How to reduce the cost of moving

While there are certain costs involved with moving that you can’t control – stamp duty, conveyancing fees, survey fees – there are some that you can control, like the cost of removals.

If you’re worried about the high costs of hiring a removal van for your move, don’t be! You can absolutely keep the costs a little lower without making the move very difficult or having to do everything yourself.

Below, you can find my five practical tips that we applied during a house move in 2020 to reduce the cost of moving, without making it a nightmare.

Tip #1: Compare quotes from multiple companies

You want to know that you’re getting the best deal on your removal van costs, and the best way to do this is gather multiple quotes from a few different removal firms.

If all of your quotes are within the same ballpark, you’ll know you’re getting a fair price. If one is very cheap and one is very expensive, consider why this is (maybe one offers much more than the other) and that one may be cheap for a reason.

I’d recommend that you get quotes from three local companies, and always ask if they have any other hidden fees or charges that might increase the quote on the day. Compare the services that each company is offering to ensure you’re getting value for money, and don’t be afraid to negotiate slightly to get a better price. Even if they don’t bring the price down, they might throw in some freebies, like wardrobe boxes or additional cardboard boxes.

When choosing your company to get a quote from, always check reviews and recommendations.

Tip #2: Choose the right van size

Whether you rent a van or you hire a removal company, you will usually be able to save money by picking a van that’s the right size and not too large. Bigger vans cost more money, and you might find you only half fill the space, which isn’t very cost effective.

When calculating the right van size, it’s a good idea to make a volume estimate of your goods to check they’ll all fit without leaving too much space. At the very least, you should make an inventory list, as you probably have more belongings than you realise. If you’re unsure, speak to the removal company. They will generally provide the right size based on the size of your house (number of bedrooms, etc).

Tip #3: Book your removals in advance

When you book your removals in advance, you may see a slight difference in price, particularly if the firm has early bird discounts or special offers. Booking in advance may also open up some further options. Perhaps you can time the move at a quieter time of year for moving, such as around Christmas, so you can haggle a better price.

Tip #4: Pack everything efficiently

How can effective packing help you save money on your move? First, the more you break, the more expensive the move gets. You should use quite strong and sturdy boxes as well as good packing materials to protect your things.

While it seems like common sense, you should also pack the boxes with heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top.

Tip #5: Time your move

To save money when moving house, a good rule of thumb is to avoid having moving day during the summer or at weekends. These are considered ‘peak’ moving season and so will naturally be more expensive.

Instead, consider moving during the week, and in autumn/winter.

Tip #6: Declutter before the move

How can decluttering help lower your moving costs? Well the less you have to move, the smaller the van and fewer trips you’ll need, which reduces costs.

But decluttering doesn’t come easy to everyone and you might find it hard to part with some of your belongings. The best thing to do is organise things into piles – Keep, Sell, Donate, Discard. By lightening the load, you can save on packing materials (and time) and you might even make some money if you sell some items (Vinted will become your best friend).

Tip #7: Use free or recycled packing materials

Cardboard boxes and plastic crates don’t come cheap, but you can significantly cut your moving costs by sourcing free or secondhand packing materials.

First, check at some local stores. Some supermarkets and other shops will throw out cardboard boxes, so you may as well take them off their hands.

Next, ask around some friends or family, or ask in a local Facebook group. There’ll surely be someone with large boxes you can use for all your belongings.

Finally, you can reuse materials like bubble wrap and newspapers instead of spending money on things like packing peanuts. Even consider using bedding and towels to protect delicate or fragile items. This eco-friendly approach helps both your budget and the environment.

Tip #8: Enlist help from friends and family

Friends and family are always willing to help. If they’ve ever moved house themselves, they’ll understand the stress that can come with packing up all your belongings. You can ask them to help with packing, loading and unloading or even driving the rental van for you. The extra hands could be used instead of a removal firm, and you can pay them in kind with food or other gifts. It’s a simple way to cut costs while making the moving process more enjoyable with the support of your loved ones.

 

Moving doesn’t have to be costly, especially if you use my top tips above!