Movers

One of the big decisions we’re making this week is whether or not to hire movers.  In the past we have moved using relocation packages through Brendan’s company and there is something to be said for having someone carefully wrap all of your worldly belongings carefully into boxes, load them on a truck and take them to the next location while you sit reading a magazine, sipping a nice cup of coffee.  I have very much enjoyed that in the past.  And let’s face it, there is nothing fun about having to lift and haul boxes and carefully orchestrate the packing of a truck that may or may not be able to contain everything you own when this is not something your body and mind are accustomed to doing.  I will admit that I have been horribly spoiled in the past and there is a part of me that wants, very badly, to be horribly spoiled again.  This time, however, any spoiling will have to be paid for out of our own pockets and the price is, well, pricey.  

We had the first estimate for movers today, a local company that comes highly recommended.  Their estimator was friendly, professional, and didn’t seem to mind at all that she was slowly being mauled by two rambunctious children in bad need of afternoon naps and two dogs that could use several runs around the block to tire them out.  In fact, she handled all of that like a seasoned grandmother would and was able to carry on a conversation above and around the din, making me feel quite at ease.  She wins big points for that.  The estimation came in a little lower than I would have expected based on the moving costs for our last move, but still high enough that I am seriously considering –dare I say it – packing our own boxes and having them just move the packed boxes and furniture.  The most disgusting part of the estimation is the enormity of it all: we own an estimated 13,000 lbs of stuff.  Does that make anyone else’s head swim with nausea? 

If we pack our own boxes, would we be more discerning in our decision making over what to bring and what to donate/recycle/throw out?  Could we save ourselves from piles of crap and save a boatload of money at the same time?  Or does it make more sense to spare ourselves and our children the mental and emotional fallout that several weeks of sorting and packing could very well create?  How much is peace of mind worth?