How to Cut Down on The Cost Of Moving House

Moving home can be one of the most stressful things in life – the organising, planning and packing can feel never ending. However, one of the things you don’t have to do is spend an eye-watering amount on moving home.

Here are our top six tips for cutting down on your removals costs:

1. Declutter

It costs less to move when you have less to take with you! Lighter loads and fewer boxes means lower prices. It’s easy to get panicked if you haven’t given yourself enough time to sort through your belongings, and simply throw it all into boxes to take with you. Don’t do it! You won’t end up sorting through it when you get to your new home, with so many other things to do, and it will end up being put into the loft or shed, or cluttering up your space. Take the time to go through old paperwork, clothes you haven’t worn for years, or children’s toys. It’s shocking how much we can accumulate without realising. Be strong and try to whittle down your belongings to the things you need and the things you love.

If you can’t bear to throw things away, donate them to a charity shop, sell them online, or ask any of your friends if they are interested in your items.

2. Break down your furniture

It’s easy to forget that our furniture needs to be broken down, and then reassembled at the other side. If you aren’t comfortable doing this yourself, most removals companies can do it, but may charge a premium. If you are taking apart your own furniture, take photos of how it fits together, put the screws or pieces into a clearly labelled sandwich bag and attach them to a piece of the furniture. This is a great trick for electrical items too – take a photograph of where all the cables go before detaching them, and keep them all together.

3. Make a list

There are just too many things to remember when you’re moving. Whether it’s forwarding your post and changing utilities, or packing, cleaning and working out what you’ll need for that first night, it can feel overwhelming. Make a list! Or better yet, find an existing moving house checklist from people who have been doing it for years, and tick it off as you go!

4. Get a remover to view your property

Many removals teams will offer an in person survey of your home, to see how much you need to move, and all the little things we often forget to check. These could include seeing how easy it will be to park a removals van in front of your home, what floor you live on (and whether you have a lift) and the size and shape of the larger items you have. A removals professional will be able to choose the right vehicle and number of team members for the job, for maximum efficiency. It also means there’ll be no last minute charges for unexpected surprises.

5. Book in advance

It is sometimes hard to pin down a moving date, especially if you’re buying a home and selling another. Trying to get the dates to line up for a straightforward move is difficult, and you can end up floundering. Book in at least a provisional date with a company as soon as possible, and then confirm as soon as you can. Busy times of year can get booked up quickly, and you’re more likely to be left stressed and paying a premium. If you can avoid moving over bank holidays, busy summer weekends and in the run up to Christmas, you’ll probably be better off. If you can’t avoid this, then book in advance. Also remember that if you need to get a parking permit to allow the van to stop and load, look into this as soon as possible, or chat with your neighbours about the van taking up space for a few hours, and whether it will inconvenience them.

6. Compare prices

It’s hard to choose a removals company – you want to make sure they are appropriately insured, will handle and pack your items with care, and that there won’t be any breakages. You want to make sure the team will be there to unload your items at the right time, instead of you waiting around for hours wondering if you’ll manage to unload your bed before you sleep that night. Unless you have a personal recommendation, it’s hard to know which company to choose, and whether they are good value. With companies like reallymoving you can compare quotes from local removals companies, and even see their reviews, so you know exactly how good they are.

Moving can feel like one of the most stressful things in life, but it doesn’t have to be one of the most expensive. Organise yourself in advance, clear away everything you can and make sure you get the best deal possible. In no time at all, you’ll be in your new home, thinking about unpacking those items you love, and where they will go in your new home.