Should I hire professional movers or do it myself?
Moving from one place to another comes with many things to consider, even if it just includes moving to the other part of the city. Migration usually involves welcoming unwanted guests like stress, wasting money, wasting time and physical exertion.
This is a lot to deal with. Realizing all this unwanted hassle makes us think about moving again and again. But if you are an ex-pat and due to any reason living far away from your hometown, then it does not leave you with many choices but to move wherever your job takes you.
Do I have options?
Moving or shifting places usually leaves you with only two options:
- Move by yourself
- Hire professional movers
Basically, it only depends upon your circumstances and your resources as well. Both the options contain a lot of questions with them that need to be catered. For example, how to carry the luggage? How to move from one place to another? Which vehicle to use? Which route is to be taken? Who would take the responsibility of packing and what not?
Everything comes with a price.
For some people, doing everything on their own without involving the help of anyone else is not a big deal. Because they are familiar with their things and places, they do not like getting a hand while moving from place to place.
On the other hand, if you are an outsider and do not know the whereabouts of the country, it is a better option to take the help of professional movers. Everyone has a different point of view and their own reservations. It would be much easier to understand if we knew about the positives and negatives of choosing either way.
I want to move by myself:-
If you want to move all on your own, then here are a few things you should know:
Pros
- Affordable
- Convenient
- Pack your stuff according to your choice
- You are the boss and have control over everything
Cons
- Time taking
- It takes too much labor
- Be prepared for unwanted problems and situations
Do it yourself
While moving on your own, you can consider some DIYs to help you out. You can make a list of the things you are going to need during shifting. It includes
- Cartons/ Boxes
- Tape
- A vehicle filled with fuel or gas
- Human resources
- Food
Thinking of hiring movers? Here are the things you should know
Moving on your own is a much cheaper and more affordable way than hiring professional movers. There is no doubt about it. If you are moving with a hand full of belongings and you have to cover a few miles with plenty of time, then moving on your own should be your way to go. On the other hand, if you have to move within a limited time with a huge amount of luggage, then moving on your own is a big No. in that case you should hire professional movers. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of professional help:
Pros:
- Time-saving
- No physical exertion
- No responsibility, so relax!!
- Easy to manage
Cons:
- Expensive
- Inflexible timings
- You are not the boss; professional movers are
If you want to go for hiring professional movers, we would suggest you do some homework before going to the professionals. Following are the things you can do:
Money comes first!!
Take a look at your wallet and plan your things according to your budget because there is no doubt that professional movers can cost you your life.
Make a road map:
Do not waste your time taking long routes towards your destination. Other than the professional mover’s company, take some help about the roads and shortest ways towards your destination that can save you a bit of your money.
Do not take everything with you!!
If you are moving from a big house to a small apartment, taking all your things with you would be a bad idea. Make a list of the most essential and basic things you are going to take with you. It would help you in packing only necessary items and would take a fewer space.
Tip: Prefer those things that serve multiple purposes.
Things to consider
Before jumping to the best possible option that looks more convenient to you, you should consider the following things that will affect your decision:
Time duration:
It is very important to know about the time duration you have to move. If you have plenty of time, like a month or two, then spending money on expensive professional movers would be a bad idea. On the contrary, if you lack time, then you should definitely hire some professionals to save you from future troubles.
Distance:
Moving or shifting your place within the same town does not require huge human resources and vehicles. But if traveling has to be done across the country with a lot of luggage in a limited time, when every second counts.
Your physical health is most important:
Do not overburden yourself with the thoughts of saving money and doing everything by yourself when you know that you can’t. Be easy on yourself. Take your time and do not overlook your physical health. Moving involves a lot of stretching, bending, and lifting. If you think that it cannot be done without professional support, then hire them. Other than that, there are still a lot of things that need to be done while shifting, and you can contribute to that.
Conclusion
The ultimate decision will depend on your budget, the amount of time you can dedicate to the move, and your priorities in moving. Like any significant life event, the action takes a lot of planning and can be overwhelming if not done right. But with enough preparation, whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring someone else, your move will be easier and go more smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Are full service movers worth it?
Full-service movers offer a wide range of services that make your life easier, including packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, transportation, and even storage. They can also provide packing supplies like boxes and packing paper to keep your belongings safe. It’s an excellent option for people who’d instead not take on the enormous job of moving or for those who, for whatever reason, cannot handle the tasks of moving on their own. And while it’s certainly not the cheapest option, the amazing convenience provided by full-service movers is pretty much always worth it.
2) How much does it cost to use professional movers?
If you’re hiring professional movers, then it costs as low as $100 an hour for two movers on both ends of the job, or as high as $1,000 or more an hour for three to five movers. Keep in mind that these are just the national averages, and prices may vary widely depending on where you live, how many movers you hire, which services you require and how far your home is traveling.
3) How do you estimate moving costs?
We suggest using a moving costs calculator to estimate the value of your move. You can also use this formula: (Hourly rate) x (Number of movers) x (Number of hours to complete the move) + (Travel fee) + (Charges for additional services and packing materials you have requested). Check with local moving companies to see their minimum charge or hourly rates, or look online for a calculator.