HOW TO SAVE A LOT OF MONEY ON MOVING in 2023

1. Get rid of the things you don’t need to move

Getting rid of some of your stuff is the best way to cut down on moving costs. Most local moves are priced by the hour, so the less time it takes to move your things, the more money you save. This is also true for moves to faraway places. Most long-distance movers in Dubai are priced based on how much stuff you have. So, moving costs less the less you weigh.

You can get rid of things you no longer want by having a garage sale. Combine what you have with what other people in the area have. This not only gets rid of the extra weight or stuff, but it can also make you some money.

If you can’t have a garage sale, you can call Good Will, the Salvation Army, church groups, etc. Most of the time, they will come to your home and take away anything you don’t want. Then you get a tax deduction receipt that you can use to save a little money on your income tax.

2. Don’t pick a firm date to move.

You can save a lot of money by being flexible about when and where you move. When leases, rents, and closing dates happen at the beginning and end of the month, most moving companies are busy. If you can move outside of these dates when the movers aren’t busy, they will usually give you a big discount because this time of the month is usually slow for them. It’s an old case of “supply and demand.” If there aren’t as many people moving, your movers and packers Dubai may charge you less or give you less room to bargain.

It costs less to move during the week than on the weekends. If you can ask your boss for a day off during the week to move, you should be able to save a lot of money compared to moving on the weekend, which is usually more expensive because more people do it.

3. Be ready to leave

Try to pack as much as you can if you have enough time and energy. Packing companies charge by the hour and for the supplies they use. It’s best for them to use 10 pieces of paper to wrap 1 plate. You’ll save a lot of money if you can use a packing service less or not at all. Some things might need help, but if you are handy, you should be able to take apart a bed or a mirror on your own. Even if they are wrapped in blankets, having these things ready to move makes the move go faster.

Be aware that some things, like a billiard or pool table, need to be taken apart by a professional. Don’t trust a moving company to take apart and move a real billiard table… They might offer, but only a trained professional should do this. Same goes for pianos, hot tubs etc… If you don’t hire a professional moving company, you will waste time, money, and cause damage.

4. Preparing to pack

Start gathering everything that could help with the move months before the move. Keep all the newspapers you can find because they can be used to pack, wrap dishes, etc. Save the Styrofoam kernels you get in a box so you can use them again. Find as many boxes as you can and take them. Ask places that throw away boxes if you can have a few. Most of the time, they don’t care, and it saves them time because they don’t have to crush them and get them ready for their recycler. There are extra boxes at grocery stores, Costco, sports stores, clothing stores, and big box stores.

Keep the egg trays. They are great for moving jewellery, small figurines, coins, and other small things that you want to keep separate. Just remember that you should NEVER EVER let the movers move your jewellery… Keep valuable things on you at all times.

Talk to each moving company you call about their prices. Many moving companies keep these boxes for a long time and are happy to “loan” them to you for free as long as you move with them. Don’t be shy about asking.

5. Prepare your things to move.

This is especially true if you are only moving a few blocks away. Pack and label as much as you can and put it near the door on the first floor. Some places try to charge extra for stairs (which is a bit of a scam, and you should be careful to ask if there is an additional charge for stairs). By putting all of your boxes near the front door and labelling them (kid’s room, master bedroom, kitchen, etc.), your movers will spend less time walking, which will save you money.

Leave on the second floor only the heavy things you can’t move without help, etc…

Make sure there are enough parking spots in front of the house or that the elevator is booked and ready to go.

6. Get written estimates

If you can, let the moving companies come to your home to see what you’re moving and how (stairs, how many floors, how far it is to the moving van, etc.). Make sure you find out if your move will cost you anything extra or unexpected. Ask a lot of questions, like if it will cost more to have stairs. Is there a fee for things that are heavy, hard to pack, etc?

7. Find out if your insurance company will cover your stuff while you move.

Most of the time, using your own insurance company will be cheaper than using the movers’ insurance. Even though this may be true most of the time for moves that are far away. Most moving companies have at least the amount of insurance that the law requires. Ask about the price and what it will cover. Working with your own insurance company is likely to be cheaper and easier than dealing with the insurance of a moving company. You will save time, money, and trouble.

8. Make sure you are ready when you get there.

Is someone already using the elevator? Can we park somewhere? How will you get things into the house? Are your things labelled with room names so the movers don’t have to ask where to put things? Did you measure the room to make sure that your King-size bed will fit? Will it be hard to move your dresser up the new stairs? Should you take it apart before moving? Will you need a special dolly or ramp to move into your new home?

9. Use apps to help you get moving.

When you move, many of the companies that provide your utilities, cable/TV, internet, etc. offer incentives to keep using their services at your new home or to try the competition. When you move, they often try to steal your business from the other guy, and they may offer you a lot of money to do so.

10.Is the moving company ready to go?

Make sure the company you hire to move you has a good truck. This means that it either has a power ramp or a power lift gate. Most of the time, it’s best to have a low deck with a ramp. Ask if you can load the truck both from the back and from the side. Many “cheap” movers rent trucks or use old freight trucks that were meant for loading docks, not moving. You don’t want to have to pay extra for the extra time it takes to lift things into a truck. Not to mention that if you use a freight truck, your things are very likely to get broken.

Professional movers will have the right dollies and loading ramps (or several and ones that can be used on stairs). They will also have special moving blankets that are soft and padded. They will bring a lot of shrink wrap, which can be used to close doors, wrap things, pillows, lamp shades, drawers, and so on.

You must consider price versus value. A “cheap” mover may have a low price, but it will cost you more if they aren’t ready to move your things and have to “figure it out as they go.” People spent a lot of time wondering what was going on. A professional mover, on the other hand, will cost a little more per hour, but they will have the right tools and know-how to get the job done faster and without damaging your things. In the long run, this will save you money.

Be careful with “cheap” rates. These guys need to make up for it by charging more for heavy items, stairs, etc… Even if they break something that can’t be fixed, a low price doesn’t mean you’ll save money.