If you’re like most people, you’re probably scrambling to find ways to cut costs as you get ready to move. But what many people don’t realize is that there are a number of last-minute moving costs that can be easily avoided. By planning ahead and taking the time to properly pack your belongings, you can save yourself a lot of money – and stress – in the long run. So if you’re looking for ways to save on your upcoming move, keep reading! We’ll share some tips on how to avoid last-minute moving costs.
Avoid Unnecessary Extra Services
Different accessory moving services might not be necessary for the successful completion of your relocation. It depends on your specific needs and requirements, as well as on the specific circumstances in your case. What matters, however, is to know what moving services your moving company are considered to be additional moving services and how much they charge for them. Once you decide on the extra services you want to use or will not be able to do without, make sure they are explicitly stated in the price estimate and double-check not only their respective charges but also the conditions under which they will be performed. Then, do your best to eliminate the factors that may necessitate any other additional moving services and pay those extra moving expenses:
Pack Your Belongings Yourself
Using professional packing services will save you a lot of time and effort as professional movers will pack your entire household in several hours. This will ensure your peace of mind by providing your items with the best possible protection, but will noticeably increase the final moving price, and you will be charged based on the time required to pack your items, the amount and the type of packing materials used, and the complexity of the job. If you pack your things yourself, you will save all that money.
Pack Your Things Correctly
If you have packed your belongings yourself but have not done it correctly if you have not provided adequate protection for your items, packed non-allowables, etc., the movers you hire will either ask you to repack or will do the job for you. Naturally, this will incur an extra last-minute packing fee.
Be Ready on Time on Moving Day
The better prepared you are, the faster and smoother your move will go. If you are not ready, however, the movers will have to wait or to take care of the remaining tasks, disassembling furniture, disconnecting appliances, preparing household items for shipment, protecting your old house against property damage, etc. In this case, you will be charged for the extra time spent in completing the preparations, as well as for the additional services.
Be Ready on Time on Moving Day
The better prepared you are, the faster and smoother your move will go. If you are not ready, however, the movers will have to wait or to take care of the remaining tasks, disassembling furniture, disconnecting appliances, preparing household items for shipment, protecting your old house against property damage, etc. In this case, you will be charged for the extra time spent in completing the preparations, as well as for the additional services.
Reserve an Elevator
If you are moving out of or into an apartment and the movers have to take your items up or down the stairs or to wait for the elevator, you will be charged an additional elevator fee or flight charge that will be calculated based on the flight of stairs. All you need to do to avoid this last-minute cost is to reserve the elevator for the time of the delivery or pickup.
Get Your New Home Ready on Time
If for one reason or other, you cannot receive your things at the pre-agreed time, the movers will wait for a while and then take your shipment to storage. You will be charged for the waiting time, and if your items are put into storage, all the extra induced costs will be at your expense. And you will have to pay a re-delivery fee for having your belongings transported to your home for a second time. To avoid paying for storage, you need to have your new property ready by the time your shipment arrives.
Last-minute extra services result in extra last-minute moving costs. To avoid such unexpected moving expenses, you need to plan your move well enough to remove the need for undesired additional moving services and to outsmart any cunning strategies set up to drain your wallet.
Avoid Costly Last-minute Mistakes
Making last-minute moving mistakes is another sure way to have to pay last-minute moving costs. To avoid such draining moving scenarios, make sure that you:
Do not hire movers at the last minute: Waiting till the last possible moment to book your move will cost you dearly, not only will you have to pay more for last-minute moving services, but you will have to take whatever is available. Not to mention that you will not have the time to research the moving company and may easily fall victim to moving scams.
Provide your movers with the necessary information: When a representative of the moving company comes to your home for a visual survey, make sure you disclose all the relevant information about the items you want to relocate. The specifics of the pickup and drop-off locations, any possible difficulties that may occur, any special handling requirements you may have, etc. It is essential to discuss the details of your relocation before the final estimate is prepared so that all the costs and conditions are included, and that no financial surprises occur on moving day.
Avoid last-minute packing mistakes: Deciding to pack a few more items in the last moment will increase the weight of your shipment and will result in extra moving costs. Running out of packing materials on moving day will leave you little choice but to buy additional packing supplies from the movers at very high prices. Packing something you are going to need on moving day or during the next couple of days in some of the boxes that are meant to go in the moving truck will result in wasted time and will incur an extra waiting fee.
Keep your essentials with you: Make sure that you have all of your personal documents and valuables, and your box of essentials, at all times. Otherwise, you might end up buying things you already own or getting in trouble because you don’t have the document you need.
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Avoid Last-minute Fraudulent Attempts
Some unscrupulous movers may try to rip a little more money off you at the last possible moment. Be careful not to sign a new estimate, no matter what unforeseen conditions or unexpected circumstances the movers may claim to have encountered during your move. Entrust any valuables to your movers, as they might disappear or get damaged during the transportation. Make any upfront payments or agree on payment methods, different from the one specified in the moving contract.
One last piece of advice, plan out the cost of your moving days in advance so that you do not end up without enough cash to provide for any necessary extra packing supplies, protective materials, and cleaning supplies. Set out snacks and drinks for you and your family, as well as for the movers and friends who come to help you with the relocation. Other expenses you will encounter are tips for the movers, fuel, road tolls, parking fees, and other travel expenses.
As you can see, careful planning and proper preparation are all you have to do to avoid last-minute moving costs. It is, therefore, entirely possible to make sure that no unpleasant financial surprises ruin your moving experience. After reading these 3 ways to avoid last minute moving costs, we hope you are better prepared to save some money on your move. If you are still searching for a reliable moving company, then you will be happy to know that you have found of the best in the business, East Coast West Coast which is one of the best moving companies in the US and can help you to relocate to and from anywhere in the country.
