Ask Angi: Should I hire movers or DIY my move?
If you have a move coming up, you know one of the biggest decisions is whether you should hire movers or try to tackle the moving process yourself. Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all approach to moving – your answer will depend on your budget, timeline, preferences and whether or not you have the physical ability to move your belongings.
Hiring movers can be a great option for people who don't have the time or ability to move themselves. Working with reputable, professional movers can make your move faster, more convenient and less stressful. Hiring movers is also a highly customizable process, allowing you to pick and choose which parts of the move you want to do yourself. For example, you can hire movers only for the loading and unloading process, or you can hire full-service movers to help with the entire moving process, from packing to loading and unloading to driving the moving truck. If you're short on time but watching your budget, consider hiring movers for one aspect of the move, but managing the rest of the move yourself.
The main downside of hiring movers is the cost. Professional movers can be expensive, especially for long-distance moves. Moving costs can vary a lot depending on the company you go with, so I recommend reaching out to several companies to get in-person quotes before making your decision. If you want to save a little money when hiring movers, plan for a weekday move in the middle of the month. This will help you avoid peak pricing. Another downside is that movers may not know which items need extra care due to sentimental value. I recommend moving Grandma's china and other sentimental, fragile items yourself to be safe.
While hiring movers offers convenience and ease, DIYing your move also has its advantages. The main benefit is that moving yourself is much cheaper than hiring movers. Instead of paying for a moving company, you only need to rent a moving truck and pay for materials like boxes, tape, moving blankets, dollies and bubble wrap. DIYing your move can also give you full control over the moving process, allowing you to move at your own pace and ensure things are done exactly the way you want them.
If you go the DIY route, there are a few things you can do to make the moving process go as smoothly as possible. Start packing far in advance, label your boxes clearly and try to disassemble large furniture before moving day. You should also budget for the move ahead of time, keeping the cost of materials in mind so there are no surprises. If your friends and family are helping you move, make sure you confirm dates a few weeks ahead of time to avoid any last-minute changes.
Whether you plan on hiring movers or tackling the move yourself, the key is to plan ahead and know what you're getting yourself into. The more prepared you are, the smoother your move will be.
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Tweet your home care questions with #AskingAngi and we'll try to answer them in a future column.
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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 4:17 AM.