Torn between hiring a moving company versus DIY moving? You’re not alone. Numerous factors can play into this decision, but if you’re on the fence about which route to take, we’re here to help.
This guide will explore the benefits of hiring movers and when it’s best to rely on the skills they bring, as well as when DIY moving might be the better alternative. So, is hiring movers worth it? Let’s unpack (no pun intended) this question together.
12 Benefits of Hiring Movers vs. DIY Moving
While handling a move yourself might seem like an obvious way to cut down on costs and stay in control of your move, it’s not always the best option. Full-service movers offer both the experience and expertise required to make your transition as efficient and seamless as possible—especially for a long-distance relocation. That being said, there are pros and cons for both moving options.
On that note, here’s what to consider about hiring a moving company versus DIY moving.
1. Pro movers are experts at packing and loading
One of the obvious benefits of hiring movers is their sheer proficiency with packing and loading.. First of all, they know how to pack household goods — from fragile kitchen items to valuable electronics like flat-screen TVs — in order to avoid damage. They also know how to securely position household items on the moving truck to prevent them from shifting in transit. This all adds up to lower risk of damage and greater peace of mind.
2. Pro movers can finish the job in much less time
Professional moving crews work as a highly skilled — and highly strong — team, which allows them to coordinate and execute the logistics much faster than you could — even with a small group of recruited helpers.
Not only do movers offer strength in numbers (and muscle), they also have the experience to navigate stairs, hallways, door frames, and other narrow spaces gracefully — without scuffing up your walls or furniture r.
This means they can finish a job in a matter of hours that would take ordinary people a full day or even a weekend.
3. Pro movers tackle the heavy lifting for you
Hiring a moving company versus DIY moving also means less physical effort and risk of bodily harm. Professional movers are trained in the right safety techniques to lift and transport heavy items like furniture, appliances, or large appliances. They know how to maintain careful form and use specialized equipment to handle the most labor-intensive parts of a move, so you won’t need to worry about back strain or other common lifting injuries.
4. Pro movers free you up to focus on other tasks
When you hire professional movers for the manual labor involved in a move, you’ll have more time to manage other important details on that moving day checklist, such as confirming travel and hotel arrangements, scheduling utilities at your new home, and packing an essentials box for the first few days in your new home. You may also be able to take off more time from work, so you can save your PTO hours or feel less stressed about catching up. be more present and available for your kids or pets — which can make the transition much more comfortable for everyone.
5. Pro movers drive the truck — so you don’t have to
Does the idea of operating an oversized vehicle make you sweat? Letting someone else take the wheel for you is another benefit of hiring movers. Interstate movers are licensed to safely drive large commercial trucks on busy interstates and through tight streets while keeping contents secure in transit. All you have to do is drive your own car (or book a flight and ship the car) to your new home, then wait for the movers to arrive with your haul.
6. Pro movers offer extra services to meet your needs
Aside from the typical loading, transporting, and unloading, most professional movers also offer extra tiers of service, so you can tailor the process to meet your specific needs. Here are some additional services to choose from for more convenience and flexibility:
Supplies and materials
Unpacking services
Furniture assembly and disassembly
Vehicle shipments
Storage options
Moving specialty items (e.g., pianos)
7. Pro movers are licensed and insured for reliability
Here in the U.S., professional movers must be licensed and insured through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This accreditation ensures the movers follow safe and reliable transportation protocols, holds them accountable for protecting your items in transit, and offers you peace of mind at each stage of the move. Use the FMCA’s database to check if a moving company’s USDOT registration number is current and valid.
8. Pro interstate movers are required to offer coverage for your household items
Unlike a DIY move in which you’re responsible for losses or damages, professional movers allow you to choose a level of protection to best suit your needs. By law, all moving companies must offer carrier-provided liability protection. Basic coverage, which is known as Released Value Protection, will reimburse you at a fixed rate (usually $0.60 per pound) for each item.
You can also upgrade to Full Value Protection, which covers the current market replacement value of your items.
Note: Only third-party policies sold through licensed providers are considered insurance — the protection offered by your mover is technically valuation coverage, not an insurance policy. If you’d like additional protection for your belongings — such as antiques or other high-value items — you can either ask your moving company if they partner with a licensed third-party insurer or shop for a policy online through a reputable provider that specializes in moving insurance.
9. Pro movers lower the risk of damage
As helpful as insurance can be, it’s still best if you can avoid the inconvenience and sometimes heartache of filing a claim for a broken or lost item. One of the benefits of hiring movers is there’s less risk of damage in the first place, as long as you make sure to choose an experienced and reputable company. Professional movers are trained to carefully handle fragile or valuable items at each stage of the process, from loading and transporting them on the truck to unloading them in your new home. Moving companies also utilize equipment such as dollies, straps, and furniture pads or blankets to protect against scratches, breaks, or dents.
10. Pro movers can save you money in the long term
The biggest perk of DIY moving is typically the lower price tag — however, it’s important to be aware that the cost of renting and driving a truck can add up fast, especially when you’re moving long-distance. On average, a full-service move costs around $4,800–$8,000 for a two-bedroom home, whereas a DIY truck rental can range anywhere from $30 to $3,500 per day ($1,000, on average), depending on factors such as truck size, distance traveled, fuel prices, meals, and accommodations..
Not to mention, DIY moving also comes with a higher risk of damage from incorrect packing or loading techniques. This can lead to repairs or replacements — costs you’ll be responsible for entirely unless you’ve purchased third-party moving insurance. Also, since hiring movers is generally faster than taking care of a move on your own, you may be able to take off less time for work.
So if you’re looking to save on your move, it’s best to collect quotes for both hiring professional movers and a DIY move, then weigh the pros and cons to make the best choice for your situation.
11. Pro Movers will treat specialty items with care
If you have items that require extra care and precision, the benefits of hiring movers can’t be overstated. Moving companies have both the skills and equipment to lift, carry, and transport bulky furniture, appliances, large electronics, and even specialty items such as hot tubs, pool tables, or pianos — which you may need to hire professionals to move anyway if you’re going the DIY route.
12. Pro movers make the experience less stressful
With professional movers to coordinate and handle all the logistics of your relocation, including, loading, driving, and unloading — and their ability to add on services such as furniture assembly and disassembly, packing and unpacking, and storage, a full-service move is the most convenient, hands-off solution for a move. As long as you do your research and hire a reliable moving company, you can expect a lot less stress and greater peace of mind than a DIY move.
Bottom Line: Is Hiring Movers Worth It?
Is it worth using a moving company? While it’s more expensive to hire professional movers than to DIY the process, many find the investment to be well worth the price tag if their goal is to save time and effort and minimize stress.
If you’re wondering, “Should I hire movers or do it myself?” here are some considerations to keep in mind:
When is hiring movers worth it?
Long-distance moves out of state or across the country
Complex moves with fragile, bulky, and valuable items
Moves in cities where you don’t have friends or family to help
Corporation relocation moves or moving for a career opportunity
Short-notice moves with not enough time to do it yourself
Moves that require a more specialized tier of service
When does a DIY move make sense?
Small local moves that don’t require much labor and transport
Moves that don’t include bulky or high-value items
Budget moves that need to be done as cheaply as possible
When you have friends or family to help you with your move
Tips for Hiring Movers
Working with pro movers requires some coordination and planning. Here are some tips to make hiring movers as easy as possible:
Obtain multiple quotes from different moving companies before you choose one.
Have a list of questions to ask movers such as: How do you calculate the final cost? Do you charge extra fees? What’s your registration number? How long have you been in business? And what insurance coverage do you offer?
Book your move on a weekday, in the middle of the month, or during the fall or winter off-season to save money and for better availability.
Select a moving company with a solid reputation and demonstrated experience with positive customer reviews.
Make arrangements for items movers can’t move (e.g., hazardous materials, perishable foods, medications) ahead of time.
Make sure all your boxes are clearly labeled with the room they belong to and the contents(e.g., “Kitchen — Dishware — FRAGILE” before the moving crew arrives.
Keep water, sports drinks, and snacks on hand for movers as a courtesy.
Be ready to tip each of the movers in cash for their time and labor on moving day.
Is $20 enough to tip movers? $20 might be sufficient for a small local job that only takes a few hours to complete. But for a normal half- or full-day move, it’s better to tip anywhere from $40–$100 per mover — closer to $100 for more complex, labor-intensive jobs. With that said, if you’re on a budget, tip what you can—just don’t tip less than $20, and pair it with something else such as cold beverages and snacks for the movers to enjoy. |
Maximize the Benefits of Hiring Movers with Colonial Van Lines
Want to reap the benefits of hiring movers instead of trying to handle it yourself? Colonial Van Lines’ experienced cross-country movers perform more than 12,000 moves each year with an impressive 96.5% customer satisfaction rate, so you can rest assured your items are in safe hands. With our team to take care of everything, all that’s left is for you to focus on settling into your new home with peace of mind. Start planning your relocation with a free quote from Colonial Van Lines today!