METCALF MOVING BLOG
When to Save and When to Splurge When Moving
Once you start the moving process, one of the most critical steps is calculating your moving budget. Moving can be expensive, meaning you’ll want to figure out how to save money whenever possible. That said, cutting costs makes sense for some things but not necessarily for everything.
So, with that in mind, let’s discuss some of the essential components of a move and whether it’s worth it to spring for higher quality or tighten that belt, metaphorically speaking. Here’s a rundown of when to save and when to splurge when moving.
Save: Packing Materials
When discussing packing materials, we refer to what you might use to keep your belongings safe and sound during a move, such as a bubble wrap or insulation. In most cases, using newspapers, packing paper, or clean clothes can get the job done without inflating your budget.
Splurge: Boxes and Containers
We’ve all gone through the process of borrowing boxes from friends, family members, and even co-workers when planning a move. While this option might work for some of your packing, investing in high-quality boxes of specific shapes and sizes is often better. This way, you can pack everything more efficiently rather than trying to work within arbitrary parameters because you don’t have a lot of suitable containers.
Another option is to buy reusable plastic containers with handles and locking lids. No matter where you move, having storage bins will make organizing more manageable, so it’s often a good idea to splurge on high-quality cartons before a move.
Save: Move During Off-Peak Times
If you have the option, consider arranging your move during an off-peak time.
Off-Season
Movers usually charge premium rates during peak moving season from May through August since this is generally the busiest time for moving companies.
Schedule you move outside of these dates if you want to save money on your relocation. Generally, a more cost-effect time to move is from October to April, when professional movers are less busy.
During The Week
The busiest times for people needing moving services are weekends, particularly near the end of the month. Moving companies typically charge more on weekends and holidays, so try to schedule your move for the weekdays or see if you can negotiate a discount with your movers.
Splurge: Transportation Services
Another part of moving is enlisting the help of everyone you know to transport your belongings from point A to point B. Unless you’re popular and have lots of friends in the area (with lots of free time), paying movers is often better. There are also a couple of advantages of splurging on this service:
- First, movers are experienced and can handle bulky and heavy items much more efficiently than you and your friends. For example, there’s no need to strain yourself to lift and maneuver a couch or big-screen TV.
- Second, professional movers know how to load and unload the truck, but they also know how to drive it, make arrangements for it, and park it.
- Finally, movers have all the proper tools like dollies, moving straps, and much more to accommodate the simplest to most complex relocation.
Get Moving Help Today!
If you’ve never used professional movers before, now’s the time to see how well they can help you transition into your new place. Once you experience the difference, you’ll wonder how you ever moved by yourself. Contact us to find out more and get a free custom quote!
