Saving on Moving Expenses

If you are comfortable driving a large truck, only have a moderate amount of belongings and have some really good (strong) friends, you can really save a bundle by moving yourself. Two of the biggest truck rental firms are U-Haul and Budget. They both have a variety of truck sizes and have estimating tools on their respective websites: uhaul.com, and budgettruck.com. Make sure you choose the right size truck or you can spend a lot more than you expected on gas, mileage, and the good will of your friends by needing to make extra trips.

Many of the big-name truck rental companies offer discounts for online reservations and may offer discounts to members of groups like AAA. Also, the U.S. Postal Service has a moving packet that has discount coupons as well as forms to simplify notifying people and companies of your new address.

Instead of having the movers move everything, sometimes it may be cheaper to ship some items via UPS, Amtrak, Greyhound, or the Postal Service (especially books at the book rate). Compare the cost per pound of shipping versus the cost the mover is charging to see if this is an economical alternative.

If you're determined to save money on your move, but can't handle the prospect of driving a truck, do everything but drive. There are nationwide companies, such as ABF U-Pack Moving and Broadway Express that will deliver a trailer to your house, where you load it. They then provide a driver to take the trailer to your new home where you unload it. Both of these companies offer online calculators to help you estimate the cost of your move: www.broadwayexpress.com and upack.com.

You can save more than 10% off the cost of a move by packing your belongings yourself. Most movers will offer you the option of having them pack, but you'll pay for the extra time involved.

There are some helpful sites on the Internet that can help you compare costs before you move. Check out HomeFair.com, HomeStore.com, or MonsterMoving.com to compare quotes from moving companies. Also for advice on protecting yourself from getting scammed check out MovingScam.com.

Boxes from movers and truck rental companies are good quality, but fairly expensive. Try to get boxes from friends who have moved, from liquor stores, and from office supply stores. If you work in a large company, check with the facilities manager to see if there are boxes being discarded that you could have before they end up in the dumpster.

If you're moving yourself, use plenty of blankets to protect furniture, but don't feel obligated to rent pads or blankets from the truck rental company. Use the same ones you use for bedding or just buy extras outright from Home Depot or Lowe's, or even a thrift store. It's often cheaper than renting them from the trucking company and you can sell them later in a yard sale.

Fees charged by moving companies can be as much as 50% higher on the weekend. If you have some flexibility, try to schedule your move mid-week when rates are lower.

There are plenty of people who move that aren't interested in making money off their used boxes, they just don't want them to end up in the dump. Check out freecycle.org, or craigslist.com to see if anyone is giving away moving boxes.

Be aggressive about evaluating what should really make the trip to your new digs and make a serious effort about getting rid of stuff. Sell stuff you don't need on eBay, have a yard sale, donate it and get a tax deduction (if you itemize), or just throw it out. You'll pay less to move, have less to unpack, and hopefully have a little extra money in your pocket.

Some moving expenses may be tax deductible if your move is job related. There are certain conditions that have to be met in order to qualify so be sure to check with a tax professional, or irs.gov for details.

Before selecting a mover, it's a good idea to check with consumer sites for complaints. In addition to the Better Business Bureau, visit movingscam.com and movingadvocateteam.com to see if any complaints were lodged against your prospective movers.

Don't forget to disconnect the water to the washing machine and refrigerator and gas to the dryer and range prior to moving day to avoid a surcharge. The moving company will charge an arm and a leg to get an electrician or plumber out on short notice. Also, take down any ceiling fans you are taking with you to avoid extra charges.

Movers often charge exorbitant prices for high quality boxes. Of course, high quality boxes are a necessity to protect your belongings so most people accept the expense. There is an alternative available online. boxquest.com is a nationwide network of people buying and selling moving boxes at a discount. It's a great way for someone who has already moved to recoup some of the expense they incurred, and for people who need to move to get boxes at a discount.