Moving long distances is difficult, exhausting, and expensive, but sometimes there is no way around it. Should you try to do it yourself to save at least some money, or is it better to outsource it to a professional moving company? Let’s analyze both options and see what they have to offer.
DIY cross-country move
Pros
When it comes to DIY moves, the main benefit is always cost savings, since you won’t have to pay for a team of professionals doing the job for you. However, it might not be as great if you don’t have access to a truck or can’t count on your friends to do the heavy lifting together with you. It can be manageable if you only pack minimal belongings, but even then, things can get complicated.
Another important upside is the fact that you have full control over the process, meaning that you can theoretically pack, load, and transport stuff on your own schedule without having to pay extra for storage space and whatnot. Once again, this is only applicable to people who can easily access a truck at any moment and rely on family or friends to arrive when it is most convenient. In practice, however, most of the moves are much simpler when you just make a call to a moving company.
Finally, the DIY moving process is usually more flexible since you can customize your route, timing, and packing method however you find suitable without having to worry about extra fees. At the same time, flexibility only really comes into play if you don’t have to rely on other people and adjust your schedule to their own personal timings.
Cons
Let’s start from the most obvious part: lifting and transporting things is physically demanding, and it is extremely easy to traumatize yourself or damage your belongings if you make a single mistake. Both of these potential problems may cost a lot to fix — in fact, significantly more than it would cost to hire a team of experts.
You are also responsible for everything from packing supplies to renting a truck and buying fuel for it. The planning process can be exhausting, and even then, things can go wrong at the worst possible time.
Hiring professional movers
Pros
There is nothing more convenient than hiring a team of professional movers who will handle packing, heavy lifting, and transportation for you. Not only will it guarantee that your belongings are safe and won’t suffer any damage, but you also won’t have to worry about the process at all — and that is a great benefit considering how stressful moving out really is.
Professional movers are much quicker and more efficient — they are trained and equipped for large cross-country moves and can ensure a smooth process. Not only that, but they also offer insurance and are skilled in handling delicate items, which reduces any risks for you.
Cons
Obviously, hiring an entire team of movers is going to cost you more than trying to move on your own, especially when it comes to long-distance moves. However, this is one of the cases when higher costs are somewhat expected and understandable, considering that the process requires skilled and hard manual labor.
Another issue you have to worry about is research — while most moving companies are trustworthy, there are several opportunities for scammers in the niche, so you have to choose a reputable company like High Stream Moving to guarantee that everything turns out well.
