Moving is one of the most overwhelming experiences people face.
Image credit: Ambro | FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The number of details and challenges involved with each move can be more than some planners handle effectively, so it pays to set the stage for success by following a few tried and true principles of efficient moving.
Without a solid game plan and some preliminary legwork, your move will cost more than it needs to, so pay attention to the details if saving money is your goal.
Move it yourself
Moving unfolds in a variety of ways, based on how far you are going, details about the size of your home, timetable for accomplishing the move, and so on. Obviously, cross-country moves of large households cannot be realistically achieved by a couple of inexperienced amateurs without the proper equipment and training.
On the other hand, moves within the same region or city provide opportunities for families to save money by doing some of the manual labor themselves. And enlisting the help of family and friends makes your team even stronger, enabling you to do a lion’s share of the work you would otherwise pay for.
And pay you will because moving is not an inexpensive proposition, in most cases.
Moving some of your own belongings is particularly realistic when you have extended access to your new home prior to moving out of your existing residence. Under these ideal circumstances, you have time to slowly convey your personal possessions to your new address, making multiple trips with precisely the items you select.
The strategy also offers an additional benefit: allowing you to accept help from others when they are available to contribute to your moving effort. Counting on everyone to be available on moving day is not a reasonable expectation, so flexibility will ultimately facilitate more help from others.
Even when you don’t intend to move your entire household without help, there are ways to save money on your move. Individual laborers, for example, or even independent contractors with their own moving trucks can be substantially cheaper than large-scale movers with full-sized semi-trailers.
If your move requires less than a traditional “all-inclusive” effort, consider hiring lower profile laborers to help get the job done. Reliability and trustworthiness are key traits in movers, so it is important to seek references or testimonials from clients who have experience with movers or helpers on your list.
There are no guarantees even when you do due diligence, but you should nonetheless check with as many references as possible to paint an accurate picture.
Let your employer pay for it
One of the best ways to keep your moving budget in line is to hand your relocation expenses off to your employer. When your talent is at a premium, companies are willing to pay these expenses, but there is a great deal of variance between what each employer is willing to fund.
And in some cases, it’s up to you to ask for the accommodation, or employers are willing to overlook it. If you are in a position to negotiate, during employment interviews, for example, be sure to include a moving allotment in your compensation package, so that your employer foots the bill for the cost of relocating your family.
As you plan your work-sponsored move, remember that you are not responsible for the charges, so allowing moving company staff to pack and move your entire household is a reasonable approach.
If you have negotiated a flat fee, however, it may still benefit you to keep moving costs as low as possible, so the surplus from your employer-backed moving fund is available for other purchases. Either way, nothing beats having someone else pay for your move.
CMO Editorial Staff
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