Move it yourself or hire professional movers

Guide For Moving House: Pro Or DIY

When you decide to shift from one area to another, you have to consider many things. You need to organise, plan and execute the entire process. Moving to a new house is one of the most stressful times in our lives. There are several choices available when it comes to deciding on your moving plan. Most people feel overwhelmed about moving even before they start to pack their boxes.

Of all the issues you have to face, the most important one is deciding how to move your stuff. In this regard, you have to decide whether to move personal belongings yourself, hire professional movers, or do a hybrid move. Most moving companies work their best to make sure that your shifting is as seamless as possible.

This article will tell you the pros and cons of moving by yourself versus hiring a professional team or moving company. Once you get that out of the way, you can then focus on other essential aspects of moving. When you hire a full service from a professional movers company, you will enjoy plenty of conveniences, but it will cost quite a bit. DIY moving can save you money, but it will require hard work and a lot of elbow grease on your part.

A hybrid move falls somewhere between doing it yourself and hiring movers. It allows you to do some of the work yourself and save money. A hybrid move is a customisable convenience. It has a mid-range cost, so most people prefer this option. In the sections that are to follow, this article discusses the pros and cons of each option.

Moving It Yourself

There are several reasons why people try to do the moving process themselves. Some handle everything themselves because they can do things their way. Moving by yourself offers you the freedom to work because you do not have to follow a fixed schedule. You can work during a time that suits you.

Moving household items yourself seems like a reasonable cost cutting measure; however, it can be difficult in some ways. Here is a detailed review of the advantages and disadvantages of moving yourself.

Pros of moving it yourself

Everything is done your way

One advantage of moving household items yourself is that you can do all the packing in your own way. You can be extremely careful with items that require care and be a little less cautious about the things that you know are safe, even if they are not packed consciously. You know your household and its items better than any other person.

You will be completely aware of which items need to be wrapped and boxed and which ones can simply be tossed in a bag or suitcase. In both cases, you can make the determination and merely move items in whatever way you like. For example, when moving items such as bedding yourself, you can simply toss them into the backseat of your car.

Additionally, you can pack clothes however you wish, keep cushions in a less fragile packing and glassware in proper packing material. On the other hand, if you hire a moving company to perform this task, they will insist on packing in their own way. They will want to make sure that all the items in your house reach your new location in the safest way possible.

They will use their organising system to ensure that every item goes into a proper box packaging so that everything reaches the room where it belongs. You may, however, be less careful about packing things properly provided you get them to your new home safely.

Saves you money

Regardless of the distance, the amount charged by a moving company might be out of your reach. When you move by yourself, it saves you a lot of money. If you can move all of your furniture and boxes easily by yourself, then there is no need to pay someone else to do the same task for you.

However, if you are packing and moving all the stuff by yourself, then any money you spend will be to rent a truck to move your belongings. This decision can save you from spending thousands of dollars on your move because you already have other expenses during shifting, so you need to save as much money as possible.

You have complete control

When moving personal belongings by yourself, you have complete control over the shifting process. That way, you are able to do everything according to your will and specifications. You can pack and move items at your own pace using whichever packaging method suits you.

You do not have to follow a specific schedule or timetable. You can move household items according to their fragility or value, making sure that essential items get moved safely.

Probably one of the most positive advantages of moving items yourself is that it is a great opportunity to clean and sort out your belongings. You can take time to decide which items you want to keep and throw away or donate others to someone else.

Hiring a moving company does not accord you much freedom. They have a specific moving schedule that you have to work around. Additionally, you do not have enough time to sort your household out.

Cons of moving it yourself

Poor planning

Lack of proper planning can be a serious problem when you are moving your items. When you hire a company, the professionals plan the date and entire schedule of moving your stuff. They have a fixed starting and a fixed ending date.

However, when you are moving yourself, you are responsible for all the coordination and planning. Packing your items, getting a rental truck, and organising the move is all your responsibility.

You have to make time for loading and unloading and then finally unpacking all the stuff at your new location. You might forget to follow up on your plan, so hiring a professional moving company will relieve some of the stress of planning.

Due to lack of planning, you can miss a lot of items at the previous location, or it might take a lot of time for you to complete the move.

Heavy lifting

Hiring professionals prevent you from doing the heavy lifting. When you are doing the process by yourself, you have to lift certain heavy boxes and bulky furniture. This might seem like an easy task, but even when you get help from your friends and family, you may still find it difficult to move heavy objects.

If your house or building has stairs, then the task can be even more daunting. Your house might have heavy furniture like cupboards and dressing tables that can cause damage to your current and future home.

Also, you are at risk of serious injuries while moving heavy objects. You can easily injure your back, which is one reason people hire professional moving companies.

Unexpected problems

We live in a world where the unexpected always happens. When you are moving your items yourself, you should expect the unexpected. You need to be prepared in every way possible because, at that time, your helpers may not be able to help you. The weather might change, or it might become difficult for you to move a certain piece of furniture.

When you are already stressed about all the moving procedures, certain unexpected things will have a negative impact on your move. So, it is better to hire a moving company. The moving company has professionals who have experienced movers with the tools and skills to tackle any situation. They are trained to handle unexpected situations with ease.

Moving It Professionally

Pros of moving it professionally

No lifting of heavy items

When you invest money in getting your work done by professionals, you can save yourself from serious backaches and other injuries. Hiring a company will let you relax and focus on various other parts of your move.

Movers are trained and have the experience and skill required to move items from a single-bedroom apartment to a five-bedroom apartment. No matter if there are stairs or not, they will move the items very safely and professionally from one location to another, and you will not even have to lift a single finger.

Efficient and timely moving

Hiring a professional company to move your stuff from one location to another means that you are paying for reliability and efficient work. The moving team plans and organises everything you will need during the moving process. From packing items in boxes to providing trucks to move the stuff, they handle every aspect of your move.

They also run a properly planned schedule that will save you a lot of time. You will have the necessary freedom and space to focus on the things that are much more important than simply packing stuff.

Stress-free moving experience

Moving your possessions from one location to another can be stressful. If you want a stress-free move, hire professionals because they organise everything properly. When you contract your move to a professional moving company, all your worries about the logistics of the move go away. They will coordinate and pack your belongings expertly and drive the moving trucks from your old home to your new home.

One more advantage of hiring a company is that if your new house is a little bit far from the older one, you can conveniently travel in any vehicle you want, and all of your stuff will be delivered to your new home safely and expertly by the professionals.

Cons of moving it professionally

Could be expensive

Engaging the services of professionals is much more expensive than when you work with local people. The moving company provides everything that is needed to move your stuff from one location to another in a very safe and professional manner. So, they will charge for every single service they provide.

If you can afford the cost, then hire a removal company. If you have a limited budget, then it can be almost impossible. However, you can still hire an affordable removal company and move cheaply. Schedule your move during off-peak, when fewer people are moving for lower prices as well.

Less flexibility

There is no doubt that when you hire a company, you will be less stressed and worried about your move but you will have to work according to their schedule. If you have agreed upon a date, then you have to be ready on that exact date. You cannot reschedule the plan.

Additionally, you might have to wait a little longer than expected to get your belongings moved to the new address. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that no matter how unworried you try to be, you will not have control over the timing and schedule of your move.

Strangers move your stuff

One of the largest disadvantages of hiring a professional company is that strangers will move your stuff. You do not know who is working on your belongings. So, it might be a little difficult to trust them with your possessions. You will probably want to have control over the terms of how your belongings are moved and packed.

So, before choosing to hire a moving company, make sure that you can trust them with your items. Ensure you hire a removalist company with a good reputation in the market.

The Ultimate DIY Moving Checklist

Moving to a brand new destination can be a hectic experience. There is a lot to do to prepare yourself for moving. You have to get everything organised and sorted so that everything reaches the destination intact. Of course, you can instead hire professional movers who will take the load off your hands.

But some people prefer to do the work themselves to cut costs. It's not exactly cheap, because you have to spend hours getting things in the correct order. If you have chosen to do the move yourself, we have prepared several tips to help you move the easy way. Read on to find out more!

Proper Planning Is Key

Before you start to move, the first thing you must do is make a plan. The plan will include a list of things you need to do to prepare yourself and your family for the big move. You need to make a plan because, without a plan, you will get overwhelmed. There are lots of options here. You can do just as much as you can by yourself.

But, if there are too many things to do by yourself, you should consider asking for help. It is a good idea to have an emergency plan, and emergency help is the thing that will come in useful when things are not going as planned.

If you're moving into a tiny place or just moving out of a house that's not much to your liking, you need to make sure everything is in tip-top shape before you start moving your stuff. A few straightforward things to take care of when moving are:

• Remove all of your big bulky items like sofas and beds. If you're moving more than 4.5 kgs or 10 lbs apiece, then you may want to consider utilising a moving company to help you move. But, if you have some furniture your car isn't big enough to carry, bring what you're moving out and put the rest in the garage or a storage unit.

• If you have items that need to be cleaned first, take those first. You don't want to pack something before you clean it because you can't move it once it's dirty.

Does this sound difficult? Well, it can be. That's why we've gathered a bunch of the best tips and advice on making your moving day easy.

Getting Ready For Your Move

First, you need to get your items ready. Once you've decided that you are going to move, here's how you can prepare your items to be moved:

Check the condition of your furniture

If you are going to move your sofa, dining table, and some other furniture items, you need to dust them off and make sure that everything is in good condition. Try not to move furniture that is already broken or damaged. You can hire a carpenter to replace or repair such furniture.

The same goes for your sofas or dining tables. Make sure they are not damaged and in good condition before hiring a carpenter. Don't forget to remove all the fasteners that hold the furniture in place. Another thing you should do is measure your items before you pack them.

Arrange to transfer your utilities

It's essential to set up your utilities such as tax, gas, and home insurance earlier on when you are moving house. This saves you a lot of stress once you're newly moved in. You will have more time to settle and relax in your new environment when your utilities are in order.

To save you time and money that you would otherwise spend sorting out utilities, make sure you do it in the middle of the month. This will save you the many hours of administration time you will require to set up utility services, which would be best spent elsewhere.

It's equally a good idea to start changing your address with most if not all companies or organisations like banks, doctors, your insurance company, the local authority, and your post office one week before you move. Make sure to notify family and friends too. Start with organisations and persons such as the bank, doctors, and dentists.

Preparing For DIY Packing

Get rid of unnecessary items

If this is your very first time relocating, you can take a softer laid-back approach. It's not about being ruthless. It's about going through all your stuff and making a decision to either keep, sell or donate. After all this, you will know everything you are keeping. The good thing is that when you sort out all the non-essentials you don't need, you are left with the basic stuff you need and love. It lifts your energy.

Therefore, you must go through your boxes with a vengeance and a set mind to declutter. A few things may emerge from the deep that can still be kept, but most will go straight to donations. Have essentials that would last for a month packed into a single box labelled “essentials”.

Moreover, you will need to go through all your belongings twice a year. You will become one with the process and work through it without all the feelings and guilt of letting go. This process does get easier the more you declutter.

If you are looking to remove all clutter and save costs on your move, the first thing to do is eliminate or sell items you don't want anymore. The less you own, the easier it is for you to move. Consider having a garage sale before you move so you can make some money to put towards moving costs like boxes and renting a moving truck. You can also make a free donation to charities of choice.

Get the necessary packing materials

Items such as tape and mattress bags can be found online for much less, or visit local convenience stores. Use your blankets and linens instead of going for expensive moving pads to protect your furniture, and secure them with tape or large rubber bands.

• Boxes – small, medium, large, and wardrobe boxes
• Dish packs
• Packing paper
• Several rolls of packing tape
• Mattress bags
• Tape gun
• Markers
• Tape measure
• Scissors

DIY Packing Process

Use the right moving boxes

Visit a local grocery store or liquor store to find cheap used boxes. However, these kinds of boxes may not be suitable for moving because they are likely soiled with food or liquids. The best place to buy new boxes is at home or office supply stores.

Before picking a box, measure it. Why should you measure boxes? This is, so you get the most value out of your boxes, you need to ensure that the items you are moving will fit inside the box and won’t leave any space.

Know exactly what goes in what box

Heavy items like books, CDs, and small electronics go into small boxes to make them easy to carry. Large boxes are ideal for light items like pillows and comforters. Getting more small and medium-sized boxes for moving and fewer large ones would save you a lot in terms of time and money.

Pack each room separately

Packing room after room ensures that items don't get mixed up. Label each box according to each room so that you know what is in the box.

Use bubble wrap

Use bubble wrap for all fragile items; however, if you are running a tight budget, packing paper is a much more affordable option. This is done to keep your things safe from damage during transit.

Have an essentials box

This is for items like toothbrushes, medication, and anything you need daily. That way, you won't have to open and search in the boxes for these items when you need them.

Seal your moving boxes correctly

You need several pieces of tape on the top and bottom to properly seal a moving box. The first is stretched tightly over the middle of the seam; then, two more are tightly stretched on each side of the seam about an inch or 2.5 cm off the centre.

For added protection, you can also wrap an extra piece of packing tape securely around the box. This will secure the sides of the last three pieces of tape.

Use dish packs

Heavy dish packs are double-walled boxes that are thicker than regular boxes. The thickness keeps your fragile items protected.

Use towels and linens

You can use towels to wrap breakable items to protect them from damage. It will also help you save money on packing paper.

Use suitcases

Use suitcases to pack heavy items like books. Since most suitcases have wheels, you can pack a lot of heavy things in them and not fret about not being able to lift them.

Keep cupboard doors open

Keeping cupboard and cabinet doors open in the days leading to and on the set moving day will let you know that you have everything packed. You will be able to see if you have left anything in them. You can do the same with the kitchen cabinets as well as the bathroom.

Dispose of garbage

A lot of stuff ends up being actual clutter once everything is properly packed and ready. You should dispose of this correctly as waste.

Get A Moving Truck

This is usually rented/hired for a couple of days. It is suitable for long distances as or when you have a lot of stuff to move. If you have a few items and are moving somewhere nearby, you can borrow a friend's pickup truck or hire/rent one cheaply.

A container service is also great for moving items from your home. The good thing about this is that you can have it dropped off and move objects in at your pleasure. You can also utilise one if you need to move out of your home, but your new residence isn't ready to move into yet.

Gather The Required Moving Equipment

Yes, that's right. You don't need a team of movers to move. However, there are a few things that you must have.

Gauges, for instance, are critical. If you do not have gauges, then you cannot pack weight properly. Do not pack the same stuff over and over again. Instead, pack like a mountain range.

After going through your checklist of things to be moved, figure out how to get them to their destination. That's where the following equipment and tools come in handy:

• Furniture dolly
• Appliance dolly with straps
• 4 Wheel dolly
• Extra straps and tie-downs
• Furniture pads and blankets

Think of each room in your new place and how you'll transport items to each one. Now, you're ready to move.

Protecting Your Furniture

Remove the extra weight on top of or inside the furniture, take out all of the drawers, and set them aside. You can break down the furniture into small parts. Moving a large piece of furniture will be easier if it is disassembled into small pieces by unscrewing legs off the dressers, removing headboards from beds, and taking the legs off of all tables.

Wrap the furniture in a thick blanket to protect it and the walls. For old furniture that can easily be scratched, use a blanket to wrap the edges and sides. Create a clear path for the furniture by removing obstacles to avoid causing damage or even hurting yourself. Make sure you have an entirely clutter-free way to move that is wide enough for the broadest furniture.

Loading Into A Moving Truck

• Move the heaviest bits into the truck first. For large furniture items, put the largest and heaviest in the back of the truck. Place smaller lighter items towards the front of the truck. This balances the weight of the truck and makes sure nothing topples over.
• Fill space between heavy items with smaller items. The most significant risk for your furniture is how it shifts while the truck is in motion. Pack smaller, softer items between your large pieces, like boxes, cushions, and pillows, to ensure your furniture stays in place. Make sure that the tall items are secure as well. Secure the furniture down with ropes and straps before you drive off.
• When unloading furniture, be careful when picking up items or moving them around. They may have shifted during motion, causing them to be very unstable. Go slowly and ask for assistance if you need it.

Pack A Box For The First Week

When you are in the never-ending hustle of packing for a move, you may forget to think about your first few weeks in the new house. When you are finished unpacking in the first few weeks, you want to chill out and relax. Get your PJs, bathrobe, slippers, and your essentials packed together. Otherwise, you will have no clue where they are.

Or worse off, they are in random boxes, meaning you'll have to go opening each of the boxes you brought along and plough through. Label and pack a "first-week box." Fill it with the essentials, like your PJs, a few changes of clothes, toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, and bathroom essentials), and some kitchenware (pans, plates, and utensils). You'll be happy that you set aside an essentials box once you experience how easy it is to find your essentials.

More Essential Moving Tips

• Start packing at least two weeks before D Day. The earlier you start, the less stressful it will be when the moving day arrives.
• Take photos of all electronic components before you unplug so you know what gets plugged back into what when it's time to put everything back.
• All heavy items go into the small boxes, light into mediums or larges. Never fill a box to the point it gets so weighed down that it becomes improbable to move.
• Load larger items onto the truck first and fill the spaces with smaller boxes and small items.
• Start early on moving day. There's nothing worse than rushing on your move day or waiting until it gets too hot outside. It's impossible to move in such conditions.
• Exercise on that day. Remember, you're about to do a lot of things your body isn't used to doing all within a few hours. Ensure that you stretch and warm up a bit before moving heavy items.
• Have enough breakfast. This gives you the necessary energy you need to carry out complex tasks throughout the day.
• Drink enough water. Your body needs water when doing strenuous activities.
• Provide drinks and meals for helpers. If your help is kind enough to assist you in moving, make sure you provide them with drinks and food on moving day.

Mistakes To Avoid When Moving Yourself

Making the mistakes listed below can cause you to lose a lot of money, hurt yourself, or even lose good friends. Check out these moving mistakes and try to avoid them at all costs.

Assuming DIY moves are always cheaper

In almost all cases moving by yourself will be cheaper than hiring a moving company. However, make sure you factor in all costs likely to be incurred.

Here are some of the costs you may run into when moving yourself:

• Renting a moving truck
• The moving tools and equipment
• Possible damage that may happen to your items
• Potential injury to yourself, family, or helpers

Forgetting to label your moving boxes

This happens quite a lot when people are moving. There is nothing as bad as trying to unpack when you do not know what's in any of your unlabelled boxes. Label your boxes when packing for your move. Make sure you mark on both sides and the top so you can see what's in each box from all angles.

Not taking exact measurements

Taking measurements is done to make sure your household items can fit into their designated boxes. You don't want to reach a point wherein you've just moved a giant cabinet only to discover it can't fit around the corner or up the stairs.

Having An Efficient Moving Process Is Important

Moving without hiring a moving company is one of the most common things we've found people doing these days. Because moving is one of the highest costs for relocating your home or business, having an efficient moving process is essential. Should you be concerned at any point along your DIY process, you should consult with expert removalists.

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