Hiring Movers vs. Moving Yourself: Which is Best?

At some point during your move planning, you’ll have to decide whether you’ll be moving yourself or leaving the bulk of the job to a professional mover. In many cases, handling the move yourself might seem like a budget-friendly option. Hiring a professional moving company may cost more, but in terms of peace of mind and the amount of time you have on your plate to figure out all the details, using a reputable mover like United Van Lines might make more sense.  

Each option has advantages and drawbacks; however, it’s ultimately a matter of what will be best for you and your specific situation. Factors like your budget, timeline, physical ability and personal preferences should all weigh into the decision. 

In this article, we’ll briefly walk through what you need to consider, weigh the pros and cons, and give you the insights you need to make a well-informed choice.  

Full-Service vs. Self-Moving: Which is Best for You?

First, there are these top-level factors to consider:  

How much you’re willing to spend. Having a move budget — even if it’s a ballpark figure — is a must when deciding which type of move is better for you. If you’re interested in how professional movers like United create a move estimate, click here. Hint: It also gives you a general idea of what costs will be involved even if you move yourself. Keep in mind that getting a quote from United will cost you nothing, so there’s really no reason not to explore a full-service option. 

Your timeframe. Do you have to move immediately or is there time to fully plan out your move? Also, factor in your personal and work schedules to assess the amount of time you’ll have to spend organizing and carrying-out a DIY move. You may find it simply makes more sense to hire professional movers.  

The move’s complexity. There’s a big difference between moving the entire contents of a studio apartment versus a four-bedroom home. Will handling all aspects of your move overwhelm you? Consider the distance to your move destination, the number of belongings and any delicate or valuable items you’ll be moving. If you are traveling far from your original location or have a lot of items, hiring a full-service moving company may end up being considerably more efficient.  

Your own capabilities. Are you prepared to physically lift, carry and roll everything out of your home and load it onto a truck or van? Take a deep breath and objectively think about whether it’s realistic and, equally important, whether you’ll have friends and family who can assist you. Also keep in mind that you may not have as many helpers on the other end.  

Understanding the Basics of Full-Service Moving 

Hiring a full-service mover like United can take a lot of the stress and hassle out of a move. These experts can manage your move, start to finish, handling everything from packing and transporting to unpacking, debris removal and even automobile transport. With a full-service move, you can relax and focus on other important things such as your loved ones and your job.  

Pros of Hiring Full-Service Movers  

• Efficiency and Speed: Hiring a professional moving company to manage your move can greatly simplify and streamline the entire process. You’ll have less to worry about and more time to focus on your loved ones, your job and other important considerations.  
• Customized Services: A full-service moving company like United Van Lines offers many more services beyond just loading and unloading the van. Based on your needs, they can pack some — or even all — of your belongings, unpack them, store your things off-site until your new home is ready to receive them, pick up move-related garbage and debris, ship your car(s), install and hook up TVs and electronic equipment, and much more. United also offers three levels of Full Value protection for your possessions.  
• Less Physical Risk: Hiring a full-service mover like United means a lot less strain on your body, not to mention your emotional well-being. Our customizable approach means you can take care of the things you feel comfortable doing and let us handle the rest. And if that means we take care of everything, we’ll be more than happy to do it.  
• Peace of Mind: With professionals taking care of the heavy lifting and online technologies that keep you informed and up to speed, you can relax knowing your move is in capable hands. Plus, every full-service move with United includes a personal move coordinator to expertly handle any special needs or challenges from start to finish. 

Cons of Hiring Full-Service Movers 

• Higher Costs: Hiring full-service movers is generally more expensive than moving yourself due to the time, labor and equipment costs. A lot comes down to whether it’s worth the extra time you need to invest in the move process, as opposed to working or spending time with loved ones. 
• Less Control: With a moving company, you have less flexibility than completing the move yourself, from the date and time of pickup to how movers pack and load your belongings.  
• Scheduling Issues: Movers juggle multiple loads of belongings in the same moving van, so getting onto their schedule sooner versus later is of the utmost importance. You will likely have to plan around your chosen moving company’s availability, which may make it more difficult to schedule your move to match your preferences and schedule.  

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Moving: Understanding the Requirements of a Self-Move 

A self-move is exactly what it sounds like: You take on the entire process yourself without help from a professional. To successfully manage a self-move, you’ll need to juggle a variety of key components to ensure your belongings are transported safely and efficiently. Here’s a quick rundown:  

• Planning: Before you can start moving your belongings, it’s vital to create a detailed schedule that includes everything from start dates to utility setup and even equipment rentals. A comprehensive plan ensures that your DIY move goes smoothly from start to finish. To help you, United has a comprehensive move checklist that breaks the process down, step by step. 
• Packing: Packing is much more than simply putting things in boxes. You’ll need to acquire many supplies and materials: sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap and more to safely transport your belongings. You should also have an effective strategy for maximizing truck or vehicle space while loading. You’ll no doubt find United’s packing guides and videos extremely helpful.  
• Loading and Lifting: Once your belongings are packed, you’ll most likely be loading them onto a rented moving truck and/or your own vehicle. Because it’s a self-move, you’ll be handling all the heavy lifting, so renting or purchasing dollies and furniture sliders is strongly recommended.  
• Transportation: You’ll need to rent or borrow moving equipment. The rental cost will depend on the size of the truck and how long you’ll need it. It’s also more expensive if you’ll be dropping off the rental at another location.  
• Unpacking: This can be a time-consuming process, especially if you have fragile or large items to unload. Professional movers know how to get this done quickly and efficiently, saving you both physical and emotional stress. 

Pros of DIY Moving  

• Cost Savings: With a self-move you’ll eliminate costs associated with labor, service fees and transportation. 
• Schedule Control: By moving yourself, you can set your own timelines and move at your own pace. That said, you need to keep on top of things and resist the urge to procrastinate. 

Cons of DIY Moving  

• Time Investment: Aside from the physical labor of packing, loading and unloading, you’ll need to plan in advance for every detail of the move. This will take a lot of time and effort to pull off successfully. 
• Physical Demands: Moving heavy items and loading and unloading them can take a toll on your body. There’s also a fair share of mental stress and anxiety involved.   
• Hidden Costs: Even a well-planned DIY move can wind up costing more than you might think. Without clear-cut quotes or estimates, you may not have accounted for expenses such as truck rental insurance, fuel and last-minute supplies.  

Request a Personalized Full-Service Moving Quote From United Van Lines

Why not let United Van Lines, America’s #1 Mover®, take care of the heavy lifting? Our full-service moving packages provide flexibility to mix and match the services you want and need, from packing and unpacking to standard furniture placement.  

If you’re still exploring your options and comparing moving companies, be sure to keep our checklists on how to hire movers and avoid moving scams handy. These guides will help you make informed decisions and ensure a smooth, stress-free move.     

Request a Full-Service Moving Estimate.

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