Moving is rarely a smooth, hassle-free occasion, even if it's just to the other side of town. When you are moving cross-country, the challenges grow. It is possible that such a move is already full of stress. Perhaps it is the elation of a new career, business or educational opportunity. Possibly you are anxious about moving away from extended family, or maybe you are making the move to be closer to an aging parent in their sunset years.
That is already a lot to deal with. Add a long-distance move in addition and the stress can really add up. At its most simple form, moving requires the complete sorting, packing, loading, transport, unloading and unpacking of all one's possessions. A DIY cross-country move will embody all that, plus maybe significant downsizing of one's possessions. Is there room for your perfectly broken-in bed or grandma's heirloom buffet? You might have to sell or donate a lot of possessions - and then go shopping to replace them all when you unpack at your destination.
You'll bear the burden of arranging the rental of a moving van and getting it at the perfect time – cross your fingers that everything is as promised! The work of loading the truck will be yours - including cautious packing of delicate items, securing all cargo while also protecting it from damage, and making sure that the entire load will travel well. Kids, pets, and additional vehicles will require management, in addition. Driving to your new home could require some days to complete.
Plan your path and stops to accommodate your moving truck, make sure it's secure each night and don't plan to use a fast food drive-thru! When you do arrive, if all has gone well, you will spend the day getting everything unloaded from the truck. Hopefully your packing and loading job was soundly done, and your possessions are in tip-top shape. When you are finished, rest your back while you return the rental truck and get to know the ins and outs of traffic in your new city!
Compare this with hiring a professional moving company. You schedule the movers. They provide materials and can even help in boxing things up. On moving day, all you need to be concerned about are the things you plan to take yourself - a suitcase of clothes, toiletries, devices. This will leave time to focus on what your children and pets will require at the time, and take your time helping them adjust to the move.
An experienced professional moving company knows how to load your furniture and belongings the right way. Grandma's dining room table will be in good hands. In the event that something does get damaged, they will be accountable for it. You are free to plan your move with a lot of flexibility. Driving a family car or two? You can to use the drive-thru! Enjoy scenic routes and the knowledge that national parks, historic sites, and points of interest will all be able to accept your car, truck or SUV. Spend time along the way with friends or at quaint B&Bs without having anxiety about parking or large truck turn-arounds.
Your professional moving crew will arrive and unload your belongings for you. You can give attention to making sure the setup of your new home is going smoothly; hooking up utilities, change of address, enrolling your children in school, mapping the best route to work. If there was an unforeseen complication with your housing at the last-minute - paperwork delays in closing on your new house or the rental property wasn't properly prepared on time - your movers can divert your belongings to a safe and secure storage facility, leaving you free to attend to the issue. Imagine the inconvenience of that, in addition to having to return the rental truck on time while you research storage options!
Moving on your own in Austin can certainly cost less than hiring it done, but what it costs in terms of time, hassle, inconvenience, stress, liability for damage, and plain old physical exhaustion is most likely not worth it.
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