Moving into a new apartment or home is often thrilling—but it can also feel as though you are hemorrhaging money. After all, you’ve just closed on a new place, and you’re already thinking about the furniture you’ll need to buy for the new home, so the last thing you want to do is invest more cash into a costly move.
We get it.
Here’s the good news—it is possible to pull off a cost-effective move…if you know the right ways to save. And that’s why, as one of Sydney’s most trusted removal companies, we wanted to share with you 6 ways you can save money while making your next move. Let’s dive in!
1. Don’t Move What You Don’t Use
This is probably the number one way you can save money because there is nothing worse than paying to move items that you don’t use (this is true whether you’re renting a truck and moving yourself or hiring a removal team).
Start prepping for your move early…like, really early. We’re talking 2 – 3 months in advance. This will give you plenty of time to go through your things and get rid of:
- Items you no longer use
- Items you no longer like
- Items that no longer work
This might include kitchen appliances you never use (be honest…how many times have you used that pasta roller you got for your birthday?), toys your kids no longer play with, the old VHS player that’s taking up space in the garage…you get the idea.
Items you don’t use but are still in good working condition should be considered for a garage sale. That way, you can actually make a little money to help offset any moving costs you incur (and you might just be surprised at how much money you can make!).
Anything that doesn’t sell can be donated to a local charity organisation and the items that no longer function can go in the trash.
2. Create a Budget
As is the case with any expense, setting a budget for your move ensures you’ll have enough cash reserved to transport your belongings to your new home.
And before you assume that a DIY move is cheaper than hiring a professional team, be sure to consider how much it will cost you to rent a truck, dollies, and other accessories, then factor in how long it will take you and your team to pack, transport, and unpack compared to a team of removalists. You might be surprised to learn that hiring a professional team actually saves you money.
3. Book Your Removalist (or Your Truck Rental) in Advance
When it comes to reserving a truck or a team, the earlier the better. By booking 8 – 12 weeks in advance you may receive a discounted rate.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Compare Prices
If you plan to use a removal company, you should ask for a minimum of 3 – 4 personalised quotes. Often, removalists will price match to get your business.
5. Use Free Boxes (With a Warning)
It is common practice for those planning a move to try to save money by hunting up used boxes from the dumpsters of local grocery stores or from online neighborhood pages where they are given away for free.
Here’s the problem—the boxes from the grocery store are not made for moves and often break down during transit. And the same holds true for used boxes—there’s no way to know how many times they’ve been broken down and taped back up…and it’s just not worth risking your belongings.
So, we say use free boxes if and only if you know the person who is donating, and they can verify the number of times the boxes have been used. If they purchased the boxes themselves, you’re good to go. If they got them from a guy who used them for his move…and he got them from a lady online who doesn’t know how many times they’ve been used, say thanks but no thanks.
6. Pack and/or Unpack Your Own Boxes
People are often surprised to learn that your experience with a removal team is completely customisable. If you’d like help with the actual loading and transport of your items but don’t want to pay a team to pack or unpack your boxes, that is okay! Simply ask your removalist for quotes with variety of options and find the one that fits your budget.
At Holloway Removals, our goal is to get you and your belongings safely into your new home. We are happy to offer custom quotes specific to your needs. Your quote will include everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Make your move the right way…with Holloway.