01
Misinterpreting the Scope of the Move
- Improper furniture protection and poorly packed cartons
- Inadequate protection of motorcycle and scooters for transit
Real Move Cost Comparison
Full service vs. DIY move: what are you really saving?
When planning a move, the most important decision is whether to hire a professional moving company or take on the burden of moving on your own.
Survey Snapshot
4/5
DIY movers said they would absolutely not do it on their own again.
1
Direct Cash
Truck, fuel, labor and materials
2
Time
8 days DIY vs. 3 days full service
3
Labor
Loading, unloading and protection
4
Risk
Truck, breakdowns, liability and coverage
5
Stress
Planning the move while doing the move
The Example Move
Los Angeles to Chicago, 8,000 pounds
Customers sometimes consider moving themselves because they expect significant cost savings. In reality, when you compare the tangible and intangible costs of a DIY move to a full service move, that is not always the case.
Scenario
2-bedroom home
plus 1 motorcycle and 2 scooters
Cost Category
Do It Yourself
$7,017
Full Service Mover
$8,931
Truck Rental (26 ft)
Transportation quote
$3,109
$6,497
Packing & Materials
Materials and packing cost
$2,100
$1,143
Loading Labor
3-person loading crew
$600
Included
Driving the Truck to New Home
Los Angeles to Chicago
Your risk and responsibility
Included
Unloading Labor
3-person unloading crew
$600
Included
Fuel
Cross-country fuel
$608
Included
Transit Protection for Belongings
Coverage clarity
Unknown
$361
Vacation / Personal Time from Work
Time away from work
8 days
3 days
Visible gap
$1,914
The professional option is only this much more in the example once direct DIY costs are counted.
Time returned
5 days
Full service estimates 3 personal days instead of 8.
Risk transfer
Included
Driving, loading, unloading, fuel and logistics move off your plate.
Decision Point
DIY looks cheaper until your time, risk and backup plan are part of the math.
When comparing both options, include all direct and indirect costs that are part of the equation. Contact our company for an estimate and compare it to the cost of a DIY move.
DIY Moving Cons
Six risks hiding behind the rental truck
The DIY choice is not just a cost decision. It shifts the planning, liability and contingency work onto you.
02
Navigating a Rental Truck
- Are you prepared to drive an older straight truck cross country?
- Rental truck will likely have to stop at all weigh stations
03
Safety Concerns
- Action plan if the truck breaks down on highway
- If repairs are not possible, all contents are unloaded and loaded onto a new truck
04
Travel Expense
- Cost of fuel, lodging, meals, tolls and parking on the road
- Cost of time off work
05
Personal Injury
- Significant exposure in an accident - you assume all liability
06
Transit Protection
- Do you have enough coverage for your belongings in transit?
Bottom Line
Once every cost variable is compared, the DIY savings usually shrink.
Once all the cost variables are compared, typically there is not a huge cost savings when you do it yourself. Get a quote, compare it to your real DIY plan, and make the decision with the full picture.
These guys were amazing. Everybody at Oakley was polite, professional, and did an excellent job for a very fair price. A few days later all our stuff arrived in Colorado in perfect condition — every last item tracked and accounted for. I couldn't recommend them more highly.
I had a great experience with the movers from Oakley Relocation. They showed up on time, installed protective coverings in my new house, then worked diligently all day to unload and unpack my belongings. Very professional.
The team was incredible and went above and beyond in moving our family — and so kind to us and our one-year-old. We live on base so we were nervous about accessibility, but the team made it happen! Every single thing was carefully wrapped and taken care of like it was their own.
Efficient, respectful of my property, friendly, and cooperative. Hector, Enrique, and Mark came to my home twice for my overseas move — first to package and second to remove. They communicated every step of the way.
Oakley Relocation was a great resource to get us moved from So Cal to Idaho. They were timely, efficient and friendly during what could be a stressful time. Mayra (office) and Juan (driver) were excellent.
Tyler, Marcus, Joey, Frank, Justin, Chase, and Joe did an excellent job packing our home. There was a clear plan to pack a 5,000+ square-foot house in one day, with clear communication among the team and great respect for our home.
Trevor Smith and his team did a fantastic job moving our belongings from San Diego to Dayton, Ohio. Trevor was excellent in analyzing our needs and his team did a super job packing our belongings. Great job!
Hands down the most impressive, top-quality moving service. We hired Oakley Relocation to pack our entire home and move us into our new one. The entire team was incredible, professional, and so thorough.
Tyler, Marcus, Joey, and Lewis were truly professional. They communicated well and ensured the proper set-up of my items throughout my house. They knew the ins and outs of the military move process, which made it easy.
Facing two moves — one local and one out of state — was overwhelming. Oakley Relocation took care of every nut and bolt, from a walk-through to building personalized crates for our bronzes and artwork. Tyler and David's teams were polished and professional. I can't recommend them more highly.
My husband and I moved from Brentwood, CA to Oceanside, CA. My experience with Oakley Relocation made the move seamless and easy. We had used them for another move two years ago and were so pleased we came right back.
The team (Tyler, Lewis, and Mark) did an outstanding job all around. They were careful with our belongings, asked how we wanted things packed, and were polite and punctual through packing and unpacking. Would recommend 100%.
Thank you Oakley Relocation for a great start to our move back to Ohio. Our crew was led by Hector Ortiz — we had Hector on a previous move and he once again did a marvelous job. He treats your home and possessions like his own.
The entire experience was as efficient and pleasant as we could have hoped — from Nick, who provided our estimate, to the crew (Hector Ortiz, Enrique, Chris and Angel) who were efficient, careful with our possessions, and very friendly. Highly recommend.
We had a great experience with Oakley Relocation packing our belongings for our move from California to Tennessee. Tyler and his crew, Joe and George, were amazing — extremely professional and courteous.
Oakley Relocation did a great job! Trevor was extremely detailed in his inventory, so we knew exactly what our move would cost. Juan, our driver, and the crews were polite, professional and experienced. Every promise was kept — including a refund because our weight came in under the estimate.
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