Saving Money When Hiring Movers

Jul 12
08:04

2011

Aloysius Aucoin

Aloysius Aucoin

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You can save money when hiring movers. The key is in planning ahead and knowing what questions to ask.

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Moving is never a cheap prospect. Whether you hire movers or do the task yourself,Saving Money When Hiring Movers Articles you are going to spend a significant chunk of change on it. Yet, even with the high cost of the process, there are things you can do to save money, even if you choose to hire a professional moving company.

Start by learning how the moving company charges. If they charge by the weight of the truck once you have loaded it, which is common, then you can save money by decluttering before or while you pack. The less weight, the less you will pay. As an added bonus, you will be left with fewer items to unpack after you arrive at your new home. If you are going to pay based on the size of the truck, see if there are some larger items you can leave behind or move yourself. Downsizing to a smaller truck will help you save.

Sometimes the amount of time the movers spend in your home will dictate how much you pay for their services. If you can organize and even pack some of your items before you arrive, you will cut down on the amount of time they are in the home. If the company prefers that you not prepack anything, consider moving most of your items into one central location. The less time the moving professionals have to travel through your home, the more money you might save. 

Of course, the distance that you are planning to move will impact the amount you pay. You have little control over this. The drive from your current home to your new home is what it is, and you cannot make it shorter. However, you may benefit from hiring someone who is slightly closer to either your new or your old home. Also, you can ask the different moving companies you talk to what their mileage rate is. If you find a very different mileage rate, then you will save money by choosing the company with the lower option. 

Always get a breakdown of the moving costs from the company. This will help you pinpoint areas you can save, such as items you can do yourself. If you see these areas, ask if you can do them yourself. If the answer is no, you might want to move to a different company that will allow you to tackle some tasks on your own. 

Ask about any additional costs for special items. The company will have a list of the items that carry an additional charge to move, and you should see if you have any of these in your home. If you do, consider renting your own trailer and moving these on your own to save a little, but compare the cost of trailer rental with the cost of using the moving company before you do.

If you can be flexible with your moving dates, then do so. Movers will charge more during times when their services are in high demand. If you can work with the company’s schedule, they will likely cut you a break on the cost.