In these uncertain economic times, we all do what we can to cut corners and spend wisely. People are spending more and more time nowadays doing research and shopping around before making an economic decision. This is especially true now more than ever since we have so much information available to us at our fingertips about the numerous moving companies that are out there – you should read mover reviews.
However, when it comes to moving, which is the right way to go? Hire a professional and reliable moving company, or do it yourself with the help of family and friends? We will attempt to break this argument down for you by answering a few major questions.
What is the real cost of moving yourself? A few things to think about…
- Can you afford to get hurt while moving large/heavy items yourself, and miss work and disrupt your routine for a week or more?
- The cost of a truck, fuel, and the required insurance is a lot higher than people anticipate. Do your research.
- If asking friends to help you, sure, you will save some money up front. But if they do show up and stay the entire time, you will end up spending money on food, coffee/drinks/beer to compensate them, all of which add up.
- If you end up damaging your furniture, china, antiques, or your home, there is no insurance covering you, and you might even end up facing the wrath of your significant other – not fun. Reliable movers are fully bonded and insured, again, be sure to check for reviews and testimonials.
How far are you moving and how much “stuff” is there to move?
If the move is within the same town or building, it becomes a lot simpler than an interstate move where items have to be secured and fastened for safety. Is it just a bunch of boxes, or are there any heavy/large/complicated items that need professional attention?
Do you have a lot of friends and family that can help you move?
Though some people might feel obligated to say yes to you when asked to help you move, it is always a difficult thing to ask somebody, especially considering the amount of manual labor involved. Professionals know how to pack/move fast, efficiently, and safely, allowing you to focus on more important things, and maybe more importantly, not lose any friends!
Do you have valuables that are delicate and difficult to handle?
Professional movers are trained and certified to handle fine china, jewelry, pianos, antiques, appliances, etc, and do so every day with ease. Hiring professionals that are bonded and insured will help alleviate a lot of stress and make your transition easy to handle.
Do you have the right equipment to do the move?
Some of the things that are needed during a move are things that the average person does not even think about, let alone own. These packing materials include but aren’t limited to: hand-trucks, wardrobe boxes, regular boxes, padding blankets, packing tape, bungee cords, shrink wrap, bubble wrap, etc.
The initial cost might seem high when considering a moving company, but when you take all these factors into consideration, it will seem well worth the investment. Best of luck!