Although moving house on your own can seem like the easiest, and most cost effective way to do it, everything adds up. Once you take into consideration all of the processes at play from the initial packing and storing, to transporting and unpacking, the entire process can become overwhelming. Author of six New York Times best-selling books and host of his own series Extreme Clutter, professional organiser Peter Walsh has teamed up with Grace to provide valuable advice on how to avoid stress and what you need to consider when moving house.
The costs of a DIY move
Moving yourself can actually be a costlier decision in the long run. Getting time off work and relying on friends and family to help lend a hand are unreliable and often create a more stressful moving experience. The costs of a DIY move which are important to consider include:
- Vehicle and trolley hire
- Packing materials
- Fuel and vehicle tolls
- Breakages and losses resulting from inexpert packing and moving
- Time off work
- Bribes (or payments) for friends and family
Using the correct materials
Not using the correct packing materials can lead to a range of issues, the biggest being the damage to your possessions. Packing correctly begins with using the right cartons and padding for the job. The wrong boxes can collapse under the weight of your things as well as tear and weather over time, leaving your valuables exposed to the elements. Another problem many DIY packers have is not having enough boxes. At Grace, we can recommend the right number of boxes and provide you with the highest quality packing materials to protect your things during transit and storage.
Consider the professionals
Did you know it takes an average of two to five days to pack up the average four-bedroom family home? Peter estimates it could take longer for those who have never moved before and recommends you “think carefully and consider whether you have the time when you’re looking at the do-it-yourself option or whether it might be better to engage experts like Grace.” It’s important to think about what is best for you and your family and whether it’s best to trust the experts to take care of everything or just do the heavy lifting.
At Grace, we provide a full range of removal services for small moves across the street, around the country and international moves around the world. With more than 100 years’ experience, we provide comprehensive removal services tailored to our client’s individual needs. For more information on how we can help take the stress out of moving home, click here.
