Moving from one home in Sydney to another requires careful planning and a certain amount of cost. But moving doesn’t have to be a stressful experience, and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Knowing what you should pay for and how to cut corners can help you get your items safely moved into your new home without going broke.
We’ve gathered a list of 5 common costs that can quickly add up if you’re not careful but can often be reduced or eliminated altogether. Curious? Let’s dive in!
1. Ask Your Sydney Removalist if There’s a Discount for Paying in Cash
While most people assume they’ll pay for their move with a credit card, you might be able to save a bit of money by paying in cash. Credit card companies often charge a processing fee to the business…and removalists sometimes pass that fee on to the customer.
If you’re planning to pay for your move with a credit card, ask your removal company if it will be cheaper for you to pay with cash. When it comes to saving money, every bit counts.
2. Get Rid of Stuff You Don’t Use BEFORE You Move
Removalists are going to charge you for everything that is moved from your old home to the new. You’ll either be charged according to the weight of your items (if you’re moving long distance) or on an hourly basis (if it’s a local move).
Regardless of distance, there is no reason to pay movers to transport items you no longer use. Take the time to go through your home and get rid of things that are collecting dust. This could be clothing, shoes, old electronics, children’s toys, books…anything that is taking up space in your home.
Consider having a garage sale to make a little money off your unused items (as they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure), and donate any items that don’t sell but are still in good condition. Not only have you saved money by reducing the number of items that must be moved, but you’ve also brought in a little cash from the garage sale…well done!
3. Do Your Own Packing
Many removalists offer packing services for their customers and, while this is certainly a convenience, it usually comes at an additional cost.
If you’re going to pack up your home yourself, start early. No, seriously…start early. Way early. Much earlier than you think is necessary. Use time in the evenings after work or on weekends to pack up boxes. What you want to avoid is having to take unpaid leave from work to pack everything at the last minute because you haven’t allotted enough time to the task, something that ends up costing you money because it’s cutting into work time.
4. Save on Packing Supplies
Some removalists include packing products with their service, so talk to yours to find if this is the case for you.
If packing supplies aren’t included, ask friends and family who have recently moved if you can have any of their leftover supplies that are still in good condition—think boxes, bubble wrap, and wrapping paper. Check with neighborhood groups on social media as, oftentimes, people who have just moved to the hood will post that their unpacked boxes and materials are available for free.
You can also reduce the amount of packing paper and bubble wrap you need to purchase by using household items as a replacement. Glassware can be slipped into socks for protection and towels can be used for padding between dishes. Other items that offer cushioning are sheets and bedding, clothing, outerwear, and pillows.
5. Let Your Removalist Know You’re Flexible on Moving Day
Most people plan their move on the weekend so that they have a day or two to get moved and at least partially unpacked in their new home. Because weekends are such popular booking days, some removalists offer a discount to those who are willing to move on a weekday.
Ask your removal company if they offer this type of discount and which days qualify for the reduced fee. It’s possible they might extend the discount to Fridays, which would mean you’d only need to take a single day off work and would have Saturday and Sunday to settle in.
If you have an upcoming move and are looking for a removalist in Sydney, we hope you’ll contact us at Holloway Removals & Storage. Our friendly experts are ready to give you a custom quote and happy to work within any budget.
There’s a reason Holloway is considered the best removal company in Sydney—we offer quality service with everything you need and nothing you don’t.
We look forward to moving you the right way, with Holloway.