Planning a move requires a lot of time and energy on your part. If you’re already dealing with the details of a move, you might feel that you have enough on your plate. Full-service movers can take care of the rest. Of course, you may not be in a position to pay movers for a full moving service, or you may just be wondering whether it’s worth the money. Self moves are much more affordable and they have the added benefit of giving you more control over the moving experience.
If you’re getting ready to plan a move and trying to figure out your next steps, you are in the right place. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re trying to find the right option for your situation.
When you do a self-move, you can minimize your moving expenses significantly. You will be able to rent a truck for a relatively low price, but you will have to pay extra if you need furniture dollies or other accessories and equipment, so keep that in mind. A self-move is much more affordable than hiring people to do the work, and they often work on unique timelines to be more accommodating for people.
Self moves are going to take more of your time. You aren’t working with a professional crew that does this on a regular basis and depending on how much help you can find, it could be a long day. Some self-moves might even take more than one day, and that’s okay. You can enlist the help of family and friends or you can hire labor helpers to assist in the packing and moving process.
Professional moving companies are available to provide packing, loading, hauling, and other services to people who are moving. There are a number of different companies out there, so it will be up to you to narrow your options and find the best company. If you do decide to hire movers, make sure that you get a detailed estimate of their moving services that includes all charges. Also, keep an eye out for any hidden or unexplained charges.
One of the biggest issues that people have in hiring movers is that they are then stuck to the timeline of the moving company on moving day. There is less control in this type of situation, which makes some people nervous. If that doesn’t bother you, just make sure that their pricing meets your needs and you’ll be good to go. There are a lot more costs involved in hiring a moving company, including potential fees like elevator charges, additional charges incurred, insurance, and more.
For some people, their decision of how to move is generally based on price. While it is important to find an affordable vehicle or make sure that you have the right help, you also have to make sure that you are working with a company that has your best interests in mind. If you are on a budget, keep that in mind because hiring people to move your stuff is potentially a huge expense, depending on how much stuff you have.
Portable storage is another option for people who are torn between a full-service move and a self-move. The nice thing is that these pods are just dropped off and picked up, and they don’t require any special trips. Moving containers offer the benefit of someone else transporting your stuff without the high cost of full-service movers. Containers may take up a little driveway room, of course, but they can be a good happy medium.
Portable storage units allow you to load the items on your schedule and move as you go. This can be even more beneficial on the other end when it comes to the unloading process. Remember that you’ll have to pay a rental fee, any storage costs while your items are in transit, and any delivery or shipping fees that are required to transport the container from your old place to your new place.
For some people, the choice of moving methods is simple. Either they already have a plan or they know they can’t afford a full-service move, or they know that they don’t have the time to do it themselves, so they need movers. If you aren’t as cut-and-dry on your decision, you can make a cost comparison to help you decide.
You will be looking at how much each type of move or moving service costs, but also what you are getting for the money. Sometimes, it might end up being worth the money to use professional services in the moving process. Make sure that when you are comparing moving rates, you watch out for hidden fees or unexpected charges like:
If you’re renting a truck for a self-move, there may also be hidden charges or expenses to look for so that you don’t overpay or get ripped off. No matter which moving method you choose, you have to make sure that it fits into your budget. However, you also shouldn’t risk being too cheap because this could come back to bite you in the long run.
How you move is entirely up to you. Some people already have an idea of what they want ahead of time. Others are just now starting to explore their options. If you prefer to save money, you’ll have to do more of the work. If you are absolutely against doing the work, you’ll have to pay someone else to do it. Either way, you need to plan ahead and compare your options to make sure that you choose the move that’s right for you. If you need assistance, we’ve got plenty of resources to help you along the way.
