Moving can be a massive hassle. Should you hire professional movers or take the DIY route? This in-depth guide weighs the pros and cons to help.
When my best friend decided to move across town last year, he faced a tough decision – hire professional movers or go the DIY route.
Having helped him through the moving process, I can attest that there are valid arguments for both options.
Perhaps the biggest factor to consider is whether to pay for the convenience of letting experts handle your move or to put in the hard work (and save money) by doing it all yourself. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as the right choice depends on your specific situation.
We’ll also share some insider tips from the experienced team at XYZ Moving Company – a top-rated moving company in Edmonton.
Hiring Professional Movers: The Pros
- Safety: Professional movers are trained to properly lift, carry, and transport your belongings to prevent damage or injury. This minimizes the risk of your precious possessions getting damaged or you hurting yourself trying to move heavy furniture.
- Efficiency: With their specialized equipment like dollies and truck ramps plus years of experience, movers can load and unload a truck much faster than you could on your own. This saves you valuable time.
- Insurance: Most reputable movers are licensed and insured. So if any accidents happen, you can file a claim to recover the value of damaged items.
- Convenience: Not having to haul boxes yourself frees you up to take care of other moving tasks like transferring utilities, travel arrangements, etc. You can just sit back and supervise.
Data indeed shows that most Americans (57%) hire professional movers for long-distance moves due to the inherent benefits.
Hiring Movers: The Cons
- Cost: Hiring full-service movers is certainly the most expensive option. You’ll have to pay for labor, insurance, fuel, and any other fees. Expect to pay $1000+ for a local move.
- Lack of Control: When strangers are handling your valuable possessions, you may feel a lack of control over how carefully things are treated. Horror stories of movers damaging belongings are common.
- Scheduling Inflexibility: Most movers operate during normal business hours. If you need to move over a weekend or in the evening, your options are limited and costlier.
The DIY Route: Pros
- Cost Savings: Doing it yourself is by far the cheapest route since you only need to pay for rental truck fees and supplies like dollies and furniture pads. Average DIY move costs are $500-800.
- Control: You’re in full control over how your possessions are handled and loaded. Nothing is left up to strangers.
- Flexibility: With a rental truck, you can load and move on your own schedule instead of being restricted to business hours.
The DIY Cons
- Physical Labor: Moving heavy furniture and hauling countless boxes is grueling work that puts you at risk of injury if not done properly. Your back may be sore for weeks!
- Time Commitment: Between packing, loading the truck, driving, unloading, and unpacking – a DIY move monopolizes your schedule for days or even weeks depending on how much you’re moving.
- Damage Risk: Without professional training, the risks of property damage, personal injury, or excessive stress increase significantly when moving on your own.
- Equipment Access: You’ll likely need to rent expensive equipment like a truck and dollies that movers already have in their inventory.
So what’s the verdict? There’s no universal right answer, as both options have unique advantages and tradeoffs. But in general:
- If you’re moving locally, have minimal belongings, AND are comfortable with intense physical labor and risks, the DIY route may be best.
- But if you’re moving long-distance, have lots of heavy furniture, want convenience/peace of mind, and can afford to spend more, hiring reputable professional movers is highly recommended.
No matter which path you choose, proper planning and organization are critical for a smooth, successful move. Be sure to start preparing weeks or months in advance!
