Should You Hire Movers or DIY? What to Consider in New Mexico

Introduction

Moving can be exciting, stressful, or both—especially when you're trying to decide between doing it yourself or hiring professional movers. If you're moving in or around Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Los Alamos, Española, or Taos, here's a breakdown to help you make the right choice for your situation.

Option 1: DIY Moving in New Mexico

Pros:

  • Lower upfront cost (if you already have help)

  • More control over your timeline and pace

  • Great for light loads or very short-distance moves

Cons:

  • You’ll need to rent a truck, buy moving pads, and coordinate helpers

  • Unexpected challenges: stairs, tight corners, heavy furniture

  • Fuel, time, and stress can add up quickly

  • Risk of injury or damaging items (or your rental truck)

Example:

If you're moving from a small studio in Santa Fe to a new place nearby and you’ve got strong friends—DIY might work. But if you hit unexpected weather or delays? It gets rough, fast.

Option 2: Hiring a Local Moving Company

Pros:

  • Professional help = faster, safer move

  • No lifting, loading, or driving a rental truck

  • Local movers know the area (including narrow roads, rural driveways, etc.)

  • Save your energy and avoid damage to your stuff or property

Cons:

  • Higher upfront cost than pure DIY

  • You need to book in advance (though we offer same-day options!)

Why It’s Worth It:

At Anytime Moving & Hauling, we keep it simple:
You pack. We lift, load, haul, and unload. No extras, no fluff.
We’re licensed, insured, and local to Northern New Mexico—so we know the roads, terrain, and timing better than national companies.

Real Cost Comparison (Ballpark Estimates)

Move TypeDIY CostPro Movers (Us)Studio → Apartment (local)$150–$300$250–$4002BR Apartment → House$400–$600+$450–$700House → House (30–60 mi)$600–$900+$650–$950

(Our rates are hourly, based on # of movers and truck. No hidden fees.)

What to Consider in Northern NM

  • Santa Fe side streets & adobe neighborhoods = tight access

  • Taos & Española areas = dirt roads, long driveways

  • Albuquerque apartments = stairs, elevators, timed move-ins

  • Weather = sudden snow or heat can make DIY risky

Hiring pros means you don't need to worry about any of this. We’ve seen it all—and hauled it all.

Final Verdict

If you have:

  • A short, simple move

  • No heavy furniture

  • A small truck and helpful friends

DIY may work.

But if you want:

  • Less stress

  • Fewer trips

  • No risk of injury

  • A fast, local crew who knows Northern NM roads

Hiring Anytime Moving & Hauling is worth every penny.

Get a Free Moving Quote Today

We offer fair, transparent pricing for homes, apartments, and small businesses across Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Taos, Española, Los Alamos, and beyond.

👉 Book Now
📞 Or call us at 505-795-5415

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The Real Cost of Moving in Santa Fe & Albuquerque: What to Expect