Moving marks a fresh beginning. It is a chance to discover new surroundings, explore new perspectives, and live a happier life. You have an opportunity to change everything that you don’t like – your lifestyle, environment, work, colleagues, and home décor. You can leave the past behind along with all resentments, frustrations, and loathsome things.
Americans move for a variety of reasons and not just to leave sad memories. Surely, there are some things you did like. These are the things you want to bring with you – your family, close friends, comfort zone, and precious belongings. While you cannot bring your friends and favorite places in town, you can pretty much bring your old yet well-loved possessions when you move.
Considering the cost of moving, you’ll probably wonder: Is it worth moving home décor and furnishings? Is it better to buy new stuff? Is it cheaper to move bulky and heavy belongings, like furniture pieces?
The fact is that: transporting heavy items is expensive but so is replacing them. If your budget is limited, the question of what to move and what to replace will most likely anchor on what’s cheaper. However, it can be difficult to determine which the cheaper option is. Every move is unique which makes it difficult to easily say which is more cost-effective. To ensure you make the right decision, it is important to evaluate based on your unique circumstances.
Moving vs. Buying New Furniture
1. Detach any personal value on all your home furnishings to make the best estimation. If you have cherished furniture pieces that you already intend to bring with you, identify them and don’t include them in this list. For sure, you’ll get biased over them, which can make decision-making harder.
2. Set a total budget for your move. This should guide you in deciding which possessions to move, how many, as well as which ones you can afford to replace.
3. Create a list of all your current furniture. Make a shopping list and know the average cost of each item if you were to replace them. Be sure to include related expenses such as shipping, installation, and home renovation costs. This should give you an accurate estimate of the cost to buy new furniture.
4. Look for several professional movers. Experts at https://www.torexmoving.ca/ recommend at least three options so you can best the best rates. Ask two sets of estimates: one with all furniture included and the other with only the chosen items. Take note, however, that professional movers typically set a minimum weight price. Hence, you should work with them so that you can maximize your capacity. With these estimates at hand, you can easily compare the total cost to move all your furniture against the cost of buying new sets.
5. Consider the space of your new place. This can further help you trim down the number of pieces to move. If you are moving into a smaller area, chances are your existing furniture might not fit into it, and purchasing new items would be cheaper.
6. Get quotes for two different size moving trucks. For DIY moving, consultants at Torex Moving recommend asking around for two different size moving trucks. This will allow you to compare the rates and see how much you can save. A smaller truck means cheaper rental. Compare this with the cost of purchasing new furniture. However, also consider the physical labor, time, and other supplies required to move old furnishings.
7. Distance of move can affect moving cost. Quite obviously, local moves cost less than cross-country or interstate moves. This is especially true when moving furniture items. For long-distance moves, buying new furniture is generally cheaper as compared to paying for the move. However, if you’re just moving within the city, you’ll save more by hiring moving services.
8. Storage can add to the moving expense. If the move requires storage, it can jack up the total cost. Make sure you consider it when making a decision. You can downsize your shipment and purchase replacements for those that will be left. Choose to bring the expensive furniture so you won’t have to buy pricey replacements.
At the outset, moving quotes might seem quite expensive; relocating some, if not all, of your old furniture items, might be the cheaper option. Purchasing new furnishings can be very expensive but it comes with its advantages. Be sure to explore your options for a budget-friendly move.