One of the things bound to happen as an Emeryville renter is that you will need to move house sooner or later. And unhappily, moving can be not only time-consuming but expensive, especially if you are moving far away or want to hire people to help you. The good news is that there are procedures that you can do to save money during your move to help keep those costs down. From some additional planning and some insider know-how, these money-saving tips can assist you with making your next relocation a little more affordable.
1. Donate, Toss, or Sell Unwanted Items
Decreasing the amount of stuff you need to carry with you is one of the ideal ways to make your next move faster and less expensive. This is especially evident 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. Spend some time to go through your belongings and choose what to donate, throw out, or sell. It is ideal to sell items you no longer want or need at a yard sale. This can both lighten the load while also putting extra cash in your pocket.
2. Plan Ahead
If possible, consider planning your move soon enough. 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 limited. You can also start planning your move by creating a system for packing each room. Not often used items can be packed months ahead of a move, and all boxes must be clearly labeled according to contents and which room they go in. Everything you can do to speed up your move will certainly save you money on moving day.
3. Start Gathering Supplies ASAP
Another alternative to save money during a move is to gather and use as much free packing material as necessary. But acquiring free packing supplies can require time, so it’s beneficial to begin collecting boxes and other supplies as soon as possible. Check local classifieds for anyone offering moving boxes, or ask local stores if they have any that they will let you have.
4. Move During the Week
Ideally, plan your move for a day or season outside of peak demand. As an illustration, hiring a moving company for a weekend or during the summer will cost more because demand is high. Alternatively, 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 decide to rent a truck and do it yourself. While it’s not always possible to choose your moving date, it can save you quite a bit of money if you do have that opportunity.
5. Hire the Right Movers
If you need to hire movers to help you, it is valuable to shop around and compare rates. There is no set fee for moving, and even moving companies that seem to provide the same services can cost very different rates. However, the cheapest option isn’t usually the best, either. Check out the company’s customer reviews online and ask for recommendations from friends and neighbors.
Working with a quality mover is an ideal approach to save money because their staff should be well-trained and efficient. Unscrupulous movers may dangle a great rate and afterward charge by the hour and drag out the move much longer than it would for the others. To lessen 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, it would be best 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 possibility that you will result in 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 Pacific can help! To learn more, contact us online or check out our available listings to find your next home.
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