Using Friends or Family Vs. Professional Removalists
Everyone knows that moving costs add up fast. Many people try to keep their costs down and ask their friends or family to help them instead. It seems like it will help keep costs down by not hiring a professional removalist. But, it’s not always the best idea. While it may not be as expensive if you have friends help you move, it can be a lot more time-consuming, and lead to a wide range of problems.
Letting strangers handle your valuable and irreplaceable items is unfathomable for some people, while others can’t imagine letting their unqualified and inexperienced friends replace professional movers.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using family or friends vs professional removalists.
DIY: Having Friends Or Family Help
Here are the pros and cons of moving DIY with the help of friends or family
Pro: Save You Money
By moving yourself, it can help you slash your moving costs. If someone you know has a truck, trailer or a ute, then it can save you hundreds of dollars instead of hiring professional movers. All you need to do is source packing boxes and supplies, load everything, and you are ready to go.
It can also be a chance to spend more time with your friends or family. Put on some music, order some pizza with the money saved for everyone who has pitched in, and make a fun day of it.
Con: It Will Take Longer
Moving home DIY with the help of your friends will take significantly longer to organise than it would with a professional mover. It will also take longer to pack all your belongings, securely load them onto the truck/van, and then safely unload them at your new home. Not to mention the time it will take to unpack everything.
Will you need to take some time off work to be able to move to your new home? If so, are you a casual worker who has no personal or annual leave? If so, the extra time will end up costing you through lost wages.
Pro: Move On Your Schedule
By moving yourself, you have the option to either move all on one day or to break it down over a few days or even a week. This means you can also pack as you go along, over a week or even a month before you move. This gives you total flexibility depending on your schedule, and if you can work around your friend’s schedule also, they are more likely to help
Con: Relying On Unpaid Helpers
A huge disadvantage is that it is highly likely you are not paying your friends to help you move. This leads to a chance of them cancelling at the last minute if they have a better offer or family matters to take care of. Worst case scenario, they may not show up at all without even bothering to tell you.
This situation leaves you stranded with all of your furniture but no way to load it, even if you have already hired a moving truck. Surprisingly, it happens more often than you would think.
Pro: It Can Bring You Closer Together
Having people help you on one of the biggest days of your life, can help bring you closer together, and strengthen your friendship. Moving is often a strong bonding experience. But, It’s important not to put a strain on your friendship by always asking for help in future. Make sure also to offer favours in return.
Con: You Have No Insurance
Your household insurance policy most likely doesn’t cover your belongings while they are in transit. So it’s important to know that if something breaks, you will be responsible for the cost of repairing or replacing it.
You could take out transit insurance, but that means an additional cost, which most removalists already include in their quote.
What happens if you have a well-intentioned mate, who isn’t a professionally trained removalist, who accidentally drops and breaks your most beloved belonging while helping you? Many friendships have unfortunately ended because of situations like this.
Also, do your friends have experience in lifting heavy items? What if they were to injure their back, and have to take time off work? Not only will you feel guilty, but your friend may proceed to ask you to cover their medical costs, or in the worst scenario sue you.
You can find further information on back injuries caused by heavy lifting on the Health Direct website.
Now you’ve got an idea of the pros and cons of moving yourself, let’s compare them with hiring professional movers.
Hiring Professional Movers
Here are the pros and cons of hiring professional removalists instead of moving DIY with the help of friends or family.
Pro: Professional Removalists Have Extensive Training & Use Proper Removals Equipment
Depending on what items you need to move, there is a high chance that they will need different packing materials. Any heavy or bulky items will also need to be lifted corrected and have straps to secure them in place.
Packers can also help you with correctly wrapping, packing, labelling, and moving your belongings.
The best movers are trained to know exactly the right way to move every kind of item, to prevent any damage to your belongings as well as your house and walls. Movers also know the correct way to lift heavy objects.
Reliable movers will ensure they avoid causing any breakage or injury.
Con: It Can Be Expensive
Hiring professional movers will always cost more than doing it yourself with the help of friends or family. Removalists provide high-quality moving services and handle all your belongings securely to make sure they arrive safely at their new location. They also offer insurance in case something goes wrong.
If you are on a tight budget, then it may not be the best option for your needs. However, removalists are often more affordable than most people think, with very competitive prices.
Pro: It Saves You Time
Professional removalists have many years of experience with moving furniture, having completed thousands of moves. This allows professional movers to streamline the moving process to be both safe and efficient, meaning you will be packed and settled in your new home long before if your friends were heeling.
Pro: Peace Of Mind
Moving is one of the most stressful things many people go through in their life. Professional removalists can help eliminate stress and provide a smooth moving experience.
Professional movers can:
- take care of the heavy lifting
- the staff required to move everything
- provide professional equipment
- use their training to ensure that your belongings are moved safely and securely.
So you can take care of all the important things that come with moving, such as notifying companies of your address change, setting up utilities, and researching and becoming familiar with your new surroundings.
Con: You Have To Take A Backseat While Your Items Are Moved
Allowing professional removalists to handle your valuable items while you stand by and watch requires a large amount of trust.
Even if you have peace of mind that your belongings are covered by the removalists insurance, nothing will replace seeing that antique family heirloom passed down from generation to generation shatter into a thousand pieces. You can never replace sentimental value.
It’s important to find professional removalists who have many years of experience, as well as strong testimonials and online reviews. The more trustworthy and reliable a removalist is, the more they will handle your belongings with care.
Pro: Professional Removalists Can Move Long Distances
If you’ve asked friends or family to help you move, most likely they will be willing to help you pack and move locally. However, what about if you need to move interstate? It’s very unlikely they will make the journey with you to help you unpack at your new interstate home. Luckily, professional movers are available for your interstate removals needs. They can even help you unpack once they arrive.
Do you want your moving experience to be highly organised, efficient, and stress-free? Then hiring a professional removalist is the best option. Having a professional help you move will save you time, ensure that everything is handled carefully and correctly, as well as provide insurance in case something goes wrong.
Optimove are professional and reliable movers ready to help. 1300 400 874 or contact us today for an obligation-free quote.
