Moving across town? Across the state—or the country? Deciding whether to hire movers or do it yourself depends on your budget, the complexity of the move, the amount of time you have, your physical capabilities, and the distance of the move.
Based on factors like cost, time, and convenience, StoreEase has compiled a list of considerations, pros, and cons of hiring movers versus doing it yourself to help you make a decision.
Hiring Professional Movers
From the start of your move to the end, professional movers will have everything covered during your transition to a new home. Yet, despite the peace of mind they provide, a moving company might not be your best bet depending on the distance and amount of stuff you’re moving.
So, is it worth it to hire movers? Check out the advantages and disadvantages of paying for professional moving services.
Pros:
- Convenience – Professional movers take care of most aspects of the move, such as packing, loading, transporting, unloading, and even unpacking if desired. This can result in significant savings on time and effort for you.
- Expertise – Movers possess the necessary experience and training to handle and transport items safely. They are skilled at efficiently packing and safeguarding delicate belongings, guaranteeing their arrival in good condition.
- Time constraints – If you are facing a tight deadline or have limited time, hiring movers can ensure a quicker and more efficient relocation process.
- Handling heavy or delicate items – Movers assume the responsibility for all the physically demanding tasks. If you have large, heavy, or specialized items like pianos, valuable artwork, or antiques, hiring experienced movers can minimize the potential for damage.
Cons:
- Control – Having movers means you’ll have less control over the move overall.
- Scheduling – Movers aren’t always on time or on a reliable schedule.
- Cost – Professional movers are often more expensive than doing it yourself.
Renting a Moving Truck (and Doing It Yourself):
Although it may require additional effort from you, opting to rent a truck and handle the move yourself can surprisingly be a less stressful alternative to hiring professional movers. However, it is important to acknowledge that while you might save money, you could potentially experience back pain and packing frustration as trade-offs.
Ultimately, you should consider your personal circumstances, the size and complexity of the move, your budget, and the value you place on convenience and time. It can be helpful to obtain quotes from moving companies and compare them against the costs and effort involved in a DIY move. Browse our storage tips for handy advice on packing moving boxes and undertaking a move on your own.
Pros:
- Control – When you move by yourself, you have full autonomy over every element of the process. There’s the freedom to choose a starting time, determine the packing methods, and decide how your belongings will be transported.
- Flexibility – Handling the move on your own allows you to tailor it to your schedule. There’s flexibility to plan the relocation according to your specific timetable, without relying on the availability or predetermined timelines of moving companies.
- Cost – Handling a move yourself can be a cost-effective option compared to hiring professional movers. The expenses associated with hiring movers, particularly for long-distance relocations or when additional services such as packing and unpacking are needed, can be high. If you have a limited budget, opting for a do-it-yourself approach can yield significant savings.
Cons:
- Labor – Moving yourself creates more physical work for yourself and others involved.
- Stress – You also have to problem-solve each aspect of the move.
- Insurance – Do-it-yourself moves aren’t insured by default.
Self Storage to Support the Moving Process
While there are various advantages and disadvantages associated with both options for moving, self storage is a reliable service that can accommodate your belongings throughout the entire process. For DIY moves, you can make multiple smaller trips between your current and new home, reducing the strain and fatigue of one long journey. When hiring professional movers, a self storage unit provides a secure place to keep your belongings until you finalize your decision on the moving company.
Regardless of your preferred moving method, StoreEase offers the self storage solution you need. Take a look at our convenient size guide and rent a storage unit today at a nearby facility to support your move.