You went house or apartment hunting, found the perfect place to live, paid the deposit, and signed all the paperwork. Now it’s time for the hardest step: moving in.
Moving can take a lot of your time or money—if not both. While having professional movers give you a helping hand is convenient, it can also be expensive. And though it may be tempting to try to DIY your move, the exhausting and stressful process can impact more than just your wallet.
So, all of this might leave you wondering: Should I hire movers or move myself? Let’s break down the basics of self-moving vs. hiring professional movers.
Should I Move Myself?
A self-move is exactly what it sounds like. You pack your things, load them into a vehicle, and then unpack at your destination. While handling the move yourself can be more affordable, it can come with many challenges.
Pros
Many DIY movers are drawn to the cost savings of skipping the moving companies. They may also want to have complete control over the moving process, oversee the handling of their belongings, and be able to move at their own pace.
A DIY move can be manageable if you’re moving less stuff or already have a vehicle capable of handling a heavy load.
Cons
If you don’t have free assistance from family and friends or are moving a lot more stuff, trying to handle it yourself may be more trouble than it’s worth.
No matter how much you’re moving, self-moving can be physically demanding and time-consuming. Dealing with larger and heavier items without professional assistance can be more than just exhausting — it can lead to damage to your property or even injuries.
Beyond the investment of time and effort, self-moving comes with associated costs. These can include:
Renting a moving truck
Covering fuel cost and mileage
Renting equipment like dollies or furniture pads
Purchasing packing supplies like boxes, tape, cushioning, and more
Should I Hire Professional Movers?
Professional movers can load your boxes, move items from point A to point B, and unload your belongings at your new place. This option requires more upfront investment but is also the most efficient and stress-free.
So, is hiring movers worth it? Let’s explore the pros and cons.
Pros
One of the main benefits of hiring movers is time. By handing off the most exhausting and time-consuming tasks to local movers, you have the space and time to focus on what’s important — getting you (and your loved ones) settled into your new home.
Professional movers also bring experience and expertise to the table. Trained professional movers can quickly and efficiently navigate even the most complex moving jobs. From bulky pieces of furniture to fragile boxes, they handle all the logistics for you. While this can come with a higher price tag, the experience of a seamless and stress-free move can be well worth it.
Cons
Even with all the benefits of hiring a mover, remember it takes an investment. It may also cost extra if you move farther away, move with more belongings, or add additional services like packing and labeling.
While it can be freeing for some people to hand over the process to professionals, you won’t have the same control over the moving process that you’d get with a DIY move. (Note that you can bypass some of the costs while still enjoying the benefits of hiring a moving team by working with a smaller group of local movers.)
MASH: The Best Movers in Austin, TX
So, should you move yourself, or is it better to hire the pros? Ultimately, it all comes down to your budget, living space size, and preferences.
You might be able to handle small, simple moves on your own. Hiring a professional can save you more in the long run, taking both the associated expenses and the time-consuming burden of moving off your plate.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you. Trust your gut, but remember that hiring a professional moving company doesn’t have to be extremely expensive; in fact, it might offer more perks than you realize.
Ready to hire professional movers in Austin, TX? Whether moving into an apartment building in the city or a new house in the suburbs, you don’t have to handle your move alone. At MASH Movers, our team of friendly and capable movers want to make your move as smooth and efficient as possible.
Learn more about what we do, or contact us today to schedule your move!