Moving, as experienced by most renters, is a stressful and expensive time. Despite it being convenient, hiring professionals to help with your move comes with a high price tag, maybe even thousands of dollars. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to reduce your moving costs and still get the help you need. Moving to your next single-family rental home doesn’t have to be too costly. Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way in no time.
First, make your next move more affordable by not bringing so many of your personal belongings with you. Any unwanted personal items, furniture, or other belongings could be donated or sold to alleviate the expenses of your move.
Don’t start packing without looking around and seeing where you can get boxes and other moving supplies for free. Buying brand new moving boxes can put a large dent in your wallet, so it’s worth taking the time to look around first. There are a lot of companies that might have empty boxes ready to be disposed of. Inquire with companies that are nearby and ask if you can buy it off of them for cheap. Who knows, they just might give it to you for free! Also, check your local online ads or ask your friends and neighbors. You may be able to find someone who has a stack of boxes they’d happily be rid of.
Alternatively, you can choose to pack your boxes yourself, instead of paying for someone to do it for you. By doing this, you can save some money on your next move. Plenty of professional movers will offer packing services, but at a price. Save money by not getting billed by the hour for the service of packing — something you can do on your own. Pro-tip, use your towels and blankets as padding to protect breakable items.
If it’s necessary to hire a professional mover in Venice, other ways of trimming down your costs are also feasible. One way is to choose a date and time for your move that is off-season or less in demand. Prices in many places are a bit cheaper between September and May and on weekdays. Before you hire, get estimates from multiple moving companies to see which one will save you the most money without compromising the quality of service.
It is a mistake to assume that all professional movers are the same. Some are definitely a better value than others. Instead of availing of multiple services, narrow down the services that are essential to your needs. Some professional movers have a transport-only option. Assuming that you do not want to drive a rental truck by yourself when moving to a new state, availing of the transport-only option can be a great way to avoid paying for a full-service moving company while still getting the help that you need.
Another great way to cut costs is to simply ask for help from your friends and family when moving day comes. It is possible, however, that there aren’t enough volunteers available to get the work done. Don’t worry! You can always consider hiring hourly helpers. Especially if you are planning to rent and pack your own moving truck, this can be a great way to keep moving expenses to a minimum.
On a final note, if your transfer is related to your employment, there might be a possibility for the company to reimburse you for your moving costs. Some employers will pay some or all of an employee’s costs, especially if the move is long-distance. If so, it wouldn’t hurt to inquire with your employer if reimbursement is possible. In any case, never forget to save all of your receipts! In some cases, you may also be able to deduct part of your moving expenses on your federal income tax return. But don’t assume that this is the case. It is important to speak to a tax advisor to understand whether this deduction applies to you. Your relocation should be something that’s taken into serious consideration. Set a budget and spend only when necessary by cautiously preparing for it.
In search of your next Venice rental home? Go through our available rentals and give us a ring at 310-535-2150 for more information.
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