Full-Service Movers vs. Moving Containers: What's Better for You?

Once you’ve purchased a new home, you’ll need to decide how to ship your belongings. Do you want to hire someone to take it for you or tackle the job yourself? Each approach has its advantages as well as its drawbacks. In this blog, we’ll examine the pros and cons of full-service movers vs. moving containers ‒ breaking down their key differences to help you choose the one that makes the most sense.

What are Full-Service Movers?

A full-service mover handles your entire relocation from start to finish. They can help with everything, including:

• Packing your belongings with high-quality material
• Disassembling furniture for safer transport
• Loading and securing your belongings in the truck
• Shipping your household goods so you don’t have to coordinate delivery
• Unloading and setting up your belongings
• Reassembling furniture, everything from bed frames to bookshelves
• Disposing of packing materials in a responsible manner

Most full-service movers also provide storage facilities, in case your move-out and move-in dates don’t line up. They can also transport specialty items, like pool tables and pinball machines ‒ even boats and automobiles!

What are Moving Containers?

Moving containers are large, portable storage units delivered to your home. You pay a rental fee for the duration of the move. After you’re done packing, the company picks up and ships the container to your new home. Choosing this option lets you:

• Pack at your own pace, over the course of several days.
• Forget about the hassle of organizing a moving truck.
• Protect your belongings from the elements. Moving containers are watertight, with strong locks for extra security.
• Store your belongings in a safe location, if you need to wait before moving in.
• Handle unloading and set-up at your own speed.

Containers come in multiple sizes, allowing them to accommodate large and small households. While some companies offer less-than-container-load shipping, where you share space with other customers, in most cases you’re the sole keyholder. Once the container is sealed, you’re the only one who can open it.

Benefits of Choosing Full-Service Movers

Full-service movers are a great choice if you want a smooth, low-effort relocation. Hiring them simplifies the entire process, resulting in:

• Convenience. Full-service movers take care of everything ‒ packing, loading, shipping, and set-up ‒ saving you the trouble of doing it yourself.
• Efficient Workflow. Besides carrying everything to and from your house, their experience streamlines logistics, giving you more time to focus on what’s ahead.
• Peace of Mind. Movers are trained to handle large, heavy, and cumbersome objects, reducing the risk of damage. They supply packing materials as well, to ensure smaller and fragile items get boxed up safely as well.

Thanks to their experience and expertise, moving companies work efficiently ‒ packing, loading, and setting up your belongings with speed and precision, minimizing delays. In some cases, they can pack or unpack an entire household in a single day, making them a popular choice for last minute relocations.

Benefits of Choosing a Moving Container

Renting a moving container gives homeowners more control over how their goods are packaged and prepared. Choosing the hands-on approach:

• Lowers Costs. Packing, loading, and unloading on your own requires less paid manpower, which helps save money.
• Improves Flexibility. Since there’s no timeline, you can spend all the time you need preparing your belongings and sorting out details.
• Reduces Liability. Full DIY moves require you to navigate the moving can on your own. When you rent a moving container, the company transports it for you.

Moving containers are a middle ground between a full-service move and DIY truck rental, providing control without sacrificing convenience. They’re also a popular choice for home renovations, giving you a secure location to keep your belongings while your house is being worked on.

Full-Service Movers vs. Moving Containers

Deciding whether to hire a moving company or a moving container depends on your circumstances. Professional movers are generally the best choice for:

• Large households with lots of items
• Homeowners with a busy schedule that doesn’t leave time for planning
• People who can’t lift heavy objects without risk of injury
• People who own bulky, valuable, or fragile items they’re afraid might get damaged

If you’re working with a tight budget, however, booking a full-service mover can be a challenge. Their expertise and service come at a cost, especially if you need a large crew and specialized equipment. Fortunately, most companies are flexible, allowing you to select the level of support that fits your needs, budget, and schedule.

Moving containers are more economical. Their price is based on weight, volume, and distance, similar to moving companies. But since you do the majority of the work yourself, the price is significantly lower, making them a good option for:

• Small households
• Homeowners that need to watch costs
• People who want an open timeframe
• People who prefer the do-it-yourself method

Keep in mind that when it comes to moving, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. But understanding your choices helps you find the one that works best for you.

Your Trusted, Full-Service Movers

Long-distance moves require logistics, coordination, and timing. North American Van Lines has been helping people move for over nine decades. We don’t just have the tools, but also the experience you need to reach your destination safely. Our personalized moving plans are tailored to your goals and preferences, allowing us to meet your expectations from start to finish. Contact us today for a free quote!