Eight Ways to Save Money on Your Next Move
There comes a point during every big move when you realize: moving is really, really, really expensive. The costs — from packing materials and the moving truck itself to cleaning, painting, and utilities — will add up. And I’m not even including the cost of furniture that will fit better in your new space.
Budget – and soften your budget
I spoke with several moving experts, especially those who work for moving companies and have been in the business for years, and most of them emphasized the importance of budgeting before moving and overestimating their estimated expenses. Both Shannon Beller, CEO and co-founder of Wall-Russ , and Rob Rimeris, owner of EverSafe Moving Co. , say you should add 10 to 15 percent to your final budget as a cushion. Rimeris says it’s “not just practical,” but also “gives people a sense of agency when plans change.”
Here are some commonly overlooked expenses: tips for movers (as well as insurance), fuel for the truck or car if you are moving some or all of your belongings, cleaning fees for the place you are moving to or from, repairs to your old home, unexpected extras for movers, and furniture assembly.
But wait, there’s more: “It may not seem like a big deal at first, but budgeting for food and takeout is also important,” says Shaniqua D’sa, head of content marketing at Attic Self Storage . “You’re unlikely to cook on moving day or even in the days following, especially if your kitchen isn’t fully set up yet or you’re just too tired.” Kids and pets also “slow down the moving process,” she says, so you may want to hire someone to watch them.
Move only what is necessary
You’re already overwhelmed by how much you have to do, and I completely understand that, but this is a great opportunity to declutter. In fact, decluttering has been named one of the top money-saving tips by many professionals: “The biggest mistake we see people make is underestimating how much stuff they have,” says Charles Chica, co-owner of CT Best Moving .
“Get rid of anything you don’t need, because the less stuff you have, the cheaper your move will be,” adds Marshall Aikman, owner of Amazing Moves Moving & Storage .
Sell what you can and buy what you need (used)
Consider selling some of what you’re getting rid of if you have enough time to prepare for your move. D’sa notes that you can make money for your move by selling old items to buyers. If you have plenty of time between decluttering and moving, list furniture and clothes on sites like Poshmark and Mercari . If you’re short on time, list locally and stick to Facebook Marketplace, where buyers can come pick up furniture and other items directly from you and hand over cash. The last time I moved, I listed the furniture on Facebook Marketplace and promised myself that if it didn’t sell before I left my old place, I’d have to consider it a loss and donate it, but as MakeMyMove co-founder Evan Hock points out, you can also list it in Buy Nothing groups for free removal. Anything to get it out of your space!
If you really have a lot of time, organize a yard sale. This isn’t as easy to coordinate if you live in a big city, although I’ve certainly seen it done, but I grew up in a rural area where it was the norm. As long as you do it on private property, most jurisdictions don’t require a permit for a short-term yard sale, but check. Put up some signs, put up some Craigslist ads, and move all of your for-sale items into your garage or front lawn. Be prepared to accept low prices and haggle a little, but you’ll be surprised at how much actually sells. You can (and should) also list it all on the aforementioned apps and digital marketplaces, then donate whatever’s left over until you move.
If you’re moving to a larger home, I also recommend filling it with online resales and yard sales — at least at first. Moving is a huge expense, and it may not make sense to buy or finance large furniture sets from retail stores at first. On the other hand, living in a nearly empty home is a bummer. Buy used essentials to save money and get your home in order. You can relist it and sell it when and if you’re more settled and financially ready for better furniture — or you may even fall in love with your eclectic decor collection and keep it.
Walk with a slouched posture
There’s another, even less expensive option if you need furniture fast. If you live in a big city, you’re familiar with the classic practice of picking up furniture from the curb for free. If you live in New York City and spend time on Instagram, you’re also probably familiar with an account that makes it even easier.
@StoopingNYC has 479,000 followers who dutifully take photos of discarded furniture across the five boroughs and send the photos to the account owners via private message along with details of the location. The owners, in turn, post the photos and relevant information to the account story and grid, encouraging New Yorkers to get involved.
“Stooping is the process of finding free stuff thrown out on the street, which has the added benefit of not only being an outdoor activity, but also ultimately enriching the space where you most likely spend all your time: your apartment or home!” the couple behind @StoopingNYC tells me.
If you don’t live in a major city where squatting is a norm, buy cheap by scheduling the best local sales for the weekend or by visiting all the online markets where you actively get rid of old stuff to make room for new (to you) stuff that you’ll need in your new place. (Craigslist also has a “free” section where people often give things away.)
One word of caution in any case: make sure you clean your produce well and be careful when choosing anything made of fabric, like sofas or chairs. You know what’s not cheap ? Exterminators.
Save on packaging materials
Your budget will include packing materials like boxes, bubble wrap, and tape, but you should also remember that what you already have can go a long way toward helping you pack. You already have blankets, towels, clothes, socks, and scarves to move, so wrap your valuables in them to save money and space. According to Rimeris, “T-shirts cushion dishes better than bubble wrap.”
Consider investing, too. Chica says, “Luggage, laundry baskets, and grocery bags are great for packing common items.” Again, you’re already taking them with you. Let them help you out and save some money on boxes. Many pros also suggest diversifying your approach to choosing boxes. Buying new boxes can be expensive and wasteful, since you’re not going to keep them when you’re done. Instead, ask your local stores if you can borrow a few of their boxes. Grocery stores and liquor stores, for example, always have a ton of boxes. Just make sure they’re sturdy and clean.
The one thing you can’t cut corners on: tape. Chika warns against buying cheap tape, since “you’ll regret it when the box or bag breaks during your move.” Rimeris agrees: “Strong tape, a marker you can actually read, and clean, sturdy boxes are worth every penny.” However, he assures me that you don’t need “pre-made kits or expensive clothing boxes,” so feel free to ignore expensive moving supply marketing tactics.
Decide whether to hire movers or ask friends
Movers are great, especially if you have particularly valuable items, a lot of furniture, or a big trip coming up. However, there are other ways to move your stuff.
Consider recruiting a few friends for a big move. Promise pizza and beer or cash if your friends help you move your stuff. They’ll take care of you and probably charge less than real movers, but you should also remember that you can get what you pay for here, too.
“Honestly, if you can afford movers, hire movers,” said Shannon Palus, a Brooklyn-based writer and editor who has moved more than a dozen times in her life and organized her most recent move for less than $60. “It’s really, really nice to have people move your stuff. I think if you’re going the U-Haul-and-friends route, hire someone from a service like Task Rabbit to help you with the heavier stuff. I think any money you can spend on moving, you should spend it. They say you should spend money on experiences to be happy, right? Spending a day doing something other than hauling boxes is the best experience.”
But there are ways to compromise. You can hire movers for big, expensive items and go with friends for small, cheap items. Palus also noted that her last move cost less than $60 because she used ride-sharing apps to call a car and only had small items to move.
“Be communicative, let [the driver] say no, and tip really well,” she said. “I also don’t do everything through Lyft; I take the subway sometimes.
If you decide to hire movers, get written estimates from several different places. They should include services, rates, and timelines, says Beller. You can even ask for a detailed estimate up front to avoid surprise fees. Just make sure you’re honest when sharing your half of the details. Don’t hide the fact that you live in a walk-up building, for example, or that you have heavy antique furniture. You’re only setting yourself up for unexpected fees.
Plan wisely
You can’t always choose when to move, especially if you’re moving from one rental to another. However, if you can, try to schedule your move for an off-peak time. Chris Kay, director of operations at UNITS Moving and Portable Storage , says you can usually get lower prices by moving midweek or midmonth. Summer is the most expensive month to move because it’s the most popular time, so if you can, aim for spring or fall.
Protect your collateral
There are several benefits to packing and doing a little moving yourself before the movers arrive. Not only do you save money by doing some of the work yourself, but you also get a chance to inspect your place while you take apart furniture and pack things. If you’re renting, you’ll want to try to get your deposit back, which means cleaning the inside and outside of appliances, wiping down fixtures and floors, and, of course, fixing any damage. If the damage is minor, try doing it yourself: patch up small holes in picture frames and wall brackets, remove scuff marks from walls and floors, and tighten any loose screws. As Chika says, “A minor fix can make a pretty big dent in your deposit.”
When you move, be careful not to cause damage. Chika says you should never drag furniture. It only invites disaster. Once everything is out of the space, document the condition of the apartment with photos.