How to Save Money During A Move?

Quick answer:

The biggest savings usually come from avoiding peak dates, doing more yourself (packing + simple disassembly), decluttering/selling heavy items before you move, and comparing 2-3 written quotes from reputable movers. Lock in mid-week, mid-month dates and be upfront about stairs, parking, and bulky items to avoid add-on fees.

What can you do yourself to cut the bill?

To cut costs during your move, it's key to think outside the box. The more you handle yourself, the more you save. The trick is finding simple places to trim, packing non-fragiles, breaking down furniture, and planning access so movers don’t lose time.

Quick wins:

• Pack non-fragile rooms yourself; label by room.
• Disassemble beds and remove mirrors from dressers beforehand.
• Reserve elevators and loading zones; measure doorways.
• Keep a small toolkit and tape gun handy.

When are prices lowest?

Avoid moving during peak moving season in the months of April through September. Approximately 40 million people in the United States move every year, and 80% of these moves take place during this time.

This means moving companies will charge higher rates and be harder to find. If you move during this time, it will also be harder to find free boxes, sell your items, and follow these methods to save money.

Where do free boxes come from—fast?

You may be surprised to hear this, but boxes add up. Buying moving boxes in bulk could bring an unexpected bill that could be better spent somewhere else. 

There are a few ways to get free moving boxes:

1. Friends and Family: A few months out from your move, start reaching out to family members and asking them if they can save some boxes for you. It’s all about communication and your timing. The sooner you reach out, the more likely you are to get free boxes. 
2. Used Marketplace Stores: Apps like OfferUp, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace are great places to look as well. Search up “free boxes” and you’ll be shown a bunch of options of people trying to get rid of a large quantity of boxes. They’ll be happy to give you their boxes for your move, saving you money and saving them the burden.
3. Social Media: If you’re on social media, consider posting on every platform that you’re looking for some moving boxes. Odds are you’ll have multiple people reach out to you and you can get boxes from each one.
4. Office buildings: Copy paper boxes with lids are perfect.

Getting free boxes is easier than it sounds. It’s all about testing different ways to find them and getting creative in the process. The more methods you try and the more people you ask, the more likely you are to find them.

Tip: Avoid food-soiled boxes; they weaken and can attract pests.

When does selling first make sense?

It involves selling your current items, and rebuying cheaper ones when you’ve settled into your new home.

Start by listing large-scale items such as furniture on used marketplace apps. Then, Grab a notebook and jot down the prices of each item sold. After you've gotten comfortable in your place it's time to begin repurchasing. 

With that list, you can now find cheaper options for each item. For example, if you sold a table for forty dollars, you should aim to find a used table in the twenty-dollar range. You will save money by doing this and end up with some spare cash in your pocket.

Rule of thumb: If it’s heavy, cheap to replace, or rarely used, sell it. You’ll pay less to move and start fresh on the other side.

How do you pay less without sacrificing trust?

Finding an affordable moving company is crucial if you aim to cut costs on your move, as it typically accounts for a significant portion of expenses.

Do this:

• Get 2-3 written estimates after a visual survey (video or in-home).
• Ask for binding or not-to-exceed pricing.
• Be transparent about stairs, long carries, parking limits, and bulky items.
• Don’t chase the absolute lowest quote; aim for a mid-range price from a well-reviewed mover.
• Avoid large cash deposits; keep everything in writing.

We hope that our guide has helped you in planning your moving budget and maximizing your savings. Keep in mind the harder you work at it, the more your potential for saving money there is.

Make sure to check out other iMoving guides. The more you know the better. Happy Moving!