It’s time for you to move out of your old house, and you’re currently trying to determine how exactly you should go about it. You’re probably wondering how on earth you will uproot your life and move everything into your new location.
Typically, to make moving much more manageable, people would choose to hire a moving company or a man and van for the job. However, many people will also consider making a do-it-yourself move.
If you are one of these people, then you should know that there are many things you have to consider before deciding on a do-it-yourself move. To help make the decision-making process easy, we’ve come up with a list of all the reasons why you should or should not hire a professional for the job.
Moving With A Removals or A Man and Van
Before we can weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a DIY house move, though, it would be essential for you to understand the alternative option, which is moving with a man and van or a removals company.
A man and van is a moving service that is mainly composed of a man and his moving van. Aside from small home and office removals, they are also often used for single item collection and delivery, parcel delivery, furniture deliveries, waste disposal, student removals, and many more. If you are moving into your college or university dorm, here are some student moving tips you will want to check out.
Meanwhile, a removals company provides relocation services for larger-scale house or office moves. Removals companies often offer other moving services such as packing material acquisition, packing and unpacking, furniture dismantling and reassembly, removals storage, and many more.
If you are worried about the cost of such, you don’t have to be! Moving companies and man and van services charge based on several factors such as the length of the job, the size of the van, the distance of the move, what services you avail, and the difficulty of the move. So, you won’t have to worry about being charged outside what is due.
I Want To Move My Belongings Myself!
If you are considering moving your items yourself, here is a list of the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.
The Pros of a Do-It-Yourself Move
A DIY Move Is Relatively Cheaper Than Hiring A Professional Moving Company
One of the reasons why people opt for a self-move is to cut down on the costs. You will be able to spare your moving budget from the cost of hiring somebody to purchase packing materials, pack, and transport your belongings all on your own. If you’re on a tight budget, a DIY move would be the ideal option.
A DIY Move Will Look Easier To Administer For Someone Who Has Prior Moving Experience
If you have moved houses before, then you might want to consider looking into a do-it-yourself move. You’re already familiar with the nuances of a house move, which makes it easier for you to determine your needs for the big move.
A DIY Move Will Give You Total Control Over Every Aspect Of Your Move
When you plan and perform all necessary tasks for the move by yourself, you will have total control of every detail including the brand of the packing materials you want to use and the size of the Hiring a Van you need.
Cons of a Do-It-Yourself Move
If You’re A First-timer, You Will Need To Do Serious Research
To plan and organise your move successfully, you will need to spend hours sitting on your desk, clicking, and typing away on your computer. Because a DIY move is a serious commitment with details that need refinement and attention, it is essential to conduct a lot of research and familiarise yourself with what you need to do. You will also have to study guides and tips to help you plan your move more quickly and confidently.
The Risk Of Physical Injury Is Real
Making a DIY move would entail packing your stuff, moving them around, and hauling them to your rental moving vehicle. If you’re not accustomed to lifting heavy boxes, oversized objects, and irregularly-shaped items, you might put yourself at risk of an injury.
If you are set on moving house on your own, do not forget to recruit friends who can help you lift and carry your stuff on moving day. It is also advisable that you read up on safety lifting tips that can minimise personal accidents and breakage your items.
You Will Have To Do The Driving
If you’re serious about a full do-it-yourself move, you will have to hire a rental van to save money. After long weeks of packing and preparing your stuff and exhausting yourself while loading them all into the vehicle, you would have to get behind the wheel and start driving to your new place. Imagine the amount of physical and mental stress and exhaustion that’s going to bring!
You Will Need To Invest A Lot Of Time
For a successful self-move, you have to set aside sufficient time to carefully plan, prepare, and organise your stuff and the details of your move. The preparation will take weeks rather than just a weekend.
Just like how having full control of your time frame for a DIY move can be an advantage, it can also be a disadvantage to someone busy with work or other errands. Failure to plan at length and carefully pay attention to your move’s details can ruin the entire moving experience.
You Will Have To Buy Your Own Packing Materials
While not hiring a professional moving team can help you save on cost, you will still have to spend on packing materials. This includes boxes, packaging tape, bubble wrapping, screws, and many more tools to help you secure your things while on the move.
Investing in quality packing materials is essential to secure and protect your belongings adequately. Packing tape, cardboard boxes designed for moving, packing paper, putty, measuring tape… The list goes on!
A Full Do-It-Yourself Move Is Not For Everybody
After listing all the pros and cons of a self-move, you must consider what will work for you based on your schedule, budget, lifestyle, and knowledge. Remember that you don’t have to entirely turn over to a third-party company the entire process of moving. You can hire a man and van to haul your stuff and transport them while you do the packing, and vice versa. What is important is that you plan your move in a way that works best for you.
Meanwhile, here are some tips on What You Should Do Before Moving Out!