Moving can be costly once you factor in added costs associated with deposits, professional movers, packing supplies, technicians, lost wages at work, and more. Below are a few professional tips on saving money when moving.
Cut moving costs by reducing the number of items you move, strategic timing of a move, handle labor yourself and find free packing supplies.
Trim your Inventory
Declutter before you pack:
The more items you have, the more you pay, especially for long-distance moves where cost is often based on weight or volume. Decide what you truly need and sell, donate, or throw away the rest.
Sell unwanted items:
Hold a garage sale or use online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist to sell furniture, clothes, or other unwanted possessions. Use the money you earn to help fund your move.
Consider replacing some items:
Assess the cost of moving large, heavy, or bulky furniture versus buying a new or used replacement at your destination. Moving heavy items like old chipboard furniture may not be worth the cost, while selling it can put money back in your pock
Optimize your Timing
Move during the off-season:
Peak moving season runs from May through September, with the highest demand (and prices) on weekends and at the beginning or end of the month. Moving in the fall or winter on a weekday can result in significantly lower rates.
Book early:
If you’re using a moving company, book your service as far in advance as possible. Last-minute bookings can cost more, especially during peak seasons.
Take advantage of tax deductions:
Some work-related moves may offer tax deductions for moving expenses. Consult a tax advisor and keep all your receipts.
Handle Tasks Yourself
DIY packing:
Instead of paying for professional packing services, do it yourself. Pack and organize items strategically to use space efficiently, which can reduce the number of boxes needed or allow you to rent a smaller truck.
Use your network for labor:
Ask friends and family for help with packing, loading, and unloading. Offer to provide food and drinks as compensation. If you only need help with the heavy lifting, consider a hybrid approach by hiring hourly labor for just a few hours to help load and unload large furniture.
You do the driving:
Renting a truck and driving it yourself is generally the cheapest option, especially for local moves.
Moving Container Service:
For long-distance moves, you can save money by using a moving container service (like PODS or U-Pack) where you do the packing and loading, but the company handles the transport.
Find Free and Inexpensive Supplies
Source free boxes:
Look for used boxes on Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor, or check with local grocery and liquor stores, which often have sturdy boxes they are happy to give away.
Repurpose household items:
Use towels, blankets, t-shirts, and socks to wrap and cushion fragile items instead of buying expensive bubble wrap or packing paper. Use luggage and laundry bins to hold clothing, books, and other smaller items.
Rent or borrow equipment:
Instead of buying expensive dollies, hand trucks, or moving blankets, borrow or rent them from a truck rental company. It’s much cheaper and prevents you from having to store them later.
At the end of the day, if you have to save money on your move, you must be prepared and well-organized. If you must use the services of professional movers, ensure the company is upfront with charges to avoid surprises at the end. If you want to move without the hassle of driving the truck yourself, call us for an in-state quote in Oklahoma 918-271-7400 or text us at 918-381-9204. You might just save enough money using free packing supplies to pay for a move with a K-BOX driver!