Moving can be both exciting and overwhelming, with a lot of things to take care of. One of the biggest choices you’ll face is whether or not to hire a professional moving company. It really comes down to weighing the ease and help they provide against how much it’ll cost you.
Professional movers can take care of everything—from packing your stuff to moving heavy or fragile items safely. They help make the moving process less stressful and save you a lot of time, so you can focus on other things like turning on the electricity or getting comfortable in your new place. Still, whether or not to hire movers depends on your needs, budget and how quickly you need to move.
During busy times like spring and summer, moving companies can get fully booked fast, so it’s important to plan early. Thinking through the pros and cons of hiring professional movers can help you make the right choice and ensure your move to a new home or office goes smoothly.
Pros & Cons of Moving Companies
Benefits of Hiring a Moving Company
- Less Stress: Movers handle a lot of the hard work—like packing, lifting and driving—so you don’t have to worry about every little detail.
- Know-How: Professional movers know how to pack and move all kinds of items, even fragile or valuable ones. Their experience helps keep your stuff safe during the move.
- Safer Move: With the right tools and training, movers can lift and carry heavy things safely, lowering the chances of someone getting hurt.
- Saves Time: Letting movers take care of everything can free up your time so you can focus on other important things—like switching your utilities or getting settled in your new place.
Cons of Hiring a Moving Company
- Can Be Expensive: Hiring a full-service moving company can cost a lot, especially if you’re moving far or have a big home. This might not work well for people who are trying to save money.
- Less Control: When you hire movers, you might not get to make all the decisions—like what packing supplies they use or exactly when things get done.
- Risk of Scams: Most moving companies are honest but there are some bad ones out there. That’s why it’s important to do your homework, read reviews and make sure the company is licensed and trustworthy.
Hiring a moving company comes with both good and bad sides, so it’s important to think it through before deciding. Looking at things like stress levels, how much help you need, safety and your budget can help you choose what works best for your situation.
Cost-Effectiveness & Budget Considerations
Saving Money with a DIY Move
When planning a move, many people think about whether to do it themselves or hire a moving company. Doing it yourself can be cheaper since you only need to rent a truck and take care of everything on your own—like packing, lifting and driving. This can be a good option for those on a tight budget because you avoid paying for movers and just cover the cost of the truck and things like gas.
But it’s important to think about the hidden costs of doing a move yourself, such as:
- The time and energy it takes to pack, load & unload everything
- Buying packing supplies & any tools you might need
- The risk of breaking things if they aren’t packed or moved properly
- Asking friends or family to help, which might not always be easy
What Affects the Cost of Hiring Movers
When you hire a moving company, several things can affect how much you’ll end up paying, such as:
- Distance: Local moves (under 100 miles) usually cost between $800 and $2,500. Long-distance moves cost more because of fuel, time and extra labor.
- How Much you’re Moving: The more stuff you have, the bigger the truck and crew you’ll need—so the price goes up.
- Extra Services: If you ask movers to help with packing, taking furniture apart or storing your things, it’ll cost more. These extras should be part of your budget planning.
- Time of Year: Moving during busy times—like summer, weekends or month-end—can be more expensive. If you can move during a slower time, it might save you money.
- Insurance: Movers offer different levels of insurance. Better coverage might cost more but it can protect your belongings in case something goes wrong.
Deciding if hiring a moving company is worth it really depends on your budget and what you need. Doing it yourself can save money but it takes more time and effort. Hiring movers can make the process easier and less stressful, though it usually costs more. It’s important to look at both the pros and cons and think about what works best for your situation before making a choice.
Types of Moves & How They Affect Your Choice of Movers
Local Moves vs. Long-Distance Moves
Local moves usually happen within the same state and are under 100 miles. These are often quicker and don’t need as many services—some can be done in just a few hours or in one day. When picking a moving company for a local move, it’s smart to look at their prices and check if they’re available when you need them.
Long-distance moves go over 100 miles or cross into another state, and sometimes even across the country. These types of moves need more planning and careful coordination because of the longer travel time and extra services like packing, unpacking or storage. It’s especially important to choose a trusted and experienced moving company for long-distance moves since the chances of something getting lost or damaged can be higher over long distances.
Full-Service Moves vs. Self-Service Moves
Full-service moves cover everything—from packing and unpacking to loading, driving and setting up furniture. The moving company brings all the tools and supplies needed to get the job done. This option is great for people who want a stress-free move and don’t mind paying extra for the convenience.
On the other hand, self-service moves give you more control and usually cost less. In this setup, the moving company provides a truck or container but you’re the one who packs, loads and unloads your things. Once everything is loaded, the company just handles the driving and delivery.
Things to think about when choosing between a full-service & self-service move:
- Budget: Full-service moves usually cost more because they include extra help, while self-service moves are easier on the wallet since you do most of the work yourself.
- Time Limits: If you’re short on time or in a hurry to move, a full-service move can save you a lot of time since the movers handle most of the work.
- Physical Ability: If lifting heavy stuff is hard for you or you have health issues, a full-service move is a safer option to avoid getting hurt or breaking your things.
- How Involved You Want to Be: If you like being in control of how things are packed and loaded, a self-service move gives you that freedom.
Understanding the types of moves and their associated services can help you make an informed decision when choosing a moving company. Carefully consider the distance of the move, your budget and specific needs before selecting the most suitable moving service.
Responsibilities & Services Offered by Moving Companies
Packing & Unpacking Services
Moving companies provide different services to make your move easier and one of the biggest ones is packing and unpacking. Their trained team knows how to safely pack everything—from fragile items like glassware to heavy furniture. They bring all the packing supplies too, like bubble wrap, packing paper and strong boxes, so you don’t have to hunt for them yourself. This not only saves you time and effort but also takes the stress out of doing all the heavy work.
Transportation & Loading/Unloading
Another important job of moving companies is safely transporting your stuff and helping with loading and unloading. They use special tools like dolly, moving straps, and furniture pads to move your belongings without damage. Their trucks are built for moving household items and are kept in good shape. Many of these trucks have features like air-ride suspension and climate control to help protect your things during the trip.
Reliable moving companies offer two main types of loading and unloading services, full-service and self-service. With a full-service move, the movers do everything—from packing your stuff to loading, transporting and unloading it at your new place. It’s a hassle-free option since they handle all the heavy lifting, but it usually costs more. In a self-service move, you do the packing and unpacking yourself, while the movers just take care of loading, driving and unloading.
Some moving companies also offer storage services. This is helpful if you need a place to keep your things for a while—like when you’re moving to a smaller home or your new place isn’t ready yet. These companies usually have secure storage spaces to keep your belongings safe, so you don’t have to worry about them while they’re being stored.
Moving companies offer many helpful services that make the whole moving process easier and less stressful. Their experience with packing, transporting, loading, unloading and even storing your things can save you time, protect your belongings from damage, and make your move go more smoothly overall.
Things to Think About When Hiring a Moving Company
Checking Reviews & Getting Recommendations
Before hiring a moving company, it’s important to do some research and read reviews. Other people’s experiences can give you a good idea of how reliable and professional the company is. It also helps to ask friends, family or coworkers if they know a company they trust. You can find reviews online, but make sure they’re from trusted websites so you don’t get misled by fake or exaggerated comments.
Licensed & Insured Movers
Before hiring any moving company, make sure they’re licensed and insured. A licensed mover is officially registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and follows government rules for safety and legal operation. You can check if they’re properly licensed by looking up their U.S. DOT number on the FMCSA website.
Insurance is just as important as a license when choosing a moving company. A good moving company should have coverage that protects your things in case something gets lost, broken or damaged during the move. It’s smart to ask what kind of insurance they offer and how much it actually covers, so you know your belongings are protected.
When picking a moving company, take time to look at reviews, ask for recommendations, and check if they’re licensed and insured. Doing this helps you choose a reliable and professional company that will move your belongings safely and do the job right.
Why Choose STI Moving & Storage Company for Your Next Move
STI Moving & Storage is a trusted option for your move because of our years of experience, variety of services and strong customer support. We’re one of the oldest moving companies in the U.S. and are known for being reliable and professional.
One great thing about choosing STI Moving Company is our free quote tool. It helps you get a rough estimate of your moving costs based on where you’re moving from, where you’re going and how big your home is. We offer a full range of moving services, like packing, loading, transporting and storage.
Whether you need help with the entire move or just a few parts, STI can adjust to what works best for you. We also offer shipment tracking, so you can keep an eye on your move and feel more at ease.
Don’t wait—use our InstaQuote tool to get a quick, no-obligation estimate today.
