Removal companies vs. DIY moving

There may be many reasons for moving house but only two ways to move your possessions. Choosing whether you should hire a removal company or do a self-move is up to you and you should evaluate the pros and cons that each option presents before making your decision.

Choosing between a DIY move or hiring a professional company is not an easy decision to make, but will be based on your priorities of time vs. money. For example, hiring a removal company may save you time, but there are additional costs involved, whereas moving yourself will save you money but will be more time consuming. Other issues that may affect your decision could be the distance between homes, and the number of items needing to be moved.

Let's take a closer look at both options:

Going the self-move route

Most homeowners choose to go this route when looking to cut costs after purchasing a property, and you are more likely to save money this way. However, you need to make sure that you are fully able to perform a solo house move without creating more unnecessary stress.

The first thing you have to bear in mind is that a DIY move is not suitable for house moves that take place over a long distance, as there may be many back and forth trips involved until you have fully transported your possessions into you new home. Another responsibility you will have to take up will be the need to hire a vehicle which can transport your goods if you don't have one large enough yourself. It may be best to gather the help of friends and family, as not only will you be packing and unpacking yourself, but you will also be offloading boxes and furniture.

Some additional benefits of a self-move include being able to pack up your items in your own time and work according to your own schedule. On the day of the move, however, you must be prepared to do numerous trips between homes.

Hiring a removal company

When choosing a removal company, you need to choose an option that will not only suit your budget but your moving schedule too. Additionally to transporting your goods, many moving establishments will offer different levels of service such as the option to pack your belongings, loading boxes and furniture, and unpacking.

To get a clear indication of the costs involved, it is important that you get a quote first from a couple of reputable movers. It's important to state all your moving requirements upfront and include all the required details of the logistics of the move.

After an evaluation of your move, the removal company will present you with a quote for you to consider. Once this quote is accepted, a date can be set and your moving can begin. On the day of your move, the removal company can send a crew of packers to your home to prepare all of your belongings for transportation. A truck will arrive and all your belongings will be loaded. The truck then leaves and makes its way to your new home, where all the unpacking starts.

This service is definitely the least stressful way to move if you have the budget for it; however, there can be risks involved such as damage to your possessions, so make sure your insurance covers the move, or if there is a possibility of including insurance as part of your quote.