Is hiring a moving company worth it?

Make an informed moving choice with this rundown of the pros and cons of hiring a moving company.

Amongst the piles of paperwork, inspections, appraisals and other home-buying processes, buyers and sellers alike find themselves faced with a huge choice: should you hire a moving company, or pack up your home yourself?

Depending on which factors are most important to you and your family, either choice can work for different households.

Pro: If you're stressed about the moving time frame or you have too much going on in your personal life, hiring a moving company can save you time, stress and keep you on track with your timeline. Although you still have to supervise the team, you won't have to feel guilty for stepping away to work or care for your family.

Con: Using movers means you have to be there during their business hours, which gives you less flexibility at work, which can impact your income. If you're hands-off, you run the risk of having less control of where and how items are packed.

Pro: Moving companies have all the materials needed to make sure items are handled with care. Bubble wrap, moving boxes, packing paper, tissue paper, packaging tape, permanent markers, plastic bags, mattress covers and other items come included with most services. Additionally, they can lift heavy boxes and furniture and are adept at protecting your home from damage during the move.

Con: Sometimes consumers worry that moving companies aren't as gentle or careful with their breakable heirlooms and other sentimental items as they would be, causing them to worry over packaging choices by the movers.

Do you think you can do a better job yourself? Would you have the manpower to transport large, delicate items carefully and transport them? Be realistic and make an informed choice.

Pro: Travelling cross-country can be difficult in a large moving truck, but movers are skilled at manoeuvring the truck and comfortably navigating the roadways.

Con: Some companies only offer local moving, meaning that you'll either have to drive the loaded truck yourself, or pay a hefty fee for additional services. It also means you'll have to find another company in the new area to unload your stuff.

Based on the distance of your move, the amount of belongings or large furniture you own, the busyness of your life and the resources you have at hand, your situation warrants a deep look into whether hiring movers is the best choice for you.