How to Save Money on Your Next Move

Jacqui 

Colligon

Partner Enablement Lead

Deposits, moving trucks, utility hookups, furnishing a new place: the costs of moving stack up in ways most people don't fully account for until they're already in it. Getting ahead of a few decisions before moving day can save you real money without sacrificing the things worth paying for. This guide will walk you through those decisions, but if you are looking for more, you may want to start with our Moving and Relocation Hub first.

Declutter Before You Pack

The simplest way to lower your moving bill is to move less stuff.

Most movers charge by weight or volume. Every box you don't pack is a box you don't pay to load, transport, and unload. It also means less time on the clock if you're paying by the hour, fewer packing supplies, and a smaller storage unit if you need one between moves.

Go room by room and be honest about what you actually use. What to get rid of before you move walks through it by category if you need a starting point.

Know Your Moving Options

Full-service movers are the most convenient and the most expensive. Before you book anything, it's worth knowing what the alternatives actually look like.

Full-service movers handle packing, loading, transport, and unloading. Worth it for long-distance moves, heavy furniture, or if you genuinely can't take the time to do it yourself. Get at least three quotes and ask whether rates are negotiable if you have flexibility on dates.

Portable containers like PODS let you pack at your own pace. The container is dropped off, you load it, and it gets picked up and delivered. A reasonable middle option if you want some control without driving a truck.

Rental trucks are the most affordable if you're willing to do the physical work. Factor in fuel, mileage, and insurance before assuming the total will be low. For a local move, this often makes sense. For anything cross-country, run the numbers carefully.

Hybrid moves can work well for long-distance. Ship boxes through a freight service ahead of time and hire movers only for the heavy furniture. This approach often comes out cheaper than a full-service long-haul quote.

Before you commit to anyone, verify they're licensed and insured through the FMCSA mover search tool. It takes two minutes and can save you from a real problem.

Timing Matters More Than People Think

Moving companies charge more when demand is high. Weekends, end of the month, and summer (June through August in particular) all come with a price premium. A midweek move in the middle of the month, in fall or winter, is almost always cheaper than a Saturday in July.

If your closing date or lease end locks you in, you may not have much flexibility here. But if you do, this is one of the easiest ways to lower a quote without any negotiation.

Packing Supplies Don't Have to Be Expensive

Use what you already have. Suitcases, laundry baskets, duffel bags, and storage bins move things without a box. Towels and clothes pad fragile items just as well as bubble wrap.

For actual boxes, grocery stores, liquor stores, and bookstores often have sturdy ones sitting in the back that they're glad to get rid of. If you'd rather buy a kit and have everything show up at once, that's a reasonable call too.

One thing worth buying: a decent tape gun and quality packing tape. Boxes that open mid-move are a genuine headache. Before you start loading, these packing mistakes are worth a quick read.

Don't Pay for Utilities Twice

Overlapping utility billing is one of the more avoidable ways to waste money during a move. It happens when service gets set up at the new address before it's been cancelled at the old one, and suddenly you're paying for both.

Schedule the disconnect at your old place for the day after you move out. Set up service at the new address for move-in day. Internet service is the one to prioritize booking early since installation windows fill up and going a week without it after a move is a headache worth avoiding.

The ultimate moving checklist covers utilities, address changes, and everything else you need to transfer or cancel in one place.

The Costs That Catch People Off Guard

Most people budget for the truck or the movers. The rest tends to show up as a surprise.

Cleaning. Your old place may need a professional clean to get your deposit back. Your new place may need one before you bring anything in. Budget for both.

Storage. If there's a gap between move-out and move-in, short-term storage rates vary a lot. Book early if you can see that gap coming.

Travel and meals. Gas, food, and a hotel stop add up on anything beyond a local move. Plan for these before you're making decisions on the road.

Tips. If you're using movers, $20 to $50 per mover is a reasonable baseline for a local job. More for a long or difficult move. It's not mandatory but it's expected.

Furniture gaps. A new space often needs something the old one didn't, or something you owned doesn't work where you thought it would. Keep a cushion in the budget for this.

Deposits. If there's a timing gap and you're renting temporarily, factor in any deposit required before your existing one comes back to you.

What's Worth Paying For

Cutting costs everywhere isn't always the right call.

Movers for the hard stuff. A piano, a heavy sectional, a king-size bed up three flights: hire people who do this for a living. The risk of injury and wall damage makes DIY the more expensive option in the end.

Moving insurance on long-distance moves. Standard carrier liability is based on weight, not replacement value. A broken TV reimburses at a fraction of what it costs to replace. If you're moving cross-country with anything valuable, additional coverage is worth it.

A mattress cover. Inexpensive, and it protects something you use every night.

Scheduling the internet service early. A small hassle upfront. Worth it to not be without service for a week once you're in.

Moving Budget Checklist

Before you finalize anything, run through this:

• Mover or truck estimate (get two or three before deciding)

• Packing supplies

• Moving insurance or valuation coverage

• Utility setup fees and potential overlap

• Cleaning at old and new address

• Storage if there's a gap in your timeline

• Travel, gas, and meals

• Tips for movers

• Furniture or items you'll need in the new place

• A buffer for anything unexpected

A Few More Resources

If you're still in the buying process, financing and affordability is worth a look before you commit to a moving budget. Once you're in, what to do after buying a house covers the practical next steps.

If you're still looking for the right home, find an agent on PrimeStreet.

_{Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Always consult a licensed professional before making decisions based on this information.}