Reducing moving costs: helpful money-saving tips

The goal of reducing moving costs is relevant for people in all life situations. But there are very different answers to the question “How do I reduce my moving costs? Ideally, you combine several ideas at once and save both money and nerves this way.

Reduce removal costs with clever planning

Moving costs almost reduce themselves the earlier you plan. Once the date – or at least the rough time frame – for the move is set, you should lose as little time as possible in planning. To do this, use the resources provided by the internet, among other things. For example, compare the prices of moving companies and find the best price-performance ratio. After all, it won’t be of much use to you if you hire the cheapest relocation service but end up having to replace half of your vases. Ask around among your relatives and acquaintances and get recommendations.

Another way to reduce moving costs is to hire friends, family or acquaintances as moving helpers. Here, too, it is much more likely to get commitments if you let them know well in advance. If you would rather rely on professionals for the actual move or generally reduce the effort, you can already declutter shortly beforehand. Eliminate or give away unnecessary items – this saves time during the move and also has a positive effect on the amount of household goods to be transported.

Reduce removal costs around the move

Moving costs can also be reduced by cleverly planning the coordination around the move. There are various possibilities here: If you have rented a larger vehicle for the transport, it can be helpful to have a sufficiently large zone reserved in front of the house entrance for the move at the responsible road traffic authorities for a small fee. The investment is worthwhile – parking in a no-stopping zone or exceeding the usual parking time can result in fines. It also saves you the time-consuming search for a parking space.

The time after the move also needs to be taken care of. Especially when moving abroad or to another part of the country, you can reduce moving costs by cancelling contracts in good time. Regardless of whether it’s an old rental contract, a fitness studio or an electricity and TV provider – if you take smart precautions, you can often save yourself double payments after the move. When it comes to signing new contracts, price comparison is a great help.

Last but not least, you can also reduce your relocation costs for tax purposes. This is how it works in Germany: If the move is for professional reasons, there are a number of criteria that can be used to obtain recognition from the tax office. These include, for example, a significant time saving of at least 30 minutes on the way to work or a change of employer. In such a case, you can claim the flat-rate removal allowance in your tax return or, if the costs should be significantly higher, prove the individual items and add them up. Since 01 March 2020, the lump sum amounts to 820 euros for singles or, for civil partners or married couples, double the amount. The lump sum is increased by a small amount each year.

If the move is for private reasons, you can nevertheless declare the costs for a professional moving company in your tax return, if you have hired one.

Reducing removal costs: Conclusion

As a rule, there are numerous ways to reduce moving costs – whether through tax returns or clever planning on different levels is entirely up to you. We hope that you have received an answer to the question “How do I reduce my moving costs?” In any case, before you move, inform yourself in good time about the options open to you. Umzüge Mansholt will advise you and help you with your move – contact us.