It's Moving Day: Should You Hire Movers or Handle it Yourself?

Moving presents a host of choices. For example, in the course of preparing for the transition, you will need to determine which real estate agent to hire, which house to buy, and what items you’ll take with you.  

Add in the choice of whether to move yourself or hire movers, and it’s no wonder some people feel exhausted before they even pick up the phone. Yikes! In making this determination, it helps to take a step back. You’ll want to take into account your budget, proximity to the new home, complexity of the move and your own abilities and limitations. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each scenario:

 Moving Yourself

Pros
Many people, especially those who are more hands-on, a DIY move gives you control over the whole process. You get to select the moving truck, supplies and control the workflow. Plus, you can pack however you wish, which adds peace of mind especially when it comes to fragile items. This option also gives you the flexibility to decide on the timing and priority of certain tasks.

In addition to agency, moving yourself can also save you money. The costs associated with hiring movers can add up fast, even if you’re moving across the street. In that regard, going it alone can curb costs.

Cons
Heavy lifting comes with the territory of moving. If you and your friends and family aren’t physically up to the task, it could be a disaster. Think muscle strains and scratched-up furniture and walls.

There’s also the planning element. You’ll have to figure out the logistics of getting your stuff from point A to point B and everything that entails. A moving company is experienced in this and can streamline your move in ways you can’t do on your own.

You may also encounter snafus that could derail your progress. Without the assistance of professional movers and certain moving tools, you could end up wasting hours doing damage control. What’s your time worth?

Hiring Movers

Pros
By enlisting a reputable moving company, you won’t have to fixate on the details. They know what works and how to go about processes and procedures. Related to that, they are concerned with efficiency, as their profitability is on the line. Friends and family may have good intentions, but the financial incentive is usually not there.

Cons
While you might come out ahead on some factors, efficiency is one area where you might lose. When you hire professionals, you give up a certain amount of control.  It can be an ordeal to change when and how you move.

The financial consideration is to not be discounted.  According to the American Moving and Storage Association, the average cost to a household is more than $2,000 and that figure takes into account both short and long-distance moves.

There’s also the relational element at play. Chances are, you don’t personally know your movers. Entrusting your personal artifacts to strangers can be anxiety-inducing, to say the least. That’s why it’s so important to research and get recommendations from people you trust before you enter an agreement with a mover.

Bottom line: Moving is very personal and every situation is different. Enter into the transition informed and you’re likely to avoid regrets later.