Thinking About Moving On Your Own? Consider These 5 Potential Downsides
Posted on: 8 February 2017
Hiring a professional mover is usually the best way of getting your belongings from your old place to your new place, but it can also be a bit expensive for some people. For this reason, many choose to pack up and move themselves. Although it seems like a cheaper alternative, there are plenty of pitfalls to consider.
It May Cost More Than You Think
A self-move seems like the cheapest way to go, but you could wind up paying more to move your own belongings in the long run. When moving on your own, there are plenty of costs your directly responsible for, including the cost of packing materials, rental and fuel costs for your moving truck, costs for extra moving equipment, and even lost wages for days spent on moving when you could have been at work instead.
It's Easy to Break Something While You're Moving
Professional movers have plenty of experience in moving a broad range of items without damaging them. You might be okay with carefully moving boxes filled with clothes and books, but moving a box full of fine china or crystal can pose a notable challenge. The same also applies to large and bulky items like antique furniture, chandeliers, and irreplaceable musical instruments.
Not only is it easy to inadvertently damage your belongings as you attempt to move them yourself, but you might not be able to benefit from the insurance that's available during a professional move. You can get cargo insurance for a self-move, but you may be limited in total coverage, plus it'll only pay out in the event of a fire, crash, or other catastrophic event that results in a total loss of your belongings.
You'll Need Plenty of Manpower
Ever wonder why moving crews usually come in teams of two or more? Turns out you'll need all the help you can get when it comes to loading and unloading your belongings. Going at it alone is usually a recipe for a slow and laborious moving experience—the more people you can recruit, the faster you can finish up the loading and unloading process.
But getting extra hands on deck can be a challenge in and of itself. You can recruit friends and family, but there's always a chance that they may not show for one reason or another. You could even pay a stranger to help you load and unload your belongings, but not only is this not safe, but you might as well have paid for a professional moving service in the first place.
You're at Greater Risk of Injuries
Professional movers understand how to lift and carry boxes using the proper lifting techniques, plus they also undergo extensive training to reduce the likelihood of shoulder, knee, and back injuries. The average person, on the other hand, may not be as well-versed on how to avoid these injuries as their professional counterparts. Without knowing how to properly lift and carry a heavy box or piece of furniture, it's extraordinarily easy to injure yourself.
It Can Be Time-Consuming
Time is often of the essence when it comes to moving from one place to another. You may want to get settled into your new place before the lease on your old place runs out or before the start date of your new job. You may just want to get your move over and done with as quickly as possible. Whatever the reason, professional movers are often your best bet for a relatively quick move from start to finish.
Unfortunately, the same can't be said for moving on your own, especially if you're loading and unloading by yourself. A move that would only take a couple of days or less with the help of professional movers could take weeks to finish if you're moving on your own. For more information on professional moving services, check out websites like http://www.wheatonworldwide.com.
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