxes too.

 

Start saving bubble-wrap from items that you order online, or see if you can acquire some for free from friends, family or even retail stores. You could even use large towels, curtains, bed sheets and pieces of fabric to wrap up some fragile items instead, if budgets are tight.

 

6. Perishable Items

 

You will be amazed at how many items you had stored away in your cupboards.

 

From food to soap and toiletries, you might easily have forgotten that once you need to move house you are either going to have to pack up all this stuff, which may be rather unfeasible, or else, you might have to leave it behind or dump it.

 

Both scenarios are not ideal, and so it is best to make a plan in advance of what you are going to use and cook during the last couple of weeks before your house move.

 

7. Pack Smart

 

Be smart when packing your items. You do not want to end up ruining things, or even ending up with damaged or broken items which will end up being thrown away. Some items of importance, or which are very fragile or delicate may be better off if you load them in your car.

 

Smart packing also means not having boxes which are excessively heavy and which might end up giving way. Bear in mind that these boxes are going to be stacked up on top of each other and transported so chances are that things within the boxes might easily break or get damaged.

 

Keep this in mind while you are packing. Use an adequate amount of packing materials, or fabric to make sure that such items are well protected.

 

Labeling can also help you to avoid unnecessary problems and possible expenses. When you arrive in the new house you are going to feel at a loss with all those boxes to be unpacked. This is going to take time and you cannot magically settle everything in the proper place within a couple of days.

 

During this time you will most probably need certain items, and if you have no idea where they are packed you will end up having to go out and buy such items. It is also a good idea to have a couple of boxes with basic needs such as sanitary supplies, a pair of scissors, hair brushes and toothbrushes, cleaning supplies and basic clothing needs.

 

Conclusion

 

The above 7 money saving tips which we have just covered  might seem rather obvious at first, but you will be amazed at how much money you could end up saving if you were to add it all up. Moving house can be made less expensive and smoother if you bear these really useful tips in mind.