The best part of moving is once the packing, heavy lifting, and the backache is behind you. Starting fresh somewhere else is exciting – it’s the moving part that sucks.

You're happy about moving ... until reality hits. You have a house full of stuff to move, a life, and a budget. Do you DIY and save money, or hire a mover and save time? In the end, you're happy with good moving decisions and regret the bad ones.

Moving is expensive. Most people weigh the amount of work against the cost. You might not have considered that time is a cost, too.

They say, “Time is cheap.” But is it? Your “moving dilemma” Do you:

• DIY to save money? You spend more time and effort.
• Hire a mover to save time? You spend more money.

Here's the “moving dilemma.” Moving is expensive, takes time you don't have, and is hard work. So, how do you reduce the time, expend less effort, and still save money?

We answer that question with three points and offer moving tips to help you save both.

Moving Day: Why How Much Stuff You Move Matters & How to Move Less

You know what they say, “The bigger the move, the higher the stress level.” That isn’t a thing, but it is true. Moving 10,000 pounds of stuff costs more, requires more effort, and typically takes longer on moving day than moving half that weight.

How much you move matters when you DIY for packing, loading, and unloading. Movers calculate costs based on the amount and weight of everything you move.

Moving less stuff means fewer or less:

• Hours packing
• Number of boxes
• Time loading and unloading
• Effort on moving day
• Hours unpacking

Donate, throw, or sell things you don’t need or want for a ‘lighter’ move. Less stuff equals fewer boxes to pack, load, and unload. Moving days are shorter and less expensive.

Why Decluttering is the Best First Step & How to Do it Better

Eliminate unnecessary items to shorten the inventory list, pack less, and lower the total weight. Some items might be cheaper to replace after the move. Decluttering helps reduce more than costs.

Tossing a chipped set of mugs with no emotional value is a no-brainer. Some things make it harder to decide. That heavy wood bed frame and your grandmother’s antiques may cost more to move. However, you can’t imagine parting with them.

Decluttering Dilemma: Take or Leave It & Best Advice to Help Decide

Decluttering is more than sorting your things into ‘stay’ and ‘go’ piles. Some items require more thought, so you don’t waste time and money, or regret leaving something behind.

Regret feels bad – moving regret included. It works both ways – wishing you’d left more behind or missing an item that you didn’t take with you. Anytime Estimate published an article called 2025 Data: 70% of Americans Have Regrets About Moving. It noted that over 20% of people wish they had gotten rid of more items before moving.

Find more decluttering tips in our Popular Decluttering Methods article.

These two scenarios can create stress of time-and-money regret:

• You moved and paid for things you shouldn’t have, and now you must unpack.
• You sold, tossed, or donated items you should have kept because they are hard to replace.

Decluttering Quick Rule: Sentimental or High-Value vs Easy-to-Replace

Our answer is, “Move it if it has high sentimental or monetary value. Leave it if it’s inexpensive enough to replace.”

People ask us if they should leave an item behind or move it, because it affects moving quotes.

Reasons you might want to keep and move an item even if it costs more:

• Sentimental value
• Higher replacement cost
• Higher quality materials than a replacement item
• Hard or impossible to find and replace
• Must-haves/high need

Is it too expensive to replace, or is it discontinued?

• The “move it” price can change for domestic and international moves. Think about keeping items that cost $400 or more to replace.
• Move it if you own a limited edition or discontinued item and cannot find a replacement.

Do they not make it like they used to anymore?

• If someone made your antique china set in England and now makes it somewhere else, move it.
• Also, move that solid-oak desk if similar desks now use particle board.

Would you miss it?

• Sentimental value is central to many of our move-or-leave-it debates. If the item has a lot of emotional value, then move it.
• Imagine storing it for a year or more and ask if you would be glad to see it.
• Leave the item behind if you don't think you will miss it.

Where are you moving it?

• Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to move a bulky item on an interstate or international move if it’s easy to buy it.
• Some international customs restrictions and high fees help you decide whether to move or leave an item.

Need more help deciding to DIY or hire a mover? Read Should I DIY or Hire? Cost Comparisons to Help First Time Movers Decide for more advice.

How Distance Affects Whether DIY or Hiring Movers Makes Sense

Local moves are 50 miles or less and most often done in one day. Intrastate movers take longer – those moves are often over 50 miles, but do not cross state lines. The article 2025 Data: 70% of Americans Have Regrets About Moving discusses moving trends. It states that in 2024, Americans who moved less than 100 miles spent almost half as much as those who moved farther.

Shorter distances make it easier to DIY a move and are typically cheaper. What you’re moving and the amount of stuff can outweigh the cost savings. A larger amount and heavier items take more time, effort, and friends if you move yourself.

Local Moving Difference: Time Adds Costs to Local Moves. Do You Save Time or Money?

Moving is expensive, whether you do it yourself (DIY) or hire a moving company. DIY is typically less expensive. The article titled 2025 Data: 70% of Americans Have Regrets About Moving reveals some interesting information. It states that American DIYers saved almost 50% less money in 2024.

Consider this – a DIY move saves money but increases time and effort costs. Ask yourself if you would rather save on the:

• Planning: Renting the truck, getting enough boxes, tape, and bubble wrap, and logistics for moving day.
• Time: Weeks or months, packing all those boxes
• Effort: Packing, loading, unloading, lifting heavy items, and unpacking
• Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Not being ready to move out on closing day can lead to problems. Damaging an expensive item can also be costly. Lastly, finding a mover at the last minute can add extra expenses.

Moving is time-intensive, hard work, and requires careful planning. Time and effort are costs and are also important.

Add the hours you will pack. Include the time it takes to load, unload, and unpack. Think about what you will do if the friends who said they would help do not show up on moving day.

Save Time or Money? Moving Costs to Avoid Before You DIY

Extremely few people move without any glitches. According to Anytime Estimate’s data, over 90% of Americans dealt with problems. DIY can be less expensive than hiring a mover, but it is not free from drawbacks and risks.

Movers know how to avoid common mistakes, saving you stress and money. The same Anytime Estimate article noted that around 78% of Americans paid unexpected costs during their move in 2024. Even the most cost-conscious people don’t anticipate 100% of the cost. Over 38% spent more than expected, and 40% were over budget.

These are the most common unexpected costs:

• Various purchases
• Gas and travel
• Moving truck rental
• Packing supplies and materials

Read our Tired Girl’s Guide For Busy People for more ideas to save money and time.

It's About Moving Cost: Do I DIY or Hire a Mover? Do Both

Do Both. DIY and hiring a mover might be the best decision you’ve ever made. Consider these ways to cut costs while easing the load to save time.

Have questions about calculating moving costs? Read Weighing vs. Measuring Your Move Shipment to learn more.

Try our online moving cost estimator and schedule an appointment.

Conclusion: Would You Rather Save Money or Time?

Cost is still a priority when you’re planning a move, and it should be. What you move and how you move it are equally important. Consider a hybrid move for the best of both worlds – less expensive and stressful.

Ask yourself what you would rather do and avoid moving regrets. We don’t want you to leave stuff behind and wish you’d kept it after moving day.

See why Bailey’s Moving is a great choice for your move.