Moving home can quickly become an expensive exercise. In addition to the obvious costs such as a deposit, stamp duty, surveyors, solicitors etc, there are a number of other ancillary costs which people sometimes fail to take into account when putting their budget together. But, with a bit of careful planning, it is possible to economise and save a few pounds. Here are our top 10 saving tips;
Plan in advance – a lot of the tips we recommend below require a little bit of planning, so make sure you give yourself time to get everything in order, to pack carefully, arrange for quotes etc. Remember, the more you leave until the last minute, the more pressurised you will be and the more money it will likely cost to deal with matters.
Insurance – give yourself plenty of time to shop around for a decent insurance deal for your new home. You can normally achieve a better result by packaging building and contents insurance together. There are lots of websites that now compare insurance alternatives so use these as a start point.
Packing materials – avoid buying packing material, as the cost can quickly add up to around £50. For a month or two in advance of your move, grab a couple of empty cardboard boxes each time you visit the supermarket. Also, ask around friends and family to see if they have any old boxes stored away in attics or garages. If you know anyone who has moved recently, then see if they have packing materials that they want to dispose of and finally, take a trip out to the local recycling center, where you should find plenty of boxes.
Packing – you don’t need to pay out for bubble wrap or packing void fill. Start saving up old newspapers and magazines and use bedding, towels and even clothing to protect delicate items when boxed up.
Moving – If you feel young and fit enough, think about moving yourself. Hire a van and give friends and family a call to help out. The cost of a couple of bottles of wine or a take away to thank people for their help is a lot cheaper than paying a removal firm. If you do need to use a removal company, then get at least three quotes and do the packing yourself, also dismantle any furniture items such as beds. All of this will reduce the time and cost of the moving company.
Date – moving on weekends and holiday periods is always more expensive as the cost of removal firms and van hire is always more expensive during these busy periods. Subject to work requirements, try to move mid-week if possible.
Avoid breakages – if you are going to do a DIY move, then give yourself plenty of time to prepare and pack carefully. You don’t want to arrive in your new home to find your best dinner plates all smashed.
Food items – run down the freezer ahead of the move date so you don’t have to throw away any food that might defrost. Also, plan your tea, coffee and meal requirements for the day you move and keep a box of “essentials” including kettle, toaster etc handy to quickly unpack when you arrive in your new home.
Utilities – use your move as an opportunity to compare utility providers including electricity, gas, phone, TV, internet etc. Also, make sure you take meter readings at your new property as soon as you arrive, so you don’t end up paying somebody else’s bill.
Want to know more?
Read our further blogs to understand the costs involved in buying a home and to get answers to some of the frequently asked questions on home buying.
