Hiring Movers Versus a DIY Move – Pros and Cons for New Homeowners

Preparing to move into your first or next home? It’s natural to be excited about your new domicile and getting settled in. But you’ve got a big decision ahead: How are you going to get all your stuff from here to there? Ambitious home buyers may think they can do it all themselves, but a major move can be more challenging and physically demanding than anticipated.

Which begs the question: Should you hire professional movers, or perform a DIY move?

Obviously, the most significant advantage of moving your belongings yourself is the cost savings. Chances are you’ll have to pay for a truck rental, gas, and supplies like boxes and tape. If you recruit family and friends to help, you may want to repay their kindness with a complimentary meal. But these collective expenses are a fraction of the price of hiring pros.

“A DIY move also offers maximum flexibility. You can pack and move on your own timeline without being tied to a moving company’s schedule,” says Mike Kim, moving manager at WellKnown Moving Company.

Rest assured, too, that you’ll know exactly where your belongings are at all times, because there are no strangers involved with the move. And if the distance is short, the relocation should be relatively simple and quick.

“Plus, if you’re worried about some items being mishandled by a moving company, handling and moving them yourself can provide peace of mind,” explains Martin Orefice, CEO of Rent To Own Labs.

On the other hand, a DIY move will likely take a lot longer, and could be more chaotic and stressful.

“Most homeowners don’t have the experience and know-how to properly plan out a move. Many do it last minute and don’t have the right boxes and materials,” cautions Robert Esposito, author of the book Nobody Move (Without Reading This).

DIY moves are physically demanding and come with a higher risk of personal injury and damage to your items and your home, too. Even if you’re relatively young and in good shape, it’s easy to strain your back, tax your heart, and even suffer heat exhaustion on a hot moving day.

“People often underestimate the time and energy required, leading to physical exhaustion,” adds Kim. “Additionally, there’s a real learning curve to packing a truck correctly to prevent items from shifting and breaking during driving, especially for larger moves.”

Pros and Cons of Hiring Professional Movers

For these and other reasons, many folks prefer to enlist the pros and pay the necessary costs.

“Professional movers play a significant role in reducing risk during the move-out process. You’re less likely to hurt yourself if a mover is transporting large and heavy items for you. Your home is less vulnerable to getting damaged, too, as are your belongings,” notes Daniel Cobb, senior editor at HireAHelper.com.

Christin Dupont-Patz, a Realtor with RE/MAX of Cherry Creek in Denver, seconds those sentiments.

“Professionals may cost you, but you’re paying for their expertise and insurance. They’ll know the most efficient way to pack your possessions, move the items without harming your walls, floors, or doorways, and load the truck. Any damaged items may be replaced by the moving company’s insurance coverage,” she says. “The further the distance between your two dwellings, the more likely a professional move is the better way to go.”

Indeed, think of the time and effort saved not having to drive a moving truck yourself or make multiple back-and-forth trips, especially if you are relocating out of state or far away. Also, many pro movers offer optional packing services that save you the hassle of boxing up your belongings for the move.

Then again, the sticker shock can be substantial (more on prices later). You’ll also forfeit some flexibility, as you’ll need to schedule your move based on the company’s availability. If you are uncomfortable with strangers putting their hands all over your personal items, hiring movers may be more stressful than it’s worth. And if you don’t do your homework and choose the right movers, they could end up damaging your belongings or overcharging you.

Choosing a Hybrid Approach

There is actually a third choice you can consider. This involves using a moving pod or container (offered by companies like PODS or U-Pack) that is dropped on your driveway; you personally load up the container, and the carrier moves the sealed unit to your next address. In addition to the container moving costs, you’ll also pay for the rental of the pod sitting on your property.

“Because the labor stays in-house, the bill usually lands well below full-service moving rates. Still, every pound has to be lifted by you, and those metal walls are unforgiving in summer heat,” says Kim.

Using a moving container could save you thousands of dollars if a long-distance move is involved. You may also want to hire local labor to move your items into and out of the container.

“A moving pod or container can be a good option for a local move, especially if you need to get belongings out of your house for several weeks while selling your home,” Cobb continues.

Good Candidates for Pro Movers vs. DIY

Worthy prospects for handling the move themselves include younger individuals with ample time and energy, those relocating from a smaller home or apartment with minimal furnishings and possessions, those who own a large truck, people on a tight budget, and folks with plenty of loved ones and friends who are willing to help. It helps to be an organizational person, too, as you'll want to stick to a solid moving checklist.

“Individuals or families with a large home and lots of items, who own valuable, fragile, or heavy items, who are constricted by a tight timeframe, who don’t have the physical ability or time to do the move themselves, and who may get easily overwhelmed by all the work involved should opt for a moving service,” recommends Kim.

If your next home has a lot of stairs or tight corners, experienced movers can more successfully navigate these spaces.

“Also, if you are moving into a building with elevators, you may need certain insurance coverage and certificates of insurance, which a professional mover should have,” Esposito points out.

Consider that moving often coincides with other major life events.

“Ask yourself: Are you starting a brand-new job across the country? Or are you downsizing to be near the grandkids? How much time can you dedicate to packing? Are you the type of person who can pack up a junk drawer in two minutes? Or will you be looking through every memento and souvenir? Are you physically able to move all those boxes? Really knowing yourself, and your limits, will help you determine if you have the bandwidth to take on a DIY move,” suggests Dupont-Patz. “The more items and the less time you have, the more likely you are going to want professional movers.”

What You’ll Pay

According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to hire professional movers nowadays is $1,711. But costs can vary dramatically depending type of move, items, and distance.

Per 2025 data from moveBuddha, meanwhile, hiring professional movers will typically set you back between $455 and $3,000 for local moves and $1,000 to $14,000 or more for long-distance relocations. For full-service movers, local rates average $25 to $100 per hour per crew member. Keep in mind that movers typically charge a cost per pound per mile, often between $0.50 to $1.00 or more per pound, depending on how far you're going.

Renting a moving truck for a local DIY move can cost between $30 and $500, moveBuddha reports.

Want to opt for a hybrid approach? Renting a moving container like PODS may cost around $149 to $249 per month, depending on the container size and location. Additional fees for delivery, pickup, and long-distance transport can bring the total to $300 to $500 or more for a local move. Longer hauls can tally $900 to $4,500, per moveBuddha.

If you plan to pay for a moving company, you can shave costs by doing the packing yourself.

“Many moves are done this way, with the movers hired only for transportation, loading, and unloading. You can probably save about 20% of the moving costs via DIY packing,” says Kim.

The bottom line? Moving can be more expensive than you had planned.

“But there are ways to reduce your costs, such as selling, auctioning, donating, giving away, or recycling some of your items,” advises Esposito. “The fewer possessions you have to move, the less time and cost will be involved.”

If You Have Specialty Items

Be forewarned: If you have large, heavy items like a pool table, piano, hot tub, massive armoire, or other prized possession that will likely require hiring a professional moving service, these will cost more to move and require special preparation.

“Pianos need special dollies, padding, and often partial disassembly. Antique furniture may require custom crating or specialized wrapping to protect delicate surfaces and joints,” Kim adds.

Plus, extra manpower may be necessary to haul these hefty pieces, adding to your bill.

“If the item has significant sentimental or financial value and is fragile, it may be worth it to simply hire a separate specialty service to move it, or put it in your own vehicle to be handled yourself, if you can,” Cobb suggests.

Vetting the Moving Company

Convinced that a moving company is the way to go? Carefully research companies before committing to a moving service.

“The most important thing is to find a mover with a solid reputation that will make things right if something goes wrong,” says Cobb. That’s why reading through online customer ratings and checking the company’s Better Business Bureau rating is essential.

Additionally, make sure the movers are insured, licensed (particularly for interstate moves, where they should be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA), and bonded; the latter gives you financial recourse if they fail to deliver as promised.

“Also, ask for a certificate of insurance, which is required by many buildings, and ensure it clearly outlines the coverage limits and dates,” Cobb continues.

Every company that drives across state lines must also display a USDOT number; you can run that number through the FMCSA database to ensure the carrier is also properly bonded.

“Be sure the movers offer sufficient liability coverage, as well,” says Kim. “By law, movers have to offer two options. The default option, released value protection, covers only about $0.60 per pound per item. If, say, your 10-pound flatscreen TV gets cracked, you’ll be reimbursed $6, which hardly feels protective. That’s why it’s best to spend a bit more for the second option – full value protection. This shifts the risk onto the mover. So if something breaks or disappears, they repair it, replace it, or pay its real value.”

Additionally, get their price quote in writing, and ask for a binding estimate (or a “binding not to exceed estimate”), which spells out every charge from mileage to surcharges.

“Get a clear breakdown of any extra charges, like mileage, fuel, or stair fees, to avoid surprises,” says Cobb.

Check with your own homeowners insurance to see if they will cover any damage, too. For extra peace of mind, you may want to add a rider/endorsement to your policy prior to the move.

Lastly, before moving day, document your possessions by taking photos and compiling a list, just in case you need to file a later claim.