How To Save Money When Moving House

There are many costs to consider when you're moving house, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. This can include hiring a professional moving company, to changing utility providers.

There are several ways you can save money when moving house and many of these costs can be easily tackled with careful planning. This can help you to avoid any unexpected bills or charges.

We have compiled a list of the 10 best money-saving tips for when moving house. From the cheapest day to book moving companies, to how to get your hands on free cardboard boxes and packing materials. This guide will cover everything you need to know about the cheapest way to move house.

Money Saving Tips

Here are our 10 top tips on how to save on the costs of moving house:

1. Hire a Removal Company

If you're planning to move home, hiring a removal service can be a wise decision. Removal companies are trained professionals who transport your belongings safely and efficiently. While some may be hesitant due to the cost of a removal company, especially when moving in London, their services are often more cost-effective than managing the move yourself.

When moving items on your own, you'll need to consider the cost of hiring a removals van, purchasing insurance, and the time it takes to handle the move. These expenses can quickly add up and end up being more expensive and complicated than simply hiring a professional removal company.

The average removal company cost is around £1,110, though prices can vary based on the volume of goods, the distance, and the company chosen. There are also grants available to help with moving costs, such as the DWP moving house grant, which can cover rent in advance if you need to relocate.

Since removal companies have access to specialized equipment and vehicles, you can save money by using their services. You won’t have to worry about renting a moving truck, and a professional company will handle the loading and unloading of your belongings. This eliminates the need to move bulky and heavy items yourself. Some companies even offer part-load removals, where you only pay for the space you use, helping you save further. If you're making a smaller move, consider looking into man and van prices.

Hiring a removal service is both cost-effective and time-saving, reducing the stress of moving. With professional help, your moving experience is likely to be more positive and less overwhelming.

2. Book as Early as Possible to Get the Best Deal

The earlier you book a removal company, the better. Many removal companies offer special deals or discounts when you book well in advance, which can help you save on your overall moving costs. Waiting until the last minute to secure a removal service can limit your options and potentially increase your expenses.

By booking early, you'll have more time to compare multiple quotes, helping you find the best deal for your move. Last-minute bookings may mean you miss out on the chance to compare prices, leading to higher costs.

It’s essential to plan ahead and consider all potential costs, including additional services like packing and disassembling furniture. By planning in advance, you're more likely to account for every expense, reducing the likelihood of facing unexpected costs at the last minute. Keep in mind that removal companies often charge more for last-minute services, so early planning can save you money.

3. Compare Moving House Services

Using an online comparison website is a smart way to find a professional removal company at a fraction of the cost. It saves you time, as you won’t need to spend hours shopping around for the best removal quotes.

With a comparison website, you simply enter your moving details, and removal companies will contact you with their prices and service options. This allows you to easily compare moving quotes from multiple companies to find the best deal.

When reaching out to a removal company, it’s crucial to provide as much information as possible to avoid any unexpected costs on moving day. Many removal companies offer a pre-move home survey, which helps them provide you with an accurate and realistic quote for your removal costs.

Most comparison websites only partner with trusted and verified companies. At Omni Removals, all of our partners are fully insured with Goods in Transit and Public Liability coverage. Additionally, they’ve passed our strict verification process, ensuring that you’ll receive high-quality moving services with peace of mind.

4. Book Off-Peak Season to Move

Knowing the best time to move house can help you save significantly on your home removal costs. While it’s not always possible due to completion dates and house rental contracts, if you can plan ahead, choosing a quieter time of year to move can reduce expenses.

Winter is typically the least popular time to move home due to poor weather conditions and shorter daylight hours. However, because it’s a quieter season, some removal companies may offer lower prices to attract customers. If you're working with a tighter budget, moving in the winter could be a cost-effective option.

Autumn and Spring are also great months to consider for your move. These seasons are popular but not as busy as summer, meaning prices are generally more affordable and not inflated due to high demand. However, avoid moving in August, as September 1st marks the start of the academic year in the UK, making it a peak time for student movers.

The summer months are the busiest and most expensive time to move house due to longer, lighter days and the summer holidays. Many people opt to move during this period, causing removal companies to raise their rates to meet the demand for their services.

5. Book Cheapest Day to Move House

Booking your removal company well in advance can often lead to a better deal and fewer unexpected costs. By planning ahead, you're less likely to face hidden charges or price increases. Now that you know to avoid moving during the busy summer months, it’s also important to choose the cheapest day to move.

The best day to move house can vary depending on your location, but Sunday is typically the most affordable day, according to Omni Removals' data. Friday is the most popular day for moving as it allows people the entire weekend to settle in and avoid moving during the workweek. However, this high demand means removal companies often increase their prices to match the demand.

6. Declutter and Sell your unwanted items

If you're looking for moving house packing tips, here are some helpful suggestions. Before you start packing, it’s important to create an inventory list of all the items you plan to take with you. This will help you decide which items to keep and which ones to sell or discard.

Packing everything you own, including things you don’t need, can be time-consuming and increase your removal costs as you’ll be moving unnecessary items. By selling unwanted items, you can earn extra money, which can be put towards your moving expenses.

There are several platforms to sell unwanted items, such as Facebook Marketplace, Vinted, Depop, eBay, and other online selling platforms. Car boot sales are another great way to offload things you no longer need.

We’ve created the ultimate moving house checklist, which includes everything you need to do in the months, weeks, and days leading up to your move.

Read more on: How to Declutter For a House Move.

7. Get Free Packing Materials

You can save money on a packing service by knowing where to find free cardboard boxes and other packing materials like bubble wrap.

In the months leading up to your move, it’s useful to save any suitable boxes and packaging materials that come with deliveries. This way, you won’t need to scramble for spare boxes as your moving date approaches.

Local businesses, shops, cafés, and supermarkets often have a variety of cardboard boxes available each week from deliveries. Most are happy to give away these boxes and unwanted packaging for free. You can also ask friends, family, and your workplace if they have any second-hand boxes you can use.

Additionally, consider using what you’re already transporting. For example, pack delicate items like mirrors and photo frames in towels or bedsheets. Not only will this save money on packing material costs, but it will also help reduce waste.

If you prefer to buy packing materials, you can purchase high-quality options directly from your removal company. However, this tends to be more expensive than sourcing your own boxes.

8. Get Help with Packing

Most removal companies offer packing services, where a team of professional packers will come to your home a few days before your move to pack up your belongings. The average cost for packing services is around £250, which covers all the boxes and necessary packing materials.

This service can be particularly helpful if you have specialist items that require careful packing. However, it can quickly add up in cost. To save money, you can opt to pack your own items. Packing your items yourself is a straightforward way to reduce costs. If you need extra help, ask friends or family to pitch in—more hands will make the packing process quicker and easier.

9. Compare Utility Providers

Moving house is the perfect time to compare energy suppliers for electricity, gas, and water in your new area. You might find that your new location offers better deals on energy bills, potentially saving you a significant amount of money.

By comparing different providers, you can find the most cost-effective option for your new home. Don’t forget to check your account with your previous supplier after you’ve moved out, as you may be due a refund if your account is in credit.

When you move into your new home, make sure to take meter readings for water, gas, and electricity. This will ensure that the utility companies won’t charge you for the previous owner’s usage.

Likewise, it’s a good idea to take meter readings at your old property for peace of mind and to avoid any billing issues.

10. Compare Storage Options

If you’re looking to store items when moving between your old and new home, it’s useful to compare different types of storage options. This service is useful if you’re not moving to a home straight away or if you need to store items if you’re downsizing.

There are 2 main storage options available to use:

Self-storage

This is best if you’re looking to store fewer items. There are different sizes to choose from and the items can be easily accessed.

Container Storage

This option is best suited if you want to store the contents of a home. There are typically 2 storage sizes to choose from: 20ft and 40ft. The option you choose will depend on the number of goods you have.

You can use comparison websites such as Omni Removals to compare and contrast up to 6 different storage quotes. Through our online form, we can help you to save up to 70% on your storage costs.