How to Save Money on Moving: 10 Practical Tips

In short: the cost of a move is determined mainly by time. The fewer things, the better they are packed and the easier the access, the fewer hours you pay for. Here are 10 practical ways to save on moving – without compromising on quality.

1. Reduce the amount of belongings before the move

Every item you do not need costs money to move. Sell, give away or throw out everything you will not use in your new home. Unusable furniture can go to the waste station – see old furniture disposal.

2. Pack yourself

Packing can take a large part of moving time. If your things are in boxes when the movers arrive, the job goes many times faster. If you have no time to pack, the packing service (40 €/h) is still cheaper than the movers’ time with a vehicle.

3. Dismantle large furniture in advance

Dismantled wardrobes and beds take less space in the vehicle and are easier to carry. Put the screws and small parts in a bag and attach it to the furniture.

4. Give an exact list of items

If the moving company knows exactly what is being moved, it chooses the right size of vehicle and the right number of movers. Too small a vehicle means several trips; too big a team means unnecessary hours.

5. Compare the total price, not the hourly rate

A company charging 84 €/h that does the job in 3 hours is cheaper than one charging 68 €/h that needs 5 hours. Always ask for the estimated time and the size of the vehicle.

6. Choose a weekday

The hourly rate is higher on Saturday and Sunday: for example, two movers and a van cost 84 €/h on weekdays, 102 €/h on Saturday and 120 €/h on Sunday.

7. Take care of access

Arrange a parking spot in front of the building and book the lift if needed. If the vehicle has to stand far away, carrying each item takes longer.

8. Consider travel time

No travel time is added in central Tallinn. On the outskirts and in Harju County the drive from our base to the address and back is added – so combine several jobs (moving, removal, furniture assembly) on one day.

9. Choose the right service

If you can load yourself, order only a vehicle with a driver – a van with a driver costs from 48 €/h. If you have a vehicle but lack muscle, order only movers without a vehicle (40 €/h).

10. Be there on moving day

If you can answer right away what goes and where things should be placed, the movers’ time is not spent waiting.

How much can you save

Moving a two-room apartment usually takes 2.5–7 hours. A well-prepared move ends up at the lower end of that range, an unprepared one at the upper end. The difference can be several hundred euros. Example prices: how much does moving cost.

Frequently asked questions

How can I save the most on a move?

Reduce your belongings, pack yourself and dismantle large furniture in advance. Then the movers need less time and you pay for fewer hours.

Is moving more expensive at the weekend?

Yes. Two movers and a van cost 84 €/h on weekdays, 102 €/h on Saturday and 120 €/h on Sunday.

What is the cheapest way to move?

If you can load your things yourself, order only a vehicle with a driver. A van with a driver costs from 48 €/h on weekdays.

Does the lowest hourly rate mean the cheapest move?

Not always. What matters is the total price: how many hours the job takes and whether the vehicle is big enough.