When Should You Hire Professional Packers for a Long Distance Move?

Moving long distance? Determine if you should hire professional packing services or tackle a self move. This guide covers factors like budget, stress level, timeline and possessions.

If relocating far away, should you save money by packing everything yourself or pay for full service long distance moving companies to handle the dirty work?

While DIY moving seems attractive financially, it risks turning chaotic without proper help. This guide outlines key considerations to help decide your best route.

Assess Your Budget

Hiring professional packers and movers costs more upfront. Long distance moving company fees often include:

• Packing materials
• Custom crates
• Full packing services
• Transportation costs
• Additional services e.g. help unloading

However, once tallying expenses of a solo move — boxes, paper, tape, rental trucks, gas, potential motel stays, replacement costs from damage, and most crucially your time — premium movers can become good value, especially for larger homes.

Map all projected self moving expenses before deciding. Include incidentals too.

How Much Free Time Do You Have?

Next, scrutinize your schedule. Packing alone requires:

• Researching organizational tips
• Procuring adequate boxes and supplies
• Carefully categorizing, wrapping and sealing possessions
• Meticulously labeling each container
• Overseeing movers carrying items out

This demands extensive hours — all while still working, managing family obligations, cleaning the home, etc.

Be honest about spare time available before committing to self pack.

Assess Your Stress Tolerance

Additionally, analyze your stress threshold. A long distance move already risks feeling overwhelming. Attempting solo packing risks added pressure from:

• Finding trusted movers
• Securing reliable transportation
• Potential belongings damage
• Staying on timeline to vacate home

If easily feeling anxious or overwhelmed, professional packers provide assurance during an already chaotic time.

Additional Questions to Consider

Take Stock of Your Possessions

Furthermore, examine what specifically requires packing from attics to garages. Categories like:

• Fine china
• Sensitive electronics
• Heavy exercise equipment
• Outdoor patio furniture

…often benefit from expert handling.

If primarily packing books or clothing, going solo becomes more realistic.

How Much Time Until Moving Day?

Likewise, assess turnaround time remaining to coordinate a move considering factors like:

• Home selling closing dates
• Lease expirations
• New job start dates
• School year timelines

While a few months allows buying supplies and pacing tasks, only a few weeks means determining readiness to pack in a hurried panic.

Give yourself margin by securing movers early once relocation dates become fixed.

What Condition is Your Home In?

Moreover, survey current home condition. Situations like:

• Years of clutter accumulated
• Ongoing remodeling projects
• Basements or attics needing organization

…often warrant hands-on help Pros quickly organize while carefully handling possessions and waste.

Conversely, those with already tidy environments can more easily self manage.

Key Takeaways

• Budget full moving costs before deciding between DIY and professional packing
• Honestly assess how much time you can dedicate solely to packing
• Gauge your stress tolerance during an already turbulent time
• Take stock of all possessions requiring safeguarding
• Give yourself plenty of lead time before moving day approaches
• Determine if your home environment needs pre-packing organization

Carefully weighing these factors allows determining when professional packing and moving services bring most value for interstate relocations.

Don’t assume saving money upfront by moving yourself always makes most sense in the end. What’s your peace of mind worth during an already chaotic time?