When you’re planning a move, it’s easy to lose track of all the hidden costs of moving: hiring a moving company, buying the materials, making repairs, transportation, and more.

Don’t believe us? Just jot down a quick estimate of how much you plan on spending on your total move and see how quickly things add up. But it’s important to stay realistic and take your budget seriously.

That’s why we’ve put together a quick list of tips for moving without overspending. Save those dollars for decorating your new place.

Tips for Moving Without Overspending

Moving out of your home and into another, whether it’s just a studio or a four-bedroom house is always going to cost you something, but there are always ways to alleviate the costs.

It takes good planning and organization and being ready to make some tough decisions about what stays and what goes. Something many people do to save money on moving that usually doesn’t work is they opt to move themselves without the help of a professional moving company.

Before you decide on that, keep in mind there will be a lot of hidden costs that pop up—packing materials, food, fuel— and a lot more work that you yourself have to do. It’s not as easy as carrying some boxes and moving a couch or two.

Hiring movers will certainly cost you something, but it will also save you a lot of time, energy, and stress. And here are some ways you can keep those moving costs down.

Packing Tips for Moving: You Can’t Take It (All) With You

The easiest way to save money on moving expenses is to have less stuff to move. So get rid of stuff before you move. While packing, set aside any items that are outdated, broken, or no longer wanted and drop them off at Goodwill or call a charity such as Vietnam Vets to pick everything up. You get it out of the house and they take it…for free!

For certain items that just “fit” with your house (like basketball goals, hot tubs, fireplace screens and grates, and lighting fixtures), leave them for the new owners. If you’d like to recoup a little bit of your expenses, consider a garage sale. You won’t make enough to pay for the move, but you’ll get a bunch of stuff off your hands and at least have something to show for it.

Another packing tip: Don’t use cheap packing materials. I know we’re talking about how to save money when moving, but cheap or free boxes and tape will cost you more in the long run. And make sure you order enough because while your mover can provide extra boxes and tape on moving day, it’ll come at a slightly higher price.

Moving Furniture: Cost-Effective Or Not?

Moving furniture is one of the tougher tasks for your movers and it’s one of the main reasons many people elect to hire movers instead of doing it all themselves.

So as you’re packing up your home, assess the condition of your furniture and whether it’s worth adding to the truck.

Think about how it will fit in your new home (always take measurements of your space beforehand so you have a clear picture) and think about how much each piece cost you to begin with in connection with the time it will add to your move and the cost of a new piece.

Anything that won’t fit in your new home, it’s time to say goodbye. If it’s an IKEA dresser from 10 years ago that cost less than $200 to begin with, maybe it’s time to say goodbye regardless.

Remember, you want your movers working on only the most important parts of the move, so don’t waste their time and your money on items you don’t even know if you want anymore.

On Moving Day, Help Out the Moving Crew

The less work your moving crew has to do, the better…and cheaper, and quicker. Most moving companies offer packing services in addition to item relocation, but you can save big bucks by packing all the boxes yourself (just make sure you take the proper steps to protect your stuff from damage).

If you have large furniture pieces—like bed frames and tables—measure them ahead of time to see if they will fit through your doors. If not, take them apart before moving day (sleep on an air mattress or in sleeping bags), so they will be ready for easy hauling. Your move will go faster and your moving crew will be happier!

You can also save time by stacking the packed boxes in the garage or outside your apartment building for your crew to load up. Make sure they are all labeled and protected against accidental loss from weather, other cars, or theft.

Anything you can do to lessen the work of your movers, the better. Saving time = saving money.

It Is Easy Being Green

Sometimes, the eco-friendly option is the cheapest! Put baskets, suitcases, and decorative storage bins to good use by using them to pack your things. If it’s sturdier than a cardboard box, odds are good that it will be a great help during your move. You can also use towels and blankets to pad breakable items (just make sure all items are clean).

This means you’re buying fewer materials for your move and even combining some of the items you need moved. Win-win!

When Moving, It’s All About Timing

You can save time by picking the right time…to move, that is. Choosing off-peak seasons and days for your move can ensure that you get a better deal as well as get the move completed faster. Summer is prime moving season, so if possible plan to move over the fall or winter. Because you won’t be “competing” with other customers, your moving company will have more availability, which means fewer delays, lower cost, and less stress.

If you can take a day or two off of work for your move, ask if your movers have a discounted rate for weekday moves. Weekends book up quickly too, so moving during the week can sometimes mean a sooner move. If you’re flexible, ask if the mover offers a discount for a day of their choosing. Sometimes, movers need to fill a specific day and will offer a discount if you’re available that day.

Also, don’t be afraid to ask your movers if they offer any other discounts! There’s no harm in checking.

Shop for the Best Moving Company

The best way to save money when moving is to shop around for prices. Different companies will offer different options, and you find the one that fits your budget best.

There’s no harm in choosing the moving company with the lowest rates as long as you’ve done your research on them as well. Read reviews wherever you can because low-quality movers can mean broken items and late arrivals.

Save Money When Moving By Calling Cento

Moving doesn’t have to be expensive, time-consuming, or stressful, and it isn’t when you’ve got the right movers helping you out.

At Cento Family Moving & Storage, we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service. We’ll give you an accurate pricing and time estimate before you book your move and we won’t surprise you with any hidden fees come moving day. We treat your home (both old and new) like they were our own and move your belongings with the utmost care.

Call Cento Family Moving and get a quote today to see how we can help you save on your upcoming move.