How to Save Money on Your Sydney Move: Budget-Friendly Moving Tips

Moving can be an exciting but expensive endeavour. Between removalists, packing supplies, and additional costs, it can cost people anywhere between $500 to move locally in Sydney and up to $10,000 if moving interstate out of Sydney – It’s no wonder why people are constantly looking for ways to cut costs!

The good news is that with careful planning and some budget-friendly tips from us, movers can effectively reduce their spending costs.

In this article, we put together a handy guide on what you can do to move smarter and lower upcoming moving costs without compromising on the quality of your relocation – let’s dive in!

Moving Freebies To Slash Your Moving Costs

Often overlooked, many people don’t realise how much packing can cost movers.

While hiring packers will inevitably cost money, people sometimes spend over $100 – $200 just on packing supplies alone!

Luckily, movers can employ several strategies to become more cost-effective and reduce packing expenses:

• Fee Boxes: Instead of purchasing boxes from a shop, why not ask friends and family members if they have any spare boxes lying around?
  • Failing that, you can rely on the kindness of strangers by using online local community groups found at Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and Ziilch to name a few.
  • Another excellent source of free boxes is by visiting your local supermarket or liquor store. With plenty of deliveries coming into these places, they will often have an abundance of spare boxes that they are willing to give away at no cost.
  • Finally, if you are moving with a reputable removalist like ZOOM Removals, then you automatically get access to our free moving boxes deal as part of the service. Our complimentary boxes are strong, sturdy, and waterproof making them ideal for even the most challenging of relocations. The best part is that you can borrow as many boxes as you need!

• Get Creative with Alternatives: If you’re on a tight budget, then consider repurposing old towels, blankets and even old clothes for padding instead of buying expensive bubble wrap. Old cupboards can also be used for temporary storage which helps avoid the need to buy new boxes or containers for loading up the truck. From an environmental perspective, reusing old items instead of buying new ones, helps avoid contributing to landfill waste and the production of new materials.

• Newspaper And Magazines: Another great tip is to use old newspapers and magazines that are lying around to pad delicate or breakable belongings. The paper found in newspapers and magazines can often provide additional cushioning for delicate items when in transit. This is because it acts as a buffer, absorbing any bumps or shocks that could occur during transportation or storage. Additionally, they can be used for wrapping the items, providing an extra layer of protection against scratches.
• Enlist The Help Of Friends & Family: If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford professional movers, consider recruiting friends and family to help move your items.

Finally – A pro tip: If you still have packages being delivered to your existing home address, instead of throwing them away why not save them to use for your upcoming move?

Relocate Your Own Vehicle

When moving interstate, you may be tempted to consider using a professional car-carrying company to transport your vehicle.

A more cost-effective way is simply driving your vehicle yourself, especially if you’re looking to save money.

Taking care of this yourself provides the following benefits:

• Potential Cost Savings: Driving your vehicle opens up the possibility for you to fill up your car with some of your belongings, reducing the amount you need to spend on a removalist company.
• Flexibility: Driving your vehicle yourself also means that you have complete control over the travel schedule, and the travel route not to mention that you can stop at your convenience.

Before deciding to tackle this task yourself, it’s crucial to consider the following points from a financial perspective:

Get Lower Costs by Avoiding Busy Periods

When hiring movers, the timing of your move can significantly affect the final cost. Here’s why:

Seasonal Fluctuations: Moving companies in Sydney (and worldwide) will often experience seasonal fluctuations in the demand for their services. Peak times such as when children are off during half term or national public holidays will often see a surge in prices as families will have more freedom to complete a move then. Due to increased demand, moving companies tend to charge more due to limited availability as well as increased operational costs.

Weekends Vs Weekdays: Similar to national holidays, moving companies often also tend to be busier during the weekends due to higher demand; so if possible consider moving on a working day if using professional assistance, unless this is not a possibility.

Avoid Short Notice Moves: They say prevention is better than a cure and poor planning or unforeseen circumstances certainly fit this statement when it comes to moving homes. Without proper planning, you may be the victim of increased fees as booking slots run out with removal companies. Last-minute moves can also mean more reliance on moving companies for help with various tasks beyond just transporting belongings. This can include:

• Packing Services
• End-Of-Lease Cleaning Services.
• Hire Movers (For Additional Labour Hire)
• Removals & Storage Services (For more information read our article: how much is a storage unit per week

For this reason, it is vital to plan your move at least 3 months in advance to prevent paying more for your logistics.

Travel Costs: If your relocation involves long-distance travel, fuel costs can also play a role. Petrol prices tend to fluctuate throughout the year, and peak seasons often coincide with higher fuel prices. This can lead to increased transportation costs for moving companies, which may be reflected in your final quote. Another way to prevent paying more on travel costs is to plan a route that does not involve paying for tolls where possible.

Look for Moving Deals

If you are considering using professional movers, then this section will provide you with tips and strategies to help you find the best deals on moving services, packing supplies, and other moving-related expenses.

Compare Quotes: It pays to be street-smart in life and booking movers for your relocation is no different. You will want to obtain moving quotes from several moving companies instead of one. This will allow you to set a budget, compare prices and find a service that best suits your moving needs without overpaying.

Be wary of scams: Unfortunately, there are scams out there targeting people who are inexperienced movers. Be cautious of any companies that ask for a large deposit upfront or provide quotes that seem too good to be true. It’s also important to remember not to go with the cheapest quote but to balance this against the reputation of the moving company and scrutinise online reviews left by other customers before making a decision. Review platforms such as Google Reviews, Trustpilot and Product Reviews are especially helpful in this. As a pro tip, consider the accreditations of the removal company you are considering. For example, many reputable removalists are members of the Australian Furniture Removers Association.

Look For Discounts, Promotions & Deals: Another way to save money is to look for any potential online deals or coupons you can use. While the usual websites such as OzBargain and MoneySavingExpert are obvious first choices, removalists themselves sometimes announce deals on their websites. For example, here at ZOOM Removals, we offer a “Cheap Removalists Tuesdays” deal to save money on your move if you book on a Tuesday. This is where we waive the usual half-hour call-out fee, which can save you between $59 and $91!

Consider Moving Truck Options Carefully: To save money on your move, the size of the truck you choose also makes a difference. For example, if you’re only transporting a small number of belongings over a short distance, do you really need to book the largest removal truck possible? Smaller moving trucks are more affordable and easier to handle, making them a better fit for apartments or small unit moves. For an even more budget-friendly option, consider hiring a man and a van, which is ideal for transporting a limited amount of items.

Remember Time Equals Money

Most Sydney Removalists charge in half-hour increments.

Because of this, the more you can do by yourself (such as packing, and moving items into storage), the cheaper you will find your move will be.

Here are some more ways to save money:

• Use Tools To Help You Plan More Efficiently: Hiring packers is a great way to speed up your moving process, but if you are on a tight budget then you may want to consider doing it yourself. To help you plan how many boxes you need, consider using this packing calculator. Also, knowing how much you will likely have to spend to move will help prepare more efficiently as well as set a budget. Other calculators such as this removal costs calculator will give you a good idea of how much you may end up paying for a removalist.
• Decluttering: Remember, the more items you have to move, the more movers will charge. Because of this, you may want to consider going through all your belongings to see which items are no longer needed. Throw them away or consider donating them to charities (for more tips, check out these decluttering tips.) Fewer items also mean fewer moving trucks to hire trucks and having to pay for storage!
• Make Things Easy For Your Movers If You’re Hiring: When hiring movers, you can save everyone time and money by finding a convenient parking spot for the truck beforehand. Try and identify the best access points when moving bulkier/larger items or even consider disassembling furniture and electronics to save time moving them into a truck. This type of preparation ensures a smoother move and fewer costs associated with wasted time and stress.

Getting Your Bond / Security Deposit Back

Recovering your bond after a rental is an important step in not losing out on money and can be used for your next move. By taking proactive measures to maintain the property’s condition, you can significantly increase your chances of receiving a full refund from your landlord.

Pay special attention to carpet stains, damaged paintwork on doors and walls or even chips or cracks around the place.

If you can, clean each room as thoroughly as possible to restore the property to the same condition as at the beginning of your tenancy. If you are struggling for time or prefer to use professionals to ensure a good job, then you can consider end-of-lease leaning services.

Moving Out Of Sydney And Intestate? Consider A Backload

If you’re relocating interstate and want to save on your long-distance move, then backloading removals is an extremely cost-effective way of doing so.

Imagine sharing a moving truck with other customers heading in the same direction. The beauty of backloads is that you only pay for the space your belongings occupy, not the entire truck. This effectively splits the cost amongst everyone, making it a much more affordable way to transport furniture interstate.

While this service does require some flexibility with pick-up and drop-off dates and times, you can still take advantage of using a professional moving company at a lower rate!

For more information, you can read this article on: What Is Backloading.

Consider The Advantages Of Hiring Professional Help

While tackling a move yourself might seem cheaper, movers can actually help you save money. Here are a few reasons how:

Damage To Specialist Items & Injury Prevention: If you have larger items to move such as a piano, a large fridge or even a hot tub, then it is recommended to use professional assistance. Improper lifting techniques can lead to damage to your items not to mention a trip to the hospital! It is far better to avoid paying for repairs and use professional movers who are specially trained in proper lifting techniques. They also use specialised equipment to ensure the safe handling of furniture.

You Don’t Have To Miss Out On Work: Hiring movers means you can keep your work life on track. This may be especially important for people who work for themselves or run a small business. With all the logistics and jobs involved, this can easily eat into work hours. Hiring professional movers will not only speed up the moving process, but they can also take care of the physical labour, allowing you to stay focused on your job responsibilities. This means no missed shifts or lost wages, keeping your income secure during the move.

For more information, you can read our article on moving yourself vs using a removalist company.

Summary

While moving can be stressful, using some of these tips can help you save money and approach the process with more peace of mind.

Remember, with a little planning and resourcefulness, you can navigate your move smoothly and affordably. Key things to bear in mind:

• Start planning your move ahead of time.
• Decide whether you are moving on with or without professional assistance.
• If you are using expert Sydney Removalists, shop around for removal quotes until you are satisfied.
• Have a budget in place ready for when you move.
• Declutter and downsize to reduce the amount of items that need to be moved.

Happy moving!