8 risks of moving by yourself

When you are moving your home or business, there are many options to consider. One of them is doing a DIY relocation. If you are moving locally, it might seem like a good idea to take things into your own hands. Theoretically, it could save you some money and time. Professional moving services can seem expensive, especially if you think you can handle moving tasks on your own. However, it could end in a disaster. From property damages to personal injuries, there are many things that can go wrong. When you are planning a relocation, you have to prepare for the unexpected – something that is difficult even if you successfully moved before. And this is one of the reasons why most people hire professional movers. In this article, we take a closer look at the most common risks of moving by yourself.

#1: DIY moving is time-consuming

As you surely know, finding a reputable moving company takes time and effort. It is not a simple or easy process. You have to do a lot of research and carefully inspect each business. It can easily take a few days to find movers that fit all your requirements. But in the end, that time will be well spent. In order to arrange a relocation, you will have to juggle many tasks at the same time. And before you even start, you will have to sit down and come up with a moving plan.

If you are not experienced in moving, you risk wasting huge amounts of time. This is one of the most common risks people overlook. Professional movers have experience on their side. Because it is something they do daily, they will not struggle with any of the mentioned steps. Meanwhile, every mistake you make will prolong your move further. For example, the best interstate moving companies can pack your home in just a few hours. If you try doing it yourself, it will likely take a few days. Your inexperience in planning could cost you much more time than it takes to hire a moving company.

#2: Self-moving ends up costing you more money long-term

It is probably safe to assume you are looking into DIY moving to save some money. A limited budget might be all that is stopping you from hiring a moving company. Most people think a self move is a good choice when money is tight. While that can be true in some scenarios, it is not always the case. This is a common misconception that can cause a lot of trouble during your relocation.

For example, if you are moving locally and do not have a lot of inventory – a DIY move could be a good choice. On the other hand, if you are moving to the other side of the country, you risk wasting a lot of money. These are just some of the expenses you will run into:

1. You will have to take time off work or use your vacation days. Planning and preparing for a move alone can take days. This is one of the biggest risks of relocating on your own.
2. Renting out a moving truck costs a pretty penny. They are expensive and hard to operate. You also risk renting a truck of the incorrect size.
3. When you move on your own, you do not have access to moving equipment. So, you will have to rent or buy dollies, basic tools, moving straps, and supplies.
4. You will also have to pay for fuel, tolls, and any additional fees like parking or insurance.
5. Moving supplies can be surprisingly expensive. Boxes, tape, styrofoam, and bubblewrap quickly eat away at your budget.

#3: Damage to your belongings is another risk of moving on your own

Damage to your items is one of the most obvious risks of relocating on your own. It is unlikely you have expertise in packing inventory and preparing boxes for shipping which means some of your items might end up getting damaged in the process. In fact, this is one of the most common moving issues people come across. The worst feeling is opening up a box and seeing everything crushed inside. Learning how to properly pack your belongings for a move is essential.

Or, you could simply hire trustworthy movers to pack your items for you. Your inventory has a much higher chance of surviving transport when it is handled by professionals. Moving experts have both the knowledge and the experience needed to do the job right. They will have high-quality moving materials, sturdy boxes, and miles of packing tape. On top of that, they know the proper packing techniques which ensure the safety of your items.

Furthermore, different items require a different approach – something you might overlook when packing. Your movers also have the right tools to secure your items inside of a moving truck. It is not as simple as just stacking boxes. With this many risks, hiring experts is a no-brainer.

#4: Moving requires teamwork – it’s not a solo project

Before your moving day arrives, you might think you have everything figured out. You have a set plan, rented a moving truck, bought all supplies, and packed your belongings. Your home is full of boxes, wrapped-up furniture, and various moving supplies. The last step is loading your items into the moving truck. You asked your friends and family for help beforehand. But now that the moving day is here, only a few people showed up. You are stranded and in desperate need of an extra set of hands in order to get on the road.

Scenarios like this are more common than you think. Moving is not fun, and people can cancel at the last minute. This will severely impact your schedule. At best, you will manage to load the truck and simply be late. But at worst, you will not be able to load everything. Appliances, bulky furniture, and sculptures are impossible to move on your own. You risk either damaging them or hurting yourself in the process. In contrast, professional movers will quickly load your inventory, saving you time and money in the process. They will provide reliable assistance throughout the process.

#5: Personal lack of experience

Professional movers have one big advantage on their side – plenty of experience and knowledge. Moving homes, businesses, warehouses, and anything in-between is something they do daily. Workers perform dozens of moves each month and hone their skills each day. Moreover, they have the proper training and skills needed to quickly perform different tasks. They know how to pack furniture, assemble and disassemble appliances, and pack boxes for storage and transport. Not only that, they know the best routes to take on the move and how to drive a 26-foot truck safely.

Furthermore, moving experts usually have great problem-solving skills. Every move carries different dangers and risks. Sometimes, it is impossible to avoid them. In those instances, expert workers will be able to quickly resolve them. Instead of spending hours dealing with an issue, workers will find a solution in no time. Any delays will be short and kept to a minimum. Even when things go wrong, you will not have to deal with the added stress. This is another great benefit of hiring professional help. It is much easier to keep calm when you are not in the middle of the action.

#6: You risk property damage

Your items getting damaged is an obvious risk of moving on your own. It is probably the most obvious worry of anyone who attempts a DIY relocation. However, did you realize your old home is at risk too? As well as your new place? Many people overlook this fact, even though the safety of your property should be a great concern. It becomes apparent once you start moving around heavy furniture and appliances. Some things that can go wrong include:

• scratched hardwood floors, broken tiles, torn vinyl flooring, cuts in linoleum floors, torn carpets
• dented or chipped walls, scratched paint
• broken or chipped doorways, especially in smaller homes
• broken banisters and/or chipped stairway steps
• carpets and floors getting dirty due to more foot traffic

Without moving equipment and technical knowledge, getting your items out of your home can result in unexpected costs. Moving specialists on the other hand bring the proper equipment. Utility dollies, furniture dollies, protective blankets, corner guards, lifting straps, and furniture pads all minimize the risk of damage. Remember – property damage is tricky to fix but a lot easier to prevent. Fixing the issues can be more costly than just hiring professionals in the first place.

#7: Personal injury is one of the major risks of moving by yourself

As you can see by now, moving on your own includes a lot of risks. Another potential one is the risk of injuring yourself. An unfortunate event that should be avoided at all costs, but happens far too often in DIY scenarios. Accidents and injuries can quickly ruin your moving experience. More importantly, they pose a great danger to you and your loved ones. A self-move greatly increases your risk of injury. You will be lifting heavy boxes, carrying weirdly shaped items, lugging around equipment, etc. It is really easy to hurt your back, strain a muscle or slip while going down the stairs. Especially when you are in a hurry to complete the job. Serious injuries like these are no joke and a DIY relocation could easily put you in a hospital.

Another thing to keep in mind is stress. In the long term, excessive stress can cause serious issues for your physical and mental well-being. Moving is stressful already, but when you do it on your own it amps up the stress significantly. This can result in high blood pressure, migraines, anxiety, and even depression. The benefit of hiring professional movers is that you can just sit back and relax while they worry about everything.

#8: DIY relocations lack security

Maintaining the security of your home and inventory when moving is much more complicated than it may look. When you are packing boxes into the moving truck, your items are on the street and your front doors are wide open. Keeping an eye on the boxes, truck and your home is not easy in the chaos of moving. And locking all doors and vehicles while carrying stuff in and out is not convenient in the slightest. All of this makes your belongings more likely to get stolen.

To minimize the risks you should try to keep a low profile. Do not advertise your move on social media, because you never know who is watching. Before the move, make a detailed inventory of your belongings. This way you can easily keep track of important items. Keep your valuables close, preferably on you at all times. This includes essentials like documents, medicine, cash, and jewelry. If you keep them in a safe, make sure it is always with you. You could also try asking a close friend if they could act as a security guard at your front door.

Turn to a tried and tested way of moving – hire professional movers

As you can see, moving on your own is a risky endeavor. You risk losing money, time, precious items, and even your health. Not to mention the overall stress you will be under before and during the move. Getting professional help is the safer, simpler, and faster option – and in some cases, it can even be cheaper. In most situations, the risks of moving by yourself outweigh the benefits. When you are planning a relocation, get price estimates from multiple companies. Doing proper research will ensure you avoid any unnecessary risks and get the most bang for your buck.

Consumer Opinion Guide is here to save you the time and stress of having to search for the best of the best movers out there. Instead, our team does all the grunt work for you and finds top-rated moving companies based on a number of factors. Avoid the risks of moving by yourself and let us guide you to a stress-free relocation.