Cheap Ways to Move House: A Guide
October 15, 2018
When buying a home, the biggest cost many face is the deposit. After all, they aren’t cheap.
Once that’s over, people then have to face their next hurdle. The cost of actually moving house. Buying packaging, hiring moving vehicle(s) and financing any unwelcome hurdles along the way. It will all add to your quota. And it can be even worse if you fail to arrange everything in advance.
Luckily, there are several ways to make moving house cheaper. Be it avoiding last-minute booking fees, getting free cardboard boxes or even making a profit from unwanted items.
Let’s look at some money saving tips to ensure you know the cheap ways to move house.
Chain-free? Move on Sunday for cheap ways to move house
We are often asked which day of the week is best for moving house. The answer tends to vary depending on how you define ‘best’, but the cheapest day to move house, according to recent research, is a Sunday.
With only 5% of movers opting to take the plunge on a Sunday, getting a slot with removal companies is even easier.
And better yet, you don’t have to book the day off! Meaning that you can save your holidays for fun rather than necessity.
We know it's a little more difficult for those in a chain as there are so many working parts. If you're able to move midweek then a Tuesday is a great option.
Book early on
A key part of paying a fair price for your moving day is about booking the right removal company for you. When comparing prices, factor in additional services you may need, ie moving support, and look into the service package as a whole. Because the cheapest option may not necessarily be the best for you.
Book in advance, if you can. Because if you leave the booking too late, you could struggle to hire that perfect company, and there may even be higher rates.
This is particularly important if you are booking in the summer. This is peak time for removers, so book as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.
Book a reliable removals company for cheap ways to move house
This may sound counterintuitive, and yes you can potentially save money by doing everything yourself, but there are many perks to leaving everything on your moving day to a removal company.
There is the matter of insurance, for one. Family and friends helping out on the day will not be insured in case they get injured or damage your belongings. Professional removers on the other hand will already have the necessary policies in place, even for once your goods are already on the road.
Another reason for this investment is manpower. Removal companies will be able to supply enough labour to get everything lifted, loaded and away as quickly as possible. The less time wasted on your moving day, the sooner you can get settled into your new home and you will have utilised out top tip for cheap ways to move house!
Organisation on the day
If you want everything to go right on the day, organisation is key.
Want to avoid last-minute headaches and save some money? Then plan!
First, it may be worth considering waiting times if you're unsure when you're going to get access to the property. If there is any chance that there might be delays, you may risk additional fees from any removers who need to stay late. Many companies charge by the hour, which can quickly add up. But, to avoid unnecessary cost, you can pay extra for a premium move, ensuring that you're covered if your removal crew have to wait around.
If possible, avoid moving during rush hour and keep an ear open for any traffic updates for your chosen route. This will be particularly important if you are moving to or from an urban area, or if you will be relying on certain roads. Think of people going to work and coming home, these commutes inevitably increase traffic.
Most importantly, get all of your packing done before the big move. Ideally, you will get this done over the course of several weeks, leaving your most important belongings for last. Not only will this ensure you are ready to go as soon as the removal company arrives, but you won’t be tired from having to stay up late the night before the big move.
Luckily, for those who have paid for a removal service, you can leave the actual carrying to removers - they can even take care of your packing for an additional fee.
Sell old furniture, decor and appliances
Here’s an easy rule to remember: the smaller your move is, the cheaper it will be. With the amount of time you spend loading and unloading your belongings, how many hours you will need to hire your removers for, and how much you will need to spend on packaging materials, all impact the cost of your move.
So for those bigger pieces, ask yourself, do I really need them? A beloved sofa may be worth removing a window or door, and taking that extra time to ensure the item comes with you. But if you’re not attached to something, then consider selling them.
Luckily, as long as your belongings are in a decent condition, it should not be too much of a problem to find new homes for them. Items like bed frames, wardrobes, white goods, art and appliances all have potential value, though you should not expect to get back what you paid for them.
Websites like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and eBay in particular make it simple to sell used belongings. Some supermarkets still have notice boards that you can advertise on for free. Certain video games or antiques may even be highly valuable, so always check similar looking items when settling on a price.
Failing this, you could always save money by simply getting rid of what you don’t need by decluttering. Donate it all to charity, or use a freecycling website like Freegle. And when you’re settled and looking for something to add that missing bit of personality to your space? Utilise these charity shops and free websites once more.