Cheap moving companies are out there.
It pisses me off that so many people overpay for moving every year when I know simple tricks could save them hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on their next move. The truth is that cheap moving services don’t have to be complicated or stressful.
Let me show you how to easily find affordable movers that won’t rip you off.
The problem:
Most people wait until the last minute to move. They freak out, call the first available company and blindly pay whatever price they’re quoted. Did you know that 78% of Americans report being surprised with additional charges?
Unbelievable.
But guess what…that doesn’t have to happen to you. By taking a few simple steps you can find cheap moving companies that will take care of your move without costing you an arm and leg. Oh, and better yet — you’ll keep those nasty surprise charges away too.
You’ll learn:
- Why Are Moving Costs So High?
- Cheap Moving Companies
- 5 Strategies To Save Big Money On Your Move
- Avoidable Moving Costs That Keep People Guessing
Why Are Moving Costs So High?
Ever wonder why moving costs so much nowadays?
The price of moving has gotten wildly out of control. Recent industry data suggests that moving costs have increased by 37.3% from 2020 to 2024. Crazy, right?
Here’s why…
Gas prices, increased demand, and labor shortages are destroying the moving industry. Americans now pay an average of $2,050 to move.
International moves? Try $3,291+
Yes… moving is more expensive than ever. But that doesn’t mean you can’t save money. You just have to know what spending money vs. saving money.
How To Find Cheap Moving Companies
Cheap doesn’t always mean low quality.
It means putting some work in. Like this: Get Quotes. From at least 3 different moving companies. Never accept the first quote you receive because chances are you can negotiate that price down by 20-30%.
Also, pay close attention to what those quotes include:
- Packing supplies
- Loading & unpacking labor
- Insurance coverage
- Fuel charges
- Additional fees
The cheapest quote may be lacking services you didn’t even know you needed. Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples with each moving company.
One last tip… time your move right.
Want an easy way to save on moving?
Moving during the Off season (October through March) will save you up to 30% on moving costs alone. Why? Because there’s less demand and moving companies are willing to negotiate on price.
Hey, wait until Tuesday or Wednesday to move too. Most moves happen on weekends which are premium prices. Midweek moving cuts costs and provides ZERO difference in service.
5 Budget Friendly Moving Tips To SAVE You Money
Alright, let’s talk about saving money.
Declutter Now, Before You Move
Too much junk = too much to move = more expensive move.
It’s as simple as that.
But here’s the thing: most people overlook this important step. Stop it. Go through all your junk NOW and decide what you want to keep and what you want to get rid of before packing a single box.
Host a garage sale. Sell items on Facebook Marketplace. Donate to charity.
If you’re moving locally, you can even skip the packing/palleting part and carry your boxes by hand. Don’t have any boxes? More on that later.
You’ll save on moving costs by tossing junk AND you’ll make some extra cash on selling stuff you no longer need. Win-win.
Pack Your OWN Boxes
Did you know professional packing services cost between $300 to $1,200 MORE on top of your move?
Whoa.
Again… you can do this. But don’t just throw your junk into bins and call it a day. Packing strategically will save you space (and money) on your move.
Use bags and containers you already own:
- Suitcases for heavy items
- Towels/blankets to wrap breakables
- Trash bags for clothes/bedding
- Grocery store boxes (they give these away for free)
Just start early. Packing last minute = damaged items = more money wasted on boxes/time/supplies.
DIY vs Professional Movers
Renting a truck and moving yourself sounds cheap. But is it?
When you add up truck rental costs, gas, insurance, equipment rentals, AND your time… suddenly moving DIY is just as expensive (if not more) as hiring professional movers.
Professional movers provide:
- Insurance protection
- Workers that lift heavy items (preventing injury to you)
- Experience to get the job done quicker
- All equipment needed
If you have expensive items or are moving cross country, professional movers are usually worth the cost. If you’re moving locally with minimal furniture/items? Probably not.
Negotiate Price With Any Moving Company
Here’s a little secret…
Professional moving companies EXPECT you to negotiate.
The first price they give you will never be their best price. Ask questions like:
- Can you discount the price if I choose a weekday to move?
- What about military/student discounts?
- Do you offer referral discounts?
- Are there any packaged deals I can get?
Feel free to mention competitor quotes as well. Company A gives you a $2k quote but company B quotes you $1,500. Tell company A your Uncle Fred gave you a $1,500 quote from Company B and see what happens. Chances are they’ll match/rebate you to win your business.
Always negotiate price when hiring a moving company.
Book Your Move The Right Way
If you book your move too early you might not get the best price.
Book too late and you’re stuck overpaying for a last minute move.
When is the best time to book your move? Ideally, you want to give yourself about 4-6 weeks lead time. This allows the moving company to fill open dates on their schedule. The more lead time you give a moving company, the higher prices will be.
Trust me, I know this stuff works. I’ve negotiated discounted moves before and my customers regularly save up to 50% by negotiating with moving companies.
See also: Essentials for Small Businesses in Bookkeeping 18332147629
Surprise Costs That Make Your Moving Bills Skyrocket
Hidden fees are EVERYWHERE.
Here are some of the most common things that cause your budget to explode:
Transportation fees if the truck can’t park near your home ($100-150). Flight charges if you’re moving into a walk-up apartment ($75-$150/floor). Fuel Surcharges that were never mentioned during the initial quote.
Storage fees if your new place doesn’t align with your move-out date.
Tips. Don’t forget about tips. Movers should always be tipped between 5-20% of the entire move. For a $4,000 move, that’s $200-$800 to keep on hand.
To prevent surprise fees ask detailed questions on what the company charges. Get a detailed written estimate to eliminate moving company scams.
Another tip? Insist on full value protection coverage on your move instead of standard liability. Valued protection costs more but for expensive items it’s worth every penny.
Final Thoughts on Cheap Moving Companies
Cheap moving companies aren’t hidden… you just have to know where to look.
Take your time, ask the right questions, and don’t let moving companies take advantage of you by overcharging.
Bottom line:
- Always negotiate price
- Don’t move during peak season
- Declutter now, before you move
- Pack smart & save money on supplies
- Compare DIY moves to professional movers
- Ask questions about ALL fees
Moving shouldn’t be cheap. Expect to pay for quality service.
But that doesn’t mean you still can’t save money. Follow these tips and you’ll reduce your moving bill by hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
Take my advice. You’ll sleep better at night knowing you found the best value movers for your hard earned money.
