Pros vs. Joes – The Moving Edition

It’s time to move to a new home. Should you hire movers or do it yourself? It’s a simple question, but does not have an easy answer. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages; it is all about what is more important to you: money or time. Let’s take a closer look at the choices so you can get a better idea of what they may or may not offer to you:

Do It Yourself

There is one reason why people usually choose to move themselves: to save money. As we know, moving is not cheap. As the costs rise, people look for ways to cut expenditures. Cutting out the moving team and doing it yourself is a common cost-cutting measure. It can work; you may be able to lower your budget by as much as 50% in some cases. But, don’t think that this means that you now get to move for free. You still need to open your wallet. The biggest cost is going to be a truck rental; you will still need one. Depending on how much you have to move and how heavy your load is, you may have to rent special equipment including ramps, hand-trucks, dollies, and slings. Don’t forget gas for the truck! Though you are saving some money by moving yourself, some of those savings are offset by other necessary expenses.

The other benefit of moving yourself is that you or someone you know will be directly handling your valuables. This makes it easier to keep track of during the move which will save time when organizing at the new home. As well, some people are very particular with how their belongings are handled and prefer if it is some they know and trust who is doing the handling. That level of trust can give peace of mind on moving day. But, don’t forget: you need to gather people to help you move. It might be harder than you realize to find willing volunteers to give up a day to help you move boxes. Not only that, it has to be the right people. Most of your family and friends are not going to be “moving material”.

Hiring Professionals

When hiring professionals, it is important to consider more than just the bottom line. Don’t think of it just as hiring someone to move your stuff; you are hiring them for their experience and know-how. Do you or any of your friends know how to move a king-sized bed down a narrow flight of stairs? Any of your buddies have any idea on how to get a grand piano out of a second-floor room? Professional movers are literally paid to solve these problems. There is also the issue of safety. Movers know how to move things without damaging them or hurting anyone. Moving is tougher than it looks; not just anyone can do it. You are also paying for your time. While the movers do the heavy lifting, your energy and attention can go to all the other things you need to worry about. On the other hand, a moving team is expensive. If you don’t have that many items, you may be able to move everything with a group of friends and a small truck.

Another advantage to hiring movers is that they are insured (the best ones are!). This means that if they break something or do damage to your new home, it will be covered. If your friend drops a marble countertop down your new hardwood stairs, are you really going to sue him to recoup the costs? But, if you get the right friends, you may be more comfortable using someone you know and trust.

It isn’t an easy answer. You have to weigh your options carefully and decide what works best for you. Generally, if it is a small move and you don’t have many heavy things, do it yourself; bigger moves are probably best handled by the professionals.

If you are going professional, you want to hire the best; that’s why you need to call Best Canadian Movers. The premier moving company in Toronto, Brampton, and the Greater Toronto Area, Best Canadian Movers has been offering moving and storage services for over twenty years. Fully bonded, insured, and licensed, we will provide you with a professional, efficient, and friendly moving experience. With our reasonable prices and tryst-worthy team, Best Canadian Movers offers the best of both worlds when it comes to professional and do-it-yourself moving. Contact us today!