The key is to start preparing early and being systematic in order to avoid cramming all the work into a few days as this will undoubtedly wear you out.
Being organised also helps you easily find what you need when you get to your new house.
Planning Ahead
You need a proper plan, complete with a budget to avoid running into avoidable costs.
Planning also enables you to cover any foreseeable expense and identify any possible loophole for savings.
Declutter
Deciding to clear out unnecessary or broken items can save you money in several ways.
First, it cuts down on the number of packing boxes you’ll need, which cuts down on the time the movers will need to work. It will also cut down on costs if you need to store your items. The less you have, the less you pay.
You could also consider making some extra money by selling your items online, or simply blessing your previous custodian with the good stuff you don’t feel the need to bring into your new house.
Compare Moving House Services
This ties into the planning phase. Analyzing various house movers in terms of costs well in advance affords you the time to get the best bargain.
Last-minute bookings usually result in higher fees. Locking down a mover well in advance also has the advantage of allowing you to pick out the movers closest to you, which always translates to cheaper rates.
Book Off-Peak Days to Move
Often, booking your removal company in plenty of time means getting a better deal. It can also mean that you are less likely to be blindsided by unexpected costs.
If you couple this with a day like Sunday as your preferred moving day, savings are guaranteed.
Movers also consider the fuel-draining traffic jams when it comes to making a quotation. Sundays are known as low traffic days, especially in Nairobi, and could potentially save you both time and money.
Get Help with Packing
Moving house costs tend to add up quickly, even more so if you opt for a packing service from a moving company. This service can be extremely useful, especially if you have delicate items that require a professional packing service, it can quickly become an expensive service.
However, to keep costs down and save money, packing your items yourself can be easily done. Ask your friends or family to help you with the packing. To make it fair, you could offer to the chicken lying in your fridge as an incentive.
The more helpers you have, the easier the packing will be.
Don’t Waste Food
This often overlooked by most when moving but is arguably one of the most costly parts when moving houses.
You should try to use up all the food in your fridge, freezer and cupboards before the move.
If moving to an area that would entail several hours on the road, any refrigerated food is most likely going to go bad.
Mitigating this loss can be done by simply depleting the perishable foods gradually as you build up to the desired moving date.
Interestingly, Kenyans are known to prefer moving out at night with most claiming that they don’t want to be seen moving.
The mode of transport most of the time also borders on embarrassing at times, exposing household stuff to the public. To avoid this, planning and saving well in advance guarantees you your mover of choice.
As for common red-flags to look out for that could also save you money when moving houses, it is important to carry out due diligence.
Many vacant houses in the same area is usually a signal a problem that needs to be addressed.
Other factors to consider before moving into a new neighborhood are: the area’s crime rates, activities on the streets both at night and during the day, amenities such as water, sewerage, condition of other properties in the area, and insider information from neighbors.
As anyone who has moved into a new house will tell you, it is important to know the area you’re moving to.
It is always a good idea to visit the area a few times before you relocate there. Take the opportunity to ask the people around about their experiences as far as living in that locale is concerned.
Also, take note of where the schools, hospitals, shopping centres and other amenities are located.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM
