When to Self-Move and When to Go Pro
Essentially, there are two ways to move. You can hire someone do it for you (i.e., a professional moving company), or you can do it yourself. If you’re lucky enough to undergo a corporate move, the decision may be made for you. Unless the firm works with one moving company exclusively, all you have to do is gather a few estimates, give the corporation your findings, and wait for a date. In some cases, corporate movers will pack up all your belongings without you lifting a finger.
If a corporate move isn’t an option, the decision to hire professionals versus self-moving usually comes down to price. Moving is an expensive endeavor, so get several estimates to compare companies and services fairly. Your home’s square footage, size of the truck needed, number of movers needed, supplies, and distance of your move will all affect the cost. Don’t forget your car has to move with you. Do you want the moving company to put it on a truck or haul it? Maybe you prefer to hire a driver to transport your vehicle, or you want to drive yourself. Also, consider the cost of wear and tear on your car so you have a clear perspective.
If you haven’t accumulated a lifetime of belongings or don’t have the budget for a professional moving company, renting a moving truck and moving yourself might be a viable option. Just know that moving is not for the faint of heart. You need to be highly organized and detail-oriented to pull off a successful move on your own. But if you’re game, here are a few tips to make the process easier (or at least manageable).
- Work closely with the truck rental company to determine the size of the moving truck needed. Also, confirm you or the person you hire knows how to drive an oversized vehicle.
- A do-it-yourself move is time-consuming, so start packing early. No matter how much time you think you’ll need to pack each room, you’ll need more time than allotted. On average, allow at least a week to pack a 3- to 4-bedroom home.
- Get rid of items that are not needed, broken, or can be replaced. Otherwise, they’ll take up valuable room on your truck. Consider a garage sale to help purge stuff and raise some extra cash for moving expenses.
- Don’t skimp on packing materials or boxes. Used boxes are fine, but make sure they’re sturdy and use high-quality packing tape. Ensure each breakable and/or important item is wrapped in bubble wrap or protective foam. You may still have some breakage, but this helps minimize loss.
- Look online for guidelines and tips on packing and labeling boxes. For example, I color-code boxes and items for each room (in addition to writing the name of the room on the box) to avoid confusion.
- Wrap furniture and appliances thoroughly and securely, and rent plenty of blankets to protect items in transit. Don’t forget to color-code these as well, so they end up in the right place.
- Have each household member pack and label a box with his or her essentials. This way, the items most needed will be available immediately after the move. Do the same for essential items in the bath or kitchen, so you’ll have quick access to things like cups, towels, soap, medications, first aid items and diapers when needed.
- When soliciting help to move furniture and boxes, know that moving has ended many friendships. There are many companies that can haul and move furniture for a reasonable hourly rate. This might increase your self-move budget a bit, but you won’t lose friends in the process.
- Most importantly, don’t forget to purchase insurance for your move (including the option for extra insurance if available). This is not the place to save money, especially since many homeowner insurance policies don’t cover damage during a move. Be sure to purchase enough insurance to replace potentially damaged items plus the truck in case of an accident.
Taking time to ask the right questions, pack with the right materials, and allow the right amount of time for your move will save your energy, aggravation and sanity.
A global relocation resource, Hali Jaffe loves helping people and provides experienced advice to ease the burdens of a personal or corporate move. You can contact her at hali@REALocationwithHali.com.