Moving can be expensive. So, many of us are more than happy when we save a couple of hundred dollars on an in-state relocation. However, if you’re moving to a distant place your expenses are going to be a lot higher. But, this also means that you can save more. Or does it? We wanted to find out, so we decided to make this guide about saving on your interstate move from Florida. What we learned during the research surprised us too. It turns out that you can save not only thousands of dollars but also time. And the only thing you need to do is to follow all the steps in this guide. Don’t skip any and you’ll be amazed by the results.
Decide when you’re going to move
There’s a lot of things you need to consider before you make your mind and schedule the moving date. But, if you’re moving from Florida to Texas, for instance, some cost-reducing factors also should be taken into the account.
And when it comes to organizing a cheap and yet quality long-distance move, flexibility is the key. The more flexible you are regarding the specific date and special requirements, the less money you will have to spend.
The first thing you want to ensure to do is avoiding the crowd. Things here are simple. Moving companies don’t hide that they increase rates proportionally to the outside temperature. So, if you’re moving when everyone else is moving (in the middle of the summer) expect to pay about 25% more opposed to off-peak season.
Additionally, make sure to avoid any national holidays and last weekends of the month if you want to save money. Movers are much busier these days and that usually results in higher moving costs.
Find an affordable moving company
We all know that it’s generally believed that the cheapest way to move is to do it DIY. And in some specific cases, this is true. However, most of the time self-moving is out of the question. Especially if we’re talking about long-distance relocations. But, you can save money by choosing the right movers for your needs.
Start by getting a few quotes, just to get the idea of what’s a fair price for a relocation you’re performing. Then choose three or four companies and request an in-house estimate from them. Compare the offers, but don’t look only at the price.
We understand that it might be tempting to automatically accept the lowest one, but that’s not what you should do. You’ll get the best deal if you find a company that can provide exactly what you need. Get just the services you need and don’t pay for anything extra.
If you can get a referral or something similar, even better. Many movers will offer discounts, and lots of them are having ongoing promotions. So, be sure to check those out too.
Declutter and sell the items you don’t need
If you want to be saving on your interstate move from Florida, you can’t skip this step. Before you start packing go through your home and search for the items you don’t need. There will certainly be many things that you simply can’t use in your new home. Some of them may not fit while others may not be appropriate.
So, take anything you don’t use or that you won’t be able to use and sell it. You can use the money you earn to buy new items when you arrive, or simply to pay your movers.
Also, make sure to declutter along the way. Even if you move more than average, all the chances are that you have accumulated some junk scattered around the house. Since movers charge by weight, there’s really no sense in moving old clothes, books you’ll never read again, or simply empty bottles of shampoo.
You have to be merciless when doing this task. And that can be difficult sometimes. Luckily, there are some decluttering tips for frequent movers that you can read if you want to do this as well as possible.
Get cheap or free packing supplies
Determine the amount and type of packing materials that you’re going to need long before you start packing. This will give you enough time to provide anything necessary and to find the best deals on the market.
As our friends from bestcrosscountrymovers.com explained to us, there are a few things you can do here.
- Take advantages of promotions, sales, and coupons
- Purchase tape, packing wrap, stretch wrap, packing peanuts, etc in bulk
- Stock up on free boxes and other packing materials that you can find during months before your move
- Use alternative packing materials – suitcases, newspapers, socks, baskets…
Pack by yourself
We don’t say that you on your own have to do all the work. But, you don’t have to pay professionals for something you’re able to do. Set aside a bit more time for packing and ask your friends and family to help you.
Create a simple room by room packing checklist and begin with the items and spaces you use the least. It’s okay even if you pack your guest room a month before the actual moving day if you know you’re not going to use it.
Starting this early will not only save you money since you don’t have to pay for packers, but you’ll also be able to do everything to the highest standards. Explore the best methods and materials for packing every item and spend a couple of hours every day preparing.
When the moving day finally comes, the only thing left to do will be just to load the boxes onto a truck. Which is not a real problem when you have a crew of people trained for the job. Therefore, saving on your interstate move from Florida isn’t difficult if you plan everything right and stick to the plan.