How To Take Some Of The Sting Out Of Moving Costs

13 July 2016
 Categories: , Articles

Share

Moving can be hard, frustrating, confusing and painful -- and an uncomfortably high moving estimate can make it that much worse. Fortunately, the right combination of forethought, craftiness and division of labor can help you move more economically. Here are some tips that can help take at least some of the sting out of those moving expenses.

Downsize Before You Move

The term "downsizing" doesn't always mean moving to a smaller home -- it can also mean reducing the amount of stuff you have to pack and carry to that home. A move is a golden opportunity to take a detailed inventory of everything you routinely keep around the house, with an eye toward getting rid of non-essential, obsolete or useless items. The less you have to pack and move, the lower your moving estimate will be and the less time the move will take.

Where will all that excess inventory go? Much of it will no doubt find its way to the dumpster -- except for hazardous or electronic items, which may require special handling. But don't be too quick to throw everything away. If you plan your move far enough ahead, you may have time to sell old furniture, artwork and other items capable of fetching a decent price. This could actually go a long way toward making your move pay for itself.

Divide the Labor Sensibly

One sensible strategy for controlling your moving estimate is to handle as much of the move yourself as possible. Local moves that involve an hourly rate will benefit by requiring less of the movers' time; long-distance moves, which generally charge according to total cargo weight, will be cheaper because you're handing the movers less bulk. 

If you have enough heavy inventory to require the aid of a moving service in the first place, you might as well assign the heaviest, bulkiest and/or toughest items to these experienced professionals. Pack your own vehicle with boxed goods, precious keepsakes and other items that are relatively easy to carry and store. You'll be less likely to injure yourself while relieving the movers of much of the load -- and you'll feel more at ease knowing that the most important stuff is riding with you.

Purchase the Correct Amount of Insurance

Yes, it costs money to purchase moving insurance, which is why many people try to minimize this expense by getting only the bare minimum or even none at all. But this "savings" can end up costing you an enormous sum if an accident, theft or collateral damage deprives you of valuable possessions or everyday items that must then be replaced. If you think about moving insurance as "catastrophic loss protection," you'll be able to see it for the potential money saver it really is.

How much moving insurance is enough? The answer to that question depends on what type of insurance you buy -- and the answer to that question depends on your possessions' value as opposed to their weight. If you're moving tons of stuff, none of which has any enormous value, then purchase your insurance based on its weight (declared value). If your load is relatively lightweight but also relatively pricey, then you'd be better off insuring it based on its assessed or lump sum value. If you want to know you can afford to replace all lost/damaged items, it might be worth it to you to buy full value protection. Understanding these options and choosing wisely can help you right-size your moving insurance to get the best possible value for your money.

One final note: All moving estimates are not created equal, so perform your due diligence by collecting several bids from reputable local movers before you decide on one. By choosing the best mover for your budget and implementing the other strategies listed above, you can rest assured that your move costs no more than it should. Click for more information.