We get it; moving can be expensive. With the holidays (which we know are also often expensive) having just ended, if you are going to be moving in the near future, you might be looking for ways to get a more affordable move. While picking the cheapest moving company out there might seem like a good solution, we’re here to warn you that it isn’t.
Some moving companies provide low-ball estimates to rope you in and then drastically increase the price through hidden fees later on. Others offer cheap prices, but provide sub-par moving services. At Two Small Men, we’re dedicated to providing affordable moves to all our customers, but we won’t lower the quality of our services so we can be the absolute cheapest option.
Instead, we’d like to offer you some tips to save money on your move. And, since we all know time is money, we’ve put together some time-saving tips as well.
Tips for Saving Time and Money on Your Move
There are three main variables that affect the length, and therefore the cost, of your move:
- How Much Stuff You Have
- How Prepared You Are
- The Access at the Pick Up and Drop Off Locations
Tip 1: Downsize
A big money-saving tip for moving is to downsize your home before you move. If there are things you don’t need or want anymore, get rid of them prior to pick-up day. If your moving company spends a bunch of time packing and moving items you aren’t even going to use anymore, your move will cost you more than it needs to. If you want to donate some of those items, make sure to consider our partner, the Cerebral Palsy Associations of Alberta and BC. Read more about how they make donating easier here.
You can also downsize your move without getting rid of things. If you’re making any trips from your old home to your new home yourself, consider taking certain items with you. We suggest taking the unstackable items (like lamps, knick-knacks, and boxes that can’t be sealed).
Tip 2: Be Prepared
A number one tip for saving time and money on your move is this: Be Prepared. The more prepared and organized you are, the faster your move will go and the more money you’ll save.
We offer to dissemble and reassemble almost all furniture items that need it for your convenience. But if you’re looking for a more affordable move as opposed to a more convenient one, you can do this on your own before and after moving.
We also offer packing services to anyone who needs it, but if you want to save some money, get everything packed up on your own first and the move will go much faster.
The best thing to do to stay organized is to label everything accurately and clearly. When boxes and items are labeled with which room they need to go to in your new home, we can drop everything off without having to inquire about every item. You can even try to move all of your boxes to one common area where it will be easier for the movers to access them.
Tip 3: Make Things Accessible
Accessibility is very important to all moving companies. If you want a more affordable move, make sure that there is easy access to both you old and new homes.
Block off parking if street parking is needed, as they distance we need to walk can dramatically impact the time the entire move takes. If there are elevators involved, try to book them so we don’t have to wait for one each trip up and down. If you can’t reserve the elevator, try to book your move for a time when they will be less busy.
Additional Money-Saving Tips for Moving
- Always do a walk-through near completion of pick up to make sure we have everything and don’t have to come back for another trip.
- Be near the entrance of drop-off locations to direct furniture to appropriate rooms.
- Clear walkways of ice and snow or any other obstructions.
- Make sure your dishwasher and other cabinets are empty.
Two Small Men with Big Hearts Movers are dedicated to giving you an affordable move and making sure we provide the best quality services. Click here for your free estimate.