The thought of residing in a new neighborhood often comes with a lot of anticipation and excitement. However, the thought of the costs that moving process is likely to take can sometimes be scary. While any moving process requires time and effort, you don’t need to break the bank. Well, the costs associated with moving can be stressful, but there are myriad ways to trim such expenses.

Shop around

Scout for recommendations from your immediate network or local real estate agent before you decide to hire a moving company. Strive to do an apple-to-apples comparison on all the recommended movers until you end up with the most affordable option.

Grab the tax break

In case you are moving due to a job change, you can deduct certain expenses associated with the moving process such as storage costs, transportation costs and travel and lodging costs. To take advantage of such deductions, you can consult a professional tax preparer or go through the IRS guidelines.

Pack things yourself

Packing services that are usually carried by moving companies in Canada, especially long distance movers, are costly—approximately 25% of the moving costs. This means that you will save a lot of money by packing your items. Even if you don’t have time or energy to pack everything all by yourself, you can do a partial pack and let the moving company handle the rest.

Don’t move trash

Sometimes the moving company may mistake your garbage bags for your belongings. It may sound hilarious but it happens. Remember that most moving companies won’t mind moving your trash because it’s advantageous to them—it will increase the weight of your items which translates to more money for them.

Label your boxes

Clearly label every box based on its content and final destination—store, kitchen, bedroom etc—to save you from purchasing duplicate items when you arrive at your new home or when the unpacking process is delayed. Labeling your items will also go a long way in facilitating your unpacking or grouping efforts. What’s more, by labeling your boxes, you will be in a position to easily know if one of your items is lost or left behind.

Save on Moving boxes

Lastly, you can save a lot of money by purchasing used or recycled boxes—from liquor stores and mid-sized stores. You can also ask friends or relatives who have recently moved or bring a few boxes from your workplace. Alternatively, when you are done with the moving process, you can consider renting them to other moving companies or other firms dealing with similar services.

Bottom Line

Moving should never be a dreadful process—it can be fun if you are determined and patient. By taking simple steps to cut the costs, you’ll greatly lower any potential stress associated with moving and you’ll transition to your new home seamlessly. You might be interested in visiting Premiere Van Lines for more information.