Moving – move yourself or hire a moving company?

Anyone who is moving faces a choice: do I move myself or do I hire a professional moving company? Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. We list them for you.

Hire a moving company

If you hire a professional mover, you basically don't have to worry about anything. The more or less obvious tasks of the moving company include lugging the stuff, loading and unloading the moving van, and the actual transport.

You can also leave the disassembly and reassembly of your furniture to the moving company. Just like the packing and unpacking of your belongings. Although many people prefer to do this themselves for cost reasons.

In addition to convenience, a moving company also offers security. You can be sure that the move will be as fast and efficient as possible, and that your belongings will be handled with care. Your belongings are also insured during the move.

Of course, all this also has a price tag. You have to deal with call-out charges, labor costs and transportation costs. A move by a moving company will easily cost 1000 euros, and then you have to pack and unpack all your belongings yourself.

Move yourself

If you want to reduce the costs of your move, you can choose to move yourself, with some help from family or friends. Your costs will then be limited to the costs of transport, moving materials, which you have to buy or rent yourself, and possibly moving insurance. And of course you treat the helpers to lunch or dinner.

As for transport, it is best to rent a (large) van for a complete move. This is more efficient and cheaper than driving back and forth countless times with a van or furniture box/trailer. Many people also find it more pleasant to drive a van than a car plus trailer. Incidentally, you can drive a van 'normally' with your car driving license (driving license B). Renting a van costs an average of 60 euros per day.

If you add up all the costs, moving yourself will cost you a maximum of a quarter of what a professional moving company costs. On the other hand, you will have to do everything yourself. Check out our complete checklist about the preparing for a move.