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A small move those hiring a professional removal company, the costs quickly add up – from renting a van to buying packing materials and boxes. However, with some smart planning and savvy shopping, it is possible to reduce those removal costs substantially.
- Compare van rental prices
Renting a van is likely to be the biggest cost when doing small removals. Prices vary hugely between rental companies, so it pays to shop around and compare quotes. Check both national and local companies, including supermarkets often offer van rental. Be sure to compare the same size/type of van and mileage allowances to get a clear idea of which offers the best value. Don’t just go for the cheapest overall price it includes adequate insurance coverage.
- Consider a trailer instead
If you don’t need a large van for your items, hiring an affordable trailer to tow behind your vehicle could work out cheaper. With just a small car or SUV capable of moving, you can move a surprising amount of possessions. Shop around for competitive trailer hire deals. Make sure to check the total weight of your loaded possessions isn’t above your vehicle’s towing capacity.
- Borrow from friends
Before rushing to book van hire, it’s worth checking if you know anyone with a suitable vehicle you could borrow for the move. Friends or family members may be happy to loan you their van, SUV, trailer, or truck if they aren’t using it on your moving day. Offer to cover the cost of fuel and as a thank you for saving you van hire costs.
- Pack strategically
Careful packing significantly reduces the number of boxes and the amount of rental van space you need. It starts with decluttering before your move – be ruthless about donating, selling, or recycling any possessions you don’t need in your new home. For what remains, use space efficiently by packing boxes tightly without wasting gaps. Combine smaller lighter items in bigger boxes. Dismantle furniture that you reassemble later. Choose smaller boxes for heavy dense items like books so they aren’t too heavy to carry.
- Insuring valuables
Most standard van rental insurance only provides basic cover for the vehicle itself. It is a good idea to get extra insurance coverage when moving high-value items such as jewelry, artwork, musical instruments, or electronics. Compare costs from the van hire company, your home insurance provider, and specialist goods-in-transit insurers to find the most affordable premium. Or consider transporting valuables separately in your car.
- Compare removal firms too
Don’t just assume that doing a self-removal is automatically your cheapest option. Depending on how much stuff you have to transport, and the distance involved quotes from a few local and national companies – some offer fixed pricing based on several bedrooms rather than a long inventory. See if they have any special rates for midweek, out-of-season, or local moves.
- Look out for hidden costs
When comparing self-removal vs removal firm costs, check for any hidden extras to be immediately obvious. For example, fees for steps at pickup or delivery addresses, long walk distances from the van to door, waiting time, additional helpers, assembly/disassembly, and storage costs if you move straight into your new home. Ask providers for full details to avoid nasty surprises on the day.
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