DIY vs Hiring A Mover
Moving is an exciting time in your life. It can also be extremely hectic.
The first question you need to answer is how you will move your stuff from point A to point B. “Should I hire a moving company? Should I do it myself?”
Fear not.
The best way to answer this question is to calculate how much your move would cost to do on your own vs with a company.
The “do on your own” calculation must also include the time you will personally have to put in to coordinate everything and make it happen.
Time = Money!
The more complex your move is, the more valuable a moving company will be to you. So here’s how you gauge the complexity and cost to figure out if you need one…
1) The Distance.
The move’s price increases with distance. There is the obvious cost associated with gas and tolls, but also consider that the moving company takes on more risk with every extra mile. The further they need to transport cargo, the riskier it is. Additionally, if you are paying by the hour, this travel time will increase your final cost.
Whether you do it yourself or hire a company, the shorter the move, the easier and less expensive it is. This won’t give you the answer but it’s the first input into your cost equation.
2) The Volume.
How much stuff do you have? If you’re packing up a 3 or 4-bedroom place, it’s going to get crazy and you’re going to spend a lot of time packing, organizing, loading, unloading, and unpacking.
With that sort of size, a moving company is the better call. It’s more efficient, cost-effective, and will save you a lot of time. For a studio or 1-bedroom, you likely can do it yourself but that also depends on…
3) The Large and Fragile.
If you have stuff that is large and/or fragile, it will likely require special tools, multiple people, or experience with such moves to do it successfully. This is where a moving company excels.
This doesn’t mean you can’t do the move yourself, but it’s a factor to consider. Some people will do everything themselves but hire movers specifically for the large and fragile stuff. This approach can help drive overall cost down while making sure these items are properly handled.
4) The Extras.
Many moving companies offer things like packing, storage, installation and assembly & disassembly of furniture. These obviously cost more money but the convenience is worth it for many people.
Avoid this fate — let your movers handle assembly
Again — the more complex (determined by the above) your move is, the more value you will get out of hiring a moving company.
Get a few quotes from reputable moving companies (or have a Moved Concierge do it for you!) and compare those to what it would cost for you to do it by yourself. For that calculation make sure you account for the time it will take you, the coordination headaches you’ll endure, and consider if you have the supplies and friends to help you get it done or if you’ll have to pay for those things anyway.
Should you decide to hire a moving company, the next thing to figure out is what type of mover you need.
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