If you’re planning to move into a new home, one big question is, should you hire a professional long distance mover or do everything by yourself?
Maybe you’re thinking of asking some friends to help you pack up and load the truck. That could work—but before you decide, it’s a good idea to compare both options and think through everything involved.
Let’s break it down in simple terms so you can choose what’s best for your situation.
Understanding Full-Service Moves
A full-service move means professional movers will handle everything. They’ll load all your stuff onto the truck, drive it to your new home and unload it for you. If you add extra services, they can also pack and unpack your things. When you hire a moving company, you can ask them what’s included in their moving services.
Hiring movers comes with many benefits. Think about these points to decide if it’s the right choice for you:
- Saves you time and energy with trained, experienced movers who know how to protect your belongings.
- Helps you avoid problems like broken items from poor packing or accidents during the move.
- Reduces the risk of hurting yourself from heavy lifting.
- Makes sure your things are handled with care.
- Uses modern packing materials and tools to stay organized and keep your move smooth.
Most of all, it gives you peace of mind. No need to ask your friends or family for help or stress over fragile items breaking. Moving is a big job and doing it alone is tough. Hiring a full-service mover makes it easier and less stressful.
Exploring the DIY Moving Option
If you’re trying to save money, doing the move yourself might seem like a good idea—especially if you like being in control and handling everything on your own. People often choose DIY moving because it can be cheapest way, they get to manage the whole process and they can keep a close eye on their stuff.
But moving on your own also comes with its own challenges. For example, you’ll need to drive a big moving truck, which can be tricky if you’ve never done it before. Plus, you’ll be doing all the heavy lifting—both loading and unloading.
Saving money is just one part of the picture. There are other things to think about too:
- Risk of getting hurt or having an accident and you’d be the one responsible if anything goes wrong.
- Truck problems on the road, like a breakdown—you might need to move everything into a different truck.
- Extra travel costs, like hotel stays, food and tolls.
- Insurance coverage—do you have protection for your things in case something happens while moving?
- Weigh stations—some states require you to stop at them. If you don’t know the rules and skip one, you could get in trouble.
Take time to think about all of this before deciding. Are you ready for the work and responsibility of moving on your own, or would it be better to hire professionals?
Cost Comparison – Full-Service vs. DIY Moving
When you’re deciding between hiring movers or renting a truck and doing it yourself, it really comes down to two big questions:
How much money can you spend and how much time and energy do you want to give to this move?
Once you answer those, it becomes easier to figure out which option makes the most sense for you. Most people want to keep their move affordable and as stress-free as possible. But what many don’t realize is that DIY moves can quickly become expensive.
Here’s why:
You have to pay for the truck rental, moving equipment, packing materials (like boxes and tape), fuel, food, your time and even snacks or help for the friends assisting you. By the end, many people are shocked to see their DIY costs almost match what a full-service move would’ve cost.
In fact, a recent survey showed that 4 out of 5 people who did a DIY move said they wouldn’t do it again. They spent more time, more energy and dealt with more stress—and a few sore backs—than they expected.
So before deciding, take a close look at the real costs—money, time and effort.
Costs are updated for 2024/2025 market conditions, with each key expense category side-by-side:
If your main goal is to save money by moving on your own, it might be worth taking a second look at what full-service movers offer. You could end up getting more value—and less stress—than you expected.
Things to Think About Before You Choose
Ask yourself these simple questions before picking between DIY or full-service moving:
- What’s my moving budget?
- Can I handle the physical work like lifting and carrying heavy stuff?
- Do I have friends or family who can help me load everything?
- Will someone be there to help me unload at my new place?
- How many days can I take off from work?
- Am I okay with driving a big truck all the way to my new home?
Answering these will make it easier to figure out which moving option fits you best.
Tips for Making the Right Choice
One of the best ways to choose what’s right for your move is to get a quote from a trusted moving company. STI Moving & Storage offers free quotes based on your specific needs. You just need to share how many rooms you’re moving and where you’re headed. That way, you’ll get a clear idea of the cost instead of guessing or using random estimates.
Ask what services the company offers. A lot of movers provide packing supplies and can even help with packing. This can save you a lot of time and stress before moving day. Also, find out if they assign a moving consultant. That person can help guide you through the whole process and make things go smoothly. They might even share packing tips and tools that you wouldn’t know about otherwise.
Think about your own schedule and responsibilities too. If you’re working or don’t have much time off, packing everything yourself might be tough. If you’re moving for a new job, you might have orientation or other things to take care of at your new place. In that case, it can help to get there early while your things are still on the way.
When you’re choosing between full-service movers and DIY, take a step back and look at everything involved. Most of the time, hiring a professional moving company turns out to be the smarter and easier option.
Contact STI Moving Company for a free quote & to learn more about how we can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m nervous about letting strangers handle my stuff. Are full-service movers trustworthy?
Yes. Professional movers are trained to safely handle furniture and other belongings. STI Mover teams know how to move big, heavy or awkward items without causing damage.
I have a lot of breakable items. Will full-service movers be able to handle them properly?
Absolutely. These movers are trained to deal with fragile things. They can also help pack them the right way so they stay safe during the move.
I like to stay in control. Will a full-service move take that away?
Not at all. You decide what parts of the move they handle. They take care of the heavy lifting and transport but you still make the key decisions.
Is a DIY move hard on the body?
Yes, it can be. Lifting, bending and carrying heavy items can strain your back, neck and legs. Many people end up sore or even injured after a DIY move.
What kind of truck would I need for a DIY move?
It depends on how much you’re moving. Rental trucks come in different sizes and the rental company will help you pick one based on how many rooms’ worth of stuff you have.
