Moving Strategies to Get You Where You’re Going
Facing a big move of any kind is a mixture of scary and exciting. You’re on the cusp of a new beginning and new adventures in a new space, ready to start creating memories in the next chapter of your life. Did you know that, if you’re moving this year, you’re one of about 30 million North Americans who are also moving? About 37.5% of those movers will rent a moving truck and tackle the move themselves, 24.1% don’t rent a truck or hire any help, 22.7% will hire full-service professional movers, and the last 15.7% will move themselves but utilize a moveable storage container.
In today’s world there are no shortage of options to help facilitate your move, whether you’re moving homes or you’re a business owner looking to expand or relocate. In this blog, we’ll cover the options available for do-it-yourself moves as well as the types of movers you can call for moving services.
Ways to DIY Your Move
A lot of people in North America choose the do-it-yourself route instead of hiring professional movers. Whether you’re already set up with your own truck and trailer, renting a moving truck, or using moveable storage containers for your big move, there are a lot of pros and cons to this approach.
Let’s explore the most common ways to approach a DIY move.
Use Your Own Truck and Trailer
If you own a pickup truck and can take multiple trips back and forth to complete your move, you can get a lot done. This is especially true if you happen to have a trailer of some sort.
Pros:
- Requires no up-front additional costs
- Enables you to move at your own pace and on your own schedule
- Gives you complete control over every aspect of your move
Cons:
- Do the labor yourself or have friends and family assist with heavy items
- Responsible for securing your belongings to prevent damage to them or other vehicles
- May require multiple trips back and forth to complete
Rent a Moving Truck
Perhaps the most popular option for DIY moves, renting a moving truck gives you access to a clean and secure place to transport your belongings.
Pros:
- Cheaper than purchasing your own truck and trailer; easily accessible rental sites for most people
- Keeps your belongings enclosed within a safe space during transportation
- Gives you complete control over the packing, loading, and unloading of your belongings
- Typically offers a great deal of flexibility in terms of availability
Cons:
- You, your friends, and your family have to do all the heavy lifting
- Driving a moving truck can be challenging for those without experience operating large vehicles
- It’s easy to damage your items when not familiar with how to properly pack a moving truck and secure items in place
- You’ll need your own pads and blankets, or pay to rent them
- Final bill is typically much higher than originally advertised due to surcharges and fees
Moveable Storage Containers
Moveable storage containers are delivered to your home, and you can choose how long you need to fill them before the company picks them up and delivers them to your new location.
Pros:
- Allows you to pack and move at your own pace
- Provides you with storage both before and after your move, if needed, while you get situated at your new location
- Gives you control over the packing and loading of your belongings
Cons:
- You’re responsible for loading and unloading your storage containers
- Requires clearance space for delivery, which you may not have in a dense urban setting or at an apartment complex
- Supply your own straps, bungee cords, and wraps to protect your items during transport
- Tend to be costly due to combined delivery, drop off, and container rental fees
A Quick Note About Movable Storage Containers
You might think moving with PODS vs. movers would be convenient because it is a longer-term DIY solution. There are some situations in which these units could work well, especially for younger people and those with smaller homes to pack up.
However, they are usually not the affordable or best solution for most people. For example, if you live in an apartment or in a dense urban area, you may not have a parking space for the storage unit. Some HOAs also do not allow you to use these solutions because they can be a bit of an eyesore.
Types Of Movers
If you’re still weighing the pros and cons of a DIY versus professional move, you need to know the details on the types of movers you could consider hiring. Labor-only and full-service movers are two common options.
Labor-Only Movers
If you hire labor-only movers, that means you’re coordinating your own access to a moving truck
and have already done the packing yourself. Labor-only moving services include loading and unloading your belongings. This is a nice option for local moves, but if you’re moving long distances and want labor-only service, be sure to coordinate with a moving team in your new location for the unloading process, too.
Full-Service Professional Movers
About 23% of people book a full-service mover because they know how easy it makes their move. Busy professionals, families with children, and senior citizens can all benefit from having a trusted mover take over the moving process.
Professional movers are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your belongings are protected. They also have the training and equipment to load items securely and safely so they arrive at your new location in pristine condition.
Full-service movers do more than loading and unloading. They can pack all or part of your belongings for you and can even help with the unpacking! While hiring full-service professional movers may cost a little more than simply renting a truck or a storage pod, the extent of the services they offer and their ability to get the job done right is more than worth the cost. Sometimes peace of mind is priceless!
What’s Best For Your Upcoming Move?
Moving is a big deal, but hopefully now you feel a little more prepared for what’s to come and can consider your options carefully! Whether you choose to go the DIY route or call in help from professional movers, we hope it’s your best move ever.
