Residential moving is hard work, no matter how someone chooses to do it.

Hiring residential movers can also be costly, but it is usually the better option than attempting a DIY move.

There are ways to save money on residential moves, especially for customers who have more time than money.

The trick is to identify where those savings can most easily be made and then pitch in to fill the gaps!

What Do Those Moving Fees Pay For?

In figuring out where some costs can be trimmed from the residential moving services required to make a move, it is first necessary to understand the fees charged for these services.

Typically, all fees charged by residential movers fall into one of four categories:

Transport Costs - Loading, hauling, and unloading of all belongings by the moving service.
Packing Costs - Packing, packing materials, and skilled laborers trained in professional packing.
Valuation Costs - Liability coverage provided by the service, whether at the basic rate or full-coverage rate.
Third Party Laborers - Special packers hired to disassemble furniture and pack valuables, large items, and other items requiring special treatment.

Obviously, the main purpose of hiring professionals to handle residential moves is for their loading and hauling service; however, within the other three categories, some customers can find ways to reduce paid services by handling them on their own.

With regard to valuation and third party services, use caution to avoid cutting costs at the expense of experience or good liability protection, which can prove to be very detrimental.

Where Can Money Be Saved On Residential Moves?

Noting the above, these are some great ways that customers can save some money on their residential moving services by planning ahead, organizing, and then tackling some of the work themselves:

Downsize and Minimize - Reduce belongings to be packed and relocated by donating, selling, and giving away anything that is unwanted, unneeded, or unnecessary. Getting rid of extra furniture and other heavy items is especially cost-effective since moving services are charged by weight.
Start Early With Self-Packing - Self-packing can reduce some of the costs of hiring residential movers. Since it will take some time, start early, learn correct packing techniques, and make an inventory of all items being packed. Enlist the help of friends and family to make the packing faster and easier, too.
Gather Low-Cost Packing Supplies - Find free boxes at grocery stores and lower-cost packing materials at discount stores and look for free packing supplies being given away by people who have also just moved. Where padding is needed, use towels, linens, and blankets double-duty, since those have to be packed anyway.
Self-Transport Fragile Items - Reduce insurance costs and the possibility of being damaged while moving by packing and relocating fragile items personally if it can be done safely.
Schedule at the Cheapest Time - If residential move dates are flexible, try to do it on a weekday and during the off-season, which is typically September through March. Most movers increase their rates during the busier spring and summer months as well as on weekends.
Make A Moving Plan - Create a schedule with deadlines to get everything done, then plan for moving-out and moving-in days appropriately. Through readiness and planning for things like any meals or lodging required ahead of time, it is possible to reduce these extra costs associated with moving.

Cut Costs in Smart Places to Make Residential Moves More Affordable

When the cost of hiring residential movers is a concern, there are things that customers can do to reduce them.

Focus on the residential moving services that are a necessity like loading and relocating items, while making an effort to reduce the weight of all items being moved.

Then with some good supply gathering as well as time spent packing and preparing, customers can cut the cost of their residential move considerably while still enjoying the main benefits of hiring a moving service!

Residential Moves – Learn How to Save Money!