How to cut costs on packing expenses?

Moving can be expensive. However, there is no need to break a bank while moving if you learn how to cut costs on packing expenses. Whether you are relocating your entire family home to another state or just want to move to a studio apartment across the city, relocations require careful budget planning and preparations. With a few helpful guidelines from this article, you can significantly lower the overall moving expenses and stay on budget while ensuring your move is conducted quickly and safely.

Plan ahead

The most common moving mistake people make is starting late with the planning. With little time to prepare and conduct your move, you risk overlooking some important tasks and even losing money. Therefore, in order to make sure you move goes smoothly, start preparing as soon as possible. This way you will be able to stay organized and plan how to lower your spendings and cut costs on packing expenses.

Here are a few steps to follow in order to save money while planning your packing process:

• Create a packing plan, evaluate the size of your move and make a packing budget.
• Gather proper material and tools that can help you cut costs on packing supplies.
• Evaluate whether you need any help.

Which items do want to move to your new home?

When moving people tend to overlook the importance of a detailed and organized packing list. Therefore, some of the boxes stay unopened and old and broken furniture just gets moved from one attic to another one. Avoid cluttering your new home and save money while moving by evaluating which of your belongings and household items you actually need and use.

There are many ways to save money during a relocation. The very first idea that crosses anyone’s mind is to get free moving boxes. As good as the idea is, you can do much more to ensure you save money on packing. By lowering the overall size and weight of your move you can, not only save money but also earn some. By organizing a garage sale or selling a few items online you can add up to your budget.

The best way to stay organized and avoid making wrong decisions divide your items into a few separate categories.

Make a list of the items you want to move to your new home.

Plan your furniture placement in advance. Use the floor plan of your new home to evaluate whether there is enough room for all of the large household items you want to relocate to your new home.

Cut costs on packing expenses by donating, selling or giving away some of your belongings.

There must be more than a few items we all hold on to due to their sentimental value. It is completely all right to relocate a few items that bring nice memories when you look at them. However, moving too much stuff to your new home can clutter the space and limit your home improvement possibilities. Especially if you are downsizing to a smaller living space.

Avoid overpacking for a move by following a simple rule. If you haven’t used an item during a longer period of time, it is time to say goodbye to it. By selling some of the items you can easily add up to your moving budget. Also, donating some of your belongings to Goodwill or a local charity organization will give you an opportunity to help your community. By selling, donating and giving away some of your possessions you will not only cut costs on packing expenses but also create more room in your new home.

Divide the items that need to be recycled or thrown away.

Almost every household has a few items in their home that have been sitting in a garage or at the attic, waiting to be repaired or reused. If you have an old and broken chair you never got time to fix, get rid of it. After you move into your home you will be busy and have many tasks to fulfill. Therefore, it is most likely that you won’t have any time for DIY projects like that. Besides, relocating items you don’t need only to place it in your new garage and leave it there can increase your moving expenses.

Decide whether you need to rent a storage unit.

If there are any items you don’t have any place for in your new home but want to keep, search for a storage solution in your area. Find cheap storage close to your new home. Therefore you will be sure your possessions are safe and can reach them whenever you need them.

Gather proper packing supplies

After having a clear idea of which of the household items you want to relocate you will be able to evaluate the size of your move and plan how to cut costs on packing expenses. The best way to pack your moving boxes is according to the room they belong to in your new home. Therefore your movers and you will both know where to place them. This will make the unpacking and settling process much easier.

In order to lower the packing expenses, you need to gather proper supplies. Here are a few steps how to do so:

Search for free moving boxes.

Visit local business and stores in your neighborhood. It is very likely that they have more than a few cardboard boxes just laying around and waiting to be recycled. In order to keep your glassware and breakables safe, you will need multi-layered, high-quality boxes. Liquor stores can be a great source of great packing supplies. The boxes that are used to transport glass bottles usually have built-in compartments. You can use them for packing your wine collection or to ensure your kitchenware stays intact during a move. You can also search for free moving boxes online. Websites like Craiglist can be great sources of affordable packaging.

Be creative with the packing material.

Old newspapers, linen, towels, clothes can all be used as packing material. Plastic bins, suitcases and tote bags can be used to transport your clothes or kid’s toys.

Invest in quality packing material to protect valuable items.

Investing in quality packing supplies like crates and multi-layered cardboard boxes can pay off in the long run. In order to keep your antiques and valuables safe, consider renting a few moving crates or buying some quality boxes. Therefore you will be able to ensure your valuable belongings stay safe during the move.

Don’t forget about the additional packing supplies.

In order to ensure your belongings stay in their mint condition, you need to prepare some additional packing supplies. Sharpies, duct tapes, and labels can be bought for low prices. Labeling your boxes properly will help you pay attention to the boxes with breakable items and unpack with ease after the move.

Do you need any help?

Your family and friends can be a helpful source of affordable packing supplies as well. Ask around whether the people in your surroundings can help you by gathering the packing supplies and cut costs on packing expenses. You will also need some help during the packing process. Make sure you have the help you need in advance.

Planning a DIY moving process seems like a money-saving idea. However, with reliable movers that can provide you with a tailored moving estimate, you can customize their services, meet your budget and cut costs on packing expenses. Make sure you make the right call by researching a few moving companies in your area. Having a professional relocation expert to help you plan and conduct the move, can save you time and money.