We didn't hire movers, but I told DH we would if we ever moved again. I do all the packing and cleaning and DH and friends/family move the rest. It works for me.
I am quite worried about how our couch will come out of our apartment. We didn't realize that we wouldn't be able to fit it into the apartment when we got here, so we had to lift it over the second floor balcony. I really can't imagine getting this couch back out over the balcony. We might just have to let it drop and see if it breaks...
if you got it UP over the balcony, getting it down will be a piece of cake, right? tie it up with some rope and let it down. Hopefully it won't be raining that day. another option is to sell the couch and let the buyer figure it out....