20 Tips for Out of State Moving With Cheap Moving Companies
Are you planning to move out of state? According to the latest data by the United States Census Bureau, 35.7 million people moved to different residences between 2013 and 2014
.About one-third of these moves were to different counties. If you are planning to move to a different state, the first step would be to hire the best moving company you can find.
Depending on the distance and the size of your personal property, including your furniture and other items, you can find moving quite overwhelming. To save money, it would be ideal to look into some cheap moving companies that fit your budget.
How to Plan For
the Move
Before
you begin looking into cheap long-distance moving companies, you need to have a
budget and a plan for the move. You should take an inventory of your property,
know the exact distance of where you are moving to, calculate
your moving cost, and more.
Ask
the company to give you a breakdown of the cost to know what you are paying
for. A plan will help you determine the best way to move and what you should do
to ensure you stay within your budget.
It
is vital to know the maximum amount of money you can spend on the move. Knowing
this will help you determine whether you should use professional movers, DIY,
take out a moving insurance policy, and more.
Factors to
Consider When Planning
As
you plan and set a budget for the move, you should consider a few items first.
Physical
Resources
Knowing
the physical resources you have will influence the services you need. For
example, if you cannot lift heavy boxes, you may have to get help from friends
or family.
This
is especially crucial if you choose to DIY.
Timeline
Other
than your budget, your timeline or the time you have to move will impact the
services you pay for.
For
example, if you have to start your new job right away, you will not be able to
wait for your friends to get off their busy schedules to help you move.
A
strict timeline may also not allow you to wait for the cheaper moving days.
Therefore, if you need to move right away, it would be ideal to work with professional movers.
Tool and
Equipment
When
moving, you should have various tools and equipment to make the process quicker
and easier. Professional movers have moving straps and dolly to handle heave
appliances or furniture and cut down on the number of trips they have to make.
If
you choose to DIY, you may have to purchase such a tool for a quicker and safer
move.
Experience
How
experienced are you with packing and moving? Your level of experience will also
determine if you can move alone or hire the right experts for the job.
If
you do not know how to pack a box to the maximum capacity, you will end up
using a lot of boxes and use a bigger truck or trailer. This will only cost you
more.
Supplies
When
moving, you need bubble wraps, boxes, tapes, blankets, and any other supplies that
will help keep your property safe as you move. If you cannot borrow these
supplies, consider the cost of buying them versus the cost of hiring an
affordable moving company.
Remember,
moving companies bring their own supplies, and you will not have to make any
extra purchases.
Once
you have a plan and determine the right moving services you need, consider
these out-of-state moving tips and save some money.
1. Declutter
The
number of boxes you have to pack and your furniture also determines the amount
of money the movers will charge you. To make moving cheaper, you may want to
consider having a garage sale and getting rid of some items you do not need.
By
selling the items you do not need, you will reduce the number of things you
have to pack and unpack and make money to help you move. You can choose to sell
your property online or throw a yard sale.
Online
marketplaces such a Facebook, eBay, and Craigslist offer good platforms for
selling items. You can also consider using mobile apps such as LetGo and OfferUp,
and specialty stores.
Apart
from selling, you can also donate some large items or any other items you do
not need to charity. Remember, the larger the furniture or boxes, the more
expensive the move.
This
is because several long-distance moving companies charge by weight. You may
save more by buying new furniture or equipment after the move than paying to
move them to your new destination.
2. Measure
Access Points
Before
you move, it may be ideal to measure the access points in your new home. This
is to ensure that your bed, couch, and any other bulky furniture can fit
through the doorway or make it upstairs.
Eye-balling,
the size of the access is one of the moving mistakes that you should avoid.
You do not want to end up moving with a bulky item only to end up selling it
because it could not fit in your new home.
Measure
all your tables, custom pieces, sofas, the dimensions of each room, stairwell,
heights and widths of door frames, and hallways. Once you have accurate
measurements, it will be easier to know what you have to get rid of and what
you can move with.
3. Have Your
Company Pay For the Move
If
you are moving for work, it would be ideal to know about your company's
relocation policies. Several companies pay all or part of their employees'
move.
Talk
to the HR department and know if they can pay for the move and how much they
will pay. If they pay, ensure you document your expenses and keep all the
receipts so that you are properly reimbursed.
Having
your company pay for the move will save you from bearing the burden yourself.
4. Find
Affordable Professional Movers
Moving
from one state to another can be expensive. However, there are some cheap
long-distance moving companies that can help you save hundreds on your move.
Such
companies also offer a free estimate to help you budget for the move.
Before choosing a moving company, take your time to compare prices and work
with the company that offers quality services at the lowest
rates.
With
such companies, you can also enjoy other services such as moving labor and
professional packing and unpacking services from trained movers.
5. Choose the
Right Moving Date
Did
you know that the date you move can have a huge impact on
the cost? While many experts recommend moving during winter if you want to save
some money, this may not always be ideal.
However,
regardless of the time of year, you may want to avoid moving during the peak
days such as weekends, the first and last days of the month, and the months
between Memorial and Labor days.
Instead,
aim for a mid-month move, and between the months of October to April. Choosing
the right moving date will save you some money, and you will still get to work
with professional movers.
6. Rent a Moving
Truck
Moving
companies offer truck rentals for people who love to DIY. This is also an
excellent way to save some money when moving across state lines. If you are
ready to drive or get someone to drive the truck, you can consider renting one.
Though
this might save you thousands of dollars, you should also consider the cost of
gas and moving labor. For example, a truck usually gets at least 10mpg. Suppose
you are moving 2000 miles away.
You
should budget for at least 200 gallons of gas.
If
the truck's fuel capacity is 30gallons, you may have to stop around seven times
to fill it up. This will also take up so much of your time, especially if you
are in a hurry.
Therefore,
before you consider renting a truck, consider the entire cost and compare it
with the best offers you have from various long-distance moving companies.
7. Rent a
Trailer and Tow It
Apart
from renting a truck, you can also consider renting a trailer and towing it.
Trailers are some of the cheapest ways to move if you have a vehicle with a tow
package.
A
trailer will compliment your vehicle and give you extra space to pack your
boxes or furniture as you move. When you rent a trailer, you will move in the
comfort of your vehicle and save more.
However,
if you have to move with an oversized couch or refrigerator, this may not be
the right option for you. In addition, you will only save money with a trailer
if you do not have to hire a vehicle that has a hitch and tow package.
If
you have to use a trailer, ensure you get the right size and know how to drive
while towing it to avoid accidents.
8. Hire Moving
Labor
Moving
companies charge according to the services they offer. Instead of hiring a
full-service company, you can save money by hiring someone to help you load and
unload the truck.
Such
services are offered by various junk removal companies and can help save some
money. Check online marketplaces for the right labor services provider in your
area and save thousands of dollars as you move.
9. Get Free Moving
Boxes
Full-service
moving companies include the number of boxes they will use to pack your items.
To cut costs, you can consider using free moving supplies. This means looking
for packing paper, used boxes, and packing tape from a nearby retailer.
There
are several places where you can find used boxes. You can get them from the
local liquor store, bookstores, big-box retailers, grocery stores, recycling
drop-off points, and more.
It
is also a good idea to ask your friends or family for any boxes they are not
using. Instead of buying bubble wraps to pack your fragile stuff, you can
create padding using towels, blankets, pillows, or crumpled-up newspapers.
You
can use a black permanent marker to mark the boxes instead of buying a fancy
label maker.
10. Ask Your
Friends and Family for Help
If
you choose not to hire moving labor or DIY the entire move, you can always ask
your friends or family members to help you pack and move. Though this will save
you money, you will have to work around their schedule.
Packing
with your friends and eating some pizza together is a great way of creating
some last memories together. In addition, if they can help you move, they will
make adapting and settling in your new location easier.
11. Do Not Pay
for Insurance You Don’t Need
Moving
insurance is not cheap. While it may come in handy if you are moving with
costly items and heirlooms, it is wise not to pay for it if you do not need it.
Insurance
mainly protects your priced property and any rental equipment from theft or damage.
However, paying for it may not always be necessary. Some homeowners and auto
insurance policies also include moving.
Therefore,
check your auto and home insurance policies to see if they cover moving before
paying for insurance. If you are covered, you will not have to pay extra for
it.
If
you have sufficient coverage, be sure to ask your preferred moving insurer
about deductibles. This is the money that you have to pay out-of-pocket before
the moving company, your auto or home insurance policies can pay any insurance
money in the event of an accident or loss.
For
example, if the deductible is $500 and yet the moving company breaks an item
worth the same amount, you will have to bear the full cost of fixing the item.
On
the other hand, if the item was worth $1000, you will only pay the deductible,
and the insurance will cover the rest.
12. Lookout for
Red Flags
To
ensure that you do not lose money, it is vital to be on the lookout for any red
flags. Professional out-of-state moving companies are regulated by the
government.
The
regulations help in ensuring that they maintain physical and financial safety.
To know a legitimate company, you should ask them to provide you with their
U.S. Department of Transportation number,
registration, and valid insurance.
A
legitimate company will be happy to share this information with you. Be very
wary of companies that are reactant to show proof of licensing or have hidden
fees. You can also check out reviews only to know more about their reputation.
13. Rent a
Pick-Up Truck
If
you are moving with a small load and towing is not a viable option for you,
then renting a pick-up truck can be an ideal choice. If you only need one day
to move, this can be a cheaper alternative.
However,
if you need to make more than one trip, you will save more by renting a truck
or using professional movers. Compared to trucks, pick-ups are also more
comfortable to travel in, and you can fit more people or your pets in the cab.
Should you choose to rent a pick-up, ensure you have enough ropes, stretch cords, and straps to secure the luggage. You also need to get a good cover to protect your valuables from sun, dirt, rain, or wind.
14. Rent a
Portable Container
This
is one of the most popular ways of moving across state lines. It offers a great
alternative to full-service professional moving. Renting a moving container is
cheaper, and you can also use the container to store your property before you
move.
The cost of renting a container will depend on its size and the length of time you rent it. To move with the container, you will only need to load it with your furniture and boxes, and the container company will transport it to your destination.
15. Use Cash
Back Apps
When
moving State to State, cashback apps can help you save some money because you
will be earning money as you go from one point to the other.
To
get such discounts, you can download the app, pay using a debit or credit card,
take a picture of the receipt and upload it.
With
these apps, you can earn 25 cents for each gallon of gas you buy, up to 35%
back in restaurants in some cities, and up to 15% cashback on groceries.
Apps such as GetUpside have partnered
with several local businesses to help anybody moving in the Texas or East Coast
save money. Look for the right app in your route and take advantage of it.
16. Ship Your
Items by Train
Are
your moving plans following a train route? If so, you have the option of
shipping your property by train. Trains can ship up to 500 pounds of total
weight, with each box or furniture, not more than 50 pounds.
If
you choose to fly to your destination and use a train to move your belongings,
ensure you get the right price estimate per pound to know how much it will cost
you.
17. Avoid Excess
Shopping
To
successfully move on a budget, you should avoid buying any new items for your
new home. The goal here is to keep the number of boxes or weight of our cargo
as minimum as possible.
Buying
new items before you move will only add to the total cost of moving. To stay on
track, only buy what you need and order the rest after you have unpacked.
Remember, the fewer items you have, the more you will save.
18. Get
Discounts
Regardless
of the method, you are using to move, it is good to get a good discount before
you move. Moving supply retailers, truck rentals, moving containers, and moving
companies offer their customers good deals and discounts.
These
discounts can make moving with professional movers a cheap and cost-effective
option. For example, if you are serving or have served in the military, you can
get special discounts from several moving companies.
Members
of AAA and students also save more when moving with select companies. When
getting a quote from your preferred state-to-state movers, ask for discounts
and deals and know how much more you can save.
19. Book Your
Move in Advance
To
avoid last-minute plans and cancellations, you must book your move in advance.
The moment you make a decision to move, you should begin the process of finding
a long-distance moving company and book it.
The
same also applies if you choose a DIY option. Book the truck, container, or POD
in good time. Moving and rental companies also tend to charge more for a
last-minute booking.
If
you wait until the last minute, you will not have many options to consider. You
will have to settle for what is available, and you are likely to pay more.
It
may be ideal to consider the options you have, make the
right choice, and secure it at least six months before you move.
20. Consider
Your Traveling Options
Other
than how to move your property from point A to point D, you should also
determine the best way to get you, your family, or pets there. Depending on the
distance, you may spend more if you use your car.
You
may have to have a budget for food, hotels, and gas. In such cases, traveling
by plane while your property is on transit might be the cheaper option.
Calculate
the cost of moving with your car versus using an alternative method and
determine the best option that will help you save money.
Choose the
Right Cheap Moving Companies
These
tips can help you save money when moving out of state. As you look for some of
the cheap moving companies in your area, it is vital that you remember to
consider your budget and needs.
The
best option will save you money and make moving painless.
If
you are looking for the best and affordable out-of-state company, there are
several reasons why you should consider moving with State to State Moving
Systems.
From our professional crew to our affordable rates, quick and effective moving services, we will move you to any State with ease.
For more information about our moving services, contact
us today.