How much does a less stressful move cost?

That question wasn't rhetorical. It actually has an answer. It costs $2,500.

We are currently getting quotes from professional moving companies to help make our move a little less stressful and the estimates have ranged anywhere from $1900 to $2500. I don't know why I'm so shocked by the cost (and ironically stressed by the quote for the service that is supposed to alleviate stress) considering I've never had to make a major move in my life and have always assumed hiring a professional would be priceless.

I moved in and out of college dorms and apartments, but all I really had to transport then was my 13 inch combo TV/VCR and suitcases of clothes that hid bottles of booze that I bribed my older sister to buy me. However, those moves cost me my street cred with co-eds as my mom embarrassed me by introducing herself to all my neighbors and my dad scared the hell out of any boy who dared to look my way.

And the move into our first home required the strength of my husband, brother-in-laws and a few friends who were only tasked to move one bedroom's worth of furniture along with a couple of old couches. That move may have only literally cost us a few pizzas and beer, but there was arguing, swearing, hurt backs and hurt feelings.

I really thought that after all those stressful, mini-move experiences that you couldn't put a price tag on hiring professionals to do the biggest move of your life for you. But apparently when that price tag is $2500 and you're draining your savings to buy a home, you start to reconsider the idea of hiring professionals and think about how strong your relationships are with those you love and if they can endure your biggest move yet with their help and u-haul.

So before I start thinking about u-hauls and trying to figure out what friends of ours can do heavy lifting AND who are also friends we wouldn't mind losing, let me try to put a value to this $2500 and justify the cost.

If we hired professional movers we could:

• Tell them what to do with no guilt... and I personally wouldn't be accused of being a "nag" (or at least be accused of that out loud). Let me tell you, if I had a dollar for every time I was called that during a move, I could EASILY pay for these movers, no question.
• Avoid having to go to marriage counseling, which I'm sure is expensive 
• Spend time being excited about the journey ahead in life and not the journey ahead in a smelly rented truck that we'd probably struggle driving
• Avoid unnecessary "I will prove to you I can move this myself and don't need you" injuries
• Impress our neighbors - I still feel like we're kids moving into a way too adult house... a moving truck says, "we totally have it together and can afford these expensive movers." They don't have to know we'll have to eat PB&J sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner until our next paycheck clears.

So I guess it IS worth the money. But for $2500 they better deliver a hot latte to me in the morning and sing Broadway-worthy renditions of my favorite show tunes while working. Heck, I guess I'd even pay EXTRA for that.