If you are considering hiring movers and wondering whether the expense is worth it, the answer is probably yes. Anyone who has ever moved has heard a friend say something like, “No problem, man, we can totally knock this out ourselves.” The experience following this insight is often a miserable one. If you are considering the time and expense of a move, you will save yourself a lot of grief by considering all the factors. Additionally, you should be realistic about what you and your friends can do.
Size of the move
If you are moving out of a studio apartment, you might be able to simply enlist a few friends and buy them lunch or something, but it is easy to underestimate the size of the job. One- and two-bedroom apartments give the illusion of a smooth move. It is easy to overlook closets, stuff underneath beds, and heavy or awkward items. Even the items in a one-bedroom apartment with minimal furnishings weigh over 2,000 pounds on average, according to Movers.com.
Item fragility and loss
Valuable things have some cosmic aversion to being moved or prodded. It seems like something important breaks during every move. Televisions, computers, various electronics, and glassware are all at risk, especially on the do-it-yourself move. According to The Huffington Post, among the most common items broken during moves include:
- Drinking glasses
- Stereo equipment
- Artwork
- Plates
- Lampshades
- Mirrors
Movers worth hiring are insured and can replace whatever might get broken. More than that, though, is that professionals are more likely to be careful because broken items are bad for their reputations and detract from the move. With all their experience and useful moving tricks, they are a much safer option than your friend from the apartment down the hall.
Renting a moving truck
The prospect of saving money attracts plenty of people to companies like U-Haul. While it is possible to save money by renting your moving truck, you are going to want to ask yourself a few questions before fully committing.
Firstly, how comfortable are you driving such a large vehicle? It might seem like driving a U-Haul truck is akin to driving an oversized minivan, but it is not; it can be nerve-wracking. Wide turns, lots of momentum and all your earthly possessions in the back are not what most consider a joyride.
Secondly, are you confident in your ability to properly pack a moving truck? The order does matter, and an improperly loaded moving truck can wreak havoc on your stuff.
Lastly, what happens if something goes awry? For instance, what happens if you should damage or even wreck the truck. On U-Haul’s frequently asked questions page, the company makes it very clear that without their coverage plan, you will be liable for all damages and then some, including:
- Damage that was not your fault
- Damage caused by vandalism
Lost revenue due to vehicle downtime
It would likely be safe to conclude that, in addition to the damage to the truck, you will also be stuck with whatever damage your personal belongings sustained. With a bit of bad luck, you could turn a money-saving strategy into a financial crisis.
The most important thing is to be realistic. If you feel like you have a good handle on the size of the job and your ability to move items quickly and correctly, go for it. If you would prefer not to have any surprises and keep potential damage minimal, hiring professionals is king.