Whether you have never moved before and only have heard stories from family and friends about moving or you are a moving expert and you have moved locally and out of state many times, two things are certain when it comes to moving, it is stressful and expensive.
First thing that comes to your mind must be “How to find budget movers”?
Then, you might wonder “How will I know they are reputable and professional yet affordable”?
Well, don’t worry, we are here to help you with exactly that, with tips on finding a reliable and professional company on a budget. Movers that will make the process easy and safe for your belongings but will make sure you do not break the bank.
We have organized these precious tips and tricks into several categories so make sure to write down all the important steps on staying on budget when moving.
Movers? Yes!
Affordable? Yes!
Professional and reliable? Yes!
How to save money by being prepared
You can also save money when you are getting ready for the move. During the moving process there are several tips and tricks on how to save some money and we will share them with you.
Go through your items
Sort through the stuff in your basement and garage and pull out things you no longer use or need, such as electronics, furniture, kitchenware, kids toys, bikes, etc.
It’s also a good time to go through closets for clothing and shoes you no longer want.
Purging some of your stuff will cut down on the amount of stuff you have to pack, and the space you’ll need to move it (and it’s a great way to declutter when staging and trying to sell your home too).
For items that have seen better days, or aren’t valuable enough to sell (like old dish sets, dated clothing or furniture, and kids’ toys) plan to donate them to a local thrift store like Value Village or the Salvation Army Thrift Store.
It’s a quick and easy way to cut down on the amount you’ll need to move.
Finally, if you have old bedding (sheets, blankets, comforters) that you don’t need for packing, think about donating these to a local animal shelter. These types of items are often in need and will go to great use.
Host a sale
If the weather and timing permits, plan a garage or yard sale, and be sure to price things to sell! It’s also a good idea to post ads on Facebook Marketplace, Craig’s list or your local classifieds website.
If there isn’t time for a garage sale or you’re moving in the middle of winter, look into consignment options in your city.
There are often consignment stores for clothing and furniture, which will give you up to 40% of the sale price (the percentage back will vary from store to store).
And who knows you might even end up earning some money in the process.
Check for any move-in fees
If you’re moving to a location with an association or building management team, check for fees associated with the move. Some buildings charge to supervise the move, reserve service elevators, and leave a truck parked outside.
And you want to have this information in advance so you are prepared and so that fits in your budget. Movers also should be informed if there are any restrictions regarding elevator access or if the building requires a Certificate of Insurance.
Get recommendation for quality budget movers
Besides getting recommendations from family and friends we also advise to ask your realtor.
They usually have a list of several companies that they recommend and often get feedback from their clients as to their level of service and satisfaction.
They will most likely suggest some high quality moving companies to call and get a quote.
When you do call them and get a price quote you will see if it fits in your budget. But at least you will know you are getting professional, reliable and quality movers.
You might not be saving money per se right away, but with choosing the right moving company, you are saving in potential damages and repairs that can occur if choosing low quality movers.
Have family & friends watch your kids instead of a sitter
On moving day, you don’t want to have kids and pets running around getting in the way of the movers. You also don’t want to have to spend a bunch of money on hiring babysitters or taking your animals to pet hotels.
To save money on move day ask your friends and family to watch your children and pets.
How to save money when packing
Know where to get packing supplies
Buy packing supplies like tape, mattress bags, tape guns, and packing paper on Amazon.
Buy your normal moving boxes at Home Depot or Lowe’s. These department stores sell really cheap regular boxes but charge a lot for other packing supplies.
Ask your moving company if they let you use wardrobe boxes on moving day. Wardrobe boxes are very expensive in the department stores and some movers offer free use of wardrobe boxes on moving day.
If you are moving yourself, use your blankets to protect your furniture. If you are hiring a moving company, you won’t have to worry about the supplies needed to protect your furniture.
Use what you already have
There’s no sense in buying packing materials if you already have some. Consider using your old amazon boxes or collecting packing materials like markers before you go out and purchase anything.
Instead of buying loads of packing paper, use your linens, sheets, and towels to wrap and protect some items (not dishes, plates or bowls).
You will have to use packing paper for your breakable kitchen items, but using what you already have on other miscellaneous items will save you on packing paper and boxes that those items will have to go in.
Pack yourself
Packing yourself is the best way to save money on moving costs. The more you’re packed up and ready to go, the less time it will take movers to move your things.
Movers will offer packing services as well, but if you do it yourself, you can save a lot of money. Just be sure you pack the right way to avoid your items being broken.
If you do pack yourself, you won’t have any protection if anything breaks in those boxes, so be sure you learn how to properly pack your breakables.
Use suitcases
Suitcases are great for packing items like books and other bulky items. Since suitcases have wheels and are quite small, putting heavier items inside is a great idea.
Pack and move valuables yourself
One of the most important parts of moving that many people tend to forget is packing and moving their valuables themselves.
There will be many people coming in and out of your home during the moving process, whether it be realtors, cleaning companies, inspectors, moving companies, prospective buyers, etc.
Before beginning the process of moving, always keep track of your valuables and move them yourselves. That way your valuable items won’t get lost and nobody, in particular, will be to blame if something does go missing.
How to save money when hiring budget movers
Start looking for budget movers early
Start looking for budget movers, doing the research online, asking for recommendations early. Of course, if you just found out you are moving in the next week, you don’t have that much time for research. But if you have a month or more in advance, start looking for movers early.
If you find the budget movers that offer you a reasonable price, with good reviews and services they provide, book them as soon as possible. If you wait, they might lose the availability or even have higher prices if they have just a last couple of slots available.
Move during off season
Movers usually increase their rates between the months of May through August. This is the busiest time of year for moving companies.
If you’re looking to save money on your move, consider moving outside of these dates. The best time to move is Between October and April.
When movers are less busy, their rates usually go down a bit.
Move on a weekday
Weekends are the busiest times when people need moving services, especially towards the beginning and end of the month.
Many movers charge more during these peak times, so consider moving during the week or ask your moving company if they can discount your rate if you choose a day during the week.
Compare moving quotes
Not all movers will quote your job at the same cost.
Also, understand that professional movers will do a better job moving your items.
We always recommend getting 3-5 quotes so you can compare them later on.
When comparing quotes, always check the reputations online of moving companies. This will give you a sense of what to expect on moving day.
Just because a mover has a cheaper quote doesn’t mean it will actually cost that much. Always check their hourly rate vs. the service and quality they provide.
Budget movers doesn’t equal cheap movers
It’s not always best to hire the cheapest moving company.
Of course everybody wants to save money when moving and have the moving cost fit in their budget.
Movers can sometimes estimate your move cheaper than other movers just to get your business, then ultimately you’ll have to pay the final cost based on how long the move will take (if moving locally).
If you have a very unprofessional moving company, it might take much longer to move your items than with a professional company. Also, with cheap, unprofessional movers, you run the risk of your items being damaged.
Don’t accept to pay large sums for the deposit. Paying the deposit is a good thing because it means they are saving a spot just for you and you will get the booking confirmation in writing and a receipt, etc.. But an acceptable amount for the deposit is $50-$200 depending on the distance and total price of the move.
If you choose a low quality moving company and for example they don’t show up and they already took a deposit from you, you will have to find professional but affordable movers as soon as possible, pay another deposit, and at the end of the day you will be losing money and your nerves as well.
Move only the furniture
If you’re moving locally, consider moving all of the boxes and small items in your car or pickup truck to the new destination. Then, only hire movers to move the heavy furniture.
Make sure you leave enough items for the movers to move. Most local movers have a minimum of 3-4 hours, so no matter how little you need to move, you’ll have to pay that minimum. But usually that time almost always ends up being well used.
Be prepared for the movers
One of the most important things to do when wanting to save on the cost of a moving company is to be ready for them.
Local movers charge by the hour, so if you’re not all packed up and ready to go, or if the hallways are being blocked by stuff, it will take movers longer to move your items.
If it takes longer, more money comes out of your budget. Movers will also appreciate clear hallways and items being organized.
The more organized and ready you are for the moving company the better. Consider these tips:
- Each room should have furniture and boxes, that’s pretty much it. Boxes should be labeled correctly on the sides so movers know exactly which room it will go in at the new location.
- Consider staging boxes in the garage. The more items you stage in the garage or in a place that is easily accessible to the moving truck, the faster the movers can load the items onto the truck.
- Keep a clear path – Movers will most likely take the large furniture first. Make sure all the furniture has a clear path to where they will be parking their trucks.
- Have great communication with your crew. Your moving crew will be asking you questions on moving day.
- Be there on moving day. If you’re not there to answer the movers’ questions about where things go and what the plan is, it’s likely it will take more time and cost more money.
Get a quote from Professional Sacramento Movers
If you are looking for dependable and affordable movers near you, Professional Sacramento Movers are the professional local moving company for you. We will help you with your move and make sure it goes smoothly and stress-free. We are here to change the narrative of moving being one of the most stressful events in a person’s life.
You can get a free quote over the phone, or on our website: contact-us – Professional Sacramento Movers.
Contact us and relax knowing that you are in great hands!