Moving is expensive, stressful, and time-consuming, especially when money is tight.
One way that people hiring local movers can lower their costs is by self-packing their boxes, but is that always the best option?
The answer depends on a few details about the movers, the things being moved, and the customer’s ability to handle the job of packing in time for moving day.
Option 1: Self-Packing
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Cost - Self-packing when moving can cost the least for those who have ample packing material available or who have an inexpensive source of those materials. If a move has been planned for a while and the customer has been stockpiling boxes, paper wrapping, bubble wrapping, and air pillows, self-packing could end up costing very little as long as people do not skimp on wrapping material to avoid buying any.
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Time - While self-packing for moving might cost next to nothing in packing materials, it will cost a lot in time. Depending on the size of the home being moved, packing can take days, weeks, or even months but for those who have help or can do it a little at a time, it might be worthwhile.
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Liability - The important detail that customers must factor in when saving money by self-packing is that many local movers will not cover any damage that might occur since they did not pack the boxes themselves. Insurance may be available at an additional fee or can be bought from separate insurance agencies, but that might negate the whole purpose of self-packing for a move to begin with.
Option 2 - Professional Packing
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Cost - Paying the movers to professionally pack all home contents comes at a variable cost that covers packing materials and labor. It can increase the moving estimate considerably, but for many, the added cost is with the time savings and the reduced stress load during what is likely already a very busy and stressful time.
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Time - Paying the moving company to pack means the customer does not have to do it and can take care of their other move-related tasks while the packing is happening. Most movers can pack and load an average-size house in one to two days depending on the home contents and how many workers there are to do the packing.
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Liability - Professionally packed boxes are usually covered against damage by movers during packing, loading, transport, unloading, and unpacking, as this is considered full-service moving.
Clearly, there are pros and cons to both self-packing and professional packing when arranging a relocation with local movers.
The best choice will be a personal one and depend on the customer's available time, their ability to gather enough packing materials, and how they wish to handle the liability for any damage that might happen to their belongings when moving.