Moving from an old house to a new one takes a lot of time, planning, and resources. It's important to be financially prepared and look for ways to save money during every step of the moving process.

One of the best ways to save money when moving out is by hiring a reputable moving company with low rates. Compare the top 10 movers in your area to find the best fit for you!

How to save money for moving out

Whether you're moving into a more expensive place or thinking about moving out of your parents' house for the first time, it's important to have a personal finance plan before making the leap. Here's what you should do in the months leading up to your move.

1. Determine how much you need to move

If you're saving up to move into a rental, you need to set aside money for a security deposit. If you're saving up to buy a property, you need to set aside money for a down payment. It's also important to have enough money to cover your moving costs and any furniture or household essentials for the new place.

Talk to a loan officer to determine how much house you can afford given your current savings and salary. Research moving companies in your area to get an idea of how much you need to budget for professional movers.

Finally, think about necessities you'll need to purchase right away in your new place: couch, bed, refrigerator. Look these items up online or in a store to determine how much you should have saved to buy these items.

» MORE: How much house can I afford on $70k a year

2. Start a savings account

If you don't already have one, open up a savings account at your local bank. You can use a budget to learn where you spend money and figure out where to cut back on extra expenses.

Before moving out, a good rule of thumb is to save the difference between what you currently pay for housing and what your new payments will be. For example, if you're currently paying $1,000 in rent, but you're moving into a place that charges $1,500, put $500 into your savings account every month.

3. Build up your credit score

Increase your credit score by paying off debt, requesting a credit limit increase on your cards, and paying your bills on time.

A solid credit history is a necessity for renting or purchasing a home. If you don't know what your credit score is currently, you can check it for free once a year by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.

» MORE: What credit score is needed to buy a house?

4. Chip away at your debt

If you have any debts, such as auto loans or a student loan, put any extra cash you have toward paying them down. Make sure to factor any monthly debt payments into your overall budget when you're living in the new place. If you have multiple debt payments, consider talking to a financial advisor to determine which one you should pay off first.

How to save money when moving out of your home

It can be easy to overspend during the moving process. Here are some moving tips for homeowners who want to spend less money and make this time a smooth transition.

1. Find a good moving company

If you decide to hire a professional outfit for your move, you will have to make sure that the company you hire is a good one with a positive track record. Here are three ways to identify a very good moving company:

Good reviews and feedback

Good companies are highly rated because their services are excellent, and they satisfy their clients' needs. Take the time to read reviews from clients they have worked with. You can read reviews on their business website and social media handles, along with Google and other ratings sites. Positive reviews and feedback provide a clear indication the company is highly professional and reliable.

Good price

A good company offers quality service at an affordable price. Ask for a price quote, and do not book the service if the pricing is not transparent or if what they charge is above your budget.

Excellent customer service

A good company has excellent customer service. What we mean by this is that they are easy to reach. Their customer service channels are always open, and they respond to inquiries on time. Avoid companies without a business phone number or companies that do not respond to messages quickly.

2. Get multiple quotes from movers

Another thing you can do to lower moving costs is to contact multiple moving companies to compare their rates. But before getting quotes from movers, decide on the day you wish to move. After you've picked a day, search for a reputable moving company in your area.

Don't go with the first company you call — it's important to compare the quotes from many to compare.

» MORE: Find the best moving company near you today!

3. Get cash back for moving expenses

Consider getting a cash back credit card that will help you make the most out of your moving expenses. Cash back credit cards will earn you money from purchases made with the card for some specific categories of products.

You can also get a store credit card that will give you access to many advantages and discounts in the store associated with the card. If you are thinking of getting this option, the best ones are those from stores that sell items or services that you will need for your move.

4. Consider a DIY move

Hiring the services of a moving company is not the only way to reduce moving expenses. You can take full responsibility for your move by doing one or more of the following:

Rent a moving truck

If you can drive a truck or know someone who can, hiring a rental truck is a great idea. You pay for the truck, and it's yours for the contracted period. With the truck, you can transport your items from your old house to the new one. Bear in mind that the truck you hire should not be too big or too small for your items.

Get help from friends and family

You will need to do a lot of packing, loading, and unpacking. Make a moving checklist to help you through the process. If you have a large household or a few friends, ask for help! Choose a day and have everybody come over to assist you. With several hands on deck, you will be done in a short time.

5. Sell unwanted furniture and items

As you prepare to move to your new home, it makes no sense to bring along things you will not need where you are going. Bringing household items that are broken or unused will only add more junk to your new place. Heavy or bulky items also increase the cost of your move because there will be more items to pack and store in the truck.

Consider selling unwanted items or donating them to charities. The fewer items you have to transport, the cheaper and faster the process.

6. Choose the right time to move

Another way to reduce your moving expenses is to pick the right time to move. Should you move during the high season (summer) or low season (winter)?

Why is it more expensive to move in the summer?

More than 40% of homeowners move during the summer because the weather is more favorable, and it is safer during this period to travel by road. Also, weather elements such as rain and snow will not mess up their properties. However, the comfort of high season moves comes at a high price.

During this period, the demand for moving services is high, and so are moving rates. Moving during the summer is very expensive. If you want to cut down on cost, consider making your move during the low season.

Perks of moving during the off-season

Moving in the winter has several advantages. First, you have the flexibility of choice because many moving companies are free of any contractual obligations, so you can pick from a long list of available options.

Second, moving rates are cheaper during this period. Due to the decreased demand for their services, moving companies bring down their fees. Some of them even offer discounts to stimulate sales.

Finally, you are at liberty to pick the date you want to move because most of the days during the low season are unbooked.

7. Use low-cost packing

Another way to save money when moving is by choosing affordable packing materials. Packing is an integral aspect of the moving process, and the cost of moving supplies increases moving costs.

To drive down costs, ask around for free boxes. You can also buy cheap moving boxes for your items. Instead of buying wrappers, consider using old sheets and newspapers. Packing paper and blankets will also do.

Frequently asked questions about moving on a budget

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The post How to Save Money When Moving Out of Your Home appeared first on Semya-Moya.

1. Not Doing Proper Research on the Movers

Not doing proper research on the movers can lead to unexpected surprises.

Looking at real client feedback will help you choose the mover that is best suited for you. Check their reviews on Google and Facebook. Too little reviews may indicate a lack of experience and a rating less than 4 stars may indicate unreliability. Check their BBB Rating. The BBB sets forth ratings that people can rely on to find trustworthy companies. A good BBB rating is situated between an A+ and a B-.

2. Not Getting an On-Site Estimate

While an online estimate seems easy and convenient, it is not as reliable as an on-site estimate. An on-site estimate is beneficial because it helps you avoid hidden fees, the exact truck size will be determined, you can see the mover’s professionalism level, and you can ask more specific questions about your move!

3. Not Getting a Copy of the Estimate

It is easy for any mover out there to convince you to choose them by giving you an attractive verbal estimate. However, a verbal estimate is not definitive because it has no written proof.

Always ask for a written estimate, it can be digital or handwritten so long as it is written.

Make sure to ask your movers whether your estimate is binding or non-binding. A non-binding estimate is susceptible to change.

4. Movers That Are Only Listed on Third-Party Websites

Movers that are only listed on third-party websites like Craigslist or Facebook should be steered away from. Nowadays it is vital for any reliable company to have a website where they set forth their services and terms & conditions. If they’re only listed on Craigslist and Facebook, it likely means they have no or little interest in pursuing the standards that come with the moving industry. While movers listed on third-party websites might have an attractive offer, you’ll have no proof to fall back on in case something goes wrong.

5. Choosing the Cheapest Movers

Choosing the cheapest movers comes with a catch because there aren’t any exceptionally great movers out there that are cheap. Some moving companies are better rated than others because they have fair prices along with other benefits, but no moving company is solely recommended based on being cheap.

Get multiple estimates to find a fair price, but always make sure to look beyond the price tag

Watch out for hidden fees when tumbling on a ‘cheap’ price.

6. Leaving Out Important Details

Movers should be very transparent with the information they provide you with (i.e. pricing, exclusions, inclusions), and you should be too. Leaving out the important details relating to your move will only lead to misunderstandings, mistakes, and additional costs.

Make sure you inform your movers about:

• The exact destination and any other specifics (i.e. entry code)
• Whether you have tenant insurance
• The layout of the new home
• What you don’t want them to move
• Whether you’ll be packing yourself or not

7. Reading the Contract Too Quickly

Reading the contract too quickly can lead to missing important information that can quickly turn over your move for the worse.

What to look for in a moving contract:

• You current and new address
• Your full name
• The schedule
• The inclusions and exclusions
• A binding estimate
• Insurance & liability
• Extra charges

8. Not Preparing Beforehand for the Movers

While hiring movers likely means less work for you, there’s still a lot to prepare before they arrive at your home. It’s important to be ready to avoid delaying the move. For example, you should properly label moving boxes and share clear indications to the moving team.

How to prepare for movers:

• Call the movers a week before to confirm the reservation
• Keep valuable items with you
• Pack a bag with the necessities to avoid digging through boxes
• Clear the entryways and hallways
• Label all items and boxes
• Adapt based on the weather
• Prepare tip ($25/mover per 4-6h block)
• Prepare water bottles & snacks (optional)

9. Not taking advantage of free moving concierge services.

Using a free moving concierge service will help you tackle all your moving tasks in minutes. You can find exclusive deals, easily compare services like professional movers, moving truck rentals or internet plans, just to name a few. You can also find useful information about your new area. Your moving concierge also shares handy checklists with you to stay on track of your move.

Conclusion

Hiring movers is not an effortless process as it takes some preparation on your end too. Getting a copy of your estimate and reading the contract properly will help you avoid some of the biggest mistakes. Make sure to keep valuable items with you and label all your boxes correctly so they end up in the right room. Need a trusted real estate agent to help find your dream home? Find the perfect real estate agent and save thousands on commission by finding a real estate agent on Semya-Moya.

The post 9 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring Movers appeared first on Semya-Moya.

Here, we'll walk you through 5 steps to take right from the start — steps you must take before anything else so that the rest can easily line up.

1. Prepare a budget

Moving is expensive, and no matter how you do it, there will be costs associated with it. By preparing a budget early on, it will let you know how much you can afford for your move and allow you to make the right decisions when the time comes.

To prepare your budget, you can start by requesting moving quotes. Asking for quotes early on is not important only for your budget only but also to ensure you have as much choice as possible. Movers are often booked months in advance. The earlier you ask for quotes, the better it is. Create a folder on your computer with all the quotes you received, which will be useful later.

You can also have a look at truck renting companies or moving container companies. This way, you can compare your options and have an idea of what fits your budget best.

When preparing your budget, plan a cushion. You never know what can happen, and having a cushion can reduce the stress if, unfortunately, you would need it.

2. Book your movers or truck

Once you've made your budget and have an idea about how much you can afford, it's time to book. If during the previous steps you have requested many quotes, it should give an idea of the company you would like to hire. Comparing quotes is a very important step before choosing your movers, and you should do it carefully, but once you have selected the one you want, you must act.

Whether you choose to hire movers or to only book a truck, we recommend you book as soon as you can to make sure they are available on your moving date. This is especially important if you move during the summer months because it is high season.

If you think you’ll need friends or family to help you out, this is also the best time to ask. By asking them in advance, they will be able to reserve the day for you. Plus, nobody likes to be asked for a favor like this only a couple of days in advance!

3. Sort your belongings

Moving is the best time to sort your belongings and get rid of anything you no longer need and that only accumulates dust.

To do that, you can start by creating a list and add every object that you feel you don’t need. You can separate them by items to sell and items to give away.

If you have any valuable objects or furniture you no longer want, this could help pay for your move. However, if you have other objects that you feel are not as valuable but are still in good shape, consider donating it to charities or to friends and family who might have a use for it. Donating feels good, plus it facilitates your move.

4. Tackle the paperwork

Nobody likes paperwork, but when moving, you want to make sure everything is done properly. By doing it in advance, you won’t have to worry about it during your move, plus you’ll have time to make sure everything is well done.

Among other things, you’ll have to make your address changes. This can take some time, however, it is necessary to, even if you think you don’t receive much mail. Several changes of address are required by law, and you must do them as soon as you can.

You also need to have a look at your internet service. If you like your actual internet service provider, you might want to see if they are available at your new address. If so, you can inform them as soon as possible to book an appointment and have the internet ready once you move in. If they are not available, it’s time to do a little research.

There are many internet service providers available in most areas, and it can take some time to find the best for you. Moreover, once you have found it, that does not mean that it will be available around your moving date for the installation. Again, you’ll want to contact them as soon as possible to book a date.

All this paperwork can be overwhelming, and it is not always clear where to start. If you need help, there are free services available to help you. They are called moving concierge services and can assist you with many tasks and even do some of them for you, such as your address changes. They are specialists in moving and will know how to guide you through everything that must be done.

Plus, nowadays, there are many moving applications that can help you with your move so you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you need an application for an inventory, to sell items online, or to organize your move, you have it!

5. Pack your boxes

Packing is one the most important steps, and you want to make sure it is well done. If your boxes are properly packed, this will make a huge difference on moving day.

If you have a couple of months before your move, you can start by packing items that are out of season and that you know you won’t be using before your move anyway. If you can do this first, it will reduce the number of things you have to do in the few weeks or days before the move.

Then, when packing the rest of your belongings, we suggest you properly indicate where the boxes go and if there are any fragile items in them. Make sure any special or fragile items are carefully packed. We could tell you to do color code or a complete inventory. Truth is, everybody is different. Do what you feel will really help you and not stress you out more. As long as there is somewhat of a system, such as writing on the boxes, this will make things easier.

Before packing, you can also take pictures of any fragile or valuable objects. This will be useful to show your insurance if the items get broken or damaged.

Conclusion

Moving is not easy and can be stressful. With the right preparation and organization, however, it can be done. The above are the steps we suggest you do as soon as you can so on the big day all you have to do is pack the truck and unpack it.

The more tasks you save for the last minute, the more complicated the move will be. By doing what you can ahead of time, not only is there less stress, but things are done properly.

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