Tips to Save Money on your Local Move

While doing in-home walk-throughs with my customers, I'm often asked how to save money on a local move.  Well, there's good news - There are several great ways that you can help keep your moving expenses down.  Here are my top tips and suggestions:

• Disassemble beds, swing sets, and cribs before the crews arrive.  Also, remove legs from dining room tables.  Local moves are based on an hourly rate, so anything that you can do to save the crews time on move day will ultimately save you money.
• Move items such as lamps, mirrors, and large pictures in your car, especially if you are moving within the same city and can easily make the drive back and forth.  These items must be packed in a box if moved by a professional mover, but can be stowed in the back seat of your car fairly easily.
• Pack your non-breakables yourself.  A good option would be to pack the non-breakables yourself (shoes, clothing, pot/pans, books, etc), and leave the breakable/fragile items to the professional packers. This is a good money-saving strategy, and keeps the liability for your fragile and breakable items on your mover.  At the same time, you are not having to pay for a Full Pack.
• Keep your LCD TV boxes.  LCD TVs are very fragile during a move and must be handled with extra care.  Because of this, they must be packed safely into a flat screen TV box.  If you have the original box, and it is still in great condition, this will mean a big savings! Be sure to hang on to the Styrofoam inserts inside of the box, as well.
• Disconnect and reconnect your appliances yourself.  This is often done as a third party service, so disconnecting your appliances will result in a savings.
• If you own a front-loading washer, be sure to keep the stabilization kit that comes with the washer.  It will save you money on the stabilization service that must be done before the washer is relocated.  This kit resembles 4 large bolts, and they go through the back of the washer and hold the drum in place while in transit.  If you do not have the stabilization kit, either your mover or the store where you purchased the washer will be able to provide one.
• Clothing, linens and towels can be left in dresser drawers, which will decrease the amount of packing you have to do before the move and save money on packing materials.  Just keep in mind that items such as money, jewelry, coins, photos, framed pictures, books, electronics, etc. must be removed from drawers before a move.  Only clothing/linens can remain.  It is a good idea to remove clothing from over-sized pieces such as armoires, because the added weight can increase the time it takes to move that particular item.  Each piece should be fairly easy for 2 men to carry.
• If you are moving out of an apartment, reserve parking directly in front of your unit.  The longer the walk to the truck, the longer the move will take.  This applies to your new home as well, if moving into an apartment.
• Unhook all electronics prior to move day.  This will save time for your packing crew.
• Before move day, have a plan about placement of furnishings in your new home.  This will save time/money.

I hope you find this list helpful when planning your next local relocation!  If you have any questions, I'll be happy to help!  We can be reached at 205-229-8837.