Are movers worth it? How to choose between DIY or a full-service mover

Key points

• A DIY move might be good for a local relocation, especially if it’s last-minute and you have extra time and help from friends or family.
• Hiring professionals is often necessary and worth the investment for long-distance moves.
• Consider whether you have the right packing materials for bulky and fragile items. If not, a full-service moving company may be worth the expense for peace of mind.

Signing the paperwork on your new home is just the first step, then comes the hard part — planning your move. Before you can lounge in your new living room, you need to consider whether movers are worth it.  

“When moving locally, you can skip the professionals if you’re strong, have lots of time to prepare and [have] some friends and family members who can help,” said Kay Morrison, owner and operator of The Occasional Wife, a moving company in New Orleans. However, embarking on a long-distance move presents unique challenges that make hiring skilled moving professionals a valuable investment. 

Beyond the logistical complexities of relocating a substantial distance, the demands of lifting heavy boxes can be particularly taxing. Individuals with limited physical abilities or those moving from large residences may find it impractical to execute a DIY move. In many cases, professional assistance is worthwhile and potentially essential to ensure a smooth and efficient transition. 

Read on to learn what it takes to plan a DIY move and why professional movers are usually worth the price tag. 

Get started by getting quotes from these full-service movers.

How do I decide if hiring professional movers is worth the cost for my move?

Most people want to save money, and the biggest drawback to hiring professional movers is the additional cost. If you’re unsure what type of move is right for you, here are some factors to consider:

The distance 

You have more flexibility for a local move. You can pack and unpack a rental moving truck at your leisure and potentially transfer some boxes ahead of time. You can also potentially get friends or relatives to help you carry the couch or lend you their truck.

Logistics become more complicated with cross-country movers. Unlike a local jaunt, you can’t rely on extra hands to help unload your belongings or drive them thousands of miles. Additionally, you might not be able (or want to) use vacation time to drive a moving truck for days to your destination.

Your budget

Investing in professional support can provide a smooth and stress-free moving experience, ensuring the safety of your belongings and enabling you to focus on other aspects of the transition. However, exploring cost-effective alternatives, such as renting a moving truck or packing everything yourself, might be necessary for a tight budget. Note that local movers typically bill hourly rates, and even a small move can be time-consuming — plan for it to take longer than expected to avoid lowballing your budget. 

Your belongings

A minimalist with a small apartment might only need a few days to pack belongings. However, your four-bedroom house will probably take at least a week and plenty of bubble wrap. You’ll also want professional movers to load and transport large furniture pieces, such as your sectional sofa and an eight-person dining room table. 

Depending on the value of your belongings, you might benefit from added insurance. Moving framed art across town in the back of your car requires less protection than transporting expensive antiques on a truck for hundreds of miles. Professional movers provide specialized options for high-value items, including insurance coverage, custom crating, white-glove art handling and climate-controlled transportation.

Your driving experience

Driving a moving truck can be difficult without prior experience with a large vehicle. Remember, there is a lot of lane switching on a cross-country move, and even if you’re comfortable driving the truck, you’ll have to park it, too.

Your physical ability

Moving heavy furniture and appliances, such as couches, dressers and a refrigerator, can be difficult, even for physically capable individuals. Navigating those large pieces through narrow doorways and stairwells takes time, patience and skill. Consider whether you’re capable of carrying these items and if you’ll have enough help on moving day.

Your timeline

The urgency of your move is another factor to consider. Professional movers can streamline the process, ensuring a quick and organized relocation. However, working with moving brokers, who act as intermediaries between customers and moving companies, can cause delays in the relocation process.

Brokers often need time to find an available moving company, negotiate terms and coordinate logistics. Additionally, miscommunications between the broker and the hired moving company may occur, leading to inefficiencies and potential delays in the delivery of your belongings.

Depending on the moving service you select, a reputable company can complete a local move of a large home in a day or two, whereas an interstate moving company can do it within a week. “The biggest benefit of hiring movers is that you can get on with the rest of your life while we load the truck and drive it to your new home,” Morrison said.

With a DIY move, you control your moving project and the time it takes to complete it. Still, a DIY move could also entail delays if you run into unexpected challenges, such as a family emergency or increased work demands. It will also likely take you longer to pack and load since you don’t have the training pro movers do.

How much money can I save by moving myself vs. hiring professional movers?

The cost difference between a full-service professional move and a DIY job can be thousands of dollars — but the exact amount depends on the distance and season. 

When you’re calculating costs for a DIY move, account for the expense of a rental truck, fuel and insurance. Also, factor in time off from work and the cost of lodging and food, should the move span multiple days. 

Professional movers offer comprehensive services that include labor, transportation and insurance. Although their services come at a price, the time, effort and potential stress saved may justify the cost.

Typical cost of full-service pro movers

Data from our most recent survey of 900 people in November 2023 shows the following costs for full-service relocations with professional movers: 

• The average cost of a long-distance move between 900 and 1,000 miles is $14,250 for a four-bedroom house.
• The average cost of a local move of 20 miles or less is $2,026 for a four-bedroom house.

Professionally packing a four-bedroom house takes about eight hours and costs about $2,200 at The Occasional Wife, according to Morrison.

You could save some money if you opt to pack on your own. U-Haul’s three-to-four-bedroom household kit is around $470 and comes with multiple sizes of boxes, bubble wrap, wardrobe boxes, tape and permanent markers.

Typical cost of a DIY move

Here are some examples of DIY moving costs if you rent a U-Haul moving truck: 

• The estimated cost of a long-distance move from Boston to Chicago (about 1,000 miles) in a 26-foot U-Haul moving truck is $1,930. The rate includes up to five days of use and up to 1,166 miles.
• The estimated cost of a local move in Boston in a 26-foot U-Haul moving truck is $40.95, plus $1.59 per mile. The rate includes one day of use and pickup and drop-off at the same location.

The above costs only account for the truck rental, not the cost of gas, lodging, equipment rentals — such as dollies or furniture pads — or insurance during your trip.

Typical cost of a partial-service move

There are several companies that rent out portable storage containers for moving purposes, such as PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT and U-Pack. These self-service companies bring an empty moving container or trailer to your current home. After you finish loading it, the company will pick it up and transport it to your new home.

We got a U-Pack quote of approximately $2,800 for a four-bedroom move from Boston to Chicago in a 26-foot trailer with an estimated transit time of five to seven business days. U-Pack specializes in state-to-state moves, so we were not able to get a quote for a local move within the same city. The moving estimate only accounts for the transportation of the moving container. You’re responsible for purchasing packing supplies and for loading and unloading the container. 

What are the benefits of hiring pro movers vs. moving myself?

The expertise of a well-rated professional moving company eases the stress and logistical challenges of moving. Here are some key advantages of opting for professionals on moving day:

Benefits of pro movers

• Expertise: Professional moving companies bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. They’re trained in efficient packing, loading and transportation and know how to care for your items so they make it to your new location safely.
• Logistical support: When you hire movers, you have trained professionals at your disposal to answer questions and manage logistics, leaving you to focus on other important things, such as starting a new job, registering your kids for school and meeting the neighbors, Morrison explained. Their proficiency in tasks such as driving a truck and moving bulky furniture will significantly reduce the overall time required for your move.
• Reduced physical strain: Having movers alleviates the physical strain of heavy lifting and reduces the risk of injuries. Movers have the tools and equipment to safely handle tall, bulky items such as mattresses, bed frames and armoires.
• Insurance coverage: Reputable moving companies provide insurance coverage to compensate for damage to your belongings during transit. Before signing your moving contract, check the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website to ensure your mover is licensed and insured.
• Service customization: The best moving companies often offer a range of services, allowing a customized moving experience based on your needs and budget. Morrison recommended selecting movers that offer extensive and flexible services since you may need to add or remove services during the moving process.

Benefits of a DIY move

Planning and executing a DIY move can be challenging, but it does make you the boss. Here are some key benefits of doing it yourself:

• Cost savings: Renting a truck and handling the packing and loading yourself can be more budget-friendly than hiring professional movers, especially for local or smaller moves.
• Control: A DIY move allows you to manage the entire process. You can decide when to start, how to pack your belongings and the route to take to your new destination.
• Customization: You can prioritize the packing and unpacking based on your preferences and needs. This is particularly advantageous if you have unique or delicate belongings that require special attention and don’t trust anyone else to handle them.
• Timeline: Planning a DIY move provides the flexibility to set your timeline according to your schedule. You can move at your own pace, take breaks or accelerate the process as necessary.

What are the downsides to hiring a moving company?

While hiring a moving company offers numerous advantages, consider these potential drawbacks:

• Cost: Hiring professionals can be substantially more expensive than a DIY move, especially for additional services like packing, unpacking and storage.
• Lack of control: The movers follow their established procedures, which may differ from your preferences. This can be challenging if you are particular about handling and organizing your belongings.
• Scheduling challenges: Moving companies operate on schedules that may not always align with your ideal timeline, especially if you’re planning a move during peak moving times such as spring or summer. This can result in your belongings being delayed by days or weeks when you’re already at the new destination. 
• Risk of damages: While moving companies take precautions to protect your belongings, accidents can happen. There is a risk of damaged items during packing, loading or transportation. Although moving companies typically offer insurance coverage, it might not be the full retail value or replace the sentimental value of an item. What’s more, it is not unheard of for movers to lose boxes in the process.
• Hidden fees: Some moving companies may charge hidden fees that are not initially disclosed. These could include charges for stairs, long carries or additional services not part of the original estimate.
• Limited flexibility: Once you’ve hired a moving company, changes to the moving plan may be met with resistance or additional fees. This lack of flexibility can be problematic if unexpected circumstances arise.

What’s next?

Your decision hinges on finding the right balance between your moving budget and the desire for a hassle-free and well-executed move. Determining whether full-service movers are worth the expense is a nuanced consideration of factors such as your relocation budget, the distance of the move, the size of your household and your personal preferences, Morrison explained.

It’s always good practice to browse customer reviews, call three moving companies and request quotes. Weigh your specific needs, available time and resources before determining whether the expense of professional movers aligns with the value of their services.

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