Let’s be real, moving is not the cheapest service out there. One way to cut down on the costs involved in moving house is to enlist the help of friends, a cost-effective approach particularly when you are strapped for cash. That said, moving is not the most favorite activity for anyone either. That means you will have your work cut out for you if you plan to sidestep professional movers and ask your friends to lend a hand instead.
And the numbers don’t lie. 40% of Americans have admitted to lying to someone to avoid helping with the move. If you find yourself in this predicament, there are a couple of things you can do to reduce the likelihood of your friends bailing out on you when you need their help most.
Table of Contents
Avoid waiting until last minute
Unless you are offering free tickets to the movies or a game to someone who had nothing scheduled for their weekend, nobody likes last-minute requests. If you want to get your friends onside when it comes to getting their help when moving, you will have much better luck if you let them know well in advance.
That way, it will be easier for them to plan for it and block out their time – never mind mentally preparing for the arduous task.
Bribe them
But telling them your friends you need their help ahead of time does not guarantee you will earn hearts. You need to provide them with some impetus by sweetening the deal a little.
This could come in various forms.
Many will appreciate a cash reward, but before you start asking why you should pay your friends while you’re trying to avoid moving costs, it is important to remember that the cost of paying them would pale in comparison to what any professional moving company would ask for. Alternatively, you can throw in a dinner or brunch, coffee or better yet, drinks. An even better proposition might be to treat them to an experience – for example, paying for a massage session, taking them to a movie (or game), or cooking them dinner.
It depends on your friends really. If you know them well, you should know what gesture is likely to be received more warmly.
Distribute tasks
When you hear “moving”, the picture that is likely to come to mind is that of packing a never-ending number of boxes and hauling heavy furniture and appliances around. That’s not the image you want to paint when asking for moving assistance from your friends. To help make the move sound more palatable, it would be better to actually outline your plan and where you think their assistance would be needed most.
Is it packing? Or maybe wrapping up the dishes and china? Or would you need their help to load stuff onto the truck?
Furnishing them with a pre-devised plan with tasks broken up like this makes them know exactly what to expect – which is likely to yield a yes response.
Do as much as you can yourself
While you may have friends who are not likely to turn you down, keep in mind that moving your house is your responsibility, not theirs. That said, it is only reasonable that you do as much as you can instead of relying on your friends to do all the hard work for you. Put yourself in their shoes and don’t forget that they may call on you to return the favor someday.
Would you want them to heap the burden of their move on you? Not likely. Nobody likes moving, but it is just one of those things we have to do when circumstances dictate so.
Speaking of which…
Offer to reciprocate
This is another practical reason to give when you want your friends’ help with your move. If they turn up for you, let them know that you will return the favor when the time comes. If they don’t have a move on the cards in the near future, suggest lending a hand on a project they are working on – or assist with some chores that they are yet to get around to. Everybody wins in this one.
Give them first priority
Moving is the most ideal opportunity for us to declutter our homes. When moving, you don’t want to (neither should you) move with the whole house. Clear up old inventory and make room for the new, or better yet, opt to live lean when you move into your new place. Decluttering not only makes our spaces tidy, but also breathes a fresh breath of positive energy in our homes.
That said, if you have any items that you’re considering reselling or donating, it’s not a bad idea to give your friends first dibs on them – whether it is electronics, clothing, sports equipment, cookware, you name it.
