Moving is stressful. It’s expensive and time-consuming, and there’s always the chance you’ll need to remember something essential or break something during the process. Luckily, there are ways to reduce moving costs to have more cash for expenses in your new home or apartment.
Here are some tips:
Get bids from a few moving companies to reduce moving costs
- Get quotes from at least three local movers Nashville.
- Ask about hidden fees:
- Are there any prices I should expect to pay that don’t appear in the initial agreement?
- Have you ever had a customer have to pay for extra packing materials or for charges incurred by going into a second-floor apartment with no elevator (elevator charges may not be included in the price of doing business)?
- Be sure you are comparing apples to apples: This is especially important during a long-distance move, as quotes will vary significantly based on distance traveled and other factors, such as whether your belongings are going on a flatbed moving truck versus a standard one.
Pay a lower rate by moving off-season.
Moving during the winter or autumn is cheaper than moving in the summer. Why? The weather is usually milder, fewer people on the road, and you might even get a discount on your rental truck.
Moving on a weekday is cheaper than on weekends or holidays—but again, not as expensive as relocation during rush hour traffic. If you can’t avoid peak hours, move at night when traffic slows down and prices are lower.
Don’t get scammed by a fraudulent moving company.
It’s essential to be aware of fraudulent moving companies. These companies often have names that look like legitimate moving companies but may not be licensed. They may also charge extremely low rates or offer services beyond what an honest company would provide.
Be wary of any company that claims they are a moving company but does not have a BBB rating or other credentials on its website. Ask for references from previous clients before hiring them. Check their license number with your state’s Department of Transportation (DOT) if you are concerned about whether the business is licensed!
It would help if you also asked for the company’s insurance information before hiring them; this way, you can verify that they have the proper coverage in case something goes wrong during your move. It will also give you peace of mind knowing exactly what type of protection is available if anything goes wrong during your move!
Pay for the move with credit cards.
If you’re going to pay for the move, use a credit card. Credit cards offer protection in case something goes wrong, rewards points and interest-free financing. If you pay with cash, you have no recourse if anything goes wrong. Credit cards also give you a transaction record, which is suitable for tax purposes.
Negotiate with the mover over extra services.
Negotiating with the mover over extra services is a great way to reduce moving costs. It will likely save you money, but it also helps the mover more efficiently plan their workday, which means less time spent waiting for things to be done.
To begin the negotiation process, please make sure that you are well informed about the additional service costs and why you want them. Review estimates from other movers so you have a baseline for comparison when talking with your movers.
Once your movers arrive at your home and provide an estimate of how much everything will cost, ask questions about any extras—such as packing materials or packing services—that they might be charging extra for but aren’t already included in their original quote.
Once again, don’t feel intimidated or ashamed if what they suggest seems outrageous! You’re not obligated to accept any fee increases that go above what was initially quoted; keep asking questions until everyone agrees on a price point before signing anything!
Save cash on a self-move by renting a truck by the mile instead of a flat rate.
You can save money by renting a truck by the mile instead of renting it for your entire move. You can get a car for less than $1 per mile or even as low as $0.60 per mile if you look hard enough. This is cheaper than renting a flat rate, which typically costs between $1 and $1.50 per mile.
Get free boxes from your local liquor store, grocery store and copy shop.
Here are some ways you can get free boxes:
- Your local liquor store usually gives you used but sturdy cardboard boxes. Ask them to save them for you if they don’t have any.
- You can also ask the grocery store or copy shop if they have extra moving boxes suitable for moving. This may require buying tape or packing paper from the store, so make sure to factor in the cost of these items when deciding whether it’s worth buying a few more supplies than what’s already included in your moving quote!
Ask for furniture donations rather than disposing of unwanted items yourself.
If you’re still keeping some unwanted furniture around, it’s time to pass them on. Donating furniture is a great way to eliminate items that take up space in your home and simultaneously help others. Here are some ideas for how to present your used furniture:
- Donate it to a local charity that helps people in need. You can also look into tax incentives for donating certain items or ask if they take certain pieces from their inventory as contributions from their donors (especially if you want something specific).
- Talk with friends and family members about donating extra couches or chairs hanging around their homes.
- Drop off the items at a local thrift store that sells used items for profit so they can make money off them too! This will come with benefits like providing jobs for other people in need and helping reduce moving expenses by reducing labor costs needed during transport from one location to another.
If none of these options seem appealing enough, consider giving away these old things as free giveaways on Craigslist (but be sure not to give away anything valuable!).
Moving can be expensive, but there are ways to cut back on those costs, so you have more cash for expenses in your new home or apartment.
Moving can be expensive, but there are ways to cut back on those costs, so you have more cash for expenses in your new home or apartment.
It’s important to remember that moving is just a part of your life and shouldn’t cost too much money. If you’re looking to save some money, here are some tips:
- Look for movers who offer flat rates. Flat rates are cheaper than hourly rates because they take into account all of the time it takes for movers to pack up your things and move them from point A to point B (which could take a few hours).
- Look for movers who don’t charge by weight. Weight-based pricing means that if your stuff weighs more than what’s estimated by the mover, then they’ll charge extra fees—and who knows how accurate those estimates are?
Hiring a moving company can be a good idea if you want to save yourself from the misery of moving hassle. With Master Movers, you can rest assured that your belongings will be transported safely and efficiently. Call us today at 615-254-6683.
