Moving house is an expensive business with unavoidable legal fees to pay. There is also the extra cost of hiring a removal company. Though this means an easy transfer the moving costs incurred from using a professional moving company can be expensive. If you are fit and healthy you could reduce the costs by doing the removal yourself. It is also helpful if you have some friends who are willing to help out too. Though it would need good planning, it is a good way to lower removals costs.
- Pack early
- Expect things to go wrong
- Preparation is key
Whichever route you take when moving you will encounter problems. It is a hectic time and getting everything together is a big job.
Fresh start
Moving often gives movers the opportunity to make a fresh start. This means a good option to have a tidy up and get rid of possessions you don’t want or need anymore. Reducing the load you have to move will also reduce moving costs. You need to start early have a clear out and donate or sell items in good condition and dispose of your waste and rubbish in the correct manner. Hire a clearance firm or skip if you have a lot of rubbish.
- Clear clutter
- New beginning
Getting organised with what you want to take will help you decide how you are going to transport your load.
Cheaper removal services
There are lots of ways to cut moving costs. First the fewer belongings mean lower removal fees as you will only require a smaller van to shift your things. Second if you hire a moving van yourself, and pack up your contents and load it you will also lower costs. Many people do their own removals. It is useful if you have a few extra pairs of hand sot help. There are plenty of van hire companies to choose a vehicle in the size of your choice.
Many representatives will help guide you on loading and unloading for safety precautions. Take note of what they tell you as driving a larger vehicle can be a lot different to a normal car.
Prepare for the hard work
When you have decided what you are taking you will need to get hold of packing materials. Most food shops are happy to give you used card board boxes. You can also order them from online sites such as eBay. Ask friends and family to save them. Buy other supplies such as strong tape, bubble wrap, plastic sheets, labels, scissors and marker pens from local DIY shops. To make packing easy keep boxes a similar size. Don’t pack them too heavy. Protect fragile glass and ornaments with bubble wrap, newspaper or old cloths. You could make it easier by creating a colour code system, by having a specific colour label on boxes for each room.
- Dismantle large pieces and keep fitting together
- Protect large items with plastic sheet
You will have a lot to do with the packing so make a moving checklist. Do one room at a time and take your time. Try to free up space in a garage or spare room to store all of your packed items. Use laundry baskets and bins etc for packing too.
Moving day
When it comes to the move hopefully you will have some friends to help. Make sure you all have gloves and wear proper fitting clothes so they don’t get trapped when lifting heavy weights. Get advice on lifting and maneuver large items from moving magazines or online. If possible get hold of trolley wheels to help shift heavy appliances. Clear a route to the removal van so there are no accidents. Take your time and it will all get done, but a lower cost than hiring the experts.
