Should You Rent a Moving Truck or Hire Professional Movers?

Moving to a new home is an exhilarating journey that gives you a fresh start and new opportunities. Along with the excitement comes many questions, including whether you should rent a truck or hire a moving company. Each option has its advantages — renting a truck may work for smaller and simpler moves, while hiring a moving company is better for more extensive, complex or long-distance relocations. 

This guide compares renting a moving truck vs. hiring professional movers. By the end, you can decide which option is better for your unique moving needs. 

1. Assess Your Moving Needs

You must determine your needs before renting a truck or hiring a moving company. Consider the scale, distance and time frame of the move.

Size of Move

Packing a one-bedroom apartment into a U-Haul is easier than packing a three-bedroom home. So, take stock of what you need to move. Count the rooms in your home and list all the possessions relocating with you. Taking inventory can help establish the necessary truck size or type of moving service. Make sure to account for any oversized or irregular items, like art pieces or pianos. 

If the thought of working out how many boxes you need gives you a headache, professional movers can help. They will determine the number of boxes you need. This is especially beneficial if you live in a large home and have many items to transport. 

Local vs. Long-Distance

Are you moving within city limits or across the country? Long-distance moves are more complex than local ones, and professional moving services are typically the better option. While packing your belongings into a truck and taking a cross-country road trip can be an adventure, you’ll have to prepare for long stretches of driving, fuel costs and potential issues along the way. Professional movers have the experience to handle long-distance relocations. They map the route and plan for weather, traffic or road conditions.

2. Compare Costs

The cost of renting a U-Haul vs. hiring a professional moving company differs according to the level of service. Each option has certain fees and potential extra costs.

Renting a Moving Truck

Renting a truck may seem cheaper, but be mindful of the total costs:

• Rental fees: The daily rental rate depends on the truck size, company and duration. 
• Mileage charges: Some companies charge a per-mile fee in addition to the rental rate. These charges can add up over long distances.
• Fuel costs: You cover the fuel during the agreement. Larger trucks need more fuel, which can add significant expenses.
• Insurance: Rental providers often require or recommend insurance for an extra cost.
• Equipment rental: You may need straps, furniture pads or other items to protect your possessions.
• Hidden costs: Check the fine print for late return policies and toll fees. 

Hiring Professional Movers

The cost of hiring professional movers also varies. Here are some components that make up the final cost: 

• Transportation costs: These are based on the distance between your current location and your new home. 
• Packing services: Movers can pack and unpack your belongings. You can customize this service to include your whole house, specific rooms or oversized items. 
• Liability coverage: Valuation coverage ensures your items are protected if they get damaged. 

There may also be additional costs for handling specialty items, storing items or shipping vehicles. 

3. Evaluate Your Resources and Available Help

The cost of renting a truck or hiring a moving company involves more than money. Evaluating resources also requires assessing the time and effort required to move. DIY moving requires time for planning, packing, loading, driving, unloading and truck return. Time is valuable. You can calculate your time investment using your hourly earnings as a benchmark.

Also, consider your network of friends and family. Can they come help? Are you all able to lift heavy boxes and furniture without straining your bodies? Professional movers reduce physical and mental strain by managing the move’s complexities.

4. Protect Your Belongings

You want your possessions to reach your new home in their original condition. However, when you move items yourself, you might increase your risk of damaging your belongings — or yourself — in the process. It helps to educate yourself on the safe way to lift items and load them into the truck. 

Professional movers are experts at handling bulky items and minimizing damage risk. They also have liability and valuation coverage to protect you in case of accidental damage or loss. 

5. Weigh the Benefits

Comparing the benefits of renting a truck or hiring professional movers can guide your choice. 

The Benefits of Renting a Moving Truck

The self-move option may work for smaller, local moves. Here are some of the pros:

• Cost: Renting a truck is typically more affordable than hiring a moving company. Still, remember to factor in extra fees, time and effort. 
• Control: You have complete control over packing and moving your belongings. 
• Flexible moving dates: You have more flexibility when renting a truck. For example, moving companies need notice to arrange a relocation.

The Benefits of Hiring Professional Movers

For larger moves, a reliable moving company offers these advantages:

• Convenience: Hiring a team makes the time-consuming moving process quicker and more efficient. Movers can coordinate every aspect, including packing, transportation and unpacking.
• Expertise: Moving companies have the experience, equipment and training to handle any move. They are well-versed in packing fragile or large items without damaging them. 
• Valuation: If you opt for DIY moving, you must replace any broken items yourself. Professional movers have different levels of coverage to protect your precious possessions. 
• Time savings: Movers use streamlined processes to save time. 
• Safety: Professional movers follow strict protocols for safe property handling.

Whether you hire a moving service or rent a truck depends on individual circumstances. Truck rental may make sense for a small move if you have the time and capacity to manage it yourself. Professional movers offer convenience, quality and reliability suited to larger or long-distance moves. 

The Corrigan Moving Systems Difference

Corrigan Moving Systems has been in the moving business for almost a century. Here’s what makes us one of the largest full-service moving companies in the United States:

• Tailored plans: Every move is unique, so we personalize plans according to your needs. 
• Decades of experience: We have fine-tuned our operations since 1929. Our dedication to always doing the right thing has led to many happy customers. 
• Free pre-move consultations: Planning the perfect move means knowing what we’re moving. Our free, no-obligation pre-move consultations ensure a smooth and easy relocation. 
• Trained and experienced crew: All movers receive training at Corrigan Academy. This program covers everything from technical skills to paperwork. When the Corrigan Moving Systems crew arrives at your door, you can rest assured you’re working with the best of the best.
• Effective planning: Coordinating a relocation involves many moving parts. We take the burden off you by planning every facet.
• Commitment to safety: Our team employs strict safety measures to ensure your belongings arrive as expected.

Trust the Experts for a Flawless Move

At Corrigan Moving Systems, we understand how moving to a new home can impact your life. For decades, we have honed our craft to provide seamless, high-quality moving services to our customers. We go the extra mile to ensure the success of your residential move. 

Trust Corrigan Moving Systems as your local, long-distance or international relocation partner. Call us at 1-800-267-7442, or request a free pre-move consultation today!