No one wants to pay any more than they have to for anything. Why would they?
Unfortunately, when it comes to moving, moving companies realize that low prices are a great way to get your business. And the nature of the moving business, especially the fact that you don’t hire movers very often, makes it ideal for scammers to take advantage of that.
So going with the lowest price is rarely the cheapest way to move because you run the risk of being a scam victim. But there are lots of things you can do to lower the cost of your move, regardless of how much the moving company charges you.
1. Move in the Middle of the Month, Middle of the Week, and/or Middle of the Day
OK, let’s start with the month. As you know, the closings and terminations on real estate deals and tenant leases usually happen at the end of a month. So that’s when everyone wants to move. The higher demand means moving companies can charge more for end of month moves. And they generally charge less of middle of the month moves.
The same is true for weekends. When people need to move, but they don’t have to do so right at the end of the month, they’ll often move on a weekend so they don’t have to lose a vacation day from work and it’s when they can find the most help. But the same moving companies that have to turn away work some weekends, because so many people want to move then, can be sitting idle on a Wednesday.
The advice to move in the middle of the day really translates to ‘avoid moving during rush hour’. From arriving on time in the morning to travelling to your new home or apartment, lots of time, and money, can be wasted in traffic.
2. Move in the Fall & Winter
Actually, prices can start to come down after Labour Day because families like to get their moving done before school starts. Summers are ‘high season’ for moving due to schools being out and all the good weather, but that means high prices too. You should be able to find lots of decent weather between late September and when the snow flies to get a great rate on moving services.
3. Be Flexible
If you have any flexibility in your moving day, it can help save you money. By being able to shift your move by a day or two one way or the other, you might be able to fill in a slow day for your movers and they’ll be more likely to offer a discount.
4. Get Rid of as Much as You Can
The less the moving company has to move, the less it will cost to move it. But too many people think it’s best to leave the ‘getting rid of’ phase for after move-in because of how busy they are getting ready to move out. Instead, reduce how much you need to prepare and pack by getting rid of as many things as you can. You can use a variety of ways, including garage sales, donating to charities, giving away to family and friends or selling online.
5. Move as Much as You Can Yourself
It might sound a little ‘counter’ to the reasons you hire a mover in the first place, but there are lots of things that it might be best for you to move yourself anyway. Things like plants and food can be damaged or spoiled in a move in a hot truck. So if you’re packing up the car or SUV anyway, why not take as much as you can, especially awkward, oddly-shaped or smaller items that can’t be packed in a box.
If you’d like more tips to lower the cost of your move, or at least make it easier, please call us here at Bradford Moving & Storage, we’re happy to help.
