Moving costs have skyrocketed over the past few years, and some areas have been hit harder than others by the rising costs to move to a new home. For example, renting a moving truck to leave California costs thousands of dollars more than if you are moving into the Golden State. This reality hits home for many incoming Las Vegas residents, so we want to share a few tips for reducing the cost of moving.

California currently has the worst in and out moving ratio in the country, with only 51 individuals moving into the state for every hundred that are moving out. Los Angeles County leads the nation in population decline, and Nevada is one of the top 10 destinations for Golden State refugees.

If you are looking to relocate to greener pastures in the Las Vegas desert, you may encounter some sticker shock when you calculate your moving costs, especially if you haven’t moved for a while. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can reduce your moving expenses, so you will have more cash to put toward furnishing and decorating your new Las Vegas abode.

Here are 8 smart ways to save money on your moving costs:

Declutter and Sell or Donate Excess Items

This might seem like extra work, but it will be worth it in the long run. Before you get any quotes on your move, go through all of your belongings and get rid of anything that you don’t want or need. By eliminating unwanted or unneeded items, you could potentially save hundreds of dollars on the cost of your move. 

On top of that, some of the items you are getting rid of could have significant monetary value, which could give you more funds to work with for your move. Alternatively, you can donate them to the Goodwill or a similar organization to help someone else in need and get a tax write-off.

Get Quotes from Multiple Moving Companies

Before you hire any movers, be sure to shop around and get quotes from at least three different providers. Rates tend to vary widely among moving companies. This is why it is good to get multiple quotes, so you have a better idea of the appropriate price range for your move.

Moving companies will usually quote you based on the weight of your items and how much space they will take. This type of estimate should be done in person ideally, although some companies do this on video. Do not necessarily go with the cheapest mover, aways check their ratings with the Better Business Bureau and their customer reviews to ensure that you are dealing with a reputable outfit.

Be Strategic When You Book Your Moving Time

One of the critical factors that is calculated with the cost of your move is the day and time when it is happening. Certain times of the month and certain times of the year are more expensive than others. For example, the middle of the month is typically less expensive than the final few days of the month. In addition, the busiest moving season is from May through August, so you are likely to get a better price if your move happens between the months of September and April.

Consider Using a Shared Load Moving Company

In today’s “sharing” economy, you may not be surprised to learn that there are “shared load” moving options as well. The way this works is that several households have their stuff hauled in one large load, reducing the cost for each household. The downside to this option is you may have to wait a little longer on the other end to get your stuff.

Be Creative When Sourcing Your Moving Supplies

These days, you can spend a significant amount on packing and moving supplies such as boxes, tape, and bubble wrap. But before you purchase dozens of boxes, look around and see what you can find at home and from neighbors and friends. 

Start with your own things, such as hampers, storage bins, suitcases, baskets, and used shipping boxes. Next, ask your family and friends nearby if they have any extra boxes and other moving materials; with most people ordering stuff regularly from Amazon, there is a good chance that they will have some boxes for you at least. Finally, check out local stores in your area, such as grocery stores, liquor stores, and other places to see if they have any boxes to get rid of.

Do Your Own Packing

One way to significantly reduce the cost of moving is to pack all of your own stuff rather than hiring professional movers to do it. While the professionals are very efficient, their packing costs can quickly add up. Do your own packing, or if you cannot handle it yourself, consider hiring friends and/or family members to help you. 

Young and strong people you know can often do just about as good a job as the professional movers. And they can usually use the extra money, so it is a win-win for everyone.

Ship Your Books Ahead of Time

If you are an avid reader and you have dozens or even hundreds of books in your home, then it will be very beneficial for you to ship the books ahead of your move. Books are heavy and they take up a lot of space. In addition, they are not usually foldable, so you will not be able to significantly reduce the amount of space your books will take up.

Shipping books via the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is actually a lot cheaper than most people realize. The USPS has a classification called Media Mail that is cheaper than the standard shipping rates. This makes USPS shipping a very affordable way to transport your books to a new location.

Your Moving Expenses Might Be Tax Deductible 

In 2018, the government eliminated the IRS’s work-related moving expense deduction, so most households can no longer claim this deduction on their federal income taxes. There are some exceptions, however.

If you are an active-duty member of the Armed Forces, you can claim your moving expenses as a tax deduction on your federal return as long as the move is a result of a permanent change in station that was ordered by the military. If this circumstance does not apply to you, there are still some states that allow taxpayers to deduct moving costs, and California is one of them.

Considering Moving to Las Vegas? Contact the Knoch Group for Assistance

If you are thinking about relocating to Henderson, Summerlin, Spring Valley, or anywhere else in the Las Vegas area, one of the first steps you need to take is to team up with a reputable realtor. Ryan Knoch has worked with countless real estate buyers and sellers in this area for the past several years. Ryan specializes in luxury homes in Las Vegas, and he is among the most trusted real estate brokers in the region.

Get started on your move today by calling our office. We are ready to go to work for you!

Ryan Knoch is a Las Vegas real estate broker and member of Las Vegas REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS®. He provides skilled guidance on the purchase and sale of Las Vegas homes and is a resource for all other real estate matters. To schedule a consultation, call Ryan Knoch today at (702) 303-7946 or email him at ryan@theknochgroupre.com.