When we think of making a move, we put a lot of thought into the agent selection, the home search, the financing and budget – and then there’s the bear of the actual move to deal with. That’s where a little bit of wisdom and planning can save you a lot of time, frustration and money.

Consider the following when it comes time to move to make this move your best ever:

• Shop around for estimates – professional movers can cost a lot of money, but if you’re not in a position to move yourself (and your grand piano) it may be the best option. Unlike you or your friends, they have professional experience so they’re less likely to make mistakes, break something, or scratch your furniture. Also, most professional moving companies offer an insurance policy so if something does break, they will cover it. Start with asking around your family, friends and co-workers because just like agents and other real estate professionals, movers live and die on reputation and quality service. If you can’t find a good recommendation there, try a service like Yelp or Angie’s List to find one with a good reputation and ratings. Once you find two or three, give them a call to get an estimate.
• Move during the off-time – if you do find yourself needing movers, ask them if they have any times when you can get a discount. While the off-season for moving is September through May (also the off-season for housing), you may still be able to save if you move during the week rather than a weekend, and you may be able to save if you move in the first two weeks of the month versus the second half of the month.