In these “tough” economic times, many folks who need to move believe their best bet to save money is to move themselves, instead of using a professional mover. However when you think of everything that goes into a move, you realize the true cost of moving yourself.

First, there’s renting a truck, renting a truck is always more than you think – especially once you add in the cost of insurance, fuel, and equipment. And then there’s a decent possibility (especially in the summer at the end of the month), that when you go to pick up your rental truck the day of the move they simply cannot find your reservation and do not have any trucks available (we have had many a client call us last minute in a panic because this happened to them.) You also have to hope that the truck is in good condition. Unfortunately several truck rental companies are known for their poor maintenance which, worse case scenario, can leave you stranded on the side of the highway – not a pretty picture.

Second, there’s the back breaking “labor” portion that you may try to do yourself, or where you will most likely try to enlist friends. Now if you try to do it yourself, may your friends bless you, because your back won’t – what’s the cost of regular visits to a good chiropractor, or worse back surgery? Nevermind the time and energy lost in pain. There’s a reason we have to train our crews on how to lift awkward heavy items. Now if you enlist friends, just remember, you owe them. BIG time. So all the hours they helped you, know that your turn and time will come to reciprocate. There’s no such thing as “Free” help – and no, the pizza and beer is not going to cut it.

Third, you break it, you pay for it. Literally. If there is damage to your belongings, there is no one to point a finger to except for you. No one will help you fix (or pay for) your scratched wood floors of the house you are moving out of, or perhaps worse, the house you are moving into (depending on your spouse’s wrath or forgiveness.) And you had better hope that great grandma’s china is still intact. Because one thing that TRUE trained professional movers know how to do – they know how to protect belongings and load belongings into a truck in such a way that there is minimal to no damage. This is a real deal skill that most lay people do not have. And, if the movers break it, and you’ve chosen valuation, then you’re golden (no spousal wrath – yeah!)

So next time you think “I’m going to move myself, it’s so much cheaper” – at minimum add the real cost of a (hopefully reliable) rental truck and equipment, add the cost of a back specialist (no, really), add the hours you need to give back to your friends, and add the cost to refinish the wood floors or replace the glass in your coffee table.

Now imagine, you have hired a TRUE professional mover, you have paid a bit more up front and you get to lay back, drink your favorite beverage and point to where you would like your belongings placed in your new home. This IS Peace of Mind, All in One Piece.