Unless you’re somehow able to DIY everything, chances are you’re going to have to spend some money on your NYC move. With that said, it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg to move in NYC. In fact, with the right strategies, you can reduce the costs and even save yourself some money to invest in furniture and decor for your new apartment. Below are some useful money saving tips before, during, and after your move!
Book in Advance
Whether you’re hiring professional NYC movers or renting a truck, the sooner you can secure the service the better. Prices tend to increase the closer you get to your move date so plan ahead. Ideally, you’ll be able to book your movers or truck at least a month in advance. You might want to consider even earlier if you’re moving during the peak season of May-September.
Speaking of peak moving season, if you can manage a move outside of that time period, you may be able to negotiate rates with a moving company so don’t be afraid to ask. As well, try to avoid moving the first and last week of the month and on the weekends. Of course, you may not have the flexibility when it comes to your move out date since it’s based on your lease, but if you do, try to avoid options where a lot of people are moving.
Declutter Your Stuff
Most local NYC moves charge hourly rates so while you don’t have to worry about the total weight of your move, the more stuff you have, the longer it will take the NYC movers to load and unload your things. As such, decluttering is a great way to get rid of items that you no longer use/need and reduce the amount of boxes you will need to pack. Better yet, if your items are in good condition, you can consider selling them. Make sure to price them relatively low so you can move it quickly. You won’t recoup the original cost, but whatever money you make during the sale can be put towards your move. If you’re lucky, you might be able to make a couple hundred dollars.
Compare NYC Moving Company Quotes
Should you decide to go the moving company route, always reach out to multiple companies before locking one down. In general, the quotes shouldn’t differ too much in terms of pricing, but what might be different is what’s included in a basic move. For example, NYC Great Movers provides free wardrobe box rentals, basic disassembly for furniture, and dismounting of TVs and air conditioner units. These included services can end up saving you a whole lot of time and money, so make sure to ask what’s included before making your decision. Also, don’t forget to ask if the company has any deals going on, especially if you’re moving during off-peak season. Many may knock off $10-20 from the bill.
Pack Yourself
Yes, we know that packing is the most tedious task when it comes to moving and it might be tempting to hire someone to handle it, but that is going to cost a lot of money. If you’re on a tight budget, then you’ll have to do it all yourself. Of course, that does mean you’ll have to gather all the necessary packing materials, but that doesn’t have to cost much money. In fact, you can probably find some free ones online or ask friends and family to save their boxes from their online orders and drop them off. You can also ask around your local liquor or grocery store to see if they’d be willing to part with some of their boxes.
Once you have enough materials, it’s time to start packing. If it feels overwhelming, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Make a party out of it by putting on some tunes, inviting some friends, and having some light bites and maybe even some wine. When packing, make sure to keep your boxes organized by room and item type. Pack all fragile items together and make sure to wrap them all properly. Put books in smaller boxes to avoid making it too heavy and thus compromising the structural integrity of the box.
Be On Site During the Move
Unless you absolutely cannot be there on moving day, you should make an effort to be present. That way, you can ensure they follow your instructions and you can do a final walkthrough of your apartment to make sure you didn’t miss packing anything. More importantly, since you know exactly what services you ordered and have the quote from the company, the moving crew won’t be able to squeeze you out of more money. While it might seem like a formality, being on site could potentially save you a lot of stress in the long run.
Make Moving Day Snacks
While it’s good practice to use up all the perishables in your fridge before the move, it’s not always possible. Instead of throwing out all that food, get creative and make some moving day snacks to keep you sated. Pack up some easy meals like salads or sandwiches if you have the ingredients so that way you’ll have something to eat when you’ve moved into your new apartment. Not only will you reduce your own waste, you’ll also save yourself the cost of a pizza dinner which, in NYC, can end up costing you a pretty penny.
Transfer Your Utilities
Getting your utilities transferred over is not a last minute thing. If you already know where you’re moving your best bet is to call the appropriate company and let them know in advance. While there are a few different internet providers, NYC only has one electrical and gas provider – Con Edison. You don’t even need to call them up when you move anymore! You can transfer your utilities through their online portal. If you do run into issues, you should absolutely talk to a representative to make sure service has been changed. The sooner you get this done, the less chances there are of overlapping bill payments.
Hire NYC Great Movers
Moving doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. There are plenty of ways you can reduce your costs without even going the DIY route. Following the tips above can help you reduce your overhead. NYC Great Movers also provides some of the best service at excellent rates and if you need help with the costs, we’re always happy to work with you.
FAQ
I’d like to have help with packing. How can I save money while still getting this service?
We offer partial moving service, which means we can help with specific areas or rooms while you pack the rest.
How much does it cost to hire NYC movers?
The less you have to move, the cheaper. You could spend as little as $100.
Are there any hidden fees in the moving quote?
We do not have any hidden fees. All of the fees are listed right in the quote and if you have any questions about a fee, we will answer your questions.
