Budget-Friendly Moving: How to Save Money on Your Move

Moving house can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. If you're strategic, start planning early and know where to cut costs without cutting necessary corners, there are plenty of ways to reduce the cost of moving without adding any stress. In this guide, we’ll share tried-and-true budget moving tips that’ll help you save money without sacrificing quality.

How Can I Move House on a Tight Budget?

It’s 100% possible to move house with a tight budget in mind. If you're trying to keep moving costs down, it's important to focus on the areas where most people overspend. Here are eight practical ways to move house affordably:

• Compare moving quotes carefully - Avoid the trap of going with the cheapest quote without checking for hidden fees, lack of insurance, or poor service history.
  
  
• Hire removalists for the big items only - Move anything that you can fit in a car yourself, and leave the large items to the professionals.
  
  
• Book your move during off-peak times - Moving on a weekday can help you score lower rates and avoid weekend surcharges.
  
  
• Declutter before your move - The less you have to move, the less time, space, and money you’ll need on moving day.
  
  
• Use cost-effective packing materials - Save on boxes and supplies by borrowing Jim Boxes, reusing second-hand materials, and substituting clothes for bubble wrap.
  
  
• Pack strategically to avoid breakages - The large items aren’t the only expenses you have to worry about. Learn how to pack small items safely or use a professional packing service for the tricky areas.
  
  
• Be move-day ready - Disassemble furniture, pre-pack everything, and make sure access is easy for your movers. Time saved is money saved.
  
  
• Take advantage of fixed-price moving options - Flat-rate quotes like Jim’s Best Price Guarantee help cap your costs and avoid surprise bills at the end.
  
  

We’ll go into each of these steps in more detail below, so you can learn how to move smart and save big.

1. What’s the Cheapest Way to Move House?

If you want the most affordable move possible, here are your main options:

• DIY move - Rent a van or truck and do it yourself (but don’t forget to factor in fuel, time, and injury risks).
  
  
• Hire movers for large items only - You transport all the small items such as boxes and chairs, while they move the large items that won’t fit in your car. This hybrid option saves you money while protecting your back.
  
  
• Fixed price removalists - Companies like Jim’s Removals offer capped pricing, so you don’t get stung by slow movers charging by the hour.
  
  

There’s an old saying in moving that sometimes the cheapest option can end up being the most expensive. While DIY and budget movers may seem cheapest, they can end up costing more in time, effort, and money. We’ve had customers come to us after going with the cheapest option they could find - only to pay far more in damages. One customer had previously chosen the cheapest removalist they could find, only to have their fridge scratched and a hole punched in their wall when the movers tripped on a staircase. Worse still, the movers refused to take responsibility, so it was up to the customer to cover all the costs. We hear a horror story like this at least once a week. Lesson to be learnt: the cheapest option isn’t always the most affordable in the long run.

2. Should I Move Some Items Myself to Save Money?

One of the most effective budget-moving tips we share with our customers is this: move your smaller items yourself, and hire removalists for the big stuff.

Boxes, bags, and lightweight bits and pieces can take up a surprising amount of space in the truck - and time to load. You might not think so, but every small item needs to be assessed by the movers, placed in a secure spot, then tied down to ensure it doesn’t move. By handling those yourself, you reduce the total volume and hours needed, which can translate to hundreds of dollars in savings.

We’ve had customers fill an entire truckload with just boxes, which could’ve easily been moved with a few car trips or a friend’s trailer. If you’re physically able, this hybrid approach strikes a great balance between DIY and full-service moving - saving your back and your wallet.

This is one of the most common strategies our budget-conscious customers use, and it often makes a real difference to their final bill.

3. When Is the Cheapest Time to Move?

Timing your move can make a big difference:

• Weekday moves (Monday - Thursday) are always cheaper than weekends.
  
  
• Off-season months (May - August in Australia) can offer better rates.
  
  

Many of our customers book weekday moves specifically to avoid weekend surcharges - it’s a simple switch that can save you hundreds.

At Jim’s, we can also offer discounted rates for flexible move dates, such as a reduced call-out fee if we’re already in the area. If your schedule is open, it’s worth enquiring about!

4. How Can I Save Money on Packing Supplies?

Buying brand-new boxes adds up fast. $4 a box can quickly devolve into hundreds spent on boxes that will do nothing but take up space in your house for the next few years. Instead, try:

• Reusing boxes from supermarkets or Facebook Marketplace
  
  
• Using clothes, towels, and linen instead of bubble wrap
  
  
• Renting plastic Jim Boxes - reusable, heavy-duty crates starting at $2/box
  
  

We see the difference firsthand, all the time. Just last week, two customers had a similar number of boxes - but the one using Jim Boxes was done significantly faster. Their sturdy, stackable design makes packing and transport quicker, which helped that customer qualify for our Best Price Guarantee and save a couple hundred dollars off his move.

We also offer full packing services with materials included, which can be more cost-effective, and definitely more time-effective, than buying supplies yourself.

5. How Can I Reduce What I Have to Move?

Less stuff = less cost. Here’s how to declutter so that you’re not paying to move junk into your new home:

• Sort room by room and donate or sell what you don’t need
  
  
• Use up pantry items and cleaning supplies. Make sure to eat through your fridge before the move as well.
  
  
• Take only the essentials - especially for interstate or long-distance moves. If you are able to condense down to only the essential large items, you can qualify for smaller truck sizing and save hundreds off your move.
  
  

A customer of ours recently saved over $400 by decluttering her garage before the move. She sold unused gym gear and spent time sorting through her garage boxes, reducing the truck space and time needed. She knew these items were going to go straight back into storage for the foreseeable future, so she made the tough but right decision to say goodbye now before sinking more money into transporting them to the new place.

6. Can I Pack Myself to Save Money?

Absolutely. Packing yourself is one of the easiest ways to save - but only if done right. Having to replace your glassware collection because you didn’t use any butcher paper can end up costing you even more at the end of the day. Here’s a couple tips for self-packing:

• Start early (at least 2-3 weeks out).
  
  
• Label boxes clearly (check out our labelling guide).
  
  
• Use smaller boxes for heavy items like books.
  
  
• Pack fragile items carefully.

If you’re short on time, consider hiring help just for the kitchen and fragile items. If you need more packing tips, feel free to check out our blog posts for more packing tips and tricks.

7. Should I Compare Quotes from Movers?

Yes! Our team will be the first to tell you to look around for service comparisons. But don’t just go with the cheapest quote. Look for:

• Transparent and fair pricing (watch out for hidden fees such as fuel, stairs etc.)
  
  
• Insurance coverage and qualifications
  
  
• Customer reviews and service guarantees
  
  

At Jim’s Removals, we provide fixed price quotes and flexible packages, so you’re not stuck guessing how long your move will take.

8. What’s the Best Way to Get a Cheaper Price at Jim’s Removals and Storage?

Our Best Price Guarantee is hands-down the easiest way to save.

• You’ll receive a capped price quote (e.g. $X max)
  
  
• If the move takes less time than expected, you’ll pay a lower hourly rate
  
  
• If it takes longer, you don’t pay more than the cap - so long as the access and item list stays the same.
  
  

Sometimes, a customer can achieve a discounted rate simply by being organised. However, the single best way to unlock the lower rate is by helping out! Three people working together can shave hours off the job, and we’ve seen many customers hit that sweet discounted rate just by lending a hand.

Final Tips for Saving on Your Move

• Disassemble furniture before movers arrive
  
  
• Book elevators in advance if you’re in an apartment
  
  
• Be packed and ready to go the moment the movers arrive
  
  
• Use friends or family to help with last-minute tasks
  
  

If you're organised, you can shave off hours of labour - which directly reduces cost.

Moving on a Budget? We Can Help.

If you want to save money and avoid stress, we’ve got you covered:

• Jim Boxes from $2 – sturdy, reusable moving crates
  
  
• Affordable packing services – let us handle the hard stuff
  
  
• Flat-rate quotes – no hidden fees, ever
  
  
• Best Price Guarantee – save more by helping out

Call Jim’s Removals for a free, no-obligation quote today!

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