Moving: How to get the best value for money
For many people, moving is one of the events considered to be the most stressful. There is so much to think about and organize. Keeping everything running smoothly requires a good deal of planning and organization. And above all, you have to plan a budget, especially if you need the help of movers to move your belongings.
Are you planning a move, and wondering how to reduce your bill while benefiting from quality service? Here are some expert tips to help you organize a move at the best value for money.
Best moving price: shop your movers
Hiring professionals to take care of a move is always the biggest budget expense. If we cannot do without the help of movers to transport our belongings, we can however take the time to compare the offer of several companies before making our choice.
Ask for quotes, and compare offers
To organize a move at the best value for money, it is advisable to ask for several quotes to compare the prices of the companies. This step is important to help you find the best price for your move. Of course, doing research takes time, but the effort will allow you to find the offer best suited to your needs and save money at the same time.
A serious moving company will take the time to discuss with you to find out more about the nature and volume of the goods to be moved. The more information you can give them, the more accurate their cost estimate will be. Feel free to ask questions about their services. And above all, be careful not to be seduced only by the low prices!
Look for testimonials and reviews online
It is now very easy to do a little investigation when you want to know more about a company. Reading the opinions of their customers can be a good source of information to make an informed choice. It is suggested that you take the time to read several testimonials, as one or two negative comments do not necessarily mean that the company is bad.
Consider the value of your goods
If you have heavy and valuable items, it is better to do business with a well-established company that employs properly trained and experienced movers. It goes without saying that one does not move a grand piano or an art object as one would a box of books. It is also important that the moving company has appropriate insurance coverage.
If, on the other hand, your possessions have little value, you could reduce the cost of your bill by using the services of individuals who appear on sites such as Kijiji for example (which, however, involves risks) or by asking your loved ones to help you.
Best moving price: is your mover certified?
There are certifications for all areas, including moving. Certification demonstrates the expertise of an entrepreneur, and this expertise can be expressed in several ways. Most of the time, it involves recognized training and a number of years of experience.
There are reliable resources you can use to do these checks. Among others, the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM), which represents moving and storage companies. Their services aim to promote client safety by facilitating their access to quality professional services. A list of CAM-accredited movers can be found on their website.
You can also check if the moving company you are interested in is recommended by CAA-Quebec. The latter use evaluation criteria such as the credibility and skills of a company, as well as the number of years of experience.
Taking advantage of these resources can go a long way in helping you organize a move at the best value for money.
For a low-cost move, sort it out!
Why not take advantage of your move to get rid of what no longer serves you? Before packing your belongings, it can be useful to sort out all those objects that collect dust and that you keep “just in case”… This exercise can be tedious, but it will go a long way towards allowing you to enjoy a lower price for your move. Because who says fewer moving boxes means fewer round trips, less space to occupy for transport and fewer working hours for your movers.
In addition, your unused goods could be useful to others. Many people take advantage of their move to hold a yard sale or display their belongings on peer-to-peer sales sites. An initiative that could allow you to finance part of your move.
Save time preparing the ground
To further reduce the time needed for the move and save money, preparing your belongings for D-Day is also important. Thus, it is strongly advised to get ahead by taking simple actions, but which will make a big difference. For example, you could:
- Unplug appliances
- Dismantle the bed frame
- Pack the mattresses
- Remove doors to facilitate passage
- Empty dresser drawers and fix them
- Remove furniture legs
- Remove shelves from furniture and wrap them together
Finally, several other items that are difficult to pack can waste valuable time during the move. Brooms and mops are an example, and should be tied together to make moving them easier. The same goes for plants, which should be boxed together. Lamps and lampshades should also be grouped together in the same boxes, their connection wires well fixed so as not to hang around.
Plan your move during the low season
Choosing the less busy time of year will help you cut costs for your move. During high season, which runs from mid-May to mid-July, moving can cost several hundred dollars an hour.
The best time to move and take advantage of a better price is therefore in low season, and at the beginning of the week. Once the holidays are over, favor the beginning of the year until March, or from mid-September to mid-December.
Moving at a good price: cook your leftovers!
If you want to reduce the price of your next move and you have time, forget the restaurant and cook the leftovers from your fridge. Indeed, your refrigerator and your pantry surely contain many foodstuffs that can be cooked in the days preceding your move.
Are you looking for the best price for your move?
Take advantage of the advice and expertise of the Déménagement Martineau team. A detailed quote and personalized service will be offered to you to ensure an advantageous, safe move that meets your expectations. Contact us to find out more!
References :
JOURNAL MÉTRO. Déménagement pas cher: 20 trucs pour déménager à faible coût [Cheap moving: 20 tips for moving at low cost]
PROMUTUEL ASSURANCES. How to choose your mover
Office de la Protection du Consommateur. Consumer tops: Before a Move
