Removal with company or move house yourself?

Spring is fast approaching, bringing with it better weather that is not yet too hot. This makes it the ideal season to move house. However, whilst the timing might be perfect, those who decide to move will still face further dilemmas. Is it worth hiring a removal company? Or can I save money by moving by myself with help from a few good friends? Professional movers versus a DIY move. We compare the advantages and disadvantages of both options.
 

Your moving situation

The decision whether to handle your move entirely on your own or hire professionals depends largely on your moving situation: how much time, muscle power, space and support you have — and how complicated your move really is. To make sure you don’t forget anything, you’ll find our ultimate moving checklist (ready to tick off) here.

Quick reality check:

• Time: How much time do you have for preparation and on moving day itself?
• Belongings: Are your items easy to dismantle, carry and sturdy enough? (A piano? Leave that to the pros.)
• Distance & access: Short distance? Lift available? Or is it “stair workout deluxe”?
• Parking: Can the van park right outside, or do you need a temporary no-parking zone?
• Van: Do you have a van, and are insurance and liability properly clarified?
• Moving helpers: Do you have a reliable team, or do you need to organise help? There is also an advertising portal for moving helpers.
• Packing: Do you already have boxes and packing materials available, or do you need to get everything? If it’s the latter, have a look in our Zebrashop!
• Family: Are children and pets taken care of, so you have both hands free on moving day?

 👉 The more boxes you can tick off with ease, the more a DIY move makes sense. If several points are tricky: professionals can save you a lot of stress.
 

Moving by yourself

As you have probably already realised, you can save on moving costs by organising the move yourself. However, the time needed, and potentially even the costs involved, can unexpectedly skyrocket and, in the worst case, moving under your own steam can end up more expensive than hiring professional movers.
 

Moving by yourself makes sense if...

• you have enough spare time to plan and carry out the move.
• you can organise most things independently (without having to hire or rent everything separately).
• your household is fairly manageable.
• your furniture can realistically be carried by two people.
• you're looking to keep costs down.
• you have motivated helpers who are available on the day.
   

✅ Zebrabox tips:

• Do a reality check: Calculate honestly what you’ll need to organise and hire yourself, and compare the total cost with a professional quote.
• Don't underestimate the "hidden costs": Time, stress, sore muscles and the risk of damaging furniture or walls can quickly add up.
• Brief your helpers: Give everyone a quick overview and clear roles right at the start.
• Clarify liability: If you want to play it safe, a simple liability agreement can help in case something gets damaged.
• Good prep is half the job: Use our moving checklist so you don’t forget anything and can run the move efficiently.
   

Moving with professionals

Start the day as normal in the morning and go to bed in the evening in your new home with all your belongings in place. That is possible with professional movers. However, even when you hire professionals, you still need to do a bit of work. The removal company needs information about the type and quantity of furniture, the distance between the properties, the location and the available access. You will also still need to empty the moving boxes yourself once they arrive. And while professional movers do save you time and stress, they do also cost more money. Consider your individual moving situation when making your decision.
 

Moving with professionals makes sense if...

• you have a large household or lots of belongings.
• you don't have the time (or desire) to organise everything yourself.
• you'd like an all-in-one service (packing, transport, assembly, etc.).
• you're happy to invest the budget in convenience and peace of mind.
• you need to move heavy or delicate items such as a piano, washing machine or safe.
   

✅ Zebrabox tips:

• Compare quotes: Get several offers and check exactly what’s included (packing service, dismantling, disposal, insurance, etc.).
• Preparation saves money: If you pack boxes and dismantle furniture beforehand, you can significantly reduce the cost.
• The more precise, the cheaper: Tell the moving company early about volume, access, lift/floor, parking situation and any special requirements. This helps avoid extra charges due to last-minute changes.
• Move small items in advance: Light and delicate items (documents, plants, valuables) can be taken to the new home ahead of time.
• Look for professionalism: Reliability often shows from the very first impression in communication, presentation and even the condition of the van.
   

Summary

Whether you hire professionals or organise everything yourself: both options can work brilliantly — the key is good planning. Depending on how much you can (or want to) handle, effort, stress levels and costs can vary a lot.

A professional move tends to make sense when things get more complex, for example:

• heavy or fragile furniture,
• difficult access (no lift, narrow staircases),
• a long distance or little time,
• not enough helpers or no suitable van.
  Often, you’ll also get an all-in service (dismantling/reassembly, disposal, end-of-tenancy cleaning, etc.).

A DIY move is a great option when you can keep things simple:

• easy access at both properties,
• manageable furniture,
• short distance,
• motivated helpers,
• and you can organise the van and materials easily.
  You’ll spend less money — but more time, coordination and energy.

In the end, it’s simple: choose the option that fits your situation best — and start planning early.