The moving process is full of choices, and one of the biggest choices is whether to hire movers or do it all yourself. There are pros and cons to both choices, and what you choose largely depends on your situation and your budget. Before you decide which option is best for you, take a look at the following positives and negatives of a DIY move or hiring movers.
Pros of a DIY Move:
1. Full control
If you decide to arrange and execute the move yourself, you’re in total control of how everything goes. You get to choose the truck and who will help you. You also get to move at your own speed, whether you want it done in a day or over the course of a week.
2. Big savings
If you don’t have a big budget for moving expenses, then a DIY move is generally a good choice. Expenses you might encounter include renting a truck and boxes, but you won’t be paying an hourly wage or anything else.
3. Packing is your choice
When you hire professional movers, you have to pack and seal all your boxes. Everything needs to be ready to go. But when you choose a DIY move, you can toss pillows and odd-shaped items into your car or even transport open boxes.
Cons of a DIY Move
1. Heavy items
The hardest part about a DIY move is that it’s up to you to get all those awkward and heavy items from one house to the next. If you have a lot of heavy furniture or staircases, this job can get difficult in a hurry.
2. Planning
Planning a move when you have a lot of stuff and a few pickup trucks to haul it in can be exhausting and difficult. Even if you rent a box truck, you have to decide exactly how everything will fit in the truck.
3. Surprise problems
If you run into something unexpected, like furniture getting stuck in an entryway, it will be up to you to fix it. Without professional tools and knowledge, it might take you hours to figure it out.
Pros of Hiring Movers
1. No heavy lifting
If you hire movers, your only job will be to pack and seal boxes. You won’t have to figure out how to get that floor-to-ceiling bookcase down a long staircase and through the door.
2. Efficiency
Professional movers have done it all before. They know exactly how to get from point A to point B in the most expedient manner, no matter what type of furniture you have or how many boxes. They will also show up at your door on time with all the necessary equipment. You might not be able to expect that from your friends.
3. Less stress
Moving is almost always extremely stressful. Having someone else do most of the work for you is a good choice to reduce that stress.
Cons of Hiring Movers
1. Little flexibility
You won’t have a lot of options to dictate the move beyond time and date. Experts recommend booking your move as soon as possible to ensure your date is available.
2. Price
The average hourly rate for movers is $200 an hour, and you’ll probably be paying at least four of them. Consider how long it takes to move, and that rate adds up quickly.