The quick answer
There is no single right answer. It depends on how much you are moving, how far, and how much time and help you have.
A DIY move may suit you if:
- You are moving a studio or small flat with little heavy furniture.
- You are moving a short distance and have flexible dates.
- You have reliable, fit friends to help and are confident driving a large van.
A removals company usually makes sense if:
- You are moving a family home or have large or heavy items.
- You have valuable, fragile or sentimental pieces such as antiques or a piano.
- You are working to a fixed completion date, moving a long way or moving abroad.
- You cannot take several days off to pack, drive and unload.
If you are somewhere in between, read on. The sections below set out the real pros and cons of each option, how to compare the costs fairly, and a middle way that many of our customers choose when they want to keep costs down without carrying the heavy furniture themselves.
Moving yourself: the pros
The main appeal of a DIY move is control and, often, a lower upfront cost.
- Lower upfront cost. You pay for van hire, fuel and materials rather than a crew.
- Full control of timing. You pack, load and unload to your own schedule.
- Hands-on handling. You pack and carry your own sentimental items.
For a very small move across town, these can outweigh the downsides.
Moving yourself: the cons
The downsides tend to be the ones people underestimate until moving day.
- Physical strain and injury risk. Wardrobes, sofas, fridges and washing machines are heavy and awkward, especially on stairs.
- Time. Packing, several van trips, loading and unloading can take days, not hours.
- Driving a large van. A Luton van on narrow residential streets or long motorway runs is harder than it looks.
- Damage and insurance. Breakages may not be covered by your home insurance, and damage to doorframes and floors is common without proper protection.
- Hidden costs. Van hire, extra days, fuel, parking, boxes, and feeding or paying the friends who help.
If a move overruns, you may also miss the key handover at your new home, which can hold up the whole chain.
Using a removals company: the pros
A professional crew does this every day, so the move is faster and your belongings and home are better protected.
- Trained, experienced crews. At 1st Choice Removals our crews are full-time and uniformed, with no agency staff.
- Protection for your home. Heavy-duty floor sheeting and padding for banisters, doors and frames.
- Careful packing. Fragile items properly wrapped, and an optional packing service so you do not have to pack at all.
- Insurance. Moves are fully insured for goods in transit.
- Specialist items. Pianos, antiques and artwork handled properly, with bespoke wooden crates where needed. See specialist removals.
- Storage if dates do not line up. Short or long-term storage can be built into the same move.
As members of the British Association of Removers, we also offer the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee on inland domestic moves.
Using a removals company: the cons
It is fair to say professional removals are not right for everyone.
- Higher upfront cost than a DIY van, especially for very small moves.
- Less hands-on control over how every item is packed and loaded.
- Availability. Popular dates, such as Fridays and the summer holidays, get booked early.
The last point is easy to solve by booking as soon as you have a likely date. Our best time of year to move guide explains when demand peaks.
How to compare the real cost
Comparing a DIY move with a quote is only fair if you cost both properly.
- Add up van hire for the days you really need, plus fuel, insurance excess and parking.
- Add boxes, tape and wrapping. You can buy packing materials individually from us even if you move yourself.
- Count the days off work, and the cost of anything that could get damaged.
Then get a proper removals quote based on a survey rather than a guess. If you are in a BH postcode or DT11, we offer a free home visit. From anywhere else, Get an online quote with short room videos or photos. Our moving costs and budgeting guide has more on planning your spend.
A middle way
You do not have to choose all or nothing. Many customers pack their own boxes to keep costs down and leave the furniture, heavy items and driving to our crew.
Others ask us to pack only the kitchen and fragile items, or to move just the large pieces while they move boxes themselves. Tell us what you want to do yourself at the survey and we will quote for the rest. Book your free home visit in a BH postcode or DT11, or Get an online quote from anywhere else. You can also call 01202 570970.
