Moving Smarter, Not Harder: Tips for Reducing Your Interstate Moving Costs

Interstate Moving is exciting! No matter if you’re leaving home for the first time, starting a new job, or just moving down the road, it’s an exciting time. With a new home, you have many choices. But along with this excitement comes a long list of costs. Moving on a small budget can be easy if you know how.

As professional interstate movers, we have done a lot of moves all over Australia. We’ve been moving people for decades, so we know a thing or two about reducing moving costs. Here are easy ways to save money on your moving budget.

Utilize Your Moving Budget to Your Advantage

You should make a budget whether you track every penny or not. Your budget will affect everything you do during your interstate move, including which of our suggestions you choose to go with. Do some research and talk to your friends and family to get a good idea of how much it will cost. Make sure your budget has a little wiggle room. You never know when a cost will come up that you didn’t plan for.

Be flexible

Being flexible with your moving dates is a great way to save money when you’re moving on a budget. Depending on how you’re moving, this can be hard, but it can make a big difference.

It is best to move during the week instead of on the weekend or a public holiday. You might be able to get a better deal from your interstate moving companies because there won’t be as much demand. Also, prices tend to be higher at the beginning and end of the month.

Moving during the warm months is not recommended. Not only will it make you less sweaty and uncomfortable during your move, but it will also help you find a cheaper price. Families often move during the summer, when the kids are out of school.

Declutter 

The best time to downsize is when you are moving. It gives you the push you need to organise your things and furniture. Go through each item carefully and decide if you want to keep it or get rid of it. If you have less stuff, you’ll have less to move, which will make your move faster and less expensive.

When you get rid of stuff, it’s also a great time to think about your new home. If you can, take a look at a floor plan and start thinking about where you might want to put your furniture. Your couch and armchair might not fit in your new living room, so you should choose which one you like best and get rid of the other. This will keep you from moving things that may not have a place in your new home and make moving easier.

Donate or Sell Anything You Don’t Need

You’ve successfully downsized, but what should you do with all the things you don’t need? You can make some money by selling these things. You’ll need to ensure they’re in good shape because no one will buy something that’s broken, stinky, or ready for the trash. Do research on similar used items to get an idea of a fair price and where to sell them. If it can’t be sold, give it to friends, family, or a local charity.

Put Things Into Storage

After following the tips above, you should only have the things and furniture you need. But what about those valuable things you aren’t taking? You can store these items in a storage facility. A storage service like Cheap Storage Unit is a great way to keep your belongings safe and sound. You won’t have to worry about those valuable items getting damaged by water or dust.

Collect Your Own Boxes

Buying boxes from a shop that sells moving or office supplies can be a waste of money. Most of the time, these boxes are overpriced and not very good. It’s likely that you’ll throw them away before your next move. You can find cheap moving boxes in a couple of different ways. Ask your friends, family, or neighbours if they have any boxes you can use. Your best bet is to reach out to people who have just moved. Ask shopping centers, grocery stores, and bookstores if they have any free boxes. You can rent or buy boxes from an interstate moving company like Interstate Movers. Even though buying boxes from a shop is more expensive than getting them from friends, you can be sure that they are of good quality and have the same shape, which will make your interstate move go more smoothly.

Compare Prices for Utilities

You may be tempted to transfer your utility contracts from your old address to your new location when you move. A lot of utility companies will make this easy to do so they can keep your business. But looking into alternatives and shopping around for the best deal can help you save a lot of money in the long run. Many utility companies offer great deals or discounts to new customers, so it can be worth your time to sign up for a new service.

Connect With a Neighbourhood Group to Get What You Need

During a downsize, it’s not unusual to get carried away and get rid of a few too many things. In your old home, you might not have used things like a door snake, but you might need them in your new one. It can be expensive to replace these things or find new ones. Why not try to get to know your new neighbours and see if you can find what you need for a good price? Some people may offer a swap or even a free item. It’s also a great way to get to know your neighbours and meet new people. Start by joining a social media group for your neighbourhood or getting in touch with the community clubs in your location.

Consider Interstate Moving Insurance

Insurance can be expensive, but so can replacing broken or lost furniture and other things. It’s a good idea to buy interstate moving insurance. If an accident does happen, you can get your money back. Also, peace of mind is worth more than anything!

Hire the Experts

People often ask friends or family members to help them move in order to save money. In theory, this may seem like a good idea, but when you ask for favors, there’s an extra risk. You’ll have to work around their schedules, and if any of their things get broken or lost during the move, it can be upsetting or awkward. Friendships have ended over much less than this. As payment, you will also need to give them food, beer, or help with their next move. If you hire professionals, you can count on them to move your things quickly and carefully. Take care of your things, and if something does go wrong, they can fix it or your moving insurance will cover it. Sometimes it’s just easier to leave things to the pros.

Ready to Make Your Interstate Move?

Contact our friendly team today to talk about how we can make your next move cheap and easy. We can talk about what you need to move and how we can work with your budget. Call us or go to our site to get a free quote.