Though a local move can be more manageable than a move across the country or to another country entirely. First and foremost, it’s easy to make several back and forth trips to your new place when you stay in the same town. Another benefit is this that you can personally carry non-allowableto your new home, you can make n number of visits to your new place if you want to take measurements to make sure an exceptionally large piece of furniture will fit inside. So the point is that you can make the most of being in the same city and so close to your new home.
But despite of all of the above benefits of the close distance,it can quickly turn into a stressful experience even if you are moving a block or two away.There are many things to keep in mind to make your move stressfree and low cost as the cost of a local move can still add up. You can follow the tips given below to keep the price tag low and build up some savings.
Don’t forget that Even a Local Move RequiresTimeManagement and Effort
We often assume that a local move will be very easy and no planning is needed. We only think about the task of packing and unpacking though the logistics of the move also needs equal attention and advance planning. Proper planning leads to a stress free and easy moving experience. So advanced planning and good organization are necessary even when moving a couple of miles away.
Decide Properly and Early betweenDo-it-Yourself move and Hiring a Local Mover
Though a do-it-yourself move will be cheaper, but it will take extra effort and time so hiring a local moving company is much recommended. Movers may either help in handling some of the difficult tasks including moving furniture and appliancesor you could hire a full service moving company to save yourself all of the time and effort that a move requires. A full service moving takes care of every detail of the moving process including packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking and also planning and move management.
Make a Local Moving Checklist for Planning and Organization.
Make a moving checklist immediately after you’ve made the decision to move. The checklist will help you plan your move in advance and in a proper way. You will keep yourself organized and ensure that each task is taken care of. You can prepare a moving checklist by getting reference from online checklists to use as a guide, but don’t forget to customize the list as per the need of your specific move. If you are planning to hire a full service moving company that will plan and manage your residential move for you, then your checklist can be much shorter.
Know the Location of Everything Well in Advance
One of the most important benefits of a local move is this, that you can visit your new home multiple times prior to your actual move. So it is very much in your approach to spend some time in your new home before moving day and take measurements. It is a good idea to planthe placementof your furniture in each room in advance. You can even make a rough sketch of the home interior and give each room a number and number your boxes and furniture while packing accordingly so your local movers will know where to place each one. You can decide in advance how to arrange the furniture and where to place everything including each piece of living room furniture, your kitchen utensils and even children’s books.
Become Familiar with Your New Place
If you are moving to next block then you may not need to worry about the surroundings but if you are moving more than a few miles from your current location then you may need to find places like a new grocery store, pharmacy, and bank. Make some time before the move and find each one before you settle at your new place. Just drive around and become familiar with the entire area as this will help you feel more comfortable
Lighten the Load Even Before aLocal Move
Though a part of the cost of a move depends upon the distance travelled but there are a number of other factors too including the number of items to be moved and their weight. So to avoid unnecessary spending and lighten your load you can considerselling, donating, giving away and/or recycling of things you don’t need.
You can easily make some money by organizing a garage sale and then use that money for your moving fund or something else. By making donations, you can have a tax write-off that will come in handy as you can count your donations as part of your tax return.
Choose the Moving Time Wisely
Time of your move is another important factor in deciding your moving cost so you can save money by booking your move well in advance. Be sure to avoid booking your move on the weekend and the beginning or end of the month, instead look for dates that work for you during the middle of a week or month. You can save ample amount by planning a weekday move during the second or third week of the month.
Though it is hard to tell the exact amount you’ll save as it depends on where and when you are moving, but when you follow this advice you’re better off from a financial standpoint. As compare to a cross-country move, you’ll have more flexibility so it won’t be too difficult to rearrange your work schedule or take a single day off.
Choose the Right Moving Company
Last but not the least, choose your moving company wisely. Don’t settle for anyone just because it is a local move. Talk to your mover about all the terms and conditions well in advance to save yourself from any hidden costs and/or moving frauds.
So, use these tips and enjoy making your local move successful.