move
Lifestyle & Travel

4 Smart Ways to Prepare for Your Next House Move

Dawn Mikayla

A house move is never easy, no matter how many times you’ve done it before. Whether you’re moving a few blocks away or across the country, there is plenty to think about and prepare for. For most people, it’s not something you do every day. Even if you live in a city with a high population density and high-rise apartments, most people rent their home for several years before buying one. The five million people who move house every year in the United States are primarily young professionals who are just starting out on their own for the first time, with almost none of them being parents with kids or retirees who have downsized from their family home.

Book your movers or van rental in advance for lower prices

If you want to save money on your next house move, book your movers or van rental at least a month in advance. This will allow you to conduct thorough research and find reliable, licensed movers in your area at the best price. On average, movers charge $1,400 to move household items from one state to another, but the cost can vary greatly depending on the distance, time of year, size of the home, etc. If you book your movers or van rental too close to the moving day, you may not be able to find the best deal or find a company that is available on that day. So, the best advice is to book your movers or van rental as soon as you know you will be moving.

Declutter

Before you start packing up your stuff and putting it in boxes, it’s good to get rid of things that you no longer use. For example, if you’re moving to a smaller place, you might want to get rid of extra furniture to lighten the load. The last thing you want to do is move junk with you, only to throw it out once you unpack. Plus, the less you need to move, the easier and cheaper it will be.

Consider using storage

Storage units are a handy option to have when moving home, especially if you have a lot of stuff to move. Regardless of if you are decluttering before the move or not, being able to pack up your belongings and have them out of the house can ease the stress in the run-up to the action.

Self-storage options are usually the best for home moves, and companies such as StorageArea.com offer this service. For example, look at the items you don’t use every day, such as seasonal storage or skiing equipment; these can go into storage to go out of your way. As can ornaments, pictures on walls, and any ambient decor and furniture that isn’t essential to help you get on with life but with part of your home packed and ready to be taken to your new home.

Set a moving budget

Now is the time to start budgeting for your move. You can do this by creating a list of all the expenses associated with your move. Once you’ve added them all up, you can decide how much you’ll need to save to cover your costs. You may be able to get moving costs covered by your employer or insurance company if you’re moving because of a job promotion or a change in your job or health situation.

Some of the costs that you may need to budget for include:

  • Hiring house movers or a van rental company to transport your things to your new home 
  • Professional moving boxes and supplies
  •  Moving insurance
  • A hotel stay if you’re unable to move on a specific date
  • Temporary storage if you don’t have enough space in your new home to store your stuff
  • New furniture and appliances if you’re moving to a bigger place

Don’t forget to look at all aspects of your house move to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything from your budget.