8 Benefits of Hiring a Moving Company
Here’s the quick answer: The biggest benefits of hiring a moving company are saving time, avoiding injury, and having trained crews protect your belongings. Movers handle the packing, heavy lifting, and driving, and they’re liable for damage they cause. A DIY move with a rental truck or container costs about 30% less, but you do all the work yourself.
rating
4.26 / 5
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Same-day estimates
Why moveBuddha:
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
Jump to the moving company info you’re looking for:
What are the benefits of hiring a moving company?
Hiring professional movers saves you time and physical strain, and it lowers the risk of damage to your home and belongings. Here are the 8 biggest benefits.
1. Movers save time & your back
Movers do the heavy lifting for you, so you can focus on tasks like transferring utilities and setting up your new home. Many also offer packing and unpacking for an extra fee.
Carrying a couch down the stairs is an easy way to hurt your back. Movers have the tools and techniques to lift heavy furniture safely. With a DIY move, you pack, load, and often drive yourself, which takes time away from the rest of your moving checklist.
2. They protect your most valuable items
Moving a piano, antiques, or other fragile items on your own is risky. Without the right packing, you could end up with scratches, dents, or broken heirlooms.
Professional movers specialize in delicate & bulky items. Some, like American Van Lines, have crews that specialize in moving antiques. They use padding, custom crating, and careful techniques to protect your belongings.
3. You can skip the packing
Packing is the part of moving most people dread. You need to start packing early and buy all the supplies yourself.
Full-service movers offer packing & unpacking, and they bring the boxes, bubble wrap, and tape. Professional packing costs an extra $0.15 - $0.21 per pound on average, and many crews haul away the packing debris when they unpack.
4. They know how to move efficiently
Professional crews know how to load a truck to maximize space and keep items from shifting in transit. You won’t waste time figuring out how to fit your sectional next to the dining table.
With a DIY move, it’s easy to rent the wrong size rental truck or moving container. Professional drivers are also more comfortable behind the wheel on long-distance moves.
5. Movers build a moving plan around your needs
Professional movers offer add-on services, so you can build a moving package that fits your budget. Skip full packing and choose fragile-only packing, or add car shipping to your move.
Many full-service movers also offer short- & long-term storage if your move-in date doesn’t line up. DIY moves don’t offer that flexibility, so you may end up paying extra for labor-only movers or a bigger truck.
6. They make tough moves easier
Staircases, tight corners, and awkward layouts can damage your walls or bulky furniture if you move it yourself. Movers use experience and specialized equipment to handle tricky spaces, and they disassemble and reassemble furniture when needed.
7. They provide coverage for peace of mind
When you move yourself, any damage is on you. Rental truck insurance or container coverage is often limited, and a claim can be hard to win if the damage came from your own packing.
Movers offer coverage options like released value protection and full value protection. Released value pays 60 cents per pound per item, while full value protection covers repair, replacement, or current value. See our guide to moving insurance for details.
8. Movers help keep your friendships intact
Asking friends to help you move sounds like a good idea until someone drops a dresser or cancels on moving day. Movers show up on time and bring enough people for the job, so you don’t owe anyone a favor.
Is hiring a moving company better than a DIY move?
A DIY move is cheaper, but hiring movers saves time and effort. Here’s how they compare on cost & services.
Compare by cost
Moving containers and rental trucks cost about 30% less than full-service movers on average. Here’s what each option costs for a two-bedroom move from Houston to Lubbock, Texas:
| Moving option | Estimated price range |
|---|---|
| Full-service movers | $2,136 - $4,248 |
| Truck rentals | $430 - $833 |
| Moving containers | $1,170 - $1,955 |
Use our moving cost calculator to see prices for your route. It’s built on 1,000+ live price points collected every month, so you can compare full-service, truck, and container costs side by side.
Compare by services
Services that come standard with full-service movers usually aren’t available with truck rentals or containers.
When Ana-Lisa used Bravo Moving to move from California to South Dakota, she said it was the smoothest move she’d ever had. Her movers treated her antiques with care and delivered on time, even after switching to a smaller truck.
Melissa also had a seamless move with Safeway Moving, thanks to transparent pricing, professional crews, and on-time delivery.
DIY options take more hands-on work. Gillian liked using U-Pack, but U-Pack couldn’t reach her street. She had to rent a van and make several trips from the service center, even for a one-bedroom apartment.
What are the hidden costs of a DIY move?
Most people only price the truck or container when they plan a DIY move. These extra costs can shrink your savings:
- Supplies & equipment: Boxes, tape, furniture pads, and dollies add up quickly.
- Fuel & mileage: Rental trucks charge per mile, and you pay for gas.
- Time off work: Packing, loading, and driving can take several days.
- Damage & injuries: Dinged walls, scuffed floors, or a pulled back can lead to repair or medical bills.
When does a DIY move make more sense?
Hiring movers isn’t always the best choice. A DIY move may be the better fit if:
- You’re moving a studio or a small amount of stuff a short distance.
- You have friends who can help and you’re comfortable driving a truck.
- You want full control over your timeline, since you’re the one driving.
- You’re on a tight budget and have time to pack yourself.
Want a middle ground? Hire labor-only movers to load and unload a truck or container you drive or book yourself.
Our picks for pro movers
We use a detailed rating methodology to pick the best moving companies, based on pricing transparency, service quality, and availability. Safeway Moving is our top pick for overall value, but these movers are also worth a quote:
rating
4.26 / 5
- Family owned & operated
- Affordable pricing
- Same-day estimates
How do you hire the right moving company?
Keep these tips in mind when you hire movers:
- Check reviews & credentials: Read reviews and our Better Moves Project stories, and verify the mover’s USDOT number on the FMCSA’s SAFER lookup.
- Know what you need: Decide which services you need before you call, like specialty packing for fragile items.
- Compare quotes: Get at least three quotes for the same services, and know whether each is a binding or non-binding estimate. The moveBuddha Mover Marketplace gets you up to five no-obligation quotes from one request.
- Ask questions: Confirm what’s included, what coverage you get, what extra fees might apply, and whether any moving discounts are available.
FAQ
Is hiring a moving company worth the cost?
It’s worth it if you want to save time and energy and have your belongings packed and moved by pros. It’s especially helpful if you’re short on time or can’t do heavy lifting. If money is tight, a DIY move costs about 30% less.
How much does a moving company cost?
It depends on your home size, distance, move date, and extra services. For example, a two-bedroom move from Houston to Lubbock costs $2,136 - $4,248 with full-service movers. Use our moving cost calculator for your route.
How far in advance should I book a moving company?
Book movers at least 2 - 3 months before your move. That gives you more date options. You may also get better pricing by booking early.
Can I hire movers for just part of my move?
Yes. Many movers let you pack yourself or choose fragile-only packing. You can also hire a moving labor company to load a truck you drive yourself.
What should I do to prepare for movers?
Declutter and get rid of anything you won’t take, including hazardous items movers can’t transport. If you’re packing yourself, finish before the crew arrives. Arrange care for kids and pets, and have cash ready to tip your movers.
Can I book movers for a last-minute move?
Some movers handle last-minute moves, but they often charge extra. Same-day service is easier to find outside of peak season. Movers are busiest from mid-May through mid-October.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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