Moving into a new home can be an exciting experience, but it’s not always easy on the wallet. Whether you’re buying or renting, there are a lot of expenses to consider, from deposits to utility bills, and even taking time off work. On top of all that, there are always unexpected costs that can add up quickly. While you might be tempted to handle everything on your own, it’s worth considering whether it’s really the most cost-effective option. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons of hiring a moving company versus renting a van and doing it all yourself. So get ready to crunch some numbers and find out which option is right for you.
Moving mountains – by yourself
If you are a minimalist, a student, or moving to a nearby house, it may be practical to handle your move alone since you don’t have many things to carry or the transport is uncomplicated. However, if you are like most people, you have a lot of possessions that you want to move to your new place in perfect condition. You may also have appliances and other useful items that you can’t do without. When moving by yourself, you must take into account several costs:
- Most van rental companies typically do not provide insurance coverage for the contents of the van. This could create a problem if your friend accidentally drops your box containing valuable electronics, such as your MacBook Pro, and it gets damaged or destroyed, possibly resulting in the loss of both your device and your friendship.
- You’ll have to factor in the journey to picking up the van and returning it to the hire location – the likelihood is, you’re already on a limited timescale. Do you want another to-do on your moving day?
- Not everyone has a large support system of friends and family in their current or new location. So, how can you manage tasks that require physical strength? Moving heavy items such as refrigerators, couches, and other cumbersome appliances is not a task that can be done alone.
- The van size you opt for when hiring depends on your budget. It’s quite common for people who move by themselves to choose a small-to-medium sized van to save costs. However, this approach can result in several back-and-forth trips, which not only wastes time but also increases the fuel expenses.
- If you have young children, moving day can be a hectic and busy event. If you’re doing the move yourself, there could be some precarious moments, such as moving a piano down from a multi-storey building, which will require you to be extra vigilant. This can be challenging if you have your hands full.
- Remember that your health and wellbeing are of utmost importance. A single wrong move can result in a back injury. There are safe techniques for lifting and moving heavy items, but they usually require multiple people. If you’re renting a van, make sure you have enough helpers around to assist you in handling heavy loads with minimal risk. If you fail to do so, what may have seemed like a cost-effective solution will soon become a costly series of visits to the physio, more days off work, and potentially long-term damage.
- Packing for a move is a time-consuming process that can take several weeks or even months to complete. You need to disassemble furniture, carefully wrap delicate items, and sort through your belongings. If you have a busy schedule, doing your own packing may not be the most efficient use of your time.
- Sourcing boxes may not seem like a big deal, but using odd-shaped or low-quality boxes could lead to damaging precious items when they fall out of flimsy packaging. It is always better to use sturdy and well-fitted boxes when shipping items.
Are professional moving services worth the cost?
Some folks may think that using a moving company is extravagant. But when you look at the benefits, it’s not hard to spot how it could be easier on your pocket.
- Professional, reputable moving companies are experienced in packing for small and large residences, taking into consideration fragile and delicate items. They will bring all the necessary packaging equipment to make sure that the contents of your home are adequately protected during the move.
- Moving companies offer comprehensive insurance policies to ensure customers’ belongings are covered.
- Movers provide standard-sized, reusable boxes to facilitate lifting and stacking items in the van and eliminate the need to purchase or search for boxes.
- Our dedicated team ensures a pleasant and efficient moving experience, saving you time and hassle.
- You will agree on all aspects of the service before committing to a date and price. This ensures that no unexpected expenses arise on the day.
- Expert movers will protect your floors, walls and surfaces during the move so that you don’t have to spend extra money on repairing any scuffs.
The choice between hiring a moving company or undertaking the task yourself largely hinges on the characteristics of your move, the distance involved, the logistics of the relocation, and your time constraints. If you’re interested in a non-obligatory quote, please contact us. We will provide a detailed overview of our services to give you a precise understanding of the potential savings a professional moving service might offer.
Read More
Choosing the Right Moving Company in Canada(Opens in a new browser tab)
Moving Price vs Quality(Opens in a new browser tab)
Packing Services Before Moving(Opens in a new browser tab)
