Moving Company, Moving Truck or DIY: What’s Best for Your Move?
Renting or purchasing a new home is an exciting endeavor, opening up fresh possibilities for how you live your life. But to get there, you have to go through the process of moving—which can be both stressful and costly. One significant factor is how you move: Do you hire movers, rent a truck or completely DIY? To help you make this decision, we’ve compared these three options based on budget, convenience, effort and overall experience.
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Moving Company
The team will arrive on moving day, load all your belongings, transport them to your new home and unload everything right where you need it—and you won’t have to lift a finger. You can also add additional services like packing and unpacking or temporary storage.
Pros
- Convenience: Professionals handle everything from packing to transport.
- Efficiency: Experienced movers can complete the job quickly and safely.
- Less physical effort: No heavy lifting or driving a large vehicle.
- Insurance and liability: Most companies offer protection for your belongings.
Cons
- Higher cost: Full-service moving is generally the most expensive option.
- Less control: You’re on their schedule, and delays can happen.
- Potential scams: Need to research reputable companies to avoid hidden fees.
Pros and Cons of Renting a Moving Truck
The team consists of you and any friends and family that you can bribe with pizza, and the vehicle is spacious enough to transport all your furniture and belongings—even if it requires a few trips.
Pros
- More affordable than a full-service move: Lower costs compared to hiring movers.
- Flexible scheduling: Move at your own pace.
- More control: No risk of items being lost or damaged by movers.
Cons
- Driving a large truck: Can be intimidating and challenging.
- Fuel and insurance costs: Expenses beyond rental fees can add up.
- Physical effort required: Loading and unloading can be exhausting.
Pros and Cons of a DIY Move
If your back is stronger than your budget and you have access to a large enough vehicle (or simply don’t have much stuff), this option is probably the most flexible and cost-effective.
Pros
- Most budget-friendly: No rental or professional moving fees—though you still have to pay for fuel.
- Full control: Pack and transport your belongings your way and on your schedule.
- Great for short distances: Ideal for local moves with fewer items.
Cons
- Limited space: Likely to require multiple trips, and some larger furniture items might be challenging to move.
- More time-consuming: Packing and moving without help can take longer.
- Risk of damaging items: Without proper packing, things can break.
- Dependent on others: If you need to enlist friends or family to help, you’re tied to their schedules and abilities.
- Tiring and physically challenging: Moving is hard work, and not everyone’s body is up for it. You’ll be left with less energy to unpack and set things up when you arrive.
Cost Comparison: Which Option Saves You the Most?
The costs involved in moving come down to a few key things: labor, fuel, supplies (including vehicles) and administration costs (such as insurance and a company’s overhead). Here’s how they might break down.
How much does it cost to hire a moving company?
- Usually calculated based on weight and distance, as well as time and effort required (e.g., moving items into a house with lots of stairs or a long walkway will take longer).
- More stuff = more movers needed = higher costs.
- May have extra fees for supplies, such as moving blankets or for crating delicate items.
- Possible cost savings by avoiding peak seasons and days (such as the last and first days of the month).
- Have extra cash on hand for tips or to buy your movers a round of coffee.
How much does it cost to rent a moving truck?
- May be based on an hourly or daily rate.
- Can be surcharges for one-way trips (versus dropping off the truck at the pickup location).
- Large vehicles can require a lot of fuel—the amount will vary based on the total miles driven.
- Be sure to understand parking regulations to avoid pricey tickets.
Costs for a DIY move
- Vehicle use might be free, but you still need to pay for fuel.
- Include a budget for feeding any friends and family who help out—they will be hungry and thirsty!
- Save cash by sourcing packing supplies in a local Buy Nothing or similar group.
Best Option Based on Your Needs and Abilities
How you decide to move depends on a lot of factors: your budget, your time frame, your priorities and your physical abilities. For instance, if you simply aren’t able to lift boxes all day, you might have no choice but to hire full-service movers.
On the other hand, if you’re physically fit with lots of friends who like to lift things for fun, you might choose to DIY your move even if you can afford movers—and use that cash you saved to install a home theater or new energy-efficient appliances instead. And if you’ve got more money than free time—and don’t want to live in chaos—it can be worth splurging on packing and unpacking services to get things done as quickly as possible.
Keeping in mind all the pros and cons discussed above, here’s what to consider:
- Best for budget movers: DIY or renting a truck.
- Best for convenience: Full-service moving company.
- Best for small moves: DIY move or a rental truck for moderate loads.
- Best for long-distance moves: Professional movers or a rental truck.
Make Your Move as Smooth as Possible
When deciding how to move into your new home, consider all the factors: budget, time and physical ability, as well as what you actually want to do. As part of your decision-making process, be sure to compare quotes and look for referrals and reviews. Once you’ve made your choice and done all the necessary prep, you can start thinking about the more exciting parts of your move—like where to put the couch and when to host your housewarming party.
The Synchrony HOME Credit Card can help you purchase things you need for your home. Use the Synchrony HOME locator to find Synchrony HOME retail partners in your area that may have special offers for cardholders.*
*Subject to credit approval.
READ MORE: 5 Tips To Help You Create a Moving Budget
