To DIY (do-it-yourself) or hire professional movers is the dilemma that many go through when planning a home relocation. Especially when you are moving a short distance, you can save a lot by moving by yourself, but the safety of your goods cannot be guaranteed.
So, it’s a more convenient option to hire a professional home removal service in Singapore. A professional service provides you with a seamless and hassle-free move. Often to an extent that you can sit back and watch the movers do their thing.
This blog guides you through all the pros and cons of both. This way, you can decide if you should DIY or seek some of the cheapest house movers in Singapore, so dive in.
Why Is a DIY Move Good For You?
A DIY (do-it-yourself) move is a strenuous task but a blessing in disguise for budget movers. You can save a lot on the move. It allows you to skip hiring professional moving services. DIY move is highly economical, especially for small-load moves (e.g., relocating a studio apartment).
For short-distance moves, you can avoid labour and transport charges. Also, you dictate the packing timeline and exactly how your belongings are handled, eliminating the stress of rigid professional schedules or rushed packing.
If you need to make sudden changes or add a stop at multiple drop-off points, you can do it easily without surcharges from a moving company. You retain complete privacy over your personal items since you handle the packing, loading, and unpacking yourself.
What Are Common DIY Mistakes?
With a DIY move, it becomes difficult to navigate condominium and HDB restrictions. Most condominiums require prior booking of loading bays, strict lift-padding, and only allow moves during designated weekday hours.
Missing these slots or failing to adhere to building rules can result in heavy fines or being turned away by security. Also, finding legal, close parking for a rented van (like a BlueSG van or a commercial rental) at older HDB estates or narrow condo driveways is difficult.
You risk hefty fines or a long, sweaty walk to transport heavy boxes. When you factor in the cost of renting a lorry, fuel, purchasing bubble wrap, packing tape, and cardboard boxes. The DIY route can easily exceed the cost of a professional home removal service in Singapore.
The hot and humid Singapore weather drastically amplifies the exhaustion of carrying heavy furniture up staircases or into cramped elevators. Improper lifting techniques can also lead to severe back injuries.
Are Professional Movers Reliable?
With professional movers, you get trained crews who know how to manoeuvre heavy furniture (like bulky sofas or pianos) through narrow corridors and up multiple flights of stairs. With their assistance, you can be assured of no damage to your belongings.
Moreover, with professional assistance, you get the utmost convenience and save a lot of time on the move. Outsourcing heavy lifting and logistics allows you to focus on the other essential administrative details of your relocation.
Moving companies also offer risk coverage so that you can claim damages in case any issues arise. Reputable moving companies typically include goods-in-transit insurance, providing financial protection against accidental breakage or loss
How To Spot Red Flags With Movers?
Lastly, if you are tight on budget and seek some of the cheapest house movers in Singapore, ensure that you get a binding quotation. Often, people have to pay absurd amounts of surcharges if they only rely on texts/calls.
Also, services that ask for a high advance payment or have abruptly different prices from that of the market standards are huge red flags. Do not pay such services and seek reviews for any service you shortlist to confirm their validity.
Legitimate international and local movers maintain a registered office or warehouse. If they have no listed address, or their listed address turns out to be a residential HDB flat, they lack proper operational capacity. You can cross-check their business profile using the ACRA BizFile+ portal.
FAQs
Do I need to pay a security deposit to the condo management?
Yes, most MCST boards require paying a refundable deposit somewhere between S$ 100-500 to protect the lift and the common areas in the building.
Is lift protection mandatory when shifting HDB or condo items?
Yes, both town councils and condo MCSTs mandate using protective padding inside service lifts to prevent scratching common property during furniture move.
How far in advance should I book my Singapore house movers?
Book movers at least 2 to 4 weeks in advance, especially if you are planning to move during the peak season like school holidays or month-ends.
What are the official moving hours allowed for Singapore condos?
Condos only allow moving between 9 AM and 5 PM on weekdays, and till 1 PM on Saturdays. Sundays and public holidays are heavily restricted.
How to move on a low budget?
If you want to move on a low budget, you can hire an on-demand lorry and pack by yourself for a DIY move.
To Summarise
A reliable home removal service in Singapore can ensure that you are moved without any issues. Also, you get risk coverage for your goods, so it’s definitely better to move with assistance from a professional moving service.
On the other hand, if you are moving a short distance or within the same HDB estate, you can go for a DIY move. Or, you can book a basic move package from a professional mover. This way, you can get assistance for the heavy lifting.
