Kids screaming. A forest of boxes. 30 minutes wasted looking for a spatula your spouse packed with the bath toys. Just when the chaos has peaked, you stub your toe on the mislabeled box of books. It’s at this point that the regret of going the DIY route pours over you like a wave crashing in the ocean.
You thought your friend from work was crazy for investing in a moving company in Utah. Little did you know he was onto something. Your disastrous experience taught you a valuable lesson: sometimes, sanity and convenience are priceless.
Not every DIY moving experience goes up in flames. Sometimes, DIY moving is the right choice, especially for those with few belongings. Like anything, there are pros and cons to both approaches. Let’s explore the ups and downs of Hiring a moving company versus doing it yourself.
Hiring Full-Service Movers
Hiring full-service movers is the easiest way to have a stress-free moving experience. When you opt for full-service movers, professional movers pack your belongings and handle all the moving logistics, such as loading the moving truck, driving the car, unloading, and unpacking your belongings when you reach your destination.
Once you experience full-service movers and have tasted the delicious fruit of not throwing out your back or having packing supplies take over your home, you likely will want to do all future moves with a moving company. However, every moving company differs in what they consider “full service.” So do your research, ask the right questions, and ensure the company you hire offers precisely what you’re looking for.
Pros of Hiring Full-Service Movers
• No Heavy lifting
There’s nothing like a heavy oak dresser to throw out your back. One of the biggest perks to having movers is that you don’t have to lift furniture or even a box. The movers take care of it all. Your professional movers are qualified to navigate stairs and narrow passages, so you don’t have to put your Tetris skills to the test while exhausted and drained.
• Professional Handling of Delicate Items
Moving supply costs are usually included into the moving expenses. So, instead of spending a fortune on extra padding for your breakable clock, you can tell your movers which items are delicate so they know to handle them with extra care.
• Insurance Coverage
If you break something during a DIY move (which is likely), you’re out of luck. But when local moving companies or long-distance movers are involved, you can insure your belongings. If something breaks on a bumpy ride or mysteriously disappears, you have insurance to take care of it.
Cons of Hiring a Moving Company
• Higher Upfront Cost
Hiring movers may be a better option if you’re on a tight budget. Renting a moving truck and gathering some of your strongest friends may be the most cost-effective option.
• Delivery Might Take Longer
Delivery is usually no issue for local moves. However, with cross-country moves, you cannot control your belongings’ travel timeline. You might arrive before your stuff, which means living out of a suitcase for a few days. Whether that’s a big deal or not is up to you.
• Not as Much Control
When you move yourself, you are the captain of the entire experience. When hiring movers, you may have to be flexible with the packing materials and moving dates. Moving companies often have standard brands and supplies they use, so if you’re picky about packing materials, look into these details before putting a deposit down.
If the moving company you want to hire is fully booked on the day you want to move, you must choose a different date or find a different company. Some things are out of your control when you work with a company.
DIY Moving
Moving yourself will offer a different experience than hiring a full-service moving company. And even then, there are a variety of services that you may choose not to use. For instance, you might decide to do your packing but hire a company for the moving.
No matter what degree of DIY moving you choose, there are some definite pros and cons.
Pros of DIY Moving
• Personalized Experience
DIY moving allows you to personalize your experience and have complete control over the journey. Want to spontaneously park your moving truck at a campground and spend a night under the stars? DIY allows that. Those who wish to control every aspect of their move and don’t want their belongings out of sight might feel more comfortable with a DIY move.
• Cheaper Upfront Costs
Renting a moving truck and borrowing some tape and boxes from friends can be more affordable than hiring full-service movers. If cost is your biggest concern, a great strategy is to gather quotes from different moving companies and then add up all the costs of moving yourself to compare and contrast which is more cost-effective.
If moving yourself is way cheaper, then go with that. If it is only slightly more affordable, paying more for movers may be worth it.
• Flexibility
When you move yourself, you don’t have to follow any schedule or rely on anyone else. You can switch your moving date five times, take two weeks to pack, and be utterly flexible if that’s what you want. This might be a good option if your plans are ever-changing and you can’t commit to a moving date.
Cons of DIY Moving
• Physical and Mental Strain
One of the most significant downsides to DIY moving is the physical and mental demands it requires. Moving heavy furniture and other items can physically strain your body, and the stress of getting ready for a move, packing, and moving on schedule can be mentally exhausting. Hiring movers means dodging these demands.
• Takes up More Time
No matter how you spin it, packing and moving yourself will take longer than having a professional team come in and do it. Trained professional movers move quickly and efficiently. If saving time is essential to your upcoming move, there might be a better way to go than DIY.
• Hidden Costs
Remember to factor in rental truck charges, gas, packing materials, and a little extra for potential damage or injury when calculating your DIY moving expenses. DIY often seems much cheaper upfront, but it’s usually not a money-saver when you add up all your charges.
Now that you know the pros and cons of hiring a moving company versus doing it yourself, you can weigh your options and choose one, the other, or a mixture of both. And if you want the stress-free route with a moving company, feel free to call us. Utah’s Moving and Storage can provide you with the moving services you need to make your move happen on time, on schedule, and on budget.