Are you planning your next move? Congratulations! It's an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. One crucial aspect to consider is whether you should take on the task of moving yourself or hire professional movers. If you reside in the Bronx, where there are numerous moving companies, making a decision may feel even more challenging.
In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of the “Do-It-Yourself” approach compared to the expertise of professional moving companies in the Bronx. Whether you prefer to tackle the moving process independently or seek the assistance of professionals, we will help you make an informed decision that suits your specific needs.
Find the Best Moving Companies in the Bronx
Each moving client has unique needs. Every moving customer has different needs.
How to choose the right moving service for you. We'll give you some tips on how to mix moving services with other conveniences for an affordable price.
Hire professional movers
Pros
- ProLeast Labor
- ProLeast Responsibility
- ProLeast Driving
- Constructively,
Cons
- compost expensive
Professional movers can take away a lot of the stress associated with moving. Moving companies offering full-service, such as Interstate Moving & Relocation Group or American Van Lines, will care for you. They'll do everything from packing and disassembling furniture to moving and unpacking at your new house. A full-service move will be perfect for those who prefer to leave the hard work and hassles of moving to professionals.
What Is the Cost of Full-Service Moving?
Full-service moving can be expensive. While rates vary greatly by company and are affected by location and seasonality, full-service moving costs typically range from $7,600 to $9,140 for local moves.
When you hire a full-service mover, you get what you pay for. The costs of hiring a full-service mover include the peace of mind you get from knowing that professionals will handle your belongings.
There are many options for price and service.
Moving companies that offer full-service usually have several different moving packages, each offering various services. If you want to save money and don't need packing services, you can have your movers do only the driving, loading, and unloading.
If you prefer, and if your move is big, pay more for a comprehensive package.
When gathering quotes, you should ask each company what services and packages they offer.
Get Multiple Quotes
It is important to obtain several quotes before hiring a professional moving company. We recommend that you get at least three moving quotes from reputable companies. You will get the best deal for your move if you compare quotes from three reputable movers. You can get quotes from moving companies like Allied Van Lines or International Van Lines.
Safety Net: Moving Coverage
All full-service moving companies must provide basic liability coverage for only $0.60 per pound. This protects your possessions. For example, if a 300-pound bed frame broke during transit, you would receive about $180 ($300 x 0.60 =180), which may need more to replace it.
This coverage will ensure you won't be left without place settings if your movers accidentally drop your dining set. Basic coverage will only cover part of the cost of repair or replacement for expensive items. However, it is better than nothing.
You can pay more for more comprehensive coverage if you need more coverage than the basic package. The inclusions and rates of coverage vary by company. You can read our guide on moving insurance to get an overview of typical options.
Beware of Scammers
As with any other industry, there are dishonest moving companies that mistreat customers and try to scam them. You can easily avoid these phonies if you know what to look for.
What you can do to avoid scammers
- Be sure that your estimate is “binding” before signing a contract.
- Online reviews can show you if your chosen company is a scammer.
- Verify that the company has a valid license and accreditation.
Renting a Trailer or Moving Truck
Renting a trailer or truck to drive and load yourself will help you save on your move. You will save money, but hiring movers is more challenging.
Pros
- Most affordable option
- Constructively,
Cons
- Requires that the customer pack and load
- Requires the customer to drive
What Is the Cost of Truck Rental?
The rental fee for local moves can range between $20 and $ 200. Truck rentals for long-distance moves cost, on average, $2080, but during busy seasons (from spring to fall), they can reach $5,000.
You will be charged by the rental truck company for your total mileage when moving locally. These costs can sneak up on you if you are not careful. You can usually get unlimited mileage for long-distance moving if you don't go crazy.
When you rent a truck, fuel costs are also a factor. It would help to fill up your truck's gas tank at least once for most moves. Most moving trucks average between 8-15 miles to the gallon. This means you may need to refill your tank several times, and gas costs can quickly add up, especially with how fast gas prices are rising.
A trailer is less fuel-efficient than a truck since your car's mileage will be lower when towing it.
The costs increase when you add extras like dolly rental, liability coverage, and other moving equipment. Check out our moving truck price guide to learn more about the costs of renting a moving truck.
Non-monetary Costs
A DIY move requires a lot of time. Pack everything, load the truck or trailer carefully, drive it to your new house, unload, return it, and then unpack all your possessions. The moving process is always longer than expected.
You may also have to deal with several issues, many of which you have no experience in:
- Can you drive a truck 26 feet long safely?
- Who will drive the car while you are driving the truck?
- How do you organize all your things in the truck?
- What is the best place to park a truck for loading?
- Can you park your truck at the Airbnbs and hotels you stay in on route?
- How can you connect a trailer to the electrical system of your car?
- What happens if your vehicle breaks down or you get a flat tire?
Using our truck rental guide, you can plan your move and avoid some of these issues. You can find useful tips and tricks in our guide on planning a moving road trip.
Last but not least, a DIY project can also be physically stressful. Unless you're a bodybuilder, you'll be sore after loading and unloading for a few days.
Bottom Line
Renting a trailer or truck and doing all the work yourself is always cheaper than hiring full-service moving companies in the Bronx. That's indisputable. Savings may not be significant, but there are other factors like time, effort, and stress to consider.
Moving is an excellent option if you only have a small number of belongings to move (small furniture, a few boxes, and no large pieces) and a short distance to cover.
You should still consider professional movers if this is not the case. At least get some quotes. The pros are less expensive than you thought.
Renting a Moving Container
Pros
- No driving required
- More affordable than full-service moving
- Constructively,
Cons
- Requires that the customer pack and load
- More expensive than renting a pickup truck
Containers are a great option for those who are okay with lifting heavy objects but want to avoid driving across the country. Container moves offer a great middle ground between truck rental and full-service moving. Container moves are perfect for those who can afford some convenience but also want to do some moving.
What Is the Process of Containers Moving?
A container delivery driver parks your container where you instruct them when you use a container moving company. You then load the container and usually have a few days. The company will then send a truck to collect the container and deliver it to the new house, where you can unload it.
The company will store your container after you have loaded it if you pay for this service. It's only sometimes necessary, but having this option is nice if you lose your mortgage or lease and need to make other arrangements.
How Much Do Moving Containers Cost?
The average cost of moving with a container is $3,800, but the exact price can range anywhere from $850 up to $12,000. The price range is wide because, as with any move, factors like distance, location, and time of the year can affect your cost.
Renting more than one container, which you might need to do when renting from a small company, can also increase the price.
Combining moving services
Pros
- customizable convenience
Cons
- Middle-range cost
Hire professionals to handle the tasks you need more time or desire to perform. You can save money by handling the tasks you can do yourself.
You can combine moving services in several ways:
- Hire professional movers for the delivery of your furniture and to load up a moving truck with books, dishes, and clothes.
- Rent a moving box for your most valuable items, then stuff everything in a trailer or truck.
- Hire hourly labor to load the moving container.
Moving labor is a term that's often used to describe hourly workers.
Hire Loading Assistance
You can hire hourly moving labor to pack, unpack, and load your items.
A labor company can charge between $45 to $80 an hour for loading and unloading your items. Remember that this cost is in addition to the rest of your moving costs. Renting a moving container or truck and hiring labor for a few short hours can still be cheaper than hiring movers.
Conclusion
Whether to choose a DIY approach or hire professional movers for your next move depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. If you have a lot of belongings to move, need to travel long distances, or prefer to avoid the stress of packing and organizing your belongings, professional movers like Abreu Movers in the Bronx can take care of everything for you. With our expertise, you can be confident that your belongings will be safe and secure during transportation.
Abreu Movers offers various moving packages to suit your budget and needs, from full-service moving to packing and unpacking services. Be sure to schedule your next move with Abreu Movers in the Bronx and experience a hassle-free transition to your new home.
FAQs
Can I move on my own?
Can I move by myself? Absolutely! When you're stressed, planning is essential. With such a large change, chaos and confusion can easily take over. Having a plan you can turn to when stressed out will help.
What are the benefits of moving yourself?
Pros
- Cheaper. It is cheaper to move than hire professional movers. …
- Flexible. You can move yourself on your schedule and not be restricted to a specific day or time. …
- Control.
Why would you hire professional movers for your move?
Professional movers can handle any situation. They are well-trained, efficient, and ready to deal with anything. Professional movers can move clients quickly and efficiently.
Why hire professional packers and Movers?
Packing can be a physically demanding task for someone with a disability. If you suffer from chronic pain or joint problems, it may not be worth risking your health when time is an issue. Professional packers and movers will speed up your move if you're in a rush.
Does it make it more difficult to live alone?
It's not easy to live alone, even if it is your preference. Even if you value your personal space, there are times when you crave human contact. You can become isolated and further distressed when you cannot communicate with others during times of crisis.
Edward Grant is a highly regarded moving strategist and a compassionate guide, dedicated to making the moving process as smooth and stress-free as possible. With a wealth of experience in the moving industry and a genuine concern for the well-being of his clients, Edward has become a trusted and sought-after expert in the field of relocations.
Edward's interest in moving began during his childhood, as he watched his family relocate to different places. Witnessing the challenges and opportunities that moving presented, he developed a keen interest in understanding this life-changing event's logistics and emotional aspects.