How to stretch your moving budget

It is common knowledge that moving can be costly. Yet, it is possible to work around this and not compromise the quality of the services. Thus, we at Centennial Moving Canada have prepared some tips for you. Each stage counts, from cleaning up the house before the moving date to getting quotes from different movers. Know how to stretch your moving budget, where to get cheap packing materials, and when to move.

Plan ahead

It is best to start the moving planning process as early as possible so that you can be in a position to coordinate your finances and have no reason to worry at all. The very first thing that you have to do is to develop a moving checklist that contains all the activities. This will also afford you enough time to make a search for the moving companies and compare their charges. It is vital to have the necessary information if you want to find the best cross country movers Canada residents hire since the prices as well as the services vary.

Start planning your move as early as possible to secure better rates and avoid last-minute expenses.

Another benefit of early planning is that you can eliminate last-minute expenditures. The last-minute plans are usually less affordable as they pertain to the moving companies, packing materials, and even lodgings. It is easier to plan and possibly get a better price when making the arrangements well before the actual move date. Also, you can arrange your things and remove the clutter by selling or donating items that you do not use anymore.

Declutter before moving

Since the number of items you have to shift will be less, the cost of moving will be lower and the time to complete the relocation shorter. Organizing is an important aspect of this process. The first step is to declutter each room of the house and categorize your items. Determine which items to pack, give away, sell, or throw away. It will also help you to save both money and the time that you would have to spend packing and unpacking.

Decluttering before moving will help you save money on moving costs and may also help you make some money.

Steps to Declutter

• Assess each room: Examine each and every room in the house and document the things you don’t need or use anymore.
• Categorize items: First, make piles of those items you want to keep, those you want to sell, those you want to donate, and those that are going to be recycled.
• Sell unwanted items: Sell the items in good condition by using social media platforms or by organizing a garage sale. This can give you some additional money in your pocket.
• Donate: Dispose of the usable items to the local charities or shelters. Some of the organizations have free pick-up services.
• Recycle: Get rid of the items that cannot be donated or sold but can be recycled such as electronics or clothing that has been worn out.

Here is a list of what you should do the night before the moving day. All the decluttering should be done and finished before the relocation day begins. Gather some of the things that you may need for the day. These may include documents, toiletries, and a change of clothes among others. Ensure that all the items that were put up for sale, donation or to be disposed of as recycled waste have been taken. It is advised that you should prepare all that is needed for the moving day the previous night to ensure that the day is stress-free. Decluttering can also stretch your moving budget because you only have to bring only what is necessary and what you actually need in your new house.

Get multiple quotes

The simplest way to stretch your moving budget is to get quotes from several moving companies. Whether you are looking for a local moving company or a long distance moving company Calgary residents recommend it is always wise to have several moving company quotes with you.

Compare services and prices

When requesting quotes, you should ask for a detailed list of all the services companies offer. When comparing the prices for the services, pay attention to the fact that the added value of provided services is also taken into consideration. Therefore, it will be possible to evaluate which company is better from the standpoint of productivity and what it can provide to the clients regarding price and quality.

Get several moving companies and compare the services they offer as well as the cost to ensure that they offer the best services.

Negotiate and ask about discounts

When asking for the quotes, always ensure to ask for a breakdown of the services that will be provided. Some of the companies may provide packing and unpacking facilities whereas some of the companies may charge extra for these facilities. While comparing the overall price of the services, you must also focus on the added value of such services being offered. Thus, comparing these aspects will allow you to determine which company is the most efficient and what it offers to customers in terms of price and quality.

DIY packing

One of the ways through which you can cut down the expenses is by packing the items on your own. It is possible to pack your items and transport them to your new home with ease as long as you plan for it and prepare top-quality packing supplies for your items.

One can pack clothes and other essentials in suitcases and laundry baskets to avoid purchasing packing supplies.

You can also minimize the expenses by using those things that are already available such as suitcases and bags. These items can be useful for packing clothes, books, and other small items that one might need to carry along. Some of the tips to pack like a pro include the following:

• Start early: Packing should be done in advance so that one does not have to get busy at the last minute.
• Create a checklist for a move: It is advisable to come up with a list. Some of the tasks it should include are buying packaging material, arranging the items in packaging, and arranging them into different rooms.
• Use what you have: Pack your items in suitcases, bags, or laundry baskets, for example.
• Protect fragile items: For sensitive items, it is recommended to wrap them up in towels, blankets, or clothes. Then, cover them up.
• Label boxes: Be sure to indicate the contents of each box and the respective room it has to be placed in. This will make unpacking easier for you to do.

Following these tips and having a checklist for a move will enable you to avoid overspending on packing and also to pack your belongings properly. This is also economical as you get to determine how your items are packed and shipped, thus reducing damages.

Pack with free or low-cost materials

To stretch your moving budget, it is advisable to look for ways of getting free or cheap packing materials. If you are a little creative, you will surely be able to collect all the requirements without having to spend a lot of money. Below are ways that can help you to locate and utilize these sources efficiently.

Find free boxes

It is quite possible to get free boxes from local grocery stores, bookstores, or even Craig’s List or Facebook marketplace. These are usually very strong and ideal to use when packing your items. Here’s where to look:

• Grocery stores: Get to the store manager and inquire if they have any unused boxes.
• Bookstores: Book boxes are quite durable and perfect for items that are quite heavy.
• Online marketplaces: Look for free moving boxes near you.

Economical packing tips to protect your belongings

You should use packing supplies that can shield your items and are economical at the same time. Consider the following:

• Newspapers: Pack fragile items in them or put them into the empty spaces in the packages.
• Old blankets and towels: Some of them can be useful to wrap bulky items or to cover the furniture.
• Clothing: Soft items like shirts and jackets can be useful for concealing the items of interest.

Time your move

When possible, it is also cheaper to relocate during the off-peak season. Companies that provide moving services may have higher rates during the summer months or the last week of any month due to the high need for their services. It is also more advantageous to move during weekdays or in the middle of the month when you can also set your preferred time for the move and also get a cheaper price. This is especially so if you are moving from Toronto to Calgary, for example, since the distance between the two cities is large and the relocation must be very costly.

Transferring in the middle of the week or in the middle of the month is usually cheaper.

Take advantage of tax deductions

If you are relocating for employment then you may be permitted certain tax exemptions on the moving costs. This will go a long way in ensuring that you do not spend a lot of money on the entire moving process. Hence this will help you stretch your moving budget.

Eligibility Requirements

• Work-related move: It should be linked to the commencement of work at a new place of work.
• Distance test: Your new workplace should be located at least 40 kilometers away from your previous home.
• Time test: You must be employed full-time for a minimum of 39 weeks within the first year.

Documentation to keep

• Receipts: It is advisable to retain the receipts of all the costs incurred during the moving process. This includes receipts of transport, storage, and packing materials.
• Contracts: It is suggested to keep all the moving contracts and other documents that you have signed for the move.
• Expense log: Keep track of all the moving expenses with dates and amounts in detail.

Opt for a hybrid move

A good example is to opt for a partial package where you do some of the work to cut costs but still get the help of a professional. This way, you can save on labor costs while at the same time making sure that your belongings are safe. When relocating with province to province movers, a hybrid move can offer the best of both worlds. It is also important to note cost efficiency and the fact that professional help is readily available.

A good compromise could be to pack and unpack on your own while enlisting the services of movers for lifting.

Also, it is possible to get free or inexpensive packing materials to stretch your moving budget. At the same time, the involvement of professionals in loading and unloading as well as transportation of the items makes it easier to handle the heavy and bulky items in the right manner without causing any harm to the items or anyone handling them.

Smart strategies to stretch your moving budget

It would be a big mistake to think that moving will leave your pockets empty. First, it is essential to start with a plan and get several estimates to compare prices and offers. Explore your house, declutter, and eliminate the number of things you have to pack to minimize the cost of moving, Then, pack your things with free or inexpensive materials. Other ways through which you can save money include moving during the off-peak seasons and opting for a hybrid move. Do not fail to check if there are tax reliefs that you can claim especially if the move is for business. If you follow the right steps and make the right decisions, you can have a stress-free and cheap move.