From hiring a moving company to sourcing packing boxes, bubble wrap and tape, moving house has plenty of hidden costs which quickly add up.
With today’s cost of living crisis, every cent counts, but moving house doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some smart and practical hacks to save money on your next move.
Start early and be organised
When you have time on your side, you can afford to take a DIY approach. Start by creating a checklist to keep yourself on track and then, identify tasks you can handle on your own. For instance, hiring a truck and packing everything in advance can save you a bundle and leave less to do on the day.
Get creative with packing materials
Consider buying packing materials as a last resort. Ask friends or family if they have spare boxes or check out Facebook Marketplace for second-hand boxes in your area. Additionally, consider approaching businesses that receive large shipments. They often have boxes that they send straight to recycling, and they might be happy for you to take them off their hands.
Sell, don’t throw away
Before you start packing, declutter and identify items you no longer need. But instead of throwing them away, try selling them on Facebook Marketplace or other online platforms. It’s not only much better for the environment, but it will make you some extra cash! Remember, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.
Take all the help you can get
If you have friends or family who may be willing to help, don’t hesitate to ask them. Not only will this make the move faster, but it’s also more enjoyable with good company. Plus, it saves on hiring additional help.
Avoid last-minute chaos
Make sure that you’ve factored in some extra time for any unexpected delays. Planning to move in on the same day your new house settles is risky business. If something goes wrong, you might end up with extra costs for overnight storage. Having a buffer can save you both money and stress.
Get your bond back
For those moving out of rentals, remember that an end-of-lease clean isn’t just something that’s nice to do for the incoming tenant, it’s your contractual and legal requirement. If you’re unsure about exactly how clean you need to leave the property, refer back to the condition report in your rental agreement. This will give you a baseline of the condition of the property when you moved in and therefore, how clean it needs to be when you leave. Learn more about how to make sure you get your bond back at the end of your lease here.
Ensure utilities are connected
Picture this, after a hard day of moving, you can’t have a hot shower and there’s no electricity to charge your phone to call a mate for help. To avoid this nightmare, research the utility providers in your new area and get in touch with them before the big day.
If you’d like a little extra help with your move (let’s face it, who doesn’t?), let Prudential Real Estate take the wheel with Prudential Assist. This service helps you connect utilities from gas to electricity, and even organise cleaning and removals. It’s free, fast, and easy. Just submit a request through our Prudential Assist portal, and a personal moving assistant will take care of everything.
By planning ahead and utilising your resources wisely, moving doesn’t have to be an expensive ordeal. With these tips and the support of Prudential Real Estate’s Prudential Assist service, you’ll be well on your way to starting your new chapter in Sydney stress-free and without breaking the bank.
Prudential Real Estate Campbelltown | (02) 4628 0033 | campbelltown@prudential.com.au
Prudential Real Estate Liverpool | (02) 9822 5999 | liverpool@prudential.com.au
Prudential Real Estate Macquarie Fields | (02) 9605 5333 | macquariefields@prudential.com.au
Prudential Real Estate Narellan | (02) 4624 4400 | narellan@prudential.com.au
