Since you realized that you will be moving long-distance, I'm sure you have thought of the ways that you can reduce the cost. There are several options you can choose for your cross country move. In most cases, people select cross country movers but is usually dependent on the cost. Moving companies charge customers depending on the volume/cubic footage of your items, the distance being moved, the season you’re moving and any additional services needed (specialty packing/crating, special handling fees, multiple flights of stairs, etc.). If you don’t want to break the bank to move all your items across the country, you may consider going with the lowest moving bid you received and sometimes that can be a mistake. Moving is a federally regulated industry (as far as the pricing goes) so the pricing between reputable moving companies shouldn't vary all that much.
Planning The Most Cost-Effective Cross Country Move
It’s estimated that the average cost for hiring cross country moving companies ranges from $2000 to $5000 for an average size move. The cost could obviously by higher if you have a much larger home and most of the time is worth the cost rather than doing a self move.
At Express Moving, we’ve got you covered. We offer professional advice on what’s the cheapest way in making cross country moves. We want to make sure that you don’t go over your budget when you decide to move across the country. In this post, we’ll offer better and cheaper ways to move your items. We also want to ensure that your cross country move is less arduous and less stressful.
Sell Some Of Your Belongings
The size of your items will largely influence the amount to be charged for your cross country move. Often, you’ll find there are some you have not used for a long time, probably years. With some of these items you find they may not have any use in your life now and the reality is you don’t need them. Decluttering and purging is always a good thing to do while you are packing and preparing for your move. It will give you a better sense of what you actually need to pay to have moved and what just isn't worth it. Before you throw away all the items YOU don't need anymore think about the fact that someone else may be able to utilize them. With the items in good condition you should consider selling them on places like Facebook, EBay, Craigslist, OfferUP or Letgo. This way you can recoop some of your past spent money to use towards moving costs.
Think to yourself, "Is this worth the cost to ship this item? Or can I easily replace it for less?". We can help you make informed decisions about certain things that you may be on the fence about.
Look For Discounts Or Offers
You’ll find that most moving companies offer discounts for long-distance moves. This is why it is always important to ask about discounts that you may qualify for. At Express Moving, we have a multitude of discounts that we can provide you and typically ask the customer before presenting the total price. Discounts that we offer include: Military/Veteran, Law Enforcement, Healthcare worker, Gov't Employee, Teacher/Education, Student, Senior, AAA & AARP Member.
You’ll save money when you hire services of cross country moving companies that offer discounts and other deals. Most companies can offer seasonal discounts. Please don’t shy away from asking them whether they are offering discounts for the move. They’ll also let you know other deals they have to ensure you know more about what’s the cheapest ways in making cross country moves.
Ship Your Items To The Destination
As a DIY option for a smaller move (maybe just a few boxes or a piece of furniture), shipping your stuff can help you save a lot more than hiring professional moving companies. However, this approach is stressful and daunting. It isn’t the best approach when you are shipping large quantities for a long distance move. But if you have a small amount of stuff, this is one of the most convenient moving options for you. You can ship your items via FedEx, UPS, and USPS to your new destination. Sometimes thinking outside of the box a bit can save you lots of money!
Ask For Help From Friends & Family
Do you have friends or family members willing to chip in and offer a helping hand? Before including full packing services with your move you may consider free help from friends and family. This approach will help you save a lot more since no charges are needed for the extra hand. Your friends and family will help you pack the boxes, move heavy items out of the way and help prepare and clean the house before your departure. However, make sure you work around their schedules to avoid inconveniencing them. You only need to offer them beverages, pizza, or gift cards as a way of thanking them.
Look For Free Moving Supplies
Buying new boxes, packing papers, and packing tapes could mean getting your hands deeper into your pockets. But what if there are places you can get these supplies for free? Ask your friends to help you with packing boxes that they are not using. Visit nearby bookstores, grocery stores, offices, local schools, liquor stores and neighbors to ask for free moving boxes. Find out whether you have unused boxes in your store first before purchasing new ones. Eventually, you’ll be surprised by the number of free boxes you’ll find around, thus saving more money for your move. Despite what you may think, you can use whatever kind of boxes or container for packing as long as they are in good shape and able to be sealed. A tip for packing fragile items (dishes, china, vases, lamps, etc.) is to pack them in boxes with your linens or towels to save on the cost of addtional bubble wrap or packing materials.
Let Your Company Pay For The Move
If your company opens a new branch in another state or you get a promotion and have to relocate within the company, you should ask about their relocation policies. Other companies may pay for your cross country move when they hire you. Reach out to the Human Resources department to inquire more about their moving policies. They may have a preferred moving company that they work with to refer you to. Or they may reimburse or directly pay for your moving services.
Final Thoughts
You can save thousands of dollars when moving across country when you think about all the options in front of you. With the correct information about what’s the cheapest way in making cross country moves, you can save a lot. Follow a budget and consider looking around for all possible ways to move your items without breaking the bank. Although you may have a strict budget, you need to also have a little wiggle room in case something unexpected comes up. Make a call with us here at Express Moving to learn more about your cross country move. Our consultants are ready to respond to any question about your upcoming venture!