Quick Summary: Moving yourself. DIY moving can save on the initial cost of your move, but fees will still be incurred as you’ll need to purchase a rental truck and supplies, and can potentially risk property damage or injury.
Hiring professionals. When you hire professional movers, you can expect industry experts, service excellence, care to your items and home, and significant time savings.
Hire Movers or Complete the Move on Your Own?
When it comes time to move all of your belongings from one location to the next, the question can often be whether to hire a professional moving company, or enlist the help of friends or family to transport your items. Choosing to move on your own can save on the initial cost, but it can add up in the end. You have to rent a truck, take time off of work, purchase all moving supplies, and try not to cause any damages or run the risk of injury throughout the process. With professional movers, you can rely on top-notch services, efficiency, safety, and the care of your belongings from start to finish of your moving journey.
Below, learn more about the comparisons between moving on your own versus hiring professionals to determine which solution will work best for your upcoming move.
What are the cost savings when I move myself versus hiring professional movers?
There can be a reduction in costs when you choose to move yourself instead of hiring a professional moving company. However, there is still a cost. You need to rent a truck (or find a friend who has one you can borrow), add fuel to the vehicle throughout transit, purchase moving supplies, and there is the (sometimes uncomfortable) cost of spending time making phone calls to friends and family to bribe them with food and beverages to help you with your move. When you hire professional movers, like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, all costs are presented up front with no hidden fees.
The hidden costs of moving yourself
- The rental truck. When your friend bailed, you may need to rent your own truck for your move. On average, renting a truck to move locally can cost up to $300, while a long-distance move can add up to more than $3,000. And, this rental cost does not include adding fuel to the vehicle during the move, which can also add to your moving budget.
- Moving and packing supplies. When it’s time to pack up all of your belongings to safely move them to their new destination when you choose to do so on your own, you’ll need to purchase supplies. This can include boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, stretch wrap, dish cells, and markers. Depending on the size of your home, this can range from $300-$700.
- Property damage and personal injuries. Professional movers are specifically trained on how to safely and efficiently move items throughout a home, which includes safety techniques. When you choose the DIY moving route, you run the risk of item or property damages during the process, which might require additional costs for repair, and even medical bills if any injuries occur.
- Your time. You lose your own time when you decide to move yourself- time off of work and time lost on the weekends loading and unloading your belongings into their new destination.
What equipment do I need to move?
Some of the most important equipment needed when it comes to safely transporting your items includes:
- Truck
- Boxes and packing supplies, including tape, packing paper, paper pads, bubble wrap, and markers
- Stretch wrap
- Moving pads
- Moving dollies
- Moving straps
Often times, when you move yourself, you may have some of the items already on hand, but not all. This results in you needing to purchase items, which again, can add to the cost of your move if you decide to do it on your own.
How much time does moving yourself take compared to using professional movers?
Moves can take hours, and depending on the size, even days for those who choose the DIY route. When your job doesn’t surround moving on a day-to-day basis, the time it actually takes to complete a move can be overlooked. There are many nuances when it comes to moving- packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, and hauling boxes up and down stairs, just to name a few. When hiring professionals, you’re hiring team members who know how to quickly and efficiently navigate the move to get the job done right.
What are the risks of moving on your own over investing in professional move services?
Damages and personal injuries can be the biggest risks when choosing to move on your own instead of hiring professional movers. When moving on your own, you typically call on the support of friends or family members who are, well, not moving professionals. That’s ok! But, there is a risk in having individuals who are not professionally trained in moving to transport your personal belongings to their new destination. Damages can occur, walls, floors, or doors can get scratched, and, given the physicality associated with moving, injuries are possible.
Hiring a company that has professionals trained specifically in moving is your best bet to ensure your belongings (and your new home) are safe throughout the entire process.
Why should I hire professional movers?
A seamless, stress-free experience is guaranteed when you hire the professionals at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK for your move. Moving can often be one of life’s most stressful events. There are many aspects when it comes to moving- from packing, unpacking, loading, unloading, to working to transform your new space into your new home. It can feel overwhelming when you choose to move yourself versus hiring professional movers like TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. With a team of professionally trained, background-checked movers, you can have peace of mind in knowing your items (and your new home) are safe in the hands of your Movers Who Care®.
The comparisons
Factors | DIY Moving | Professional Movers |
Cost | Lower, but costs included (rental truck, moving supplies, gas) | Higher, but no hidden fees and estimate provided before move |
Time | High (days spent packing, loading, unpacking, driving, unloading, days taken off of work) | Low (professionally trained team who quickly gets the job done right) |
Damages | You are responsible should damages occur | Valuation protection |
Safety and Equipment | You must source all equipment and supplies and ensure safety of your belongings during transit | Move crews supply all equipment and ensure safety throughout journey |
Physicality | You are responsible for packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and transporting all of your items | Move teams handle all of the heavy-lifting |
Reliance | Although you bribe your friend with a truck with pizza, they may be hesitant to respond when it comes to helping with your upcoming move | Professionals you can trust and rely on |
Cost Calculator Breakdown
When it might be time to move on your own:
- Distance: More localized move, typically under 50 miles in transit
- Size: Fewer boxes that can fit in a pickup truck and require minimal stops between current residence and new destination
- Time: You do not have to take time off of work and have friends and family who can help to make the move a quicker process
When it might be time to hire the moving professionals:
- Distance: Across town or across the country
- Size: Home or business moves, often with larger or more specialized pieces of furniture
- Time: You have a tight moving deadline and need professionals who can safely and efficiently transport items from point A to point B with minimal downtime
