Do It Yourself Moving Options

These days, more and more people are foregoing professional moving companies and considering more do it yourself-styled moving options when it comes to relocating to their new home. The reason for this is quite simple – hiring a professional moving company is expensive.

DIY options for relocating

If you’re looking for a worthwhile do it yourself moving option, you basically have three to choose from – rent a moving truck, use a self-service moving container company or move all of your furniture and household items using your own vehicle. Each of these options offers certain pros and cons.

DIY moving

Traditional do it yourself moving is usually done over the weekend with the help of many friends and family members. Your items are usually hastily packed and jammed in yours and your friends’ vehicles where you drive them to your new abode. In virtually every case, this type of move is one where the new residence is not very far away from the old one. This move is all about saving money and getting the job done as quickly as possible.

Do it yourself moving like this is the least expensive DIY option but it comes with many risks, including an increased chance of having broken or damaged goods, friends not showing up to help, lack of effort by those who do show up, physical and mental exhaustion from packing, loading and unloading all in one day and other potentially negative side effects. On the plus side, you and your friends get to spend the day together, you can spend the money you save on pizza and beer for the after-move party and you’ll have the unending pride that goes along with managing your move by yourself.

Renting a moving truck

Renting a moving truck has long been one of the more popular choices when it comes to handling either short or long distance moves. The benefits of using a rental truck is that you can fit all or most of your items in the truck so return trips are less likely, the large-capacity truck is easier to load and unload than a car, small truck or van and it allows the moving process to go much smoother while reducing the time spent moving when compared with the DIY moving option listed above.

The cons of renting a moving truck are all pretty much logistics- based. You’re restricted as to when you can pick the truck up and when it has to be returned by, how much gas needs to be in the tank upon returning it, not to mention how much gas it takes to drive the massive truck from point A to point B. You may also be required to purchase additional insurance and in some cases, undergo a credit check.

Self-service DIY moving

Self-service moving using portable storage containers, or containers, offers the best of both DIY moving and professional moving. This type of service features one or more storage containers dropped off at your current residence, which you pack and load yourself. Once the container is full, the container moving company returns to collect the container and transports it to your new home, or if you’re not ready to move in just yet, they can take it to their warehouse where they will store the container, at an additional cost, until you’re ready for it to be delivered.

With this type of do it yourself moving option, you get the added convenience of not having to rush so you get the truck back in time, easier and safer ground level loading, various sizes of containers to pick from and best of all, you don’t have to concern yourself with transporting your items. In addition, depending on your homeowner’s insurance, your items may even be covered while in transit until they get to your new residence.

Choosing the ideal DIY option

Choosing the best DIY moving option for your needs is a matter of finding the one that offers you the ultimate balance of cost versus ease. If you want to use the money saved from doing it yourself on something for your new home, then handling the entire move on your own will probably be your ideal choice. But, if you want an easier, more convenient moving option, then rent a truck or use a self-service moving company.