Popularity Growing for DIY Moving and Keeping Costs Low

With many U.S. homeowners embracing a DIY attitude, it’s no surprise that there’s been a surge in DIY moving as well.

DIY Moving

A major reason for the trend toward DIY is that while hiring a full-service mover may be easier on your back, self moves cost about half the price of a van-line move.

In addition, people who handle their own moves have confidence in knowing their belongings will arrive as expected.

If you decide to make your own move, consider these two options: self move or a hybrid move.

Moving By Yourself

When you choose to do it yourself, the burden rests entirely on your shoulders.

Unlike full-service moves that handle your relocation from start to finish, you have complete control how your belongings are handled, packed and moved into your new space.

For example, you’re responsible for securing your own packing materials and moving vehicle.

While this option is the least expensive, you’ll probably need to recruit friends or family members to help do the heavy lifting.

Hybrid Moves

A growing number of companies are offering a moving option to blend the conveniences of the full-service mover with the pricing of truck rental.

Once you make a reservation, a trailer is dropped off at your home. You generally have a few days to pack, load and secure your belongings in the trailer. When you’ve finished packing, professional drivers pick up and drive your belongings to your new home. You then have another few days to unload your possessions.

As with full-service moves, hybrid moves offer the perk of having someone else do the driving. The cost is similar to truck rental, because you pay only for the space you use. Because you pack your belongings in the trailer, you have direct control over your expenses.

Off-peak Season Prices

You may be able to get a better price during the “off-peak season” from September through April when demand for moving services is lower—and movers can be more flexible in their pickup and delivery dates.

However, most people move during the peak spring and summer months when weather is warm—and they have time off from work and school.

DIY Moving Basics

As always, you need to stick to the fundamentals of a smooth move—plan ahead and enlist the help of others when you need it.

Your choice to do it yourself will boil down to dollars and whether you’re willing to drive your belongings to your new home. You might find hiring someone else to drive your goods is a burden on your budget. Or you might be leery of driving a big truck, especially if you’re moving long-distance.

Whichever option you choose, make a mental note of how happy you were with the moving process as you settle into your new home. The average person moves 11 times in a lifetime, so if you weren’t satisfied by your first choice, there will likely be plenty of future opportunities for you to change your strategy for your next move.

This article is updated from a previous version.