It’s a tough decision to make when you’re moving: should I hire a moving company or do it myself? Well it depends. If you are really on a budget, you probably won’t be able to spare the money for a professional mover. But for the rest you really need to decide how much effort you personally want to put into it. If you are pressed for time, it might make sense to allow the mover to do the entire job. On the other hand, if you are a diligent person, you will be starting early packing. Some early packers start a couple of months before the move. But most people are not that diligent.

Fortunately there are options. The thing about using a moving company is that it’s not an all or nothing proposition. The reality is that you can choose how much or how little you want to pack, and let the movers do the rest. As a rule you should probably pack the most important stuff and the stuff with the most sentimental feeling yourself. It’s not so much because your mover will break or lose it, but it simply brings more peace of mind when you do that aspect of the move yourself.