Moving is always full of stress. The biggest questions that people face when looking to move include how much it will cost and whether it can be cheaper to relocate. Of course, there are many factors that determine how much a move will cost. B
Is It Cheap to Move? You Can Save Money
To save a little money, try to move during the off-season, which is between October and April. In the off-season, you can usually book movers with as little as one to two weeks of notice. Of course, the more services that you use for your move, the higher the final bill will be. The cheapest option for moving is to do it all by yourself. Renting a truck means that you will do all of the labor, but with day rates starting as low as $20 per day, you can save a lot of money. Furthermore, note that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the cheapest days to move.
Additionally, try to avoid storage units. You can do this by lining up your moving dates. Otherwise, a storage unit can cost between $50-$400 per month in rent, depending on the size. To save more money on moving supplies, you can rent plastic boxes for your move. These boxes can start at $50 per week for a one-bedroom apartment. Of course, the ultimate cheap option is to collect boxes for the move from liquor and grocery stores.
How Much Does It Cost to Move?
In the U.S., about half of the people who move use professional movers. Prices for this service vary by region, and they depend on the distance that you are moving. However, there are some averages that can help you get a rough estimate:
- Under 100 miles: $80 to $100 per hour for two movers and a truck, plus $25-$50 per additional mover
- Over 100 miles: $2,000 to $5,000 per move, plus $0.50 per pound
For local moves, it is important to remember that you are paying an hourly rate. Be prepared; a larger home means more moving time. Book your movers in advance to make sure that you get an experienced team at a good time. Additionally, get an estimate from your movers; most will offer a not-to-exceed quote.
Ultimately, the best strategy to limit your costs is to move quickly. The faster you transition between homes, the less you pay in supplies, movers, and rentals. Most importantly, when you move quickly, you can avoid overlapping rent or mortgage payments.