You’re getting ready to move and trying to decide the big question: Should I move myself, or should I hire a mover?
You want to make sure your precious possessions arrive safe and sound, and what better way than to hire experienced movers? Cost tends to be one of the more important factors in choosing DIY solutions, though, and moving yourself can be one of the cheaper options.
Depending on the moving company you choose and how many services you go with, it is possible for the cost to start creeping up. Some companies offer full packing and unpacking services as well as loading, moving and unloading boxes and furniture. However, you also need to account for the amount of time it will take you to source all the supplies you’ll need, pack up everything you own, find a moving truck you can drive yourself, load everything onto it and then unpack it all at your new location. After all that, you might decide a movers are the way to go.
There are several things you need to ask yourself before making this important decision. Read through the following four questions and think carefully about your answers.
Questions to Ask When Deciding to Move Yourself vs. Hiring Movers
How much stuff do I own?
If you are only moving out of a studio or one bedroom apartment full of particle board furniture and items from second hand shops, then you might want to consider moving yourself. None of those possessions will be too heavy, and they are not valuable enough to worry about breaking. If you drop an end table you got from your brother, who got it from his friend, it won’t matter much.
However, for those who are currently living in multiple room apartments with valuable furniture, or a household full of grandma’s precious antiques, then you’ll definitely want to hire a professional moving company. Peace of mind is priceless.
Am I physically able to move myself?
Willing and able are two different things. You may be willing to move yourself, but you need to ask one very important question – is it physically possible for me to move all these items? If you are not in the best shape, or are not very strong in general, lifting heavy boxes and possessions will be hard on your body and your overall health. If you’re not the most graceful person and prone to being clumsy, carrying boxes with fragile items might not be the best idea. In situations like this, a moving company comes in handy.
Can I rely on the help of family and friends?
If you have a reliable group of friends and family who are willing and able to help you pack, move and unpack, then it seems like you’ve got a great support system! If your friends and family tend to flake out at the last minute, or if they are just not physically up to the job, hiring professional movers makes sense.
Do I have the right tools for the job?
There are several types of packing supplies you will need, such as packing tape, bubble wrap, moving boxes, wardrobe boxes, dish pack inserts, and more. You can try to find all of these items yourself, usually from multiple sources, but most moving companies will be able to provide all these for you. Some will even deliver them straight to your door! Convenient and easy.
Then there are the more complicated items – a moving dolly to help transport multiple heavy boxes in one go, floor runners to protect your floors from all those shoes traipsing in and out of your home, and moving blankets to wrap around your pieces of furniture to protect them and your walls from getting nicked, scratched or otherwise damaged.
If you think you will be able to buy or borrow these items, it might make sense to move yourself. If you want to take the easier route, hiring a moving company, who will provide you with packing supplies and bring along their own tools for the job, might be the better choice.
Conclusion?
Now that you’ve gone through these important questions, you will be ready to make an informed decision. Are you going with the DIY options and moving yourself with the help of friends and family? Or are you going to go the professional route and hire experienced movers from a moving company? No matter what you choose, you will know that you have made the right choice.