Dallas is an amazing place to live and work, but the cost of getting your belongings there can be overwhelming if you don’t do your research. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to make moving to Dallas more affordable.
Keep reading for advice about saving on your upcoming move, or if you’re looking for more in-depth information about relocating to the metroplex, check out our Dallas Moving Guide.
Plan Ahead
One of our best tips for saving on a move is to plan in advance. Moving companies and moving trucks get booked fast, and if you wait, you could have fewer choices and possibly end up overpaying. If you’re looking into hiring Dallas movers, you should schedule the move at least four to six weeks out since Dallas-Fort Worth is the second-fastest growing metro area in the country.
A valuable benefit of booking your move a few weeks in advance is that you can plan it around friends and family who can help, perhaps with packing and childcare. If you’re considering a do-it-yourself move, where you and your friends and family do the loading and unloading, working around your helpers’ schedules is vital.
A DIY Move vs. Hiring Movers
You might assume that a do-it-yourself move is an obvious choice for saving money; however, this kind of move may cost more than you think. In addition to the expense of a moving truck, you may also have to purchase your own moving supplies, including furniture blankets, shrink wrap, and ratchet straps. Also, if you go with this option, make sure you have friends and family who are willing and able to help you.
A container move is another possibility for a DIY relocation. With this type of move, a portable storage unit gets dropped off at your house, and the company picks it up after you finish loading it. This option can be more affordable than renting a truck, but keep in mind that without the proper tools and experience, loading the unit can eat up a lot of your time and put physical stress on you and your helpers.
Hiring a professional Dallas moving company can relieve you of more than just the physical stress you’d experience with a DIY move.
For example, if you go with MoveDay, a personal move coordinator will be assigned to your move as a single point of contact. Additionally, we’ll provide you with an online moving portal where you can track your relocation in real-time and make changes to your move with only a few clicks.
Pare Down Your Belongings
Moving costs add up fast, so there’s no reason to pay to move items you no longer want or need. Not only that, but you won’t want to stuff every nook and cranny of your new house with junk. At least a month before the move, start decluttering and downsizing. Getting rid of unwanted clutter can be therapeutic and prepare you for a fresh start in your new home.
You can even make money during this process by selling some of your more marketable items. Sort items into categories to keep, donate, or sell, and if you have time, advertise your big-ticket items on Facebook, Craigslist, or OfferUp. Donating unwanted items saves time and helps others but be sure to get receipts for items you give to charity in case you need the tax write-off.
Move During an Off Time
Everyone wants to move during the summer months, making it a busy time for Dallas moving companies and rental truck agencies.
If your goal is to save money, avoid scheduling your relocation during the peak season when rates could be higher. Instead, plan to move between October and April for optimum savings. Moving in the middle of the week or the middle of the month is another possible way to save on a truck rental or professional move; however, avoiding a summer relocation will make the biggest impact.
Choose Only the Services You Need
Getting help from professional movers doesn’t have to mean springing for a full-service move. Larger moving companies tend to offer a la carte services that allow you to customize your move and only pay for what you need. MoveDay provides a full suite of customizable moving services, including:
- Packing and unpacking
- Partial packing
- Loading and unloading
- Specialty moving services
- Long- and short-term storage services
We make moving easy with transparent pricing and flexible options to meet your unique needs.
Ask for Free Boxes
With so many people shopping online these days, boxes are easier to find than ever before. Start spreading the word about your move, and people will come out of the woodwork offering you the Amazon boxes that they have sitting in their garages. You can also visit local businesses and organizations to see what they have to offer. Here are a few potential goldmines for free boxes:
- Liquor stores
- Bookstores
- Grocery stores
- Schools
If you don’t have time to gather boxes in this way, consider purchasing lightly used recycled boxes on Craigslist.
If you’re considering moving to Dallas, contact MoveDay now for a hassle-free quote.
Get Creative About Packing Supplies
Careful packing is essential for protecting your fragile belongings; however, you probably already have items around the house that would work as packing material. For example, you can use towels, t-shirts, and other soft items to wrap sensitive objects and fill gaps in your boxes. You could also start saving plastic bags from your grocery trips and use those as packing material.
Cancel Utilities Strategically
Contacting utility providers is probably on everyone’s moving checklist; however, avoiding overlaps in service can help you save money. Another way to save is by negotiating with utility companies to avoid installation or transfer fees. This part is a long shot, but it can’t hurt to ask.
Get Help with Moving Costs
If your move was related to a new job location, you might be able to deduct some of your expenses. However, if you don’t end up writing off your moving expenses, and the move was work-related, consider asking your employer to reimburse you for the move. Either way, be sure to save your receipts.
Wait on Decorating
As tempting as it is to start purchasing decor for your new home, now probably isn’t the best time to spend in this area. Some of the expenses incurred during the move may take a while to catch up with you, and unexpected costs could still crop up.
Living in the new space for a while before making any major purchases will give you time to decide exactly what your new home needs to look its best. Waiting will also provide a cooling-off period to prevent unnecessary impulse buys that you may regret later.
Get Quotes from Dallas Local Movers
When obtaining moving estimates, resist the urge to automatically go with the lowest bidder. Doing so could cost you more in the long run if your items end up lost, broken, or even stolen. Instead, go with a long-established, reputable company.
Leveraging 100 years of experience from our parent company, MoveDay has the resources and expertise to coordinate your move and safely transport your possessions to your new home. As a top-rated Dallas local moving company, we’re proud to offer a level of service unmatched by our competitors.
