How many times have you arrived at a new home with boxes full of things that haven’t been opened in two years? Yes, those boxes. The “just in case” ones. The ones you kept thinking they’d come in handy someday and that, spoiler, are still sealed shut in the new storage room just like in the old one.
Moving items you don’t need doesn’t just take up space in the truck: it costs you money. And not a little. Volume is one of the factors that most influence the price of a move, so filtering carefully what you bring can make a real difference to the final bill.
“Just in case” has a price
Most people accumulate between 20 and 30% of items they don’t use regularly but drag from home to home. Clothes that no longer fit, furniture that doesn’t go anywhere, duplicate appliances, books you never finished reading… All of it weighs, takes up space and, in the end, shows up on the bill.
The problem isn’t sentimental attachment —that has its logic— but attachment out of inertia. Moving the old sofa “just in case” you need it in the guest room is a classic. But that sofa costs money to move, costs money to place and will probably end up where you already know.
Three questions to decide what stays
Before you start packing, ask yourself these questions about every item you’re unsure about:
How much would it cost to replace? If the cost of moving it exceeds —or comes close to— the cost of buying it new at your destination, the decision is easy. This applies especially to bulky furniture, old appliances or low-value items.
When was the last time you used it? The unwritten rule says that if you haven’t used it in more than a year, you probably won’t use it in the next one. If the answer is “I can’t remember,” you already have your answer.
What condition is it in? An item in poor shape that you’ll move and then throw away is a double expense. Better to leave it behind before the truck sets off.
What to do with what you don’t take
Decluttering your belongings doesn’t mean throwing everything in the bin. There are smarter options:
- Donate: charities, food banks and community centers accept clothes, furniture in good condition, books and household items.
- Sell: platforms like Wallapop or Facebook Marketplace are perfect for getting rid of items with real value before the move. With a bit of luck, you cover part of the cost of the move with what you make.
- Recycle: for whatever has no other outlet, municipal recycling centers are the right option. Appliances, old furniture and special waste each have their own channel.
Sorting through your things before a move doesn’t just lighten the workload: it gives you money or, at the very least, saves it.
How much you can save by reducing your move volume
The price of a move is calculated, among other factors, by the volume of the load. Fewer boxes and fewer pieces of furniture mean less space in the truck, and that’s reflected directly in the quote.
A standard move for a three-bedroom flat can run between 8 and 14 m³. Reducing that volume by 20% by removing non-essential items can translate into savings of between 100 and 400 euros, depending on the distance and the type of service booked. That’s no small thing.
At Mudanzas Trallero they calculate the quote based on the real volume of your move, so every box you don’t move counts. Literally.
Start with the storage room before calling the movers
If you don’t know where to begin, the storage room and the wardrobes hold most of the non-essential items. Spend an afternoon clearing them out before requesting a quote. You’ll notice the result —in space, in money and in peace of mind— right away.
Mudanzas Trallero has spent years helping people move exactly what they need, with no more volume than necessary and no surprises on the bill.
Ask us for a quote for your next move with Mudanzas Trallero.
