Funds can get a little tight when you're moving. You're probably haemorrhaging money left, right and centre. It's not just the cost of moving itself; it's all the peripheral stuff that quickly adds up. Removal costs can be a drop in the ocean when you consider what you're outlaying on real-estate costs and getting everything you need and want for your new home. In saying that, every dollar counts.

Tip 1: Avoid Peak Periods for Moving.

Choosing the time of week and year for your furniture removal can have a HUGE impact on the price.

Moving mid-week can save you $100's.

If you're able to move mid-week you could save hundreds of dollars on moves that are charged at an hourly rate.

• Wages for removalists and their assitants are likely to be higher on weekends;
• More people want to move on the weekend. Supply and demand means that removal companies may charge more.
• Removal companies can find it harder to employee removalists who can work weekends. Again, supply is limited, demand is high, so the prices go up.

It's usually cheaper to move in the colder months.

For local or interstate removals, Summer and early Spring are the peak periods. Everyone wants to move in the warmer months, during school holidays.

Furniture removalists often charge more during peak periods because demand is at its highest and they may need to charge more just so they can get jobs covered.

Tip 2: Cut the fat.

The more you have to move the more it will cost.

Moving yourself: It'll cost more in fuel and truck-hire charges.

Moves charged by the hour: It will take longer to get the job done.

Long-distance or interstate removals: Your price is primarily based on how much you have to move.

However you look at it, the less stuff you have to move, the cheaper it will be.

Consider purging unwanted items by:

• Holding a garage sale;
• Donating them to charirty;
• Offering them to family and friends;
• Selling items on auction sites, like eBay.

Tip 3: The Correct Way to Get Cheap or Free Moving Boxes.

We would never suggest that you use free boxes from the supermarket. It's a crazy idea and we cringe every time someone suggests it. They're not up the the task and the risk far outweighs the rewards.

Find second hand boxes that are cheap or free.

Classified sites like Gumtree or Craigslist often have ads for used removal cartons that are still in great condition.

Tip 4: Be ready when your removalists arrive

If you're removal is being charged at an hourly rate, you need to make the process as efficient as possible.

• Make sure that you've finished packing and everything is ready when your removalists arrive.
• Move things as close to the front door as possible. Within reason.
• Use cars to reserve enough parking space in front of your old and new house for the removalist's truck the night before your move. The less walking involved, the less time it will take.
• Where possible, dismantle anything that requires it before the removalists arrive (e.g. beds).

Tip 5: Not moving far? Speed Things up by Deck-Loading.

Packing a truck to the brim is like a complex game of tetris and it takes time. If you're only moving around the corner it can be faster for you or your removalists to avoid the time-consuming stacking process and load everything onto the truck floor. Getting the job done in multiple trips, but faster. This is called 'deck-loading'.

Tip 6: Moving interstate or long-distance? Backload it.

Backloading means that you share truck space with other people's moves. Some removalists will charge you for an entire truck and the return trip. That's a big waste of money. If you use a backloading removalist you only pay for space you use for the distance you're moving.

Tip 7: Get quotes from at least 3 furniture removalists.

Yes, we're confident enough in our own prices to recommend this. Prices between removalists can vary enourmously, even with the same level of service.

Tip 8: You may already be insured.

Some home and contents insurance policies can cover your items when they're in transit. So you may not have to pay for additional coverage from your removalists. In any case, it's really important that you consider some level of coverage for your move.

Tip 9: Get your boss to pick up the tab

If you're moving for employment reasons be sure to check with your employer about their relocation policies. It is very common that employers will subsidise, or completely cover, your moving costs.

Tip 10: Do as much as you can yourself