Moving on a Budget – How To Relocate Cheaply

Moving is stressful. It ranks right up there among some of life’s most stressful events. But the worst part is just how expensive relocating services can be. Trust us, Smoothmoves knows better than most. Even as one of the most popular and affordable removal services available throughout Sydney, making your move a smooth one is still a paid service.

However, because we’re in the business of providing high-quality, caring, professional and innovative relocation and removal services to our customers, we’ve got a few tips and tricks to help you move out on a budget.

As one of our Crows Nest customers said in her review, Smoothmoves goes “far beyond the call of duty”, which means we’ve got plenty of insights (so many that we’ve put together an Ultimate Packing Guide). Learn how to relocate cheaply with Smoothmoves and our comprehensive list of solutions for moving on a budget.

Declutter, Donate or Discard Before The Move

Nothing last forever, or as the one and only Marie Kondo says, if it doesn’t bring you joy, discard it. While it can be tempting to move everything with you, not all your items are worth the effort, money or time to move. 

Smoothmoves offers professional home decluttering services in Sydney, including rubbish removal and recycling of unwanted goods. We’ve even got a list of eight expert tips that teach you how to declutter before moving home.

The first step is to sort your possessions. We recommend removing everything too damaged or worn out and putting aside good condition items you’ll never use again. Then you can fire up your Gumtree account or jump on Facebook Marketplace and sell your unwanted items for extra cash.

However, not everything needs to be discarded before the move. Donating unwanted items in Australia is incredibly easy and a charitable solution to a cluttered home. With more than 52,000 charities as of 2019, there are plenty of local options just waiting to receive your unwanted items.

Find Free or Discounted Packing Supplies

Our number one recommendation for any move, no matter how big or small, is to have the best moving boxes possible and plenty of them. Through Smoothmoves, you can order as many boxes as you need. Plus, you can return any that you don’t need with a full refund. We also offer a 50% refund on used boxes that are returned in good condition, saving careful carriers extra cash.

Second-Hand Boxes

If you don’t have the funds for brand new boxes, Smoothmoves also offers second-hand moving boxes for hire that are cheaper and better for the environment.

If you’re looking for free boxes, some businesses have hoards of them lying around. Find your local liquor or hardware store and ransack their cardboard collection for your next move. Just ask for permission first to avoid leaving them hung and dry. Recycling centres are another goldmine for cardboard boxes, as are supermarkets.

Packing Materials

Other necessary packing materials like bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, box cutters and packing labels are a bit harder to find for free. While you may have a stash of bubble wrap from any online purchases you’ve made, it’s unlikely to be enough to cover large amounts of fragile items.

Packing paper alternatives are a little easier to come by as you can use various materials to support and protect your belongings. Newspaper is a fantastic substitute, while soft household goods like towels and blankets provide excellent padding for fragile objects.

If you cannot borrow these items from friends or family, shop for the best price for what you need.

Clean It Yourself

Having your home cleaned professionally is as tempting as it is expensive. Cleaning your home by yourself is one way to save a few hundred dollars or more. We recommend cleaning about two weeks before moving day. 

Oh, and now is the time to call in all the favours from your family and friends. Many hands make light work.

Disconnecting Utilities

Our last tip is about saving you money elsewhere during the move. Utilities like electricity, water, gas and the internet are a necessary cost. What isn’t necessary is paying for utilities you’re not using. 

Once you know your move-in date, get in touch with your providers to organise swapping over your utilities. You’d be surprised how often this moving tip is overlooked. You should also update your postal and billing address across all your utilities and other necessary services, like credit cards or online shopping.

Affordable Home Relocation Services

If you’d prefer we do the heavy lifting for you, check out our residential removalists and furniture removal services here. Get in touch with Smoothmoves today to get you moving pronto!