The task of packing up your whole life is daunting enough without the added stress of having to make even more decisions! That’s why we’ve put together this guide so you can choose the best plan for you and your family .

The Big Question: What you should pack up yourself vs. What you should bring in professionals for.

Moving is stressful. Considering options between hiring movers or moving everything yourself can be a very overwhelming process. It’s important to look at all your options to determine what the best course of action is for you.  

Should you pack yourself, hire movers, or do both? There are advantages and disadvantages to each method. Please consider the following to determine what the best option is for you. 

Pack it all Yourself

The biggest pro to packing it all yourself is affordability. You pay with time instead of your wallet. Moving yourself gives you control over what is moved and how it is moved. Here’s what you should consider if you’re thinking of doing it all yourself. You’ll need moving boxes, plastic wrap, moving blankets, packing tape, and depending on the furniture you’re bringing, a rental truck. One of the biggest challenges to moving yourself is scheduling time to pack away your belongings so that you’re not in a constant state of moving for weeks or months. 

Hire Movers

Full service movers can reduce a lot of stress during the moving process. You won’t need to deal with difficulties such as providing the correct equipment and hiring a moving truck. Another pro for hiring a professional mover is their ability to get the job done right and fast. They typically charge by hour and many have a minimum amount of time they require you to pay for. The costs can certainly add up quickly but it can lessen your overall stress and quicken the process. 

Pack yourself and Hire Professional Movers:

Many clients opt for the hybrid approach, you don’t necessarily need to hire professionals to pack everything in your home, unless you are under a time constraint. Doing a little bit of both can ensure your valuable possessions are packed the way you want them to be and minimizes the amount of money spent on hiring movers. Below is a list of items that moving companies will not touch as well as items that are easy for you to pack and don’t require special packing techniques. 

What should you pack yourself:

• Important documents (Birth certificate, passport, financial and medical documents)
• Small electronics (Smart phones, tablets, game consoles, chargers)
• Jewelry / Family Heirlooms
• Food (frozen or refrigerated) 
• Cash
• Keys
• Photos
• Clothes  
• Medicine 
• Plants
• Liquids 
• Hazardous material?
• Sentimental items
• Essentials

What you should hire professional movers for:

Most people hire professional movers for their reliability, safety, insurance and expertise. Their greatest value is moving the big and heavy stuff! Professionals have proper training with lifting heavy items so you don’t have to. Call ahead to determine what your professional packers will and will not help transport. 

• Large pieces of Art
• Dishes 
• Dressers
• Bed Frames
• Mattresses 
• Bookshelves 
• Hutches,China Cabinets 
• Yard equipment
• Books 
• Tables
• Chairs
• Desks
• Large instruments 
• Sofas and recliners
• Large Electronics (TV, desktop computers, speakers)

Packing can be exhausting and stressful but coming up with a plan and creating a budget to manage your expenses can help! Whether you decide to pack it all yourself, pay for someone to take care of it, or a little bit of both, we’re here to help!

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