The Affordable Way To Move Without Hiring Professional Movers

Moving is tough. The long slog of packing up your life can take weeks or even months. Then, once that demanding task is completed, you have to do the same thing in reverse. Many people on the move might consider hiring a moving company to help take the actual relocation off their plate. However, this isn't cheap.

We spoke exclusively with Veronique Perrin, a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker Warburg, about ways to help keep costs down during a transitional phase. For starters, she warned that the price of a move really "depends on the size of the move," among other factors. However, she told us that DIYing at least parts of the moving process can help you save a significant amount of money. She told us that "renting a U-Haul and getting help from friends/family can't be beat." 

With that said, if friends or family aren't an option, another way to leverage community is to ask around for personal recommendations. Perrin explained, "People should ask their network if anybody can recommend a "man with a van." I have one on speed dial. They are much cheaper than TaskRabbit or similar apps." She has a point, with Forbes finding that movers for short-distance relocations typically costs at least $600 ranging up to $5,000. At the more extreme end of things, an exhaustive professional-assisted move can even extend beyond $14,000.

From the moment you know you need to move, it's important to start making a comprehensive plan. Veronique Perrin suggests taking a hard look at the belongings you have in your current living space. "The first rule is to purge," she explained, "Sell, consign, donate, or recycle unwanted items. There is no value in paying to move things you do not need or that you forgot you owned." Furniture can be an important category to sell before a move.

Perrin also recommends bulking up on packing materials as early as possible. By doing this, you can likely find numerous opportunities to grab free boxes and other materials. "Any building that receives Amazon deliveries has free boxes and packing material right there," she suggests. Or for those hoping to find boxes without needing to stalk any local buildings, Perrin offered, "There are also so many Apps now that provide things for free on any given day (Buy Nothing, etc). I always help my clients do that when they are open to the idea." 

Veronique Perrin told us, "ALWAYS rent a larger [truck or container] than you think you need. You are better off with room to spare than having to make two trips." Underestimating just how much stuff you have is "the #1 cost increase" that people experience while moving, according to Perrin. In addition to rental van fees or moving company charges that can arise from this mistake, it can also cost you more "in packing materials (which are expensive to begin with) when you realize it's last-minute and order a rush delivery." Instead, overestimating the job can help eliminate any potential surprise at having to make multiple trips.

Perrin also recommends planning your actual departure from the house around the drumbeat of your community. "The day and time you are moving are huge factors when paying someone by the hour," she notes. However, whether you're going it alone or enlisting paid support, she recommends avoiding "moving after 2:00 PM on weekdays, because that is when all the schools let out. Yellow school buses are everywhere, making traffic a mess. Avoid rush hours and Fridays in general." She told us the sweet spot, "If you have the option, as early as you can muster on a Sunday is ideal."