When it comes to moving to a new home, you have what seems to be a million decisions to make. Of the most important is whether you should hire a moving company to pack and transport your belongings or take care of everything yourself.
We’ve compiled some information to help you make an informed decision:
Option 1: Leave It To The Moving Professionals
For a lot of people, this is the ideal choice: Allow a professional moving company to handle all of your loading, transporting and unloading. Doing so means you can keep your home intact longer before moving day, making for a less stressful experience overall.
Also, most moving companies will do just about everything except unpack your boxes at your new home. (Though some companies do unpack boxes.)
The type of company you choose will largely depend on the length of the move. For instance, if you’re moving across the country, you’ll want to go with a large moving company that knows how to coordinate such a relocation. If you’re moving within the same city, you could choose a local mover. Be mindful, however, of the need to hire a reputable mover in either case.
Many smaller movers are not be licensed and may or may not be insured. It’s extremely important that you put in some time to thoroughly research movers.
Option 2: The Hybrid Move
This basically means combining your own labor with services offered by a professional.
You can hire a mover to (a) drive your belongings to their new destination; (b) pack and load, then you do the driving; or (c) pack, load and drive.
If you don’t mind driving yourself, you could save some substantial money. The farther the drive, the more money you’ll save because you’ll be cutting out a great deal of hourly labor. Packing yourself could save money as well, but it’s extremely important to note that you’ll need to insure your belongings yourself.
It is possible, however, that your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance policy may cover any damage. You’ll need to verify that before you make your final choice.
If you’re going with the hybrid option and want to pay for only element, loading and unloading of the truck is the most sensible option to have someone else handle. Not only is this a physically demanding job, but it also takes skill and experience.
One misstep could result in a great deal of damage to your possessions.
Option 3: Do It Yourself
Should you decide to handle the entire move yourself, it’s vital that you are as prepared as possible.
You’ll need to take a thorough inventory of your possessions so that you can secure the right size of truck. (Some vehicles require a special license.) Also, you’ll need plenty of help for loading and unloading the vehicle.
Also, keep in mind that, if choosing a hybrid or self-move, make sure you compare costs closely. Rental truck charges, equipment rentals, box and fuel purchases can easily exceed the cost of hiring a professional mover. Plus, you have the added cost of your valuable time, including the inherent dangers of driving a loaded truck on the highway
National Van Lines offers a wide variety of moving services that can help you, no matter what option you choose. Contact us online or call us at 800-676-9270 to learn more.
