Moving to a new home is exciting, but it’s also one of the most stressful things you’ll do in your lifetime. While some ambitious homeowners may want to do the move themselves or enlist friends to help, hiring professional movers can make the process much easier.
Professional moving companies bring years of experience, specialized equipment, and proven techniques to ensure a safe and successful relocation. If you’re on the fence about hiring movers, this article will give you the facts you need to make your decision.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring Professional Movers?
Professional moving companies offer several benefits that justify their cost. The factors below give them an edge over DIY moving or asking for help from friends.
Professional Experience
One of the biggest benefits of hiring a moving company is tapping into their wealth of professional experience. Moving companies handle relocations daily, allowing them to develop the best techniques over time for packing, loading, and transporting items.
Professional movers have handled a wide variety of moving scenarios, from navigating narrow staircases to safely transporting delicate antiques. This experience allows them to anticipate and overcome common moving challenges that might stump the average homeowner. Their expertise can prove especially valuable for long-distance moves or working with fragile items like pianos and artwork.
If your move feels like you bit off more than you can chew, your movers’ experience will definitely come in handy.
Safe Moving Techniques
Safety is important during any move, both for the individuals involved and for the items being transported. Professional movers learn proper lifting techniques and safe handling procedures to minimize the risk of injury or damage during the moving process.
However, their training goes beyond lifting furniture. They learn and practice the correct ways to wrap and transport delicate items, making sure they won’t break during the move. Movers also know how to safely maneuver large furniture pieces through doorways and downstairs without damaging your items or your home.
It’s more than just handling the heavy lifting—movers have to know how to protect all items going in or out of the truck. No matter how expensive your items are, that’s a skill that you’ll want for your move.
Accountability and Liability
Most professional movers offer basic liability coverage that’s included in their services, with options for additional insurance for high-value items. This protection means that if something goes wrong during the move, homeowners have recourse to recover the value of damaged or lost items. Be sure to read up on your rights and responsibilities when you move.
Additionally, professional movers are accountable for showing up on time and completing the move as agreed, unlike friends or family who might back out at the last minute. This accountability extends to providing an accurate estimate and addressing any concerns customers may have throughout the moving process.
Adequate Moving Equipment
Professional moving companies have all the necessary equipment to handle even the toughest moves. This specialized gear can make a huge difference in the speed and safety of the moving process.
Some of the equipment professional movers typically bring includes:
- Dollies and hand trucks for moving heavy items
- Furniture pads and blankets to protect surfaces
- Large rolls of industrial plastic wrap
- Straps and ropes for securing items in the truck
- Specialized boxes for packing fragile items
- Ramps and liftgates for easy loading and unloading
Moving companies also have unique equipment and procedures for specialty items. For example, if you need to move your pets, you can hire one of the best pet shipping companies. Likewise, you could hire gun safe movers or movers for heavy equipment if you have items that traditional moving companies can’t transport.
By providing this equipment, professional movers eliminate the need for homeowners to rent or purchase these items themselves, saving both time and money.
Efficiency
The best packing and moving companies follow established procedures for packing, loading, and unloading that make the move go quickly and smoothly. They know how to properly stack boxes and furniture in the moving truck to maximize space and minimize shifting during transport. They also come with a full crew of movers, which can drastically cut down on moving time.
The organized approach makes it easier for homeowners moving on a tight schedule or with limited time off work. The quicker the move is, the quicker your stress can go away. When it comes to efficiency, moving companies are the clear winners over DIY moves.
Potential Cost Savings
While it might seem counterintuitive, hiring professional movers can potentially save homeowners money compared to a DIY move. When considering the costs of a self-move, it’s important to factor in expenses like renting the right moving truck size, fuel, packing materials, and potential time off work. Cross-country moves may incur additional DIY costs that can quickly add up.
Additionally, the risk of damaging valuable items or injuring oneself during a DIY move can lead to unexpected costs. Professional movers can help mitigate these risks with their expertise and insurance coverage. While the up-front cost of hiring movers may be higher, the potential savings on damages can make it a worthwhile investment.
Peace of Mind
One of the most valuable benefits of hiring professional movers is the peace of mind it provides. Moving can be an incredibly stressful experience, with countless details to manage. By entrusting the physical aspects of the move to professionals, homeowners can focus on other important tasks related to their relocation.
Professional movers handle the heavy lifting, both literally and figuratively. They take care of packing, loading, transportation, and unloading, allowing homeowners to concentrate on settling into their new homes. If you’re not short on cash, the amount of time and energy you save by hiring movers is well worth the price.
Final Thoughts About Hiring Professional Movers
While the decision to hire a full-service moving company ultimately depends on your circumstances and budget, it’s definitely worth considering. DIY practices are fine for smaller moves, but rewarding your friends with pizza or beer after a full day of moving your entire four-bedroom house won’t cut it.
When the stakes are high, it helps to have movers on your side. That security comes with a cost, but for homeowners facing a lot of moving stress, it’s worth every penny.
However, if you’ve settled on a DIY move, take some time to create a moving day checklist. To be safe, review the packing supplies you’ll need for a stress-free move so you’re prepared ahead of time. You’ll likely learn some moving best practices and gain a newfound appreciation for the pros.
