For those that have experienced it, moving is not a walk in the park, especially if it’s long distance. It is a demanding process that commands adequate planning and finances. The more the distance to be covered, the more it costs. GPS Moving and Storage takes you through the tips on how to move long distance on a budget.
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Take the pilot seat
Long distance moving requires adequate planning. As a wise man once said, “If you want something done right, do it yourself”. Take charge of your move by drafting a to-do list. This aids in narrowing down every activity that needs to be done before or during the move, including purchasing supplies, and organizing your calendar. Ensure you make a checklist of the supplies you need. You save money by purchasing only that which you need during the move.
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Is it the right season?
This might seem a bit absurd, but there is something like the wrong season to move. The time of the year between Memorial Day and Labor Day is widely known as the busiest for long distance trailers. Almost all major highways are packed with long hauls in transit. This increased demand forces the moving companies to charge more. If you have the luxury of deciding when to move, consider organizing the long distance move between autumn and spring. Additionally, you are more likely to enjoy great discounts if you move within the second and third week of the month, which is considered the off-peak period.
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Do I really need (insert item)?
Apart from mileage, long distance movers also use cargo weight as their pricing factor. Since you are on a budget, make a list of all heavy items that you have not used within the last 3 months as well as those that are broken or obsolete. Online shopping sites such as eBay and Craigslist are suitable platforms to trade-off in such items for some extra cash.
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Which moving company offers the best price?
Gathering multiple quotes from different moving companies gives you the privilege of estimating what a reasonable shipping fee is. Ensure to include all services that you seek from the moving company in the quote for a more accurate comparison. However, be keen to note that cheap is not always the best. Quality is priced higher for a reason.
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Self-packing or professional packing?
One of the factors that inflate the cost of moving is professional packing by the moving company personnel. There are tons of DIY videos on YouTube that guide you on how to properly pack household items for a long-distance move. Additionally, you can take advantage of self-packing by acquiring cheap packing supplies such as boxes from retailers and restaurants. Self-packing also gives you the advantage of using old newspaper and blankets as cushion, compared to the significantly more expensive bubble wraps.
Conclusion
The trick to saving as much cash as possible during a long distance move is to do most of the work yourself, leaving only the heavy lifting to the moving company. Contact GPS Moving today if you are planning to move long distance on a budget.
