Packing Yourself May Save a Little Money, But Hiring a Professional Mover Will Save More Than a Little Stress

Many families planning a move often wonder: Should we pack our belongings ourselves and save money, or should we hire a professional packer for the task?

Packing yourself may save you money…

But it may also put your possessions at greater risk of damage during your move, while professional movers have the expertise and material to best protect your possessions. That and your time are valuable; why spend hours upon hours trying to carefully pack all of your items when your local mover has the expertise to safely do it for you?

A trained mover has the tools and know-how to make your move a good one. Hiring a professional mover eliminates one of the biggest sources of stress for relocating families — PACKING! — and will save dozens of hours before moving day.

When hiring a professional moving company, consider the follow tips:

Be sure to schedule a packing date with your moving company—at least a day or two before the moving truck is scheduled to arrive.

Be present as all your items are packed. Your moving company should work with you to create an inventory of your goods, and it’s important that you know what is in which box before signing the inventory document. Make sure all copies are legible and all boxes are properly identified. Label valuable items to ensure you can claim their full value in case of damage. Some appliances may require servicing prior to the move, which your mover can schedule for you.

Ask your mover what boxes and containers they offer for sale. Buying from your mover usually saves money, and the quality is better than the cardboard boxes purchased from the grocery store. The mover will also be able to provide an estimate of the number and types of boxes you need to buy specifically for your move.

If you decide to pack some of your items yourself, it is never too soon to start. It is important that you know, though, that most moving companies will not accept liability for any damage to items packed by the owners. If you decide to do it yourself, consider the following tips.

Pack breakable or fragile items in sturdy boxes with strong packing tape. Remember, these items must travel with the rest of your household goods.

Use sheets, pillows, blankets and towels to provide cushion-like support. These items will help support your packed items, and prevent things from sliding around during transit.

When planning a big move, it’s important to consider all of your options. But soon enough, you’ll probably realize:

It is more cost effective and safer to have a professional mover handle all of your packing needs.