Moving house can be more than just a lot of work; it can also be an expensive exercise. But it doesn’t have to break the bank with the right planning and some outside the box (pardon the pun) thinking.
Here are 8 tips to help you save money when you move house:
- Plan carefully
Careful planning, including what needs to be done when and the costs that will be incurred will avoid last minute surprises that you haven’t budgeted for.
- Be ruthless
As you pack up each room, think carefully about whether or not you will want each item at your new place. The less you have to move, the less you will have to outlay in removal costs. Use online marketplaces to sell your unwanted goods, donate them or give them away. This point is particularly relevant for downsizers who commonly make the mistake of moving everything from the large family home to their new more compact home and then finding they need to cull on the other side of the move.
- Shop around
If you plan to use a removalist service for your move it pays to compare quotes as they can vary considerably. Always ask for an itemised quote so you can see what is included and ‘compare apples with apples’.
- Consider moving on an off-peak day
With most people choosing to move on Fridays or Saturdays, why not consider moving mid-week if you can, as it could save you quite a bit with removalists keen for business and willing to discount during those off-peak times.
- Don’t buy new boxes if you can help it
Ask family, friends and even local businesses if they have boxes you could use for your move. Just ensure they are in good condition. Not only will using second-hand boxes save you money but it’s also better for the planet.
- Do a stocktake of food at home
It is a good idea to do a stocktake of food in your freezer, fridge and pantry in the weeks before the move and start cooking and eating what you have in the lead up to the move rather than buying more (we’re all guilty of this one). This way, you will have less food to move and you will also save money on groceries in the meantime. Just be sure to dispose of anything past its use-by date!
- Pack an essentials box
Essentials are things you will or may need as soon as you arrive at your new home. If you have these essentials packed at the bottom of other boxes, you may end up buying what you need because it will take too long to find them.
- Use the opportunity of moving to get a better deal on your utilities & insurances etc.
One of the items on everyone’s to-do list when relocating is moving your utilities (water, gas and electricity) to your new property and changing your address with various service providers, from telecommunications to insurances. Rather than doing all of this online, take the opportunity to speak to a representative from your service provider to negotiate a better deal. You may be surprised how much you can save just by asking.