A DITY move (do it yourself move) can save you a lot of money. In fact, saving money is the primary reason people take on a DITY move. If money were no object, most of us would probably love to let a full service mover handle everything for us. But here you are, back in reality and facing a DITY move.
So how do you make the most of your DITY move?
1. Plan ahead.
Procrastination is no friend of the do it yourselfer. There are a lot and details to take care of when you handle a move yourself. The more time you have, the more organized you can be. And that equates to a smoother move that is less stressful and less expensive. If you do not plan ahead, you will end up paying for unanticipated services you planned to handle yourself.
2. Be king of your budget.
It is impossible to be mindful of how much you're spending on your DITY move, if you have no idea what your budget is. Before you do anything, get your budget in order. Know how much you can afford to spend, so you know what you can have someone else do and what you'll have to handle yourself. Your budget might also dictate when you move and how.
3. Roll up your sleeves.
Do most or all of your own packing. You will usually pay by the hour to have movers pack you. The easiest way to save is to do your own packing. Again, this ties in with tip #1. Packing takes time. If you have to call in last minute paid help, your DITY move budget will not like it.
4. Recycle.
Find used boxes and packing material, rather than buying new. You can also borrow reusable bins from friends and family. Use old newspapers and magazines instead of packing paper. And make use of linens, pillows, blankets and sweatshirts to pad boxes.
5. Make a list.
A solid to do list is the best friend of the DITY move. Start the list early, follow and modify it as you go. Keep a moving folder with all moving related documents and your moving checklist, so you assure you always have everything you need.