You secured a new place, you’re planning your move, and during the planning process, you realize your relocation is going to cost you quite a bit more than you initially thought. This scenario is extremely common, and for many relocators, the expense associated with moving can seem a little overwhelming.

Fortunately, there are multiple ways you can slash your moving costs and complete your relocation without breaking the bank. The pros at Ace Moving & Warehousing share a few tips below.

1. Get Quotes From Several Moving Companies

The best way to get a reasonable moving quote that meets your needs is to request estimates from multiple moving companies. Ideally, you should get estimates from at least three professional movers. But if you don’t find those prices reasonable, don’t hesitate to keep looking.

It’s important to note that hiring professional movers just because they gave you the cheapest quote is never a great idea. When it comes to moving companies, you typically get what you pay for, so if you want quality service and protection for your belongings, do your due diligence.

2. Conduct Your Move During Off-Peak Season

If you have some wiggle room on your move date, try not to move between Memorial Day and Labor Day, if possible. Hiring professional movers during the summer season is notoriously expensive, and you can save quite a bit just by moving in spring or fall.

Additionally, try not to move on the weekend if you’re looking to save some cash. Since weekend demand for professional movers is high, they typically charge a premium for Saturday and Sunday services. And, because most relocations occur at the beginning or end of the month, it’s also a good idea to schedule your move somewhere in the middle.

3. Review Your Renter’s or Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

You no doubt want the best protection for your belongings while they’re in transit, which is why having moving insurance is so important. When you hire professional movers, liability coverage comes standard. But that coverage is often insufficient for the value of more expensive items or those with high sentimental value.

Purchasing additional insurance can get pricey, but if you have a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, it may include coverage for your items in transit. Before you purchase additional insurance from your chosen moving company, review your personal insurance policies to determine what type of coverage they extend.

4. Use Free Packing Materials

One of the easiest ways to cut down your moving costs is to use packing materials that you already have around the house. You likely don’t have empty boxes sitting around, but you can typically acquire those from big box stores or even on public marketplaces like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

As for packing materials, try these suggestions:

  • Use pillows and blankets to wrap and protect larger, fragile items.

  • Tuck household linens between dishware and in the open spaces inside moving boxes for additional insulation.

  • Leave clothing inside dresser drawers for easy transport and unpacking.

  • Pack non-breakable items in laundry baskets or lined household trash cans.

  • Use old newspapers or magazine pages to wrap and protect dishes.

  • Stuff soft clothing items inside boxes to fill in gaps and prevent jostling during transport. 

As a bonus, using free packing materials that you already own will help make your move more environmentally friendly! It’s a win-win all around.

5. Move Some of Your Things in Your Personal Vehicle

Professional movers and packers determine the final cost of your move based on the weight and volume of your belongings and any add-on services you elect. To cut down on the total weight and volume of your things, you can always pack some of your stuff in your personal vehicle.

If your household has more than one vehicle, you can reduce the total weight of your things even more. You might also want to get in touch with friends or family members who may be willing to help you move some of your things. That said, it’s always a good idea to repay the favor by refilling fuel tanks and offering refreshments, and those costs can add up, too.

Keep in mind, though, that if you’re moving large, heavy items, such as furniture, appliances, and sporting goods, it’s best to leave that job to the professionals. Not only can you injure yourself moving these items, but if you accidentally damage them during the relocation, your moving insurance may not cover the cost of repairs or replacements.

6. Ship Items to Your New Home

If you’re planning to move lots of heavy stuff, you may want to consider shipping it rather than having your movers load it in the truck or moving it yourself.

Several freight carriers offer transport options for heavy, bulky, or extremely large items, and you’ll either pay by weight or pay for a specific amount of space on the trailer. You may also be able to “rent” space in a shipping container that’ll be moving across the country and schedule a drop-off time that coincides with your arrival at your new home.

Other transport services, such as Amtrak and USPS, offer flat-rate shipping options, which may also be something to consider if you’re moving by yourself and simply don’t have the room to transport some of your stuff. Of course, you’ll need to assess potential shipping costs and get quotes from each service you’re considering to determine if taking this route will save you some cash.  

7. Get Rid of Anything You Don’t Need

If you have stuff you rarely or never use, paying to move it to your new home makes no sense. Getting rid of stuff before you relocate will not only save you money on the overall cost of your move but will also simplify the packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking process, which can save you a considerable amount of time.

In the eight weeks leading up to your relocation, take some time to sort through your things to determine what you must have and what you can really do without. If you have duplicates, either donate or sell them. If you have things that would be pricey to move but relatively cheap to replace, figure out which option will save you the most money.

Even better, if you sell the things you need to get rid of, you’ll make some extra cash, which can help offset the cost of your move, too.

8. Take Advantage of the Tax Break if You Move for Work

When you relocate for a full-time job at least 50 miles from your existing home, you can deduct your moving expenses from your taxes when you file! You can write off the cost of hiring a moving company, professional packing services, renting a truck, paying for fuel, and several other move-related costs.

When all is said and done, you could end up saving thousands, and if you do it right, you might even end up making your move free! Just make sure you work with an experienced accountant who knows tax law very well to ensure you’re not writing off anything you really shouldn’t.

Looking for a Reliable Moving Company in the Twin Cities?

If you’re getting ready to scope out moving companies for your upcoming relocation, contact our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing. Since 1958, we’ve been helping Twin Cities residents with all their packing and relocation needs, and we’d love to help you experience a stress-free move, too.

To request a fast moving quote or learn more about how we can help you, give us a call today at 763-755-2045 or contact us online, and we’ll be in touch!