Saving on moving house

Moving house can be an exciting time, as well as an expensive one.

Whether you're upgrading to a bigger space or downsizing after your children leave the nest, there are plenty of ways to save when transporting your possessions to a new location.

Go it alone

It may not be the fastest or most relaxing option, but moving yourself is typically cheaper than hiring a moving company.

This would include renting a truck and packing and unpacking without professional help.

The process can be made much easier if you're able to wrangle some family and friends to help. After all, providing food and drink in return for assistance is typically more affordable than paying wages.

Shop around

If you do plan on hiring a moving company, don't just jump at the first advertisement you see. It pays to call around and get quotes, having the different companies break down exactly what they charge and why.

Reduce possessions

The more stuff you have, the more expensive it will be to move. It's with this in mind that you should consider downsizing when moving house.

Holding a garage sale is not only a good way to reduce your possessions, it can also result in enough earnings to pay for professional removalists without dipping into your bank account.

Opt for free boxes

Instead of running out and purchasing plastic moving containers, opt for free cardboard boxes. These can be obtained from grocery stores, as well as found online.

Oftentimes friends and relatives will also have free boxes from the last time they moved.

Move in off season

There are certain times of year when more people are moving. During these periods, obtaining professional moving help will likely be more costly due to higher demand.

By waiting to move house until the off season, you may be able to get professional assistance at more affordable price.