Avoid costly home moving mistakes with these 11 genius expert tips

It’s classed as one of the most stressful events in your life, and after moving multiple times myself, I can testify to that being a fact. With the cost of living continuing to rise, moving home is also becoming as expensive as it is exhausting.

Though Saga can’t change the economy, we can work with the experts to find out how to make moving costs more manageable.

From borrowing boxes to flexibility on the moving date, we’ve collated a list of the top tips to save you some cash.

How much more are we paying to move?

Research from estate and lettings agent Barrows and Forrester, which looked at data from the Office of National Statistics to assess the increase of moving-related costs, revealed that services such as hiring a removal firm, solicitors and self-storage have together increased on average by 4.9% over the last year.

But it’s the cost of moving the contents of your home which has jumped the most. An average 10.5% rise in the actual cost of hiring a removal firm means we’re paying around £528 per move – a price that increases the more items you shift.

James Forrester, managing director of Barrows and Forrester, explains: “House prices might be cooling, but the cost of actually moving to, and settling into a new home is going up.

“Inflation is pushing up everything, from the price of manufacturing to expenses incurred by tradespeople, and they have little choice but to pass these increases to you, the customer.”

Thankfully there are ways to mitigate against these rises, provided you’re prepared to do a little extra work.

1. Plan ahead

It’s true for most things in life, but planning ahead when moving is essential.

It’s easier to change a move date than it is to try and book a last-minute one, as this may incur a premium rate. Most firms are used to dates changing and won’t charge if there’s enough notice.

However, make sure you check exactly what they charge for regarding changes or cancellations.

2. Move mid-week

According to experts at the HomeOwners Alliance, an organisation set up to provide advice on all aspects of owning a home, Friday has long been the most popular moving day. Statistics from 2011–2021 reveal that 28% of movers opt to do so on a Friday.

Saturday is the second most popular day, while Sunday is the least popular. If you’d prefer to move on a weekday, Tuesday is likely to be your cheapest option, with only 10% of movers choosing this day.

Although the busiest moving day falls on the August bank holiday weekend, “September is still a peak time when removals firms will charge more, so homeowners need to shop around early and think carefully about the best day for them,” says Angela Kerr, director of the HomeOwners Alliance.

3. Declutter

Regular readers will know that we’re big fans of decluttering at Saga Magazine.

Whether you’re a Marie Kondo fan, you have adopted the Swedish method of döstädning or simply partake in a regular spring clean (whatever the season), minimising your contents prior to moving is always a good idea.

If you fail to do this before you get quotes, you could find yourself charged for additional movers, or an oversized vehicle that you don’t even come close to filling.

Always check with your removal company how they are pricing the job. Will they be quoting based on room or estimated contents and will they charge extra if you have more?

It’s especially relevant if you’re downsizing. If you find you don’t have enough space at your new home, you could end up having to pay for a storage facility while you figure out what to do with your excess items.

4. Shop around

When it comes to getting removal quotes, it’s advisable to get several firms to price up the work and ask if there are discounts linked to your age or profession.

Some will offer discounts for older clients, while others may still be running a Blue Light Card scheme. Armed forces discounts are also widely available on many services.

5. Move yourself

Depending on the size of your home contents, you may not need a large removals firm. Instead, look around for a local ‘man with a van’ or consider hiring a van yourself and enlisting the help of family or friends.

It could be more cost effective, says Forrester.

“A more affordable option is to hire a self-drive van at £71 per day, although this has also seen a 5.1% year on year cost increase.”

6. Borrow boxes

While some removal firms may offer the option to rent packing boxes, this still involves a cost. Instead, ask on Facebook for any boxes going free in your local area. You’ll usually find someone who’s just moved and is looking for a way to dispose of them.

You can then post them on Facebook for someone else to use once you’ve finished unpacking. Although you could end up needing a little more packing tape if the boxes are well-used, it will still be cheaper than purchasing them new.

It’s also worth asking at your local supermarket, or even asking neighbours to keep any delivery boxes they get. Smaller boxes can often come in handy for valuables and items you want to transport yourself in a car.

7. Use your belongings as packing materials

While popping bubble wrap may be a guilty pleasure for some, it’s another cost you could reduce. Towels, clothes, bed linen and blankets can all be used as a protective layer for your valuables. It’s also worth keeping hold of any old newspapers for the same purpose.

Rather than wasting boxes to pack items such as bins, storage containers, laundry baskets and suitcases, you can also use these to pack your belongings.

While suitcases and laundry baskets naturally lend themselves to clothing, storage boxes and bins can be used for a multitude of items such as cleaning products. You could even pack mugs into your washing-up bowl!

8. Dismantle and disconnect

If you haven’t paid for a full dismantle and reassemble service, make sure that everything is taken apart and disconnected prior to the removal team arriving.

And if you aren’t taking everything apart, make sure you’ve checked it will fit through doors in the home you’re leaving and moving to.

Time is money when it comes to removals and delays could cost.

9. Eat yourself out of house and home

Reducing your food supply prior to moving may seem counterintuitive, as you have to replace it.

But it’s a chance to make sure you aren’t taking any items that will soon be out of date, it will help to reduce the number of boxes you need for packing, and it allows you to clean out kitchen cupboards in advance.

Plus, if the previous owners have switched off the electricity supply, or you’re moving in your own freezer, you won’t have anywhere for frozen items for at least a few hours.

Instead, write a meal plan based on what you do have and order an online food delivery to your new house a few hours after you’re due to arrive.

Make sure the order also contains some quick and easy-to-cook or ready-made items so you can avoid spending money on a takeaway.

10. Find a friend for your furries

Pets rarely enjoy moving day, but catteries and kennels can be expensive.

If you don’t already have a friend or family member who is willing to look after them during the move, find someone who is and make sure they spend time together in the lead up to moving day.

It will make the whole experience less costly and less stressful for both you and your pets.

11. Switch energy suppliers from day one

If you’re confident of your moving date, there’s one more significant way you can save on the cost of moving home. Do your research in advance and find the best deals for switching your gas and electricity to your new address and activate them on the day you move in.

Take meter readings just before you leave your old property and as soon as you arrive at the new one. This will ensure you don’t pay for anyone else’s energy use at either property. Ring or register the readings online as soon as you can.

I also find it helpful to take a photo of the meter readings in situ. The photo is date stamped if there are ever any queries.