How to save money when moving across the Greater Toronto Area

Let’s set the record straight: a GTA move doesn’t have to be ludicrously expensive. With wise planning and budget moving tips, you can reduce unnecessary costs and ensure a seamless and hassle-free transition. This article will share some cost-effective tips to assist you in relocating without straining your finances.

Sell before packing your boxes

Minimize the amount of stuff to move. Getting rid of things you no longer need can have a positive effect on your moving budget. Declutter your closets and storage spaces where items tend to accumulate. Don’t think twice to say bye to clothing, furniture, and other household goods that have been left unused for a while.

If you don’t feel like throwing your items away, you can sell them on popular platforms like Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and Carrot, which are widely used in the GTA. They allow you to list various items, from furniture to electronics, for sale directly to buyers in your area. This will reduce the amount of stuff to move and provide extra cash to cover other expenses related to your transition.

To avoid going through the hassle of selling your belongings, you can also donate them. Many organizations in Toronto accept items in good condition and share them with various community groups. This can be an option for moving cost reduction without dealing with numerous sales transactions.

If you decide to donate, we can take care of the pickup, sparing you the trouble of transporting those items yourself.

Make the most of the right timing

The time you choose for your move can impact the overall cost. Moving services tend to be in demand at specific times of the year. Summer is the most expensive season for transitions in the GTA. The demand increases among families and professionals as the school is out and the weather is more stable. During this busy period, moving companies often raise their prices.

If you have some wiggle room in your schedule, it is worth considering the quieter times of the year when fewer people are moving around. Plan for fall or spring to slash the costs.

Look around for free packing supplies

You can get many boxes for free at supermarkets or liquor stores that have surplus boxes. Or, head out to bookstores. They often have unnecessary boxes from regular shipments and are usually willing to provide them for free upon request. Make sure to inquire with a store manager about any spare boxes they might have for you to take off their hands.

Your home is another source of free supplies. Household items like towels and blankets can be used as packing materials instead of buying bubble wrap or packing paper. Using clothes or newspapers as wrapping materials for delicate items (think dishes and glassware) is also a thrifty way to save money and reduce waste during the moving process.

Think ahead

Drawing up a plan is the cornerstone of protecting your budget when moving. Prepare a moving list that details all the activities you must accomplish before the transition day to stay on top of things and prevent unexpected costs. Make sure to include tasks like updating your address, arranging utilities in your place, and discontinuing services you won’t use post-move.

Go through your stuff and mark what you want to take with you and what you can leave behind. Then, consider when it would be perfect to relocate and who will be involved.

Unleash your inner packer

Do not wait until it’s too late, and start packing a month before the actual moving day. This will help you prevent the feeling of rush later on and overspending on packing materials and other relocation costs. When time isn’t a constraint or a stressful factor, you can look for bargains, borrow supplies from loved ones or friends, and pack your items gradually.

Check out some tips on how to pack effectively and safeguard your valuables during the relocation process.

DIY + Professionals

Moving services may come with a hefty price tag when it comes to packing your belongings. For moving cost reduction, take on the task of packing yourself. It’s crucial to begin in advance to fend off anxiety, mistakes, and potential damage to your possessions. Giving yourself time allows you to maintain orderliness and pack your items correctly.

You may want to gather and pack smaller items yourself and hire experts for larger or heavier things to lessen the load on the movers and save money. However, you should be careful when hiring cheap moving services because they may bring more damage than savings. The same goes for cheap moving supplies (sometimes, cheap means unreliable).

Online tutorials

If you’re unsure about the best way to pack your things safely, use online resources and tutorials. They can show you the ropes of packing boxes to save space and keep delicate items well-protected. For example, placing heavy items at the bottom of a box and lighter ones at the top or nestling fragile belongings in the center can help prevent damage. Such a DIY packing approach is a money-saver that gives you complete control over how your possessions are packed and handled.

Share responsibilities

If the cost of hiring full-service movers is too high for your budget, but you still want some assistance with your relocation, a mixed strategy may work for you. It means handling certain processes on your own and leaving higher-priority tasks to professionals. One of the options is to rent a truck to load the boxes and smaller chairs by yourself and have professionals tackle the heavy lifting with massive appliances or furniture, such as couches or beds. 

Surf the Internet to compare how much movers cost in Ontario and determine the savings potential associated with this strategy. Check out the differences between their prices for full-service relocations and partial assistance.

Final advice

Moving won’t break the bank if you plan in advance and make the most of the money-saving options available to you. You can lower the costs by using free materials, packing your belongings on your own, and avoiding busy-season relocations. Be sure to explore tax deductions and inquire about any assistance programs from your employer.

By arranging things according to these tips on how to save money when moving, your relocation can be organized with greatly reduced costs. What are they, to be exact? You can always check how much moving across the GTA costs by visiting our Pricing page. We are proud to offer affordable moving solutions!