Updated 1/23/23
Moving can often be stressful. It can be expensive, too. You might wonder if movers are worth it due to their costly service. You may decide to move yourself is cheaper and easier, but cheaper doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your move.
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Moving Yourself vs. Hiring Movers
Deciding to move yourself vs. hiring movers is the most difficult decision involving your move. There are several variables to consider when deciding how to pursue the moving process.
It’s a good idea to sit down with everyone in your household and talk about your move. It would be best if you considered things like time, physical ability, and budget.
Remember to be realistic during this discussion. Being honest with yourself and others will help you decide if movers are worth the cost. If your family or you have specific needs that movers can help with then you should probably hire movers, but if you’re only doing a small move then you should consider moving yourself.
Time
First, you should think about how much time you have to complete your move. There are lots of reasons your move could be time-sensitive. Perhaps you were hired for a job in another part of the country and your new job starts in a month. Maybe the end of your apartment’s lease snuck up on you. Or maybe, you sold your current home faster than you expected, and the new buyers would like to move in.
If you are moving with other people in your household, you should consider their schedules, too.
Everyone should be upfront about how much time they think they would have to comfortably dedicate to a move. It’s important to be honest with yourself and with each other about what is realistic.
Things don’t always go according to plan, either. If you or members of your household are doubtful about having enough time to move, hiring movers might be worth it for you.
Physical Ability
You and your household should also realistically discuss your physical abilities. This will help you decide if you are going to need professional help.
You may not have a problem lifting a box of dishes or carrying a chair, but what about that washing machine? It could be a lot heavier than it looks.
It’s important not to push yourself too hard. An injury can be painful, expensive, and even interrupt the timeline of your move.
Budget
Next, you should think about the budget your household has for moving. Money and time are equally important when deciding if professional movers are worth it. It’s essential to dedicate a lot of time to this—it’s never fun to have to pay more than you planned.
Even if you plan on doing your move totally on your own, unexpected expenses can still pop up. What movers charge may be a little higher than you expected.
You may need to purchase things like tape, boxes, or packing materials.
If your friends are helping you, it’s a good idea to pay them with food to show your thankfulness.
You also need to think about gas for your moving truck or your own vehicle. If your car is full of heavy boxes, it’s going to use more gas than normal.
A home inventory is also helpful in the case of items getting lost or damaged during a move. This inventory can also be of assistance in obtaining renter’s insurance or homeowner’s insurance.
Cost of Hiring Movers
First, you’re probably wondering how much money it costs to hire movers. This depends on a lot of different factors. These factors can include things like money, distance, the amount of stuff you have, and the date of your move.
Some companies charge by the hour, and some can charge by weight. Other companies consider the number of boxes or the number of rooms in your home when deciding on a price.
A moving company will often ask for certain information about your home and belongings before deciding on an exact quote. It’s a good idea to take an inventory of your home before you call any movers and ask what they charge. This can also help you decide if you need professional help or can complete your move with your friends.
Remember to get a handful of quotes and then look at the average price in order to know what to expect.
When you gather your estimates, be sure to make sure you are including the cost of any additional services you want.
On the flip side, you can opt out of certain services in order to save money. You could also try a moving cost calculator to estimate your moving budget.
Do-It-Yourself
If you’ve decided that moving yourself is more your speed, whether that be for ease, a small move, or otherwise, there are some things you need to consider.
DIY does not necessarily mean you will have no assistance. It can often mean minimal assistance or renting out resources like trucks and storage units that you care for yourself. People who choose the DIY option will also need to obtain boxes and other materials like tape, bubble wrap, and newspaper on their own.
The biggest plus side of this option is that it is by far the most inexpensive. Additionally, people who choose the DIY option need to be sure they plan ahead and that their friends or family are actually available on the day of the move.
If it’s a weekday, or the day of a big sports game or concert, your friends and family might not be available. In that case, hiring movers might be worth it after all.
Looking to move soon?
Check out UniMovers and save 30-50% on your move as compared with traditional moving!
Renting a Container
Maybe you want some assistance, but will mostly be doing most of the move yourself: renting a moving container is a great way to meet that need.
With this option, you rent a container from a company like PODS and load everything yourself. Then the professionals transport your moving container to your new home, and you are responsible for unloading everything.
This is cheaper than full-service movers. Renting a moving container could be worth it for people who are concerned about driving a heavy and unwieldy moving truck.
Professional Packers
It’s also possible for you to hire professional packers, and then do the heavy lifting yourself.
Packing can be stressful for a lot of people. It can be a challenge to figure out how to safely pack fragile items. It can be tough to organize and label boxes in a way that makes sense. Professional packers will handle this all for you.
These movers charge less than full-service movers. This option is great for people who don’t have a lot of time, but also feel like they’re equipped for heavy lifting.
Another plus is that people who own fragile or valuable items can be reassured that they will be packed in the safest way possible by professionals.
Labor-Only Movers
Another option is hiring a labor-only moving company.
Transporting heavy boxes can be difficult, intimidating, and labor-intensive work. With this option, you obtain all the materials and pack all the boxes yourself. Then, the professionals come. They load and unload the truck for you.
This option is cheaper than full-service movers but more expensive than the previous options. Labor-only movers could be worth it for people who struggle with the heavy lifting involved in a move.
Full-Service Movers
First, you could hire full-service movers. This might be the best option for you if you’re low on time and super stressed out.
This saves you from doing any of the hard labor and heavy lifting involved with moving. With full-service movers, you can sit back and let the professionals do it for you.
They will even provide any supplies you need. You won’t need to worry about asking friends for old boxes, saving your newspapers, or running to the store for tape and bubble wrap.
Another plus for hiring full-service movers is that there is usually some sort of insurance coverage for damaged items.
Moving is a tricky business, especially if you’re moving fragile items. Even with the most careful workers, accidents can happen to anyone. Paying for professional movers could be worth the cost.
That doesn’t mean there’s nothing you have to worry about. If you’re hiring full-service movers, you should always read reviews of the company and make sure they’re trustworthy.
Look carefully at the quote they provide you and make sure you understand what you’re being charged for and are being charged fairly. It’s also a good idea to check out the aforementioned damage policy. The main downside of this option is that full-service movers charge more than other kinds of movers.
So, Should I Hire Movers?
There is no one answer to the question, “Should I hire movers?” Instead, there is a different answer for everyone.
There are also many different services you can hire professionals to do. What movers charge depends on the type of movers. This answer depends on factors like time, budget, physical ability, and type of move.
If you decide that the heavy lifting is the part you need help with, UniMovers could be the company for you. We are a labor-only moving company focused on keeping costs low and the control in our customer’s hands.
In order for your move to be as smooth and stress-free as possible, it is a good idea to examine all of the variables at hand and think carefully before making your choice.
Maura De Cicco attends the University of Iowa as a Journalism and Anthropology student. She plans to pursue a strategic communications track when it comes to writing, and an archaeology track when it comes to Anthropology.
