Whether you plan to move to a nearby state or across the country, there are many factors that will influence your decision regarding how to move–do it yourself, or try to find the best long distance movers that you can find? With do it yourself moves, you will need sufficient manpower that is reliable and careful, and while it might cost less to rent your own truck for the move, consider other alternatives as well.
There are services available that allow you to pack containers yourself, which are then taken from your home and stored or moved, depending on your timetable. The most costly choice would probably be to hire a professional moving company, but if you do so, you save time and trouble by using movers.
Every cost is detailed in the contract, so there are no surprises when it is time to start your life in the new location.
Potential problems with moving cross country yourself include accidental damage to your furniture or even something valuable breaking when it is being moved by family members and friends. There is no insurance against that happening, but a professional mover is covered in such cases.
You might also consider that fragile items may not be packed well or that heavy boxes could be unknowingly placed on top of boxes that cannot bear the weight for the entire move without collapsing, which is when moving experience really matters. There is little point in saving a few dollars if the result is that your valuable household goods end up broken.
The farther your planned move is, the more you should consider the relative costs and savings of the various moving options you have. If you are only one or two people, it may be best to fit everything in a rented truck or trailer if it fits, and you can arrange for large pieces of furniture to be sent separately. Alternatively, you could check into the cost of replacing your present furniture and sell items that can be purchased at your destination, but that depends on whether the items have sentimental value and whether the new state has good stores, warehouses and other sources that can provide the furniture that meets your requirements.