Going through a long-distance move is one of the most exciting but stressful moments. Without proper preparation, this process can turn into a nightmare. Not only that it requires a lot of your time, but it is also a costly process that many people cannot afford.
Planning the process in front is essential in situations with a tight budget. Keep in mind that the costs of moving are dependent on the distance and the number of things that have to be shipped. There are many strategies that you can implement that will surely decrease the moving costs.
To give you an idea of things you should do when arranging your moving process, we have made this article. Keep reading and follow these tips to come up with the cheapest move possible, especially a stress-free one.
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Get rid of items you don’t need
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Before you even browse shipping options, you should go through all of your stuff. There are surely things you don’t need anymore. By getting rid of them, you are automatically lowering the price of the move. In addition, you will have fewer things to unpack in your new place which is always beneficial.
When we say getting rid of them, it doesn’t mean that you have to throw them away. You can also sell them or give them away.
For quicker results, you can organize a yard sale, or post them up on local advertisement sites. That will help you to gain an amount of money that you can use towards the shipping.
In addition, some of your things can be donated. If your friends like some of your stuff, let them have it. Otherwise, all of the things you wouldn’t sell, donate them to organizations close to you.
Find cheap packing boxes
In every moving process packing boxes are essential. For that reason, make sure you browse for the cheapest solution. If you can manage to find cheap boxes in your local market, feel free to use them. If not, browse online and get the cheapest boxes possible.
Besides boxes, you will need tape, and securing material that needs to be put between items. You can also find that online, so make sure you get a great deal.
Organize your stuff
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After you declutter and acquire packing equipment, it is now time to organize your stuff. This is one of the great ways where you can save money. If you hire a service to pack your things, they lose time that should be financially compensated with a fee. In addition, they don’t know your stuff well, so it will be a poorer packing job than doing it by yourself.
Place your items in boxes, and seal them up. Labeling them is highly beneficial. Make sure you are not leaving the boxes empty so the items don’t tumble inside. Don’t overstuff the boxes ass well, since they may break and have your items damaged during shipping.
Find out what professional movers charge
There is no better solution for moving than hiring a professional service. You have nothing to worry about since your items will be quickly and reliably shipped to your desired location. However, that comes with a price.
Professionals offer two ways of paying. The first one is getting paid by the hour, and the second method is paying a fixed price depending on the items and distance. Since you have to arrange a long-distance move, it is better to go for the fixed price and try to negotiate.
For example, you can read more about long-distance moving to NY because it can be quite complicated and picking the right company for the job is essential.
Calculate how much you need to spend for a DIY move
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It is important to calculate how much will the moving cost if you do everything on your own for comparison purposes. This is surely a way cheaper option since you will do all the heavy lifting by yourself. However, you need to be precise with your calculations.
There are different ways how to organize the shipping process. Depending on how many items you have, a shipping container or a freight trailer should be your main choices.
Shipping containers work in a way where the container is dropped to your address, you fill it up, and it is shipped to your desired address. The price is usually fixed per container and is mostly suitable for medium or small homes.
On the other hand, getting a freight trailer is a great option for large homes. It works similarly to a shipping container where a moving company drops the trailer at your address. However, you are limited in days to fill it up, so ask your friends for help. In addition, the price is dependent on how much space your items take, and not on weight. The remaining space is used for other clients.
Move during the colder months
It is always a great idea to arrange your move during the colder months. This is the off-season, so the companies are being competitive and they offer better prices. For that reason, plan your move to be held any time from November to March. In addition, if you can arrange the move to be during the weekdays, you will surely save even more money.
Prepare your new location
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For a quicker settlement in your new home, make sure you arrange all utilities while your move is ongoing. You should simultaneously cancel the utilities at your old place, and have them installed in your new property. This will save you bills money and will make your new home prepared for a settlement.
In addition, make sure you order furniture and enough storage units. That way, you can easily unpack and put everything in place.
Find help for unpacking
The last thing that is left for you is the unpacking process. This can be the most complicated thing since you need to find a place for every item that you have. In addition, unloading the trailer or container can be overwhelming, so you could use help.
Make sure you find help before your items arrive. That way, you can quickly unload, and bring them to your place. Organize your items, and you are ready to enjoy your new home filled with love and harmony.
