Moving to another state along with everything else that you own can be a stressful experience. In addition to that heavy feeling of uprooting yourself from your comfort zone and heading into uncharted territory, there’s the burden of packing your things and transporting them to where you’re settling. Fortunately, there are plenty of reputable long distance moving companies in the country.
Hauling your stuff need not take up a huge chunk of your budget, though moving cross country can be quite expensive. The challenge is to find a service provider that can get your things from point to point in the cheapest way possible. Here are five ways to stay within budget on your long-distance haul:
1. Look for free moving supplies and packaging
Before moving, you need to ensure that your belongings are boxed, wrapped in bubble wrap or any other type of protective packaging, so they don’t get damaged while in transit. To cut costs on long distance moving, you can ask friends, neighbors, community groups, and nearby retailers for any unused boxes or moving supplies that you might be able to get for free. You can also check out grocery stores, recycling drop-off points, big box retailers, local schools, and more.
2. Choose non-peak days to move
The moving date can affect the price of the service. Peak days typically constitute weekends, the first and last weeks of the month, and those busy shipping months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If possible, choose a schedule in the middle of the month or middle of the day because that’s when the activity is most likely at its slowest. Talk to your preferred long distance mover about their rates for off-peak hours and dates.
3. Rent a portable container
Portable moving containers are a popular choice for those who don’t want to hire full-service moving companies. Fees depend on the size of the container and how long you decide to rent it, but it typically ranges from $2,000 to $3,000 per month. This is compared to a professional mover that usually charges $4,000 upwards, although it really depends on what you are moving, when you’re doing it, and where you’re going.
4. Rent a moving truck
You can choose to rent a truck and drive it yourself cross-country. This DIY move will definitely save you thousands of dollars, but you have to be willing to bear the burden of staying alert to drive it and shoulder the cost of gas. Note that trucks usually have low gas mileage, so if you’re moving 2,000 miles, you might need to make several stops to fill up before you get to your destination. It’s a small price to pay, though, for how much you can possibly save.
5. Get your company to shoulder the expenses
If you’re moving to another state for a new job, perhaps you can ask your new employer if they could also cover the relocation expenses. Most companies offer this benefit to employees whom they require to move. If it’s not yet stated in your contract, it wouldn’t hurt to ask if your costs will also be covered.
Overall, if you don’t have much stuff to move, it might be smarter to just ship your boxes out. This way, your items arrive at your new place faster. Better yet, if you have family and friends who have vehicles and are willing to help out, that would also be a great solution.
