If you’re planning a relocation and thinking about opting for the DIY route, know this: You’re bound to make a few mistakes. Not only is DIY moving chaotic, stressful, and time consuming, but it’s also far more difficult than hiring a professional moving company — hence the inevitable missteps.

At Ace Moving & Warehousing, we understand the draw of DIY moving, but we also know that many DIY relocations go south at some point during the process. In this blog, we explain four of the common do-it-yourself pitfalls and how you can avoid them. Let’s get started! 

Assuming DIY Moving is Cheaper Than Hiring a Moving Company

Far too many relocators assume that hiring a professional moving company to take care of their move is far too expensive. In reality, that assumption is often false, especially when there’s a full house full of stuff to relocate.

If you’re among this crowd, consider re-evaluating the costs associated with a DIY move before you assume hiring the pros is too pricey. What kind of costs should you consider? Here are just a handful of the most common ones:

●        Fuel. How many vehicles do you plan on using to haul your belongings? Will you ask relatives or friends for help? Depending on the distance you plan to transport your things, the number of trips you’ll make, and the number of vehicles you need, fuel costs can add up quickly.

●        Packing supplies. Depending on how much stuff you need to move, the cost of purchasing your own moving supplies can get pricey. For an average household with kids, moving supplies could cost you as much as $500.

●        Moving insurance. What if something happens to your belongings during transport? You probably won’t want to shell out the full purchase price to replace any damaged or broken items, which means you’ll need to purchase independent moving insurance.

●        Opportunity-cost. This one isn’t a financial expense; rather, it’s a life expense. DIY moving requires a significant chunk of your time and if you’re busy person, you’ll have to sacrifice some of your obligations to successfully complete your move. Can you do that?

Suffice it to say, DIY moving comes with its fair share of expenses, many of them unexpected. In fact, the above list is far from comprehensive, which means in many cases, a DIY relocation can actually be more expensive than hiring the pros. Unless you have a small home or have previous experience executing a DIY move, hiring movers and packers is almost always the better (and easier!) option. 

Underestimating Time Requirements

How much time do you think you’ll need to plan and organize your move? A couple of weeks? Maybe a month? In most cases, DIY relocators drastically underestimate the amount of time they need to tie up loose ends, pack everything, get rid of unwanted items, and conduct the actual move.

According to professional moving services, unless you have a small house and few belongings, you should give yourself at least eight weeks to plan and organize a DIY relocation. Lack of moving experience, rudimentary packing skills, and a variety of other issues tack on a considerable amount of time to a DIY move, hence, the advance planning. Or, you could simply opt to hire a moving company and save yourself the stress.

Using the Wrong Packing Materials

What kind of packing materials do you plan to use? Thinking of procuring used boxes from behind your local box store to cut costs? Think again. Not all boxes are created equal in terms of strength, so unless you enjoy the idea of damaged belongings, using old boxes may not be the best (or safest) idea.

The same idea applies to your other packing materials: if they’re not designed for moving, think twice before you use them. Though blankets, pillows, and household linens can function as protective packing materials, they’ll take up a ton of room inside each box. Instead, opt for materials that are designed for a singular purpose: moving.

Renting the Wrong Size Moving Vehicle

If you’re planning to rent a moving truck, make sure you know what size you need! Though many DIY movers opt to use personal vehicles to transport their belongings, rental trucks are also a popular option. But if you select a truck that’s too small, you’ll be forced to make multiple trips, which isn’t just annoying; the fuel for those trips gets expensive!

If, on the other, you rent a truck that’s too large, not only will you shell out unnecessary money for it, but your belongings will also be at a higher risk for damage. So how can you determine which size moving vehicle is appropriate for your move? Here’s a handy guide:

●        Pickup trucks are ideal for partial house relocations (think: roommate situations) and small loads.

●        Cargo vans are suitable for moving a studio apartment or moving into a college dorm room.

●        10-12 ft. box trucks are ideal for moving small apartments and larger college dorm rooms with personal furniture.

●        14-17 ft. box trucks are suitable for moving apartments, small houses, two-bedroom homes.

●        20-26 ft. box trucks are ideal for cross-country relocations and intrastate moving of three- and four-bedroom homes.

Need Help Moving? Contact Ace Moving & Warehousing Today

If a DIY relocation is too involved for your taste, get in touch with our team at Ace Moving & Warehousing. Since 1958, we’ve been facilitating international, interstate, intrastate, and local moves for Twin Cities residents and we’re ready to help you too. We specialize in full moving and packing services, move plans, custom crating, and more, so get in touch with our team today to discuss your relocation! For more information about our services or to get a fast moving quote, give our office a call today at 763-755-2045 or send us a message, and we’ll be in touch.