7 Tips for Saving Money on Moving Day

Moving house is expensive.From solicitor fees to surveys, it is easy for the cost of a move to rack up.As moving day approaches, you are sure to be hugely excited at the prospect of moving, and also at the thought of not having to spend any more ...

Moving house is expensive.

From solicitor fees to surveys, it is easy for the cost of a move to rack up.

As moving day approaches, you are sure to be hugely excited at the prospect of moving, and also at the thought of not having to spend any more money.

But hold on, there is still moving day to think about.

Taking all your belongings from one house to the next can be tiring, time-consuming, and expensive.

Luckily, there are ways to make your moving day a bit more wallet-friendly.

Here are seven top tips for saving money on moving day.

Pick What You’re Taking

One of the toughest decisions when moving is what to take, and what to get rid of. Do you really want to keep that old sofa that is ripped and worn? Or is it time for something new? If so, a quick trip to the tip could save a lot of time and space on moving day.

When moving home, it can be a great opportunity to really look at your belongings and decide which ones you need.

Consider your new home. If your bedroom has built-in wardrobes, or you’re lucky enough to have a walk-in wardrobe, then the stand-alone wardrobes in your current bedroom probably aren’t needed.

Leaving these behind, or even better, taking them to a charity shop or selling online, can save a whole lot of time and cost on moving day.

You can save a couple of trips back and forth in a moving van just by saying goodbye to some unwanted furniture so choose wisely what you’re taking and enjoy a fresh start in your new home.

Ask Around for Prices

If you are looking to hire a removal company or rent a van, it is vital that you check around for prices before agreeing to anything. It could be the difference between hundreds of pounds.

Some removal companies have added extras, so ensure any price that you are given is a quote that cannot be veered from and not an estimated price that may rise on the day.

Removal companies often provide things such as insurance and other promises to keep your goods safe. It is worthwhile to always check your belongings are in good hands by making sure the company you choose are part of the British Association of Removers. After all, you don’t want to pay less for the move but have to fork out more to repair damaged goods at the other end.

See how your removal company or van hire charges. If it’s by the hour, then make sure you’re ready to go immediately, or else an hour could quickly pass before the first trip to your new home has even begun.

Look Around the Home for Packaging Ideas

Packing your things takes time and costs money. You want your items to be safe, but is it feasible to fill every box with bubble wrap?

Recycling materials from around the home is a great way of moving your items for a low cost. Your fragile items should be perfectly safe if you surround them with things such as blankets, bedsheets, and towels. Or if you have some old newspapers waiting to go into the recycling bin, why not recycle them yourself by using them as padding for your plates and mugs.

When it comes to finding cardboard boxes, asking friends if they have any spare is a great way to source free ones. Alternatively, take a quick trip to local shops and restaurants. There’s no harm in asking if you can use any of their old storage boxes.

Use everything that can carry things. The pile of bags-for-life under the cupboard make a great way to transport things such as clothes, books, and electricals.

Choose a Weekday If Possible

The feeling when the keys are finally dropped into your hands is amazing.

The house is finally yours and all you want to do is get in, but it may be worthwhile to hold your horses for a few days.

The price of moving on a weekend or bank holiday can be substantially higher than moving during the week. This is because removal companies and van rentals often raise their prices.

If you do get the keys on a weekend, check with your removal company on how much the price will differ if you wait until the following Monday.

You should also consider that the roads will be busier on a weekend, meaning trips between houses may take longer and you may pay for more hours than you would on a weekday.

If you can fight the urge to get settled in your new home, then it could be financially beneficial when it comes to moving day to not move everything straight away, and only pay for delivery when the price is at its lowest.

Empty The Fridge and Freezer

The contents of kitchen cupboards can take up a lot of room. When you’re busy packing up and preparing to move, it can be tempting to get a takeaway on the night or go out to eat. By avoiding this and instead using as much of the food as you can out of your fridge and freezer, you can minimise the carrying load, whilst also minimising waste.

Frozen food won’t last the journey. From the moment it leaves the freezer, to the moment it is in your new home back in the freezer, it will probably defrost and therefore need to be thrown away.

Steer away from a big shop in the lead-up to your move and empty out your cupboards, fridge, and freezer as much as you can. If you only need to carry a few bags full of tins, then you’ve saved a big deal of packing and none of the food you have already bought will go to waste.

Pack and Build Everything Yourself

Moving day is always a hectic one. The last thing you want is for the removal company to turn up at your door and nothing be packed.

If you can work on it throughout the week leading up to your move, you will be ready to go as soon as the company arrives. You will also have a bit more time to source low-cost removal gear such as boxes and won’t be forced to pay expensive prices at the last minute to help get your stuff moved.

When it comes to things such as beds, if you can take them apart yourself, and build them yourself on the other side, this is also a great time-saver. It also means your belongings will instantly be ready to slot into the van and take up minimal space, which should cut down on the trips needed to get your move done.

The more you can do, the less the removal team must do. If paying by the hour, or by the volume moved, this could lead to a big saving.

Get By with A Little Help from Your Friends

When it comes to getting things moved from one place to another, it’s definitely the more the merrier.

If you can get friends and family to help at both ends, you can save time and money by streamlining the whole moving process. If you have a lot of people helping, you may be able to rent a van and move everything yourself, which is a great cost-saver.

In the lead-up to the move, having friends to help de-construct and pack items means that on the day everything will be prepared and ready to go.

The less time spent moving often means the less money spent, so enlist everyone who is willing to help, and make moving day as quick and simple as it can possibly be.

Final Thoughts

Moving can be stressful and tiring. Trying to squeeze big furniture through small doorways all while the clock is ticking and the price is rising isn’t fun.

The key to saving money is being prepared. Do your research on who can offer the cheapest price, make sure you’re ready to go when the day arrives, and see who can lend a hand to maximise efficiency and minimise cost.

Moving day should be a happy one, so make sure you enjoy it by following these seven tips for a low-cost move.

If you are thinking about selling, our team will be happy to offer advice.

Please do feel free to contact us here.