6 Reasons to Hire a Professional Mover

By Scott Boone

Image courtesy of Scott's Discount Movers

When you take into consideration the fact that 14 percent of the population in the US moves within any given year, the odds are better than 1 in 6 that you will move this year.  That being the case, when it comes to moving, the choice comes down to hiring a professional mover or trying to do it yourself.  While a DIY move sounds like a way to save some money, at least on paper, allow me to present you with 6 reasons why you should consider hiring a pro.

      1.      Save Time – Moving can be stressful, stretching your patience thin.  It can also prove to be a black hole when it comes to time, since it takes days or even weeks to break down and pack up a household.  As they say, time is money.  So, you need to ask yourself which is a better use of your time, taking care of your family and dealing with your occupation, or derailing both to begin loading lots of boxes?  Since most people already have a fulltime job, the better use of their time would be to outsource the time sucking task by hiring a pro to pack, move and unload their belongings.

      2.      Protect Your Valuables – Saving a few dollars on a move sounds like prudent financial advice, until you find that $1,500 plasma TV or some other prized possession or expensive electronic component has been damaged or destroyed during a DIY move.  Professional movers know how to wrap and pack your household belongings and expensive electronics so they can handle the rigors of being moved without getting broken. If any damage is done, a pro has the insurance to make sure anything that is damaged or broken is replaced. (Just make sure the mover insures your cargo for breakage in the contract, or else you will only be reimbursed at the rate of 60 cents per pound for any damage.)

Image by Scott's Discount Movers

      3.      Safety – A number of people wind up at the chiropractor or in the ER by trying to do a move on their own.  While they think they can handle moving their belongings, what most people fail to appreciate is the difficulty and danger of moving furniture and large appliances.  A typical refrigerator can weigh anywhere from 170-350 pounds.  Lift one of these babies into the truck the wrong way, or have it take a tumble off a dolly while rolling it down the driveway, and you are in for a world of hurt.  Heavy wooden furniture like dressers and china cabinets can also do you harm, particularly if you try to lift them with your back as opposed to your legs.  Trip over a box or toy while dragging a dresser to the truck and you could wind up breaking your foot, not to mention the furniture.  That’s also why professional movers don’t hire 100 pound weaklings to work on their crew.  Pros have both the experience, the equipment and the physiques to manhandle even the heaviest of gear without hurting themselves or your stuff.

      4.      Reliability – While your friends and family may talk the talk when it comes to helping you move, you could be left in the lurch if they fail to walk the walk.  In my years as a professional mover, I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten a frantic call from a homeowner who was desperate to hire me on the spot when their crew failed to show.  Having a rental truck with no way to get it loaded is a frustration you won’t have to worry about if you hire professionals.  They get paid to get the job done.  The best of us only work with an experienced and seasoned crew that is expected and trained to be reliable and capable of safely moving all of your belongings without damage. (FYI– Don’t expect a moving company to come to your rescue on a moment’s notice either.  Their equipment and crew is generally booked weeks in advance.  In order to avoid getting caught high and dry without any way to move your belongings, it makes sense to book your move at least 30-days in advance.)

Scott's Discount Movers

      5.      Dependability – Another reason we get called in at the last second is due to a rental truck either being unavailable on the date specified, or due to mechanical failure.  Here’s the typical scenario: You pick up a rental truck only to have it break down on the road or in front of your house.  When you call the rental agency, they will either dispatch a new truck, or they will send out a wrecker to repair or tow the truck away.  You’d better hope they can repair that rental truck on the spot.  If not, you are not only out the time it takes to get the truck roadworthy, but if they swap trucks, the onus is on you to unload the original vehicle and reload the replacement truck.  What this does to your schedule is your problem.  While even moving pros have the occasional mechanical failure, it is up to them to take care of any snafu, not you. 

      6.      Peace of Mind – When it comes to having a move come off without a hitch, you always need to take Murphy’s Law into account.  The adage, “If anything can go wrong, it will and at the least opportune time,” was made for the moving industry.  Understanding all the risks and hassles that comes with the responsibility of moving everything you own is one thing.  Dealing with them, not to mention your family, kids and pets, while trying to pack and unpack a mountain of belongings is another. 

While many people are money-conscious and are constantly looking for a way to save a few bucks, you need to look at all the variables involved in any endeavor before making a decision that could cost you dearly after the fact.  Just as you wouldn’t consider shopping for a surgeon based on price if your life depended upon an operation, you shouldn’t let price be the sole deciding factor in your decision to hire a mover.  An operation of the magnitude required to pack, shield, ship and unload all your possessions in one afternoon is not something you should take lightly.  Your wallet and your chiropractor will thank you for making the right decision.

With over 4,000 moves, Scott's Discount Movers  has handled moves of all sizes, including local and cross country. If you are looking to move your home or office, you can depend on Scott's Discount Movers to provide a stress-free relocation.