Moving to a new home is a big step, whether it’s across town or on the other side of the country. Unfortunately, it can also be an expensive one. Families looking to save money often assume that the best way to do so is by trying to do everything themselves, but planning and executing a DIY move is harder than you might think.
If you’re not sure if hiring a local moving company is worth the money, don’t take our word for it. After all, every situation is different, and there are times when taking a DIY approach is appropriate. This article will focus on the pros and cons of hiring professional movers versus taking on the entire process alone so that you can make an informed decision.
What to Expect From Professional Movers
Professional movers make it their job to take the stress out of your move, whether it’s across the street or the state. When you work with an experienced moving company, the first step will be to come up with a plan that meets your needs. Most movers offer a range of options to suit every circumstance, including everything from packing and unpacking to temporary storage, but you won’t necessarily need all of them.
If you’re working with a low budget, make that clear from the beginning so that the person responsible for helping you plan the move can make suggestions about how to save money. You don’t have to do everything yourself to keep expenses reasonably low. Scheduling your move well in advance and handling the packing and unpacking without professional help will go a long way toward keeping your budget low without forcing you into a DIY move.
When you work with professionals, you can expect to get a clear estimate that outlines all of your costs. There will be no hidden fees. Working with professional movers even eliminates risks such as having to pay for damaged or lost belongings because moving companies carry comprehensive insurance policies.
Once moving day rolls around, your team will show up on time and ready to work. They’ll have all of the equipment required to move large, heavy, or unwieldy objects safely, navigate stairs and hallways, and secure everything for the ride to your new home. You should stick around to answer questions, but the movers will handle all the rest.
What to Expect During a DIY Move
Handling your entire move alone is a stressful ordeal that most people try to avoid at all costs. If you have an exceptionally low budget and don’t have the credit to take out a moving loan, it may still be your best option. When you opt for tackling the entire move yourself, you’ll have to worry about:
- Finding a rental van or truck that you can safely drive.
- Packing 100% of your belongings.
- Taking out insurance if you’re concerned about fragile items breaking during the move.
- Finding people who are willing to help with your move.
- Moving heavy and difficult-to-carry items out of the house without injury.
- Loading everything into the moving truck and securing safely.
- Unloading and unpacking.
- Gassing up the rental van and returning it on time to avoid late fees.
If that sounds like a lot to put on your plate when you’re already worried about changing over utilities, registering students at new schools, switching your license, and all of the other minutiae required during a move, that’s because it is. You may save some money, assuming that everything goes smoothly, none of your belongings break and have to be replaced, and no one is injured during the process. However, those minor savings aren’t worth the extra hassle for most people.
The Benefits of Working With Professionals
You may assume that our assessment of whether you should hire movers or tackle everything yourself is biased, but only if you’ve never handled a DIY move. If you have, the chances are good that you already know about all of the extra challenges it creates before, on, and after your moving date. What you might not realize is the full extent of the benefits you’ll get by working with professional movers.
Maximum Convenience
Working with a team of professional movers is by far the most convenient way to get all of your belongings from point A to point B. If you have it in the budget, you can even pay for add-on services like packing and unpacking. All you’ll need to do is be available to answer questions during the move.
Years of Experience
Professional movers aren’t unskilled laborers. They have years of experience with packing boxes, loading trucks, and handling fragile items. They know how to pack delicate belongings so that there’s no danger of damage during the trip, drive a moving truck safely, and unpack everything without making a mess of your new home.
Licenses and Insurance
Moving companies carry licenses and insurance, which means that you won’t be left on the hook in the unlikely event that your goods get damaged. A professional driver will be available to transport the home’s belongings, which can minimize the number of trips that must be made, and fully insured, experienced movers will take responsibility for the safety of your items.
Help Dealing With Contingencies
Even if you’re a careful planner, some aspects of a move simply can’t be controlled. Inclement weather, furniture that is difficult to maneuver through doorways or downstairs, and items that require specialty transport all fall into this category. The great thing about hiring movers is that you won’t have to worry about contingency plans. They’ll take care of everything.
Avoiding Injuries and Keeping Friends
Everyone needs help with moving, whether they’re packing up a studio apartment or a single-family home. Unless you have exceptionally dedicated friends, you’ll find it surprising how many people have plans for your specific moving date, even if you ask them two months in advance. If you can find people willing to help, that doesn’t necessarily mean everything goes smoothly, either. Injuries are common when moving heavy furniture, as are fights that break up lifelong friendships.
When to Attempt a DIY Move
In most cases, we agree with the many experts who recommend working with professionals to facilitate your move. However, some circumstances lend themselves to DIY moving. This might be your best option if:
- Your possessions are few and light enough to fit in an easy-to-drive moving van.
- You’re in good enough shape to pack and load everything safely, then unload and unpack it when you get to the new destination.
- You’re working on a very tight budget and don’t have good enough credit to take out a loan.
- You have plenty of free time in which to plan every aspect of the move.
- You don’t have kids to worry about.
If all of these statements are accurate, you might be better off handling your move alone. Just remember that you can’t always rely on friends and family to help, so you really might be tackling everything from packing to driving the truck by yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Professional Movers
Do you still have questions about working with professional movers? The best way to get answers is to reach out to our team of local professionals. However, you can also check out answers to other clients’ most frequently asked questions below.
What Services Do Professional Movers Offer?
Professional movers offer more services than just driving a truck from point A to point B. Moving packages also come with loading and unloading services, and the top companies will also provide packing and unpacking as add-ons to local moves. If you need items stored until you’re ready to settle in, you can also ask moving companies about storage solutions.
Will Movers Pick Up From Two Locations?
Some movers will pick up from two locations, which can be an essential service for people who want to move not just homes or apartments but also storage units. You should ask about scheduling multiple pick-ups when planning the move, though, because this service is not always available.
How Far in Advance Should You Book a Moving Service?
You should book a moving service as far in advance as you can. Experts recommend securing a moving team at least two months before the scheduled move, especially during the peak season. If you’re planning on moving anytime between May and September, you should expect local movers to be very busy and last-minute bookings to be more expensive.
Are There Items Movers Won’t Transport?
There are some items movers will not transport for you. The list varies by company but generally includes propane tanks, perishable food, plants, live animals, liquids and aerosols, explosives, and toxic substances. When in doubt, ask about what’s OK to bring and what to leave behind.
Ready to Make Moves?
If you’re ready to start planning your big move, the first step is easy. Just give us a call at 240-600-0998 or fill out the form below. We’ll do everything we can to take the stress out of the experience, including offering an accurate, transparent quote. If you’re worried about money, let us know. Our team of experts will go over options that won’t break either your budget or your back.
