When you are anticipating an upcoming move, you know that you’ve got a lot of hard work ahead of you. Before you can do much else, you need to decide how you will pack your belongings. If you are comparing professional packing to do-it-yourself, you are in good company. Take a look at these pros and cons of each approach and then check out a few factors to help you make the right decision.
Benefits of DIY Packing
DIY packing is easy to start, but it can be hard to go on. Many people choose DIY packing when the cost of moving and getting into new housing is enough of a hit to the budget. Fortunately, doing it yourself comes with these benefits:
- You can control the entire process.
- You can take your time to sort through everything and get rid of stuff you don’t need.
- You’ll spend less money.
- You can take extra care of fragile or sentimental items.
As long as you have plenty of time to get it done, and you can make space to sort and load boxes, this approach can be a great choice.
Disadvantages of DIY Packing
Of course, deciding that you are personally going to load every single box can make you feel like you’re in over your head and for good reason. DIY packing comes with a few disadvantages:
- It’s all on you, whether you feel up to it or not.
- Packing things yourself almost always takes longer than you expect.
- You have to source and buy all the packing supplies.
- If you don’t know how to pack something, you risk damaging it.
If you have small children who take up most of your time or if you cannot sustain the physical effort, you may want to consider an alternative.
Pros of Professional Packing
When you hire pros to do professional packing for you, they usually spend a day or two systematically going through your home and packing everything (except the stuff you set aside). This comes with a few advantages:
- You don’t have to do the heavy lifting.
- You can schedule the move more quickly, as long as you can get the pros to your home in time.
- You can worry less about how to pack delicate or difficult items.
- You don’t have to buy all the equipment (boxes, packing paper, tape) that you would have to buy for a DIY job.
The end result is much quicker and easier on your body.
Cons of Professional Packing
When you have the budget for it, professional packing might seem like a dream come true. Of course, not everything happens exactly the way you expect. Professional packing comes with these cons:
- You have to get on the schedule.
- You don’t have as much control over how your items are packed.
- You’ll spend more.
- You get less opportunity to sort through your stuff before you move.
If you need to keep costs down or if you can’t find a company in your area that can fit your timeline, you may need to do it yourself.
How to Choose Your Packing Strategy
Making the right choice depends on your home, your move, and your preferences. After evaluating your budget, your individual needs, and your lifestyle, you can use these tips to determine which option suits you best.
Choose DIY if:
- You need to stick to a tight budget
- You have months to prepare
- You don’t have much to pack
- Your home is full of sentimental items
Choose professional packing if:
- Your company is paying for it
- You need to move in a hurry
- You can’t reasonably handle the packing on your own
- You can afford the extra cost
Moving involves a lot of big decisions. Once you commit to a general time, you’ll need to choose which approach you will take for packing your items. DIY packing gives you more freedom, but a lot more responsibility. By comparison, professional packing is a lot easier but often costs much more. By evaluating the pros and cons and various factors that may influence your decision, you can determine the right path for your upcoming move.
Author bio: Jeff Brandt is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who oversees operations and accounting functions for Brandt Box & Paper Co., Inc., a trusted packaging company founded in 1952. Brandt has a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from The George Washington University, and a Master of Science in Accounting from Indiana University. Representing the third generation of the Brandt family at Brandt Box, Brandt ensures that customers receive cost-efficient packaging solutions.
SOURCES
https://brandtbox.com/blog/professional-packing-vs-diy/
https://www.avantgardemoving.com/blog/professional-packers-vs-pack-yourself
https://dielmanmoving.com/packing-services-vs-diy-packing/
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