Moving can be affordable.
Millions of Americans ask the same question every year: “How can I get cheap moving services without sacrificing quality?”.
But here’s the secret…
Most people are doing it wrong.
In fact, according to moving.org, the average cost of all moves is $3,020 with the national average of local moves coming in at $1,489 and the national average of long-distance moves at $3,129. You don’t have to overspend on your move.
The problem is:
Way too many people accept the first quote they get. They don’t know the insider secrets that professional moving companies don’t want you to know. When finding cheap moving companies, you need a strategy that goes well beyond comparing basic moving quotes.
Without a clear-cut approach, you’re literally throwing money away.
In this article, you’re about to learn the exact strategies that will save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your next move.
Let’s dive in!
You’ll learn:
- The Secret Timing To Reduce Moving Costs By Half
- How To Negotiate Moving Companies Like A Pro
- How To Spot Hidden Fee Traps
- Tips On DIY Strategies For Saving Money
- How To Compare Quotes To Get The Best Deals
- Seasonal Hacks Most People Miss
The Secret Timing To Reduce Moving Costs By Half
What’s the easiest way to save thousands on your next move?
Pick the right timing.
Moving companies know the times when they’re in demand. As such, they set their prices at much higher rates. We are talking weekends, summer months and the first and last week of each month. If you move during off-peak times, you’ll save a fortune.
Moving companies are always craving for business during the slowest months and seasons. In order to get more customers, they are willing to slash prices.
When is the best time to move?
The moving companies offer the best prices:
- Tuesday through Thursday – It’s when the prices are the lowest
- November through February – Demand plummets, which results in lower costs
- Mid-month moving dates – Stay away from the first and last weeks of each month
One of our clients managed to save over $800 simply by changing her moving date from a Saturday in July to a Wednesday in January. The distance was the same, yet the price was completely different.
How To Negotiate Moving Companies Like A Pro
The majority of people do one thing. They accept the first moving company quote.
They are making a huge mistake.
You can negotiate everything on moving. The reason companies quote you higher prices is that they know it’s just a starting point. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
You need to get at least three different quotes from multiple companies. Take the lowest quote as your leverage with the others. Call them back and say: “Hi, I was just speaking with your competitor, and their prices are 20% lower. Could you possibly match them?”
You’ll be surprised how many of them will say yes.
You can actually negotiate even more things than the moving quote:
- Free packing materials – Don’t just take the boxes, ask for free boxes and packing tape
- Extra services – Negotiate free furniture protection
- Insurance coverage – Don’t be afraid to ask for better coverage without extra costs
The trick is to be polite yet persistent. You are the customer and the company needs your business.
How To Spot Hidden Fee Traps
Did you know that this is happening…
Nearly 60% of customers find their final moving bill doesn’t match their original estimate. It’s because moving companies have the habit of overcharging you after the move.
The most common hidden fees are:
- Stair fees – Charging you extra for each flight of stairs
- Long carry charges – Fees for every item carried more than a certain distance
- Fuel surcharges – Gas and mileage cost
Ensure you get everything in writing before you sign anything. Don’t forget to ask specifically for any additional moving charges and have them all clearly outlined in the contract.
Also, make sure you take photos of all your belongings and make an inventory before moving day. It will protect you in case anything goes missing or breaks during the move.
Tips On DIY Strategies For Saving Money
Sometimes, the best strategy to save money on moving is to do some of the work yourself.
The good news is that moving companies are not all cut from the same cloth. Many offer flexible services that allow you to do some of the work yourself.
You can consider these DIY approaches to save a pretty penny:
- Do the packing yourself – You can easily save $70 per hour per worker if you do the packing yourself
- Take apart the furniture – Take apart your beds, tables, and any other furniture
- Move your smaller items – Move your more expensive or fragile items in your own car
You can still hire professional movers for the big items. Inquire about “loading and transportation only” quotes. It can give you the professional help for the hardest part while keeping costs low.
If you are moving locally, you can save 30-50% over full-service moving companies.
How To Compare Quotes To Get The Best Deals
Most people get moving quotes in the wrong way.
They call a couple of companies and ask for moving prices. And then they simply pick the lowest price. And that’s the way you lose.
In order to compare the prices correctly, you need to make sure that every company quotes you exactly the same service. Here’s what you need to say to them:
- Give an exact list of items you are moving
- Pick specific dates and times
- Say exactly where you are moving from and to – Be specific on the address
You need to get at least 3 detailed written quotes and compare them. Make sure that you check not just the prices, but services included, insurance coverage, and the company reviews.
The cheapest option is not always the best deal. Sometimes it is better to pay a bit more upfront to save money and headaches down the road.
Seasonal Hacks Most People Miss
The moving industry has busy and off-peak seasons. It’s important to recognize and understand the patterns and save hundreds of dollars on your move.
May to September are the peak moving months. As such, demand is at its highest, and prices reflect that.
The off-season is when the real deals are. November to March sees much lower demand and thus moving companies need to keep their moving crews working. As such, they are more than willing to give you major discounts.
Book your move in the off-season as early as possible. Moving companies offer the largest discounts on guaranteed bookings during their slowest months and seasons.
Early-bird moving discounts of up to 20% are common if you book well in advance during the off-season months.
Mastering The Art Of Moving Company Deals
Getting cheap moving services doesn’t have to be about choosing lower quality services.
It’s all about being strategic and methodical with your approach.
Moving companies need to book the moving jobs, so they are willing to negotiate. Especially if you have some flexibility with your timing and services.
Remember these tips:
- Choose the right timing – Try to stay away from peak months and moving days
- Get multiple quotes – Use them as leverage with each other
- Avoid hidden fees – Get everything in writing, including any additional costs
- DIY approaches – It’s never a bad idea to consider some work yourself
Moving industry is more competitive than ever. Companies fight for customers, which means there are better deals for those who know how to find them.
If you want to save even more money, look for companies offering package deals. You can find companies combining multiple services.
If you want to work with moving brokers instead of direct companies, be sure that any broker is licensed and regulated.
Moving doesn’t have to empty your pockets. With these strategies, you can have your move professionally done at the prices you can afford.
