Author: Mehar Packers and Movers Date: 29/11/2025 12:30 PM
Shifting a house or office always feels like a big expense. People try to cut down costs in small places, but the problem is, if you cut the wrong thing, the move becomes a headache later. A nice part about shifting is that you can cut down the cost without messing up the whole move. It mostly comes down to planning things a little early and taking a few sensible steps. Many people skip this in the beginning, and then later the charges go up or the whole work feels rushed.
1. Start early so you don’t rush last minute
One of the easiest ways to save money is simply to plan a little earlier. Not months before, but at least a week or two. Last-minute moves usually cost more – labour shortage, truck availability issues, no time for comparison. When you call movers earlier, you get better rates and you can choose properly instead of agreeing to whatever is available.
People don’t realise this, but the timing of the call itself can affect the total amount.
2. Shortlist two or three movers instead of one
Some people take the first quote they get. But the smartest way is to get quotes from two or three teams. Don’t choose the cheapest blindly. Sometimes a quote that looks low may have hidden charges later. What you want is a team that explains everything – from packing material to labour count to timing.
This small 10-minute comparison saves thousands later.
3. Reduce the things you don’t need anymore
Most homes have items lying around just because no one bothered to throw them. Old chairs, broken electronics, unused clothes, kitchen items that no one touches. Movers charge for volume and effort. If you reduce even 5–6 boxes, the cost drops automatically.
4. Pack a few things yourself (only the safe ones)
Doing all the packing on your own may not be a great idea, because fragile things need proper wrapping. You can at least take care of the easy things on your own. Things like clothes, books, toys, and all those lighter items don’t really need a professional hand. Just pick whatever you already have at home – maybe some spare bedsheets, a few newspapers lying around, or old cartons from online orders – and use them for packing. It keeps things simple and saves a bit too.
This reduces the packing work for the movers and cuts some labour costs. Just avoid touching glass items or electronics unless you’re sure you can do it safely.
5. Choose the right day for shifting
Most movers charge differently depending on the day. Month-end, weekends, and festival weeks usually cost more because the demand is high. If you shift on a weekday or mid-month, you can get better rates.
Many people don’t even ask about this, but one small change in date can save a decent amount.
6. Keep the house ready before the team arrives
Movers often waste time when furniture is not empty, cupboards are still full, or the place is not cleared for movement. Labour charge is usually hourly. If time gets wasted, the final amount goes up.
Before the team comes, ensure:
- Cupboards are empty
- Pathways are clear
- Items are grouped room-wise
- Small things are packed already.
This makes the whole work faster and lighter on the pocket.
7. Disassemble what you can manage safely
Some furniture needs to be dismantled before shifting. Movers can do it, but they charge extra for it. If you can do it on your own, you can save the cost.
Keep screws and small parts in labelled packets for your ease.
Avoid touching heavy or complicated items—those are better handled by the professionals.
8. Don’t ignore insurance (it saves money later)
Many people think insurance is an extra cost. But actually, if something breaks later, the cost is much higher. A small premium can save you from a big loss. Movers also handle insured items more carefully because everything is documented.
It’s one of those expenses that looks unnecessary at first but helps when there’s an issue.
9. Use proper packing (cheap packing often costs more)
Sometimes people try to save a bit by using thin cartons or light covering, but it usually backfires. When the packing itself is weak, things tend to rub, bend, or get small marks while being lifted or kept inside the truck.
Good packing avoids this completely. Even if you’re saving money somewhere else, don’t cut down here too much.
10. Keep essential items aside so they don’t get misplaced
When small, important things get mixed in boxes, you waste time opening everything later. It also increases labour time because workers wait for instructions.
Keep a small bag for:
- daily medicines
- basic toiletries
- chargers
- one pair of clothes
- important papers
This doesn’t directly save money, but it saves time and avoids unnecessary panic.
11. Label everything (this saves unloading time)
A simple marker pen can reduce your unloading time by half. Write which room the box belongs to and what’s inside. When the movers reach the new place, they know exactly where to keep each item. No confusion, no “Where should this go?” every two minutes.
Less confusion means quicker unloading, which means less labour cost.
12. Ask for a clear breakdown of charges
A proper breakdown helps you understand where the money is going. If someone refuses to explain, that itself is a warning. Transparent companies tell you exactly:
- packing charge
- labour charge
- transport cost
- GST (if applicable)
- any additional work
This makes sure you don’t get any surprise bill later.
13. Avoid companies that give extremely low quotes
Low quotes look tempting, but often they come with problems – poor packing, untrained labour, hidden charges added later, or careless handling. You don’t want to save ?1,000 now and then pay ?10,000 to fix something damaged.
Conclusion
Saving money during shifting is possible. You just need to know where to save and where not to compromise. A smooth move doesn’t really depend on how much you spend. It mostly comes down to how you plan things. When you clear out extra things, compare options properly, pick a sensible day, get the place ready before the team arrives, and choose a crew that actually knows what they’re doing, the whole shift turns out easier on both the mind and the pocket.
A little attention before the move helps you avoid trouble later. And once everything reaches safely, you’ll feel the effort was worth it.