One of the certain parts of being a Fort Worth renter is that you will need to move house sooner or later. And disappointingly, moving can be not only time-consuming but expensive, specifically if you are moving a significant distance away or need to hire people to help you. The good news is that you can do things to save money during your move to help keep those costs down. With a little extra planning and some insider know-how, these money-saving tips can help make your next move a little more affordable.
1. Donate, Toss, or Sell Unwanted Items
One of the effective approaches to make your next move faster and less expensive is to lessen the amount of stuff you intend to take with you. This is especially the case if you are moving a long distance but can be just as much of a money-saver even if you are only moving a few miles away. Take the opportunity and go through your belongings and pick what to donate, throw out, or sell. It may also be advantageous to sell items you no longer want or need at a yard sale. This can significantly lighten the load and at the same time, put a little extra cash in your pocket.
2. Plan Ahead
Ideally, think about planning your move as early as you can. Waiting to try and schedule a moving truck or helpers at the last minute will most likely cost you more since your options will be lessened. You can also start planning your move by creating a system for packing each room. Uncommonly used items can be packed months ahead of a move, and all boxes need to be clearly labeled according to contents and which room they go in. Whatever you can do to speed up your move will save you money on moving day.
3. Start Gathering Supplies ASAP
One more strategy to save money during a move is to accumulate and use as much free packing material as necessary. However, finding free packing supplies may require a long time, so it’s advisable to begin collecting boxes and other supplies as soon as possible. Check local classifieds for people getting rid of moving boxes, or ask local stores if they have any they will let you have.
4. Move During the Week
Preferably, plan your move for a day or season outside of peak demand. In other words, hiring a moving company for a weekend or during the summer will cost more since demand is high. On the flip side, the same movers may quote you a lower rate for moving on a weekday or during the off-season. The same may be true if you choose to rent a truck and do it yourself. Even though it is not always possible to choose your moving date, it can save you a significant amount of money if you have that alternative.
5. Hire the Right Movers
If you choose to hire movers to help you, you should shop around and compare rates. There is no set fee for moving, and even moving companies that seem to offer the same services can charge extremely different rates. Nonetheless, the cheapest option isn’t always the best one, either. You need to check out the company’s customer reviews online and ask for recommendations from friends and neighbors.
Employing a quality mover is a decent method to save money since their staff should be well-trained and efficient. Unscrupulous movers may dangle a great rate and then charge by the hour and drag out the move much longer than it would take for another person. To stay away from the possibility of being exploited this way, ask about fixed-rate options.
6. Divide and Conquer
You can make the most of the movers you hire if you are well-prepared and organized on moving day itself. If you are moving to a new place nearby, try to move as many of the boxes and small items yourself as you can. It just makes sense: if your movers only need to focus on moving your furniture, the move will take less time and probably cost less, too.
The more time the movers spend on packing, loading, and unloading your things, the more likely you’ll end up spending far more than you wanted to on your move. So have everything boxed and ready to go before the movers arrive!
Do you need to find a new rental home right away? Real Property Management Meridian can help! To learn more, contact us online or check out our available listings to find your next home.
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