Hiring movers does not have to be expensive. Although there are some pretty pricey movers out there, there are also a lot of more economical mov...
Hiring movers does not have to be expensive. Although there are some pretty pricey movers out there,
there are also a lot of more economical moving companies to choose from. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether to hire cheap movers or just rent a truck and do it yourself.
How far are you moving?
It's easy enough to rent a small truck and just make several trips back and forth if you are moving a short distance, such as an in-town move. In this case, it probably does save you money to do it yourself, with the help of a couple friends. If you are moving cross-country though, you will probably just want to make the one trip. In this case, hiring cheap movers can save you time and possibly even money.
Can you drive a truck and trailer?
It may seem like a silly question to ask, but many people feel intimidated by the thought of driving a big truck, especially if you also have a trailer on the back. Unless you want to make a million trips in a little pickup, a full house or large apartment requires a bigger truck
Do you need to leave time for cleaning?
Whether you rent or own, you will need to clean your old place after you move everything out. Why waste time moving your stuff when you have this looming over your head? Hiring movers helps by getting everything out quickly, leaving you enough time to clean before you turn the keys over to the landlord or the new owner.
Of course, you may also want to hire a cleaning crew to clean up your place after you move. You will still need to ensure that they have several days to clean, so it is best to get everything out of the house or apartment a week or more in advance.
Do you mind packing yourself?
You will spend a lot more money on movers if you have them pack for you too. Instead, pack all your stuff yourself and have it ready to go on moving day. Start as early as possible: You can start packing non-necessities, such as books, collectibles, and off-season clothes, a month or more in advance. By packing a little bit every day and getting the job done yourself, you can hire cheap movers and save money on your move.
Something else to consider: If you are selling the house, chances are you will have quite a bit of your belongings packed up already, anyway. Experts say that a home shows better if the owner removes about two-thirds of their stuff in a process called staging, which is where you depersonalize and set up the house to look like someone's ideal vision of their dream home.
Are you incapable of moving yourself?
Sometimes there is just some reason why you can't do more of the work yourself. For instance, maybe you have a bad back, or your wife is pregnant and can't do any heavy lifting. Or maybe you are moving to a new city where you won't know anyone, and won't have any friends or family to call upon for help unloading the truck. Whatever the reason, there are times when you simply can't do it yourself, and need to hire movers in order to get the job done.
If you decide to hire movers, don't worry -- it doesn't have to be an expensive decision. You can save money with cheap movers if you call around or get quotes online first. Also, remember to pack your stuff up yourself to save money! With a little foresight, you can make a decision that will save money and save your back at the same time.
