Figuring out how to make your house move as streamlined, simple and stress-free as possible can be a challenge. Some people reach for the phone as soon as the moving date is set, while others try to tackle the whole process themselves.
Every move is unique, so what works for some may not work for others. That’s why we thought it would be handy to take a look at some of the things you should think about when choosing how to approach your move.
Packing
The part that everyone dreads, packing is often the step which comes immediately to mind when people think about moving into a new home. Packing has its own set of considerations which will differ substantially should you choose to pack yourself, or have a firm come in to pack for you. These considerations include:
- Time
- Cost
- Packing materials
- Breakages
Choosing to pack by yourself will save you money, but will eat up a lot more of your time. You will have to pack all of your belongings, including any awkward furniture or fragile items, as well as making sure it’s all properly organised. Juggling this with all the other planning that comes with a move can be an ordeal, and hiring a moving company will leave you free to focus on getting more important things in order.
It often comes down to the amount you need to pack and how much time you have to spare. Small flats will be easier to take on yourself than a three bed semi, but you’ll still be without dedicated packing materials and packing techniques afforded by a moving company. This will help to minimise damage or breakages during transit, which can be difficult to plan for without professional advice.
Driving
Some people prefer to hire a van and transport their belongings on their own. This can bring a level of freedom to your move which can be extremely valuable, to many. Larger moves require larger vehicles, and if you’re not accustomed to driving bigger vans or trucks, the journey between your new and old home will be much more stressful. Parking, reversing and navigating narrow roads in bulky vehicles is tricky, so if you’d like to make this a non-factor for your move, a removals company will be the way to go. If you do have the time, however, you might opt to make multiple trips in a smaller, easier-to-manage van.
Insurance
One of the main benefits of a moving company is full insurance on the entire removal. If a breakage should occur during transit, insurance will drastically minimise any replacement costs for older, fragile items. Breakages are more common with DIY moves simply due to the lack of professional packing materials. Fragile items, such as glassware and plates, require specific packing techniques to keep them protected from damage. You might save money from the outset by packing or transporting items yourself, but broken belongings can rack up drastic costs if you’re not careful. This is definitely something to keep in mind.
Health and safety
There are a lot of moving parts to a move and opting to DIY will make you feel more in control of the process. If you’re willing to take on this responsibility, then you should be aware of the potential health and safety risks which will be present throughout the move. Heavy lifting is a real physical challenge, for instance; moving large, bulky or oddly shaped furniture is extremely awkward, and it can be easy to slip and fall while you’re lugging things to and from the truck.
The last thing you need during a move is to suffer an injury, so relying on a moving company is a far safer option if you’re worried about personal safety. Professional movers know all the proper techniques when it comes to transporting even the heaviest items, so you’ll be vastly minimising risk by letting them do all the physical labour.
That said, if your move seems like a manageable workload, employing some common sense – and taking things slowly and carefully – should be enough to see you through. It’s all about risk assessment, time management and caution for DIY moves. If you’d rather not worry about all that, a moving company is the solution for you!
Two Men And A Truck provide a completely professional service at all times, no matter the size or scale of your move. Our fully trained team of movers will pack, transport and unload your belongings using the highest quality packing materials and techniques to ensure safe arrival to your new home. We are dedicated to taking the stress out of your move, so if you’d like to find out more about our moving services across the UK, get in touch with us today.