Hiring Movers or Moving Yourself? Best Way to Move!

The process of moving involves making many choices, such as deciding which Realtor to hire, which house to buy, and which furniture to move. One challenging decision is whether hiring movers or move yourself. To figure that out, we can help you consider various factors.

Your budget, proximity to the new home, the complexity of the move, and your personality largely influence the decision. Many people need help to carry heavy items like couches and mattresses downstairs. Some may require handy friends who can assist with the heavy lifting. In such cases, hiring movers becomes the primary option. On the other hand, some individuals have completed numerous DIY moves, saving considerable money in the process.

To make an informed decision, let’s examine the pros and cons of each option.

Moving Yourself

Pros

• The most significant pro of a DIY move is that you have total control over the entire moving process. You get to choose the truck and all your moving supplies, and you can handle all the moving boxes yourself to ensure nothing breaks in the process. By committing to a DIY move, you can decide when to begin and end the move. If you encounter bad weather during the move, you can choose how best to protect your belongings. Moreover, you have complete control over how to load the truck, and you don’t need to worry about movers dumping boxes and furniture in the wrong rooms.
• A DIY move will save you money, especially on a tight budget. Hiring a moving company can lead to unexpected and quickly accumulating expenses, even for a local move. However, renting a moving truck allows you to save thousands. For example, you can rent U-Haul’s most considerable moving truck option (26 feet), which can accommodate four-plus bedrooms, with rental costs starting at around $40. Additionally, you can choose add-ons and loading supplies for a fee when selecting your U-Haul.
• During a DIY move, you can pack however you want, similar to the last advantage mentioned. You won’t have to worry about packing all your belongings perfectly as movers would expect when they arrive. Instead, you can skip boxing up odd-shaped items like lamps and plants. There’s no need to obsess over boxing up simple items like pillows and blankets, either. You can decide how much or how little to pack if everything gets into the truck on a moving day.

Cons

• Doing all the heavy lifting is the worst thing about a DIY move. Unless your strongest and best friends take on the duty, you must move everything yourself. Lifting all those boxes and clunky pieces of furniture won’t be a walk in the park, mainly if stairs are involved. Inexperienced movers, whether you or your friends, might end up marking or scratching the walls while carrying couches and beds downstairs. While a one-bedroom apartment may be manageable without professionals, moving to a five-bedroom place could break your back.
• Planning a DIY move takes a lot of effort. While hiring a moving company also requires planning, coordinating the entire move yourself will require significant planning. You’ll need to work out the logistics of transporting your belongings from point A to B. Additionally, you’ll have to strategize the best way to load the rented moving truck, deciding which items go in first and last and arranging them correctly inside the truck.
• Unexpected problems can arise during a DIY move, such as your couch getting stuck in the door. In such situations, you may find yourself out of luck. Without the help of professional movers and specific moving tools, you could spend hours trying to resolve the problem rather than enjoying the comfort of your couch inside your new home.

Hiring Movers

Pros

• You won’t have to lift a finger by enlisting a reputable moving company. Trained movers were hired because they would handle all the heavy lifting. You can leave the task of carrying heavy couches down the stairs and out the door to them. There’s no need to worry about straining your muscles, scratching up new floors, or asking friends for help with the lifting. Instead, you can focus on essential tasks such as babysitting your children, caring for your pets, or simply kicking back and relaxing while the professionals handle the move.
• Assuming you’ve hired a legitimate and experienced moving company, you can expect the move to be efficient. Reliable movers will be under contract to assist with all agreed-upon aspects of the move, unlike friends who may flake at the last minute. The moving company will arrive on time with the necessary supplies and equipment, saving you from the less enjoyable task of gathering dollies and furniture pads at the last moment. Ultimately, hiring a reputable relocation company saves the customer a lot of moving hours in the long run.
• Overall, hiring movers reduces stress and alleviates many everyday moving-day worries. Along with the time-saving advantages of a moving company’s assistance, getting professional help also spares you from the daunting task of maneuvering a massive moving truck down the highway. Moving trucks are notoriously challenging and tricky to drive, and trailers are relatively straightforward. If the thought of loading and driving a large moving truck stresses you out, we highly recommend hiring movers to lend a hand.

Cons

• Hiring professional movers reduces your flexibility and limits your control over the move. You have little influence over the date and time of pickup or how the movers load your belongings. In the worst-case scenario, you might have to wait weeks for your moving truck to arrive if the relocation company has multiple stops along the way. There may be better options than hiring a moving company for those who prefer to be in complete control.
• Hiring movers can be expensive; HomeAdvisor.com says a local move typically ranges from $875 to $2,350. Local movers may charge $25 to $50 per hour for each worker, and this may or may not include a truck and a furniture dolly. The estimated cost of hiring movers for a four-bedroom household can go up to $1,200. Moving out of state can be even pricier, with prices ranging from $2,200 to $5,700, depending on the distance and weight (the average home’s belongings weigh about 7,500 pounds). Hiring a moving company will still incur a significant expense, even for a local move just down the street.
• Hiring movers can lead to an impersonal experience because you most likely don’t know the movers. Entrusting your precious belongings to strangers can be nerve-racking. That’s why it’s crucial to do your homework, read reviews, and check ratings before enlisting a moving company to assist with your relocation.

Some more to think about

Still, is hiring a professional moving company right for you? Let us help you by providing a list of questions to aid in making your decision.

How much time do you have?

Consider the time required for both ends of your move: moving out of your current home and into your new one. Do you have strict deadlines for either of these phases? If yes, it might be more sensible to hire professional movers. They can handle the work for you and do it faster and more efficiently. Moreover, they will complete the move within a scheduled timeframe. Remember that you don’t necessarily have to hire them for everything. You may have time to pack your boxes but need assistance unpacking in your new home so you can start a new job or prepare for the holidays. You can use their services as required.

How much is your time worth?

Get three in-home quotes from professional moving companies. After receiving their price quotes and estimated time to move, assess how long it will take you to complete the job with the assistance of family and friends. Include the time for packing, loading the truck, and any tasks you would have the movers do. Be honest with yourself because it will likely take much more time to complete the job than the movers.

How far are you moving?

Moving to a new state or country requires much more effort than moving down the block. For nearby moves, you can transport smaller boxes and items to the new house during the week, reducing the workload on a moving day. The logistics for a local move are relatively straightforward: gather supplies and helpers, pack your boxes, rent a truck, and load and unload on a moving day. However, long-distance moves can become complicated, especially when crossing state lines. Moving overseas adds the additional challenge of clearing customs for your belongings. Let professionals handle these situations and avoid stressing yourself out is better.

What do you need the most help with?

Hiring professional movers doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing decision. You can hire them to assist with tasks you feel unable to handle. For example, if you need help disassembling, lifting, and reassembling furniture, you can hire them for that specific job. Similarly, if packing all your belongings feels overwhelming, you can have them help with that task. In case you own items you need help with, professional movers can handle special items like artwork or your wine collection.

To decide if hiring movers is worthwhile, ask yourself what aspects of moving are causing you the most stress. If bringing in movers can alleviate that stress, it may be well worth considering their services.

Do you have the supplies you need?

Of course, you will need boxes and packing tape for the move. In addition, moves typically require additional supplies such as dollies, moving blankets, and ratchet straps. If you don’t already have these supplies, you must rent or purchase them. Moreover, you’ll likely have to find help on moving day, and it can be challenging to see family and friends willing and able to work for pizza.

However, when you hire professional movers, you don’t have to worry about any of that. They will bring all the necessary boxes, packing tape, moving supplies, trucks, and manpower to handle the move efficiently.

How good are you at packing?

Packing is a skill, and not everyone is proficient at it. You must pack your items in a way that ensures they won’t be damaged, even if the box is accidentally dropped. Handling fragile or unusually-shaped items can be particularly tricky. Moreover, moving large pieces requires skill. Can you successfully maneuver a couch down a staircase with a 90-degree turn without damaging the walls?

If these tasks seem overwhelming, let professional movers take care of them. They have the expertise to handle packing delicate items and moving large furniture safely and efficiently.

Are you in physically good shape?

Moving is physically taxing, and it makes sense to hire movers if you have back pain, a bad knee, or a chronic shoulder injury. Also, consider hiring movers if you find it difficult to bend, twist, or stand on your feet all day. If you don’t have the stamina you once did, movers can also assist with that. Not only can they save you from aches and potential injuries, but they can also save you time since they can perform the work much faster than you can.

Made up your mind?

We’ve got you covered if you’ve decided to hire professional movers to assist with some or all of your move. We have reliable movers who can handle all the heavy lifting, pack, and move your entire house. Rest assured that your belongings will be in good hands because we are licensed and bonded.

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