How to save money on your home removal

Shoestring Jane suggests practical tips to save money on your home removal

Moving can be an expensive business.

With the average cost of a home removal service for a three-bedroom house in the UK around £1,300, is it possible to make savings? 

Having moved home myself and helped my daughters do the same in recent years, I discovered some tips to save money on your home removal. I will share the best of them here.

1# Get plenty of quotes and check for discounts

As with everything, it pays to get a few quotes for home removal services. There are several comparison sites these days that make this process easier.

Be sure to ask if they offer any discounts, such as for blue light workers, and make sure the quotes include VAT.

If you are moving from a small property and don’t have masses of stuff, a man with a van service is likely to be considerably cheaper.

2# Hire a van and move yourself

We saved a ton of money during our recent house move by hiring a van and asking family to help. However, here is a disclaimer: this was very hard work!

If you have a few fit and able folks around to help and don’t have much to move, a DIY home move will be a great money-saver.

However, if you have a lot of heavy furniture or are relocating some distance it is probably better to enlist the services of professionals with a truck.

3# Move during the week

The most popular days to move are Fridays and Saturdays and, as a result, it can be cheaper to choose a weekday if possible. This is the same whether you are using a removal firm or hiring a van to drive yourself.

4# Source used packaging materials

You can purchase boxes and packaging materials from your removal company or on-line, but if you start early it is usually easy enough to pick them up for free.

I found a lot of medium-sized boxes by walking around my neighbourhood on recycling day. Freegle, Freecycle and Facebook are also good places to request large packing boxes, or you could try supermarkets and electrical retailers. 

5# DIY disassembling

Save money on your home removal by packing and disassembling furniture yourself. Removal companies will charge to take your beds apart, for example. Be sure to put nuts and bolts in a clearly labelled plastic bag so you don’t lose them. I usually tape bits and bobs securely to the piece of furniture they belong to.

6# Have a clear-out before you move

If you rarely use an item, it makes no sense to pay someone to move it! A home move is the perfect opportunity to have a good declutter. You could even make money to put towards your move by selling some of it online or at a boot sale.

7# Empty your freezer

Don’t leave emptying and defrosting your freezer until the last minute. Make sure you use everything up so that you don’t waste any food. 

Have a cool bag handy to keep any items from your fridge fresh until you get up and running in your new place, too.

8# Have a deep clean

If you rent the property you are leaving, make sure you get your deposit back with a thorough deep clean, preferably once it is empty of furniture. In addition, make sure any small repairs are done in advance of your move.

9# Buy secondhand

If you are going to a bigger property and need more furniture, check Freegle and Freecycle, charity shops and selling sites for bargains. You will pay a fraction of the price you would new.

It might be best to do this after you move so you don’t need a bigger van. If you purchase large items in advance, be sure to let your removal company know, as it may affect the price you are charged.

There are so many costs involved in moving, it makes sense to save money on your home removal where you can. Getting organised well in advance, finding the best price on your van or removal company and finding free packing materials can all help ease some of the financial stress.

Photo credits: Pexels