Is It Better To Hire Movers Or Move Yourself?
Moving is one of the most important trips you do. In addition, you have packed more of your things than on any other trip. When you need to move, you may be torn between hiring a professional moving company and moving everything yourself. Both options bring their benefits and drawbacks that you will need to weigh before you make your decision. To determine which is best, you need to know what the pros and cons of each are.
The Pros Of Hiring A Moving Company
The primary benefit of hiring out of state movers is that you will not have to move anything physically. The company will take care of packing your boxes and furniture into the moving truck and transporting them. They will also be responsible for unpacking the truck and getting everything into your new house.
Another benefit of hiring an out of state moving company is the reliability of the move. When you hire a reputable company, they will arrive when they are meant to and move everything you have agreed on. They will also have all the appropriate tools to move your possessions safely.
The last benefit of a moving company is the additional services you can get. If you do not have the time to pack your house, you can hire a moving company that offers this service. Many companies also offer short-term storage facility if you need it.
The Cons Of A Moving Company
While moving companies will make moving much more comfortable, they are less flexible than doing it yourself. Once you set the time and date for the move with them, it can be hard to adjust this. You have almost no control over the transportation of your possessions. This can leave you waiting weeks for everything to arrive.
Another drawback of hiring movers is the cost. Costs vary depending on several factors, but it will generally cost more than moving yourself. The only time this can be lower than a DIY option if when you are moving large amounts long-distance. If you are moving on a tight budget, this is not the best option.
The last drawback of a moving company is the impersonal nature of the service. You do not know the movers, and you might feel nervous, handing your precious belongings over to them. While you can check reviews, there is only so much you can learn about the company before you hire them.
The Pros Of Moving Yourself
The primary benefit of moving yourself is the total control you have over the entire process. You are in control of packing and transporting your possessions. This control provides you with greater flexibility relating to the moving date and when everything will arrive at your new home. You are also in control of how everything is handled when loading the truck.
Another benefit of moving yourself is the cost. DIY moves will generally be cheaper than hiring a professional moving company. You also have a range of options available that could lower the costs from hiring a U-Haul to borrowing a van from someone you know.
The last benefit of moving yourself is the personal touch. If you get friends and family to help, you will feel better with them handling your possessions compared to a stranger. You will also be able to choose who helps you and who does not.
The Cons Of Moving Yourself
The primary issue with moving yourself is the fact that you need to do all the heavy lifting. While you can get some friends or family to help, you also need to move things. This can be hard on the body, and you need to be careful with the heavy items. Of course, this is less of a challenge if you are moving a one-bedroom apartment compared to a 5-bedroom house.
While the control you have over the move is a benefit, it can also be a drawback. As you are in full control, you are responsible for everything related to the move from getting boxes to blankets for fragile items and the moving truck. There is a tremendous amount of planning that goes into a move, and you need to be prepared for this when doing it yourself.
You also have to take into consideration the move out cleaning and maintenance of the property before the new owners move in. You more than likely will be doing this by yourself as well, so that is a lot of work to do when handling a move. Many sellers will do a general tidy and clean inside the home as well as clean up outside from cutting the grass to using a battery snow blower if the move is during wintertime. A lot of thought has to go into this, so are you up to that challenge and do you have everything you need to pull it off alone?
The last drawback to moving yourself is the unexpected problems you could face. There are specific tools that professional movers use to make everything easier. When you move on your own, you don’t have access to these tools and have to handle issues such as the sofa getting stuck in the door by yourself.
When comparing moving yourself with hiring a moving company, it can be hard to determine which is better. Moving on your own will generally be better if you are on a tight budget and are not moving too far away. Hiring a moving company will cost more, but the services you get will make up for this. Of course, your ability to physically move your items will also play a significant role in your decision.
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