With over 90 years of moving experience, we know a thing or two about how to make a household move as smooth and as efficient as possible. One of the most important things to us and you is transporting your belongings safely to their new home without error. And if you enlist the help of your friend that should be their top priority as well.
Friends may be the easiest and most affordable choice, but is it the best one?
If you are stuck weighing your options, here’s a list of pros and cons of asking your friends to help you move, instead of hiring professional movers to consider.
Pros
It’s Cheap!
Having your friends help you out may only cost you a pizza, drinks, and maybe some gas money. Using your friends is definitely the most affordable way to move your belongings.
No time constraint
Most moving companies charge by the hour, so if you are expecting a long day or days, professional movers could get expensive. Friends often have more flexibility, which is great because moves do not always go according to plan. So, friends typically can help you move for as long as they are willing to stick around.
You choose your movers and the amount of them
Moving a few boxes? Grab a friend with a truck. Moving your whole house to a new town? Grab a handful of friends and rent a Uhaul. Whatever the size of your move maybe, you are in charge of who helps whether it be a few people or your whole network of friends. Friends are a great option when you are not sure of how much or how little help you may need.
Friends can make your move fun
What’s better bonding than moving your friend’s house in entirety. Having your friends help might be more comfortable rather than having strangers handle your things. But you may want to hire those professional strangers if lifting heavy furniture doesn’t sound fun to you or your friends.
Cons
While friends are a cheap and accessible resource, there are a few things you may want to consider before recruiting them for a move – especially if it is a big one. Moving across the country with your friends may do more harm than good to your friendship and your belongings.
Moving with friends is stressful
They might be the best friends, but they might not be the best movers.
You rely on their schedules
All you have to rely on is their word that they will be there to help you – there’s no contract, no payment, just them volunteering. You may have an agreement on a time and date, but if your friends are a no show you may want to have a back up plan. Professional movers will be there on time and ready to get the job done.
You do all the heavy lifting
We know you and your friends don’t want to be the one lifting and maneuvering a couch or dryer out of a house, up or downstairs and through doorways. You are more likely to damage the items and its surroundings. Professional movers will know how to complete the move properly.
Knowing how to properly pack and handle items
How you pack, wrap, and store your belongings is important for safe transportation. You probably have fragile, heavy, or breakable items that need proper packaging and handling to avoid any damage. Do you have faith in your friends to get the job done the right way?
No recourse for damages
Moving companies pride themselves in making sure everything is moved carefully, in the off chance that something does get damaged while in their care, professional movers have insurance policies to cover it. You may be out of luck if a friend breaks something unless they offer to pay for it.
Hiring Professional Movers
If you’ve decided that you’d like to maintain the condition of your belongings and your relationship with your friends, then you might want to consider hiring experienced professional movers. Professional movers know how to move bulky dressers, beds, couches, washers, dryers, tables, and even pianos. No matter the size or difficulty of getting an item out of a house, experienced movers can safely move any item without damaging the item itself or the walls and doorways it must pass through.
Packing a truck is no problem for pro movers. You can relax knowing that your belongings will arrive at their new location without a scratch.
Helpful Tips for Using Your Friends
If moving with friends is still your best option, then here are some useful tips:
Have everything packed and ready to go
Don’t leave them hungry — pizza and beer is the minimum.
Remind them to eat a solid breakfast. Better yet, supply coffee and donuts
Be the hardest worker
Gas money compensation if using their truck
