Still deciding how to move?

You can move via a full-service moving company, a self-service move (You-Pack) or a truck rental.  But which is best for you?

It’ll depend a lot on where and what you are moving.  Here is a list of the positives and negatives for each type of move.

Full Service

Positives

• No effort – movers do everything for you
• Fast – moving companies are experts at moving. They’ll get your stuff packed up and into your new home faster than you.
• Relax – if you don’t have to move anything, it’s a lot easier to sit back, see the sights and enjoy your move.

Negatives

• Expensive – full-service moves are by far the priciest option, and cross-country trips can cost well over $10,000.
• No control – if you are worried about all of your stuff making it in one piece, such as that timeless family heirloom, get ready to fret because you won’t be handling the loading or driving.
• Negotiation – there’s a lot that goes into the price for a full service move; you’ll need to take it all into account when choosing to a moving service.

You-Pack Service

Positives

• Cheaper than full service – because you are only hiring the company to drive your stuff, You-Pack services are far cheaper than full-service movers.
• More control – you control the packing and loading of your valuables
• No driving – you avoid driving a moving truck, which can be difficult and dangerous.

Negatives

• Still pricey – while far cheaper than full service, it’s still generally more expensive than renting a moving truck.
• No full control – you still leave the transporting up to a third party.
• Heavy lifting- you pack the moving pod yourself, so get ready to work.
  

Moving Truck Rental

Positives

• Cheapest – renting a truck doesn’t require any personal service, so it’s generally the cheapest option.
• Total control – you control everything from packing through unpacking.

Negatives

• Heavy lifting – you need to pack and load everything.
• Unfamiliar vehicle – not only do you need to load the truck, you need to drive it, which can be cumbersome and nerve-wracking.
• Cheapest, but not by much – when you taking gas into consideration, renting a truck might only be a little bit cheaper than a You-Pack service.
• Time – between packing, loading, driving and unloading, this is the most time-consuming option.

If you’ve decided on a service, learn how to include it into a moving budget.