7 Budget Friendly Tips for Moving to Calgary

7 Budgeting Tips to Help You Save When Moving to Calgary 

Are you on a strict budget and planning on relocating to Calgary, Alberta anytime soon? You are not the only one!

Over the past several years, Alberta has averaged a net population increase of around 20,000 people per year, many of whom come to the Calgary Metropolitan Area for a variety of reasons including jobs. See our Complete Guide for Moving to Calgary today.

Those of us who have moved at some point in our lives know just how expensive it can be, especially if it is across the country from Newfoundland to Alberta or British Columbia for example.

Fortunately though there are some easy-to-follow budget tips for those planning on relocating to Calgary or anywhere else for that matter that can help save money during the process.

1 - Moving Company Costs

There are tons of movers out there looking to get their hands on your hard earned cash.

While some have long-standing track records of excellence in the industry, others simply don’t. See these 11 Ways to Avoid Moving Scams.

If you plan on using movers, doing ample research on several different companies and the costs associated is essential in saving a buck or two.

Get at least three or four bids from different companies and make sure you notify them that you have received other bids. This will help drive their prices even lower.

Another important factor is to not accept bids over the phone or internet as the company cannot appropriate costs because they cannot physically see your stuff, and hence, cannot make a reasonable estimate.

2 - Do-it-yourself

Perhaps the plan is to relocate your stuff on your own. If this is the case, employing a friend or family member may be your best bet to save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on moving costs.

Renting a truck such as a U-Haul for example may cost a few hundred bucks per day, but it will be nowhere near the amount you’ll have to spend for movers. See these 11 Packing Tips to Help With the Move.

Just make sure that you show appreciation to those that have helped you by treating them to lunch, dinner or maybe beers afterwards – totally up to you! You’ll still be saving money!

Oh, and if you happen to have an injury that prevents you from lifting, don’t be a super hero and try anyways because if you hurt yourself you may be out of work for days or weeks afterwards depending on your profession.

3 - Mix the two (#1 and #2)

You probably have heard about “hybrid moves” where both moving companies and the customer help load and unload belongings.

Some companies don’t mind this teamwork while others may just want to do it themselves for obvious reasons (cash).

Services provided can then be negotiated because you’re doing some of the work which in anyone’s right mind would reduce the total cost of the contract.

A little bit of hard work never hurt anyone, especially when you’re doing all you can to budget your move! Also see these 6 Things to Add to Your Moving-to-do List.

4 - Consider pop-up costs

When using movers one absolute must is to get an all-inclusive contract with every last detail of the move in print.

The last thing you want is to have additional costs along the way, things that should have been included in the contract but weren’t and are now your responsibility to pay.

It could be:

• Fuel for the truck
• Insurance
• Garbage removal
• Permits for trucks that block public streets
• Tips for the moving labourers

Having an all-inclusive contract will save you money in the long-run and help avoid unwanted, non-budget friendly costs. Learn more at Moving to Calgary – Finding the Right Moving Company.

5 - Ask questions

Using movers? Ask lots of questions, and I mean lots!

Do they charge by the load, or by the total amount of crew members and hours put in?

If it is hourly, make sure you take note of when the clock starts and stops every day to keep track of just how much you should be paying.

Some companies begin charging you when the trucks leave their parking lots, some don’t.

It’s these little details that could end up saving you a few bucks or two the next time you move! Here are some Common Questions People Ask When Moving to Calgary.

6 - Organization and clean-up

One of the best ways to budget your move is to get rid of clutter.

It could be clothes you don’t wear, DVD’s you don’t use, books you never read or furniture that just has no place in your new home.

Less stuff to move means less cash spent on crews that charge by the hour and more in your wallet.

Also, make sure that the movers are aware of any troubling architecture or design that may make it more difficult to move your belongings such as a twisted stairway or low ceiling.

If there are special issues that make unloading your things much longer than anticipated, you won’t be happy with the bill.

7 - Be ready for moving day

One of the worst mistakes you could make when moving and on a budget is to be ill-prepared for moving day!

If you still have things to pack, you could end up paying the moving company its hourly rate to pack your stuff which could have easily been done beforehand.

Knowing where you want your furniture to go on the other end of the move is also important as re-arranging heavy furniture could take up several minutes and tack another hour or two onto the final bill.

Another smart tip is to use boxes of the same size so that they sit uniformly in the truck. This will minimize any movement and help keep your belongings in tip-top shape.

Also make sure to Prepare Your Children When Moving to Calgary!