Comparing time, stress and cost
From the packing to the physical labour, a move from one house to the next can take a lot out of you.
That’s especially the situation with a DIY move. You plan out the move, pack, arrange transportation and deliver your items to your new location. Then, you unpack everything again.
It’s exhausting just thinking about it. Of course, there’s a much easier, and less stressful way!
I’m referring to hiring a removalist. If you’re concerned about the cost, the time or the stress, the two couldn’t be more different.
Here’s my quick comparison of DIY moving versus hiring a removalist to help you make the best decision.
The 3 big factors
As mentioned, the three biggest deciding factors are:
- Time
- Stress
- Money
First, let’s look at time.
Time
If you’re working against the clock, a removalist can help.
It can be especially time-consuming to worry about renting a truck, packing and transporting your items to a new location, versus simply hiring a removalist to do the work for you.
Even if you have a large vehicle and some willing friends you need to consider whether making multiple trips between locations is worth it.
While it could take days or even weeks to pack up and move everything you own yourself, a removal company will likely complete the entire job in a fraction of the time.
Stress
There’s also the added stress of moving everything yourself.
In this situation, you’re responsible for getting everything ready, packed, moved and then set up in your new home. Hiring a good removalist to do the job can take away a lot of this stress.
Not only can a removalist handle:
- Packing supplies
- Packing up your belongings
- Transporting your belongings
- Unpacking your belongings
In addition, a removalist can also assist with storage, if necessary. This applies whether you are making a local move, regional move or your future plans take you even farther.
In addition, adding on a premoval service can help if you still need to sell your old home. A removalist is also trained in how to pack breakables and other items securely so as to limit the damage. That’s not necessarily the case when you recruit friends to do the job.
Money
The cost is, of course, a real consideration, and it may sound like a better deal upfront to move yourself.
Unless you happen to have a very large vehicle, you’ll likely have to consider the cost of renting a truck for large items.
There are other costs too with a DIY move, such as:
- Fuel
- Boxes & packing supplies
- Lodging (if it is a long distance move)
- Taking time off work
For a true comparison, look at the total cost of moving yourself and compare that to the quote from a removalist.
You’ll likely find the cost is not that high for the benefits received.
If you do want to save money, try to move during the week instead of the weekend, for you’ll sometimes get a better rate. You can also check for advertised, online specials.
Additionally, you can choose the level of service you want, from standard service to the extras including having a removalist pack and unpack everything for you.
You’ll want to consider:
- Distance of the move
- How much stuff you have to move
Both will likely play a part in making your decision.
Hiring a removalist can certainly look appealing, especially if you’ve already done the research comparing cost, time and avoidance of extra stress.
The next step, then, is to find a qualified removalist.
What should I look for when hiring a removalist?
- Experience
A great removal company will not only have valid credentials and proper licensing, but also have experience.
You should be able to easily find out how long a company’s been operating and what kind of experience they have in the field.
- Types of service
With that in mind, you need to look for a removalist that offers the services you desire.
If you need packing and unpacking services, or even storage, you need to look for a removal company that offers these types of services.
If you don’t need the extras, be sure to find out how it affects your bill.
Take note that not every removal company offers the same services or has the same level of experience.
- Identifiable costs
Another good thing to look for is a company that is upfront with its pricing.
Moving is stressful enough without having to deal with unexpected, ‘hidden fees’.
For this reason, look for a removal company that is transparent in divulging its prices, whether for the move itself or for its moving supplies.
You should easily be able to find out:
- Total costs
- What’s covered/what’s not
How do I find a good removalist?
It’s easy to spot a good removalist, just look for happy customers and a good reputation.
Online recommendations
Check for previous clients who’ve left authentic, positive feedback on either a company’s website or a trade website.
You may find comments praising employees and the quality of work, such as:
- Professionalism of staff
- On-time delivery
- Treatment of items
- Ease of contact
Friends or family recommendations
You can also ask friends or family members about their own personal experience when hiring a removalist.
This is a good way to receive honest feedback about a company from someone you trust
Making the decision
Making the decision of whether to move everything yourself or to hire a removalist is a big one, and one I hope that you consider all of the pros and cons.
I recommend you take into account:
- Time
- Distance of move
- Your belongings
- Stress
- A comparison of cost
Once you have a better handle on your needs it will be easier to make a decision.
Keep in mind, making the move to a new city or a new state is stressful enough, so why top it off with the unnecessary stress of doing everything on your own.