Moving across the country is no small thing. While a move across your state or city can usually be handled in a weekend, there are a lot more logistical issues to deal with when you’re crossing state lines, and if you aren’t careful, the costs can quickly add up. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to cut down on your expenses and plan a smoother relocation experience.
1. Consider Your Options
Renting a truck and handling your relocation yourself may seem like the most cost-effective option on the surface, but that’s before you start factoring in mitigating circumstances and hidden costs. Long-distance moving companies may cost a little more upfront, but they make budgeting easier. Since interstate moves are charged according to weight and distance, it’s easier to come up with an accurate budget ahead of time.
2. Court Multiple Companies
Not all moving companies are created equally, and your charges may vary wildly depending on the crew you settle on. Fortunately, there are a number of resources online who vet their moving partners ahead of time and provide you with free estimates through some of the most reputable companies around.
3. Scavenge For Supplies
Going to a packing store to get supplies like boxes, tape, and bubble wrap may be the easiest solution, but these companies tend to charge a premium for their goods. Many of the products you’ll need can be gained for free. Check with your moving company to see if they have extra boxes laying around, contact your neighbors to rustle up extra supplies, or hit up local retailers and package stores, and you should be able to quickly get together a healthy supply of boxes without spending a dime.
4. Pick the Right Season
Just like any business, moving rates can fluctuate according to supply or demand. The hotter months increase the labor for companies, and it’s a busy time for relocations, so rates have a tendency to skyrocket. September through May is the off-season for moves, and crews are usually much more willing to provide discounted rates in return for assured business.
5. Evaluate What You Really Need
It goes without saying that the less you have to move, the cheaper your relocation will be, but be prudent in your decision making. Evaluate the weight of your items with their sentimental and practical value. According to the cheapest Lakewood moving companies, most movers charge by weight. So, you may be better off donating that heavy couch and just splurging on a new one once you reach your destination.
6. Enlist Help
While it’s unlikely that you can expect your friends or family to travel with you during your move, they can still be a valuable asset when packing up your belongings. This can be one of the most labor-intensive aspects of a move, and an offer of free drinks and pizza can be significantly less costly than the rates moving companies charge for packing. But for the real heavy lifting and miles and miles of driving, you might want to hire long distance home and apartment movers.
7. Don’t Forget Your Car
Whether you’re looking to ship it across state lines or drive it yourself, you should consider whether or not bringing your vehicle with you is going to be worth the cost. Interstate vehicle shipping averages $1000, and even if you move your car yourself, you have to think about gas, mileage, and wear and tear. Running a thorough cost-benefit analysis may be a prudent choice given the steep overhead involved.
