Moving costs can add up and the best way to save some money is to be aware of the things you can do to help keep the cost down. Time is what it boils down to, the longer the move takes, the more it is going to cost you. Let’s “unpack” the different ways you can save some cash!
Pack It and Stack It!
Having the entire house packed the night before the move, will same a ton of time, which in turn will save on the cost. Movers are quick! Most people think they will have time to finish the packing while the movers are loading the truck. Don’t count on that time to finish, you won’t have it. Being prepared the night before will save you stress the day of and help them move, “move”, much quicker.
Stacking your boxes can also help with time…again saving on the cost. We recommend stacking your boxes about 4 high or the equivalent of about 4 feet. Make sure the heavier ones are on the bottom to avoid them crushing the lighter ones. This helps the movers move even faster, they can put the dollies right under the stack and off to the truck they go! Easy peasy!
Another time saving tip is to have all your boxes on the ground floor in an open area with direct access to the door the movers will be going in and out of. This isn’t always possible depending on how much and how heavy the upstairs boxes are but if you can get as much to the ground floor as possible it will make the move even faster.
Oh, one last thing…we almost forgot! Check all your rooms, closets, pantry, bathrooms and garage. Those are the top 4 areas that tend to be forgotten. Open all doors, cupboards, and drawers and double and triple check. Make sure you have everything packed up and ready to go!
Time to clear-out?
While you are packing, it is a great time to do some spring cleaning, no matter what time of year. Check out some additional pro-preparation tips: Preparing for your Move.
Specialty Items
Plan for this upfront. Large/heavy furniture, specialty household décor, art pieces, pool tables, chandeliers, mirrors, fountains, statues, glass dining room table are some examples.
There are special guidelines and packing supplies needed for the handling, packing and moving of certain items classified as “specialty”. If these are not accounted for in the original estimate, the final cost of the move will definitely be more. Depending on the item, the move team may not have proper materials or man power with them on your move day. This creates more time, and possibly additional movers, that is needed.
We are equipped to handle almost any specialty item. Make sure to let your moving company know during the visual estimate about these items so it is figured into the cost of the initial estimate. This avoids any surprises on moving day.
In addition to packing and moving specialty items, we also offer additional specialty services, check out Eyrick, our General Sales Manager, chatting about our Additional Services.
Ask Away!
Ask questions, lots of them. The more you can educate yourself on what you can do to save on the cost of the move upfront, the better. Not all moving companies are the same and may estimate the costs a little differently, so always ask!
Here are some questions to help you and your moving company be on the same page about your moving costs.
- How high should I stack boxes?
- What do you recommend I use to pack up “specialty item”?
- Will it cost more to have this item moved?
- I have XX amount of items on the second floor that needs to be moved. What will the cost look like with that in mind?
- What is the cost difference if I have everything packed and ready to go versus having things packed on moving day?
- What can I do to lower my costs before your team arrives?
- Do you need to know the square footage of my current home and the new home?
- Are there any fees associated with using the elevator in my building? What about the stairs or shuttles?
- If I send you a picture of the furniture that we purchased for our new home, would you be able to give me a better estimate of the cost to move it?
- What is the rate per hour if my move takes longer than the original estimated time?
We recommend keeping a notebook to jot down any questions that pop up as you are packing and preparing for your move.
Check out Eyrick sharing more Cost Savings Tips or you can always give us a jingle, we are here to answer any questions you may have! For additional moving resources check Preparing For Your Move, download our Moving Checklist and take a peek at our Frequently Asked Questions.
There is nothing better than seeing smiles on our customer’s faces! To know we took a stressful day and were able to make them smile, by doing what we love to do, is the absolute best. To schedule a free visual estimate, give us a call (702) 381-1200 or drop us an email [email protected].
