You’ve sold your current property, and your new home is waiting for you: congratulations! Now it’s time to start making plans for the big move. You have two main options for this: you can DIY it, ideally with the help of friends or family, or you can employ a specialist professional company to get your stuff from A to B. We take a look in more detail at each of these choices below, so that you can determine what’s best for you, whether you’re moving to a rural idyll or one of the increasing number of smart cities in the United States.
DIY House Move
If you’re thinking about going it alone, then this could be a great way to save a significant amount of cash. Unless you’ve got a friend or family member with a large van or a truck that’s prepared to help you out, then you’ll need to hire a vehicle for the move. Most rental companies have plenty of experience and will be able to give you an accurate idea of the size of truck you’ll need to move all of your belongings in one go.
Prices are usually calculated on a per-mile basis. When making the rental arrangements, don’t forget to check that both the pick-up and drop-off locations for the vehicle will be easily accessible at both ends of the journey.
The key to making a DIY house move a success is excellent planning. Once each room is packed up, assess the items so that you can figure out what needs to be put in the truck first, rather than ending up having to rearrange bulky furniture once it’s been already loaded. Pack breakable items carefully, and cover things that could get scratched with sheets or towels. If the truck doesn’t come supplied with straps to keep things from sliding about on the journey, then these are a vital and inexpensive purchase that will prevent damage to your things.
Let’s break down the pros and cons of a DIY house move:
Pros
- It saves you a lot of money
- You are in complete control of the move, and the associated timescales
- You can pack things how you like: if there are a few odd unpacked items or open boxes, as long as they won’t roll around in the back of the truck, you’re good to go
Cons
- It’s hard physical work: heavy furniture and lugging boxes can take their toll, and you’ll need to ensure that a DIY move is a practical possibility, especially if you don’t have additional helpers to call on
- Logistics: professionals know what they’re doing when it comes to the planning side of the move, which equals less stress for you
- Unforeseen problems, such as a bulky item of furniture getting jammed in a doorway, will be up to you to resolve
Professional House Move
If a DIY house move isn’t for you or simply isn’t an option, then it’s time to instruct a professional company to get your furniture and belongings shifted to your new home. Hiring a moving company will take the stress of planning out of the equation: the experienced staff will organize where boxes and furniture need to go in the truck and will cart items out at the other end, too. Don’t forget to clearly label each box to show the room in the new house that the movers will need to convey it to.
The cost of this hire will depend on several factors, including the number of things you have that need shifting and the distance between the two properties. Moving companies, especially highly regarded ones, can get booked up for some months in advance, so it’s a good idea to secure this provision as soon as possible. Find the right movers for you by seeking recommendations from family and friends and checking plenty of review sites for previous customers’ experiences.
As with a DIY move, there are pros and cons to this option too:
Pros
- The heavy lifting is done by a team of professionals with the right equipment
- Speed and efficiency: a moving company has seen and done it all before, and there won’t be many problems that they won’t have encountered (and solved) on previous jobs
- You save on the stress of doing it all yourself!
Cons
- The cost can be fairly high, especially if you have a lot of items to move or a significant distance to travel to reach your new property
- You’ll be on a schedule – once you’ve booked the moving company, there may not be much chance of being able to rearrange the days and times that you require their services.
There you have it: hopefully, the above information will help you decide which of the options to go for when it comes to moving home. Every move is different, and requirements will vary for each individual or household; but whichever route you go down, the result will be the incomparable feeling of turning the key in the lock of your new home for the very first time.
Also read: 5 Essential Things to Do Before Moving into Your New House
