Hiring Movers Vs. DIY Move: Which is Best For You?

There are two main options when it comes to moving: hiring movers or doing the move yourself. Which option is best for you? That depends on your situation and your needs. Yes, a DIY move may be much less expensive than hiring a full-service movers company.

Finding out which option is best for you begins with understanding what your move will entail. For example, if you plan to do everything yourself except for packing and unpacking the truck, hiring movers who handle those services may be a smart choice. But make sure the company you select will pack and unpack your belongings and move them into and out of storage as needed.

Another consideration is whether or not your employer pays for relocation expenses. If they do, that may be another factor in favor of hiring movers who can manage all of the details. Plus, load up the truck and get everything there on time and intact.

On the other hand, if you are moving from an apartment or living in a dorm room, don't have a lot of heavy items to move, couldn't care less about being precise with your moves, and can pack things neatly into boxes—do it yourself and save some bucks!

Whether it's DIY or full-service moving, don't forget to arrange for help if needed. It will make the process much easier and less stressful.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

When looking to hire movers or perform DIY, here are a few things to think about

Timeline

If you are moving for a career opportunity or job, you may not have the time to do everything yourself. Make sure you aren't rushing, resulting in unnecessary wear and tear on your belongings or damages that will not be covered by insurance. In this case, it is advisable to hire a professional mover. If your schedule is more flexible and you have the physical capacity to pack, then you can opt for DIY moving.

Read Also: Moving Timeline – Week by Week Moving Checklist

Quantity of Goods

If you've been living in one place for a long time, the quantity of stuff you need to move may be daunting. Unless you are in perfectly good physical condition, hiring professionals may be the best option for handling this type of move.

If you have mostly boxes that can fit into an apartment-size truck or UHaul, then DIY moving is your best choice.

Weight/Fragility of Goods

If you have many fragile goods, it is best to get help from a professional mover. Heavy items such as books, furniture, and appliances require the expertise of professional movers. On the other hand, lighter items such as pillows, clothes, and kitchen utensils are best moved by someone who knows how to pack carefully.

Expenses

Hiring a professional mover can be very expensive as compared to DIY. If you are ready to pay a huge amount for moving, you should hire movers. But if you are on a tight budget and want to save money on your move, DIY is the way to go.

Distance of your move

How far do you want to move? If you're going to move nearby, DIY moving is advisable as you won't pay for the travel expenses. But if you've got to move a distance, opt for professional movers as they can easily handle long-distance moves and provide better value for money.

Stress

Relocating from one place to another can be very stressful. DIY moving can be time-consuming and result in a lot of stress. It is best to opt for professional movers if you have a lot on your plate.

In addition, many people don't know how to pack properly. Even if they do, sometimes items get lost or break during the move because they are not packed properly. So hiring professional movers is the best option if you want to move heavy items.

Whether your employer is paying for relocation expenses?

Another factor to consider is whether your employer is paying for relocations expenses or not. And if your employer is paying for relocation expenses, it is a great incentive to hire movers. But if your employer is not paying for relocation expenses, you can opt for DIY moving.

We now know what to consider when hiring movers or performing DIY; let's discuss the pros and cons of hiring movers or doing it yourself.

Hiring movers: Pros and Cons

When the time comes to hire movers, you will need to consider what is best for your situation. Here are a few pros and cons of hiring movers.

Pros

1.    You Don't Have to Do Anything at All

As you have hired a professional mover, now you don't have to do anything. The professionals know what they are doing; therefore, you can leave all the work to them. They will take everything and arrange for the move.

Hiring movers means that your job is now easy as you don't have to lift a finger or try to figure out how things should be done. All you have to do is sit back and relax while a team of professional movers gets everything done for you.

2.    Efficiency

The professional movers are very efficient and experts in this field. They know how to do everything and work quickly. You can relax in your home or office while they take care of everything.

They will take care of the packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking at your new location. All you have to do is sit back and watch while they get everything done perfectly and within a span of time.

Also See: Understanding Services Provided by Moving Companies

3.    No Time Wastage:

Hiring movers means that there will be no time wastage at all. They work quickly and efficiently without wasting any time at all. They will take care of all the packing and unpacking, so you don't have to do anything.

When hiring a team of movers, you will not have to spend hours trying to pack and then unpack at your new location. Professional movers can handle everything for you, which means that.

4.    Get the Services of Expert Packers

Hiring professionals means that you can get the services of expert packers who know how to handle your goods carefully. The experts will use the right materials to ensure safety during transit.

You can also get expert packers to ensure that everything stays intact during the move. If you are hiring a team of movers, it means that you don't have to worry about anything at all!

5.    No Stress Involved

You don't have to handle all the stress of moving. Hiring professional movers means that you won't have to lift a finger, and everything will be handled by experts who do this for a living.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

Cons

1.    Expensive

Hiring movers is costly and may not be the best option for everyone. But if you have a big family and many items, it is best to hire professionals as they will get the job done within one day. Or if your move is far from your previous place of residence or office, then.

If you've got many belongings and your company pays for relocation expenses, then hiring professional movers is best. But if you are on a tight budget, opt for DIY moving.

Read Also: How Do Moving Companies Charge

2.    Time-consuming

Hiring a mover may help you save time by relieving you of the obligation to pack and move. However, finding out which business to choose can be time-consuming. Another downside of hiring movers is that it can be time-consuming to get dependable and insured providers. You will have to spend hours calling different moving companies and checking online reviews, as well as figuring out which provider is best for your needs.

Also See: How much time Does it take for Movers to Deliver

DIY Moving: Pros and Cons

On the other hand, here are a few pros and cons of doing DIY moving.

Pros

1.    Total Control over Your Move

As you have opted for the Do It Yourself(DIY) option, now you have total control over your move. This is also the most significant benefit of Do It Yourself options because you don't need to worry about things like pricing, timing, or hauling heavy furniture up and down the stairs.

Another benefit of DIY relocation is that there won't be any stress involved as you are handling everything by yourself. You can plan everything according to your own needs and convenience.

You will have to spend hours making lists, organizing items, planning the moving route, packing things yourself, etc., but you don't have to worry about anything else as you are in total control of your relocation process.

2.    Flexibility

DIY moving gives you the flexibility to pack and unpack at your own pace. Plus, you will save money on hiring help since it's just your family, friends, and yourself involved in the move.

Another benefit of Do It Yourself relocation is that you can easily change your moving route and vehicle if it doesn't meet your needs. Plus, you can take your time and don't have to rush it with the help of a moving company.

3.    No Extra Expenses

Another benefit of the DIY moving option is that you won't have to pay extra money for the relocation expenses like truck rental or fuel charges. This can be beneficial if your employer doesn't cover this expense.

You will have to invest only in essentials required for a relocation. So, instead of paying for moving boxes and hiring a truck, you can opt for a plain newspaper or dish packs to pack your belongings. If you choose the DIY option, it also means fewer expenses since you don't have to worry about hiring movers.

Cons

1.    Time-consuming

As the Do It Yourself(DIY) option takes lots of time, effort, and expertise to pack all the belongings, some people don't have the patience. One of the most significant disadvantages of DIY moving is that you have to spend a lot of time researching how to pack properly and finding out if your rented truck has arrived.

You can't pack everything in one day, so you would have to take time out every few days to pack, load, unload and unpack all your belongings yourself. This is why people opt for professional movers to get everything done in one day.

2.    Lack of Expertise

One of the most significant disadvantages of the Do it Yourself option is that you don't know what you do. Most people who opt for DIY moving don't have the expertise, which can lead to damage. Plus, not everyone knows how to pack all their belongings properly.

If you don't have the right type of boxes, packing material, and enough space for your belongings, it can result in damaged items.

3.    Unexpected Problems

While packing and moving by yourself, you are chances that you could encounter unforeseen problems like dropping paintings or injuring yourself. This can be another downside of DIY moving as you are not insured, and if something goes wrong, your expenses will go beyond the limits.

If you hire a moving company, you know that they will show up on the agreed date and time. With DIY moving, you have no assurance as friends may not always be available to help, and your rented truck might not show up. So you will have to be flexible and patient throughout the process, which many people may find difficult.

Conclusion

When deciding between DIY or hiring movers, it is important to consider your unique needs and the amount of time you're willing to spend researching different providers. If you are on a tight budget but have lots of belongings that need to be moved across town, then opting for the DIY option may make more sense. However, if you don't want any stress involved on moving day and prefer to hire professionals who can take care of all aspects of relocation-related expenses like packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking at your new location without much effort from you or any family members helping out - this might be an ideal solution. The bottom line is: Do what's best for YOU!

CALCULATE MY MOVE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to hire movers or do it yourself?

Moving is generally less expensive than hiring a full-service moving company. That's beyond debate. Although the gains may not always be significant, there are several more things to consider, such as time, stress, and effort required.

What are the advantages of moving yourself vs. hiring a professional mover?

There are both advantages and drawbacks to either hiring an expert mover or moving yourself. Please read the article to know more about it. It is entirely dependent on your requirements, time, and compensation.

 Why is hiring movers so expensive?

The fact that it is a lot of work is a big part of the reason that moving is expensive. And the professional movers are paid for their time, efficiency, and expertise, which can be considerable.

Also See: National Moving Companies