A move you build and do yourself with a rental truck can cost you $1000 if you have the people to put in the labor, while a professional moving service might only charge $1500 for the same distance and will do all the work for you. Read through our guide to understand the plusses and minuses of renting a truck for a DIY move versus hiring movers.
Renting a Moving Truck or Hiring Movers: The Age-Old Dilemma
When moving to a new home, one of the first questions people ask is: “Is it cheaper to hire movers or rent a moving truck and just do it myself?” While both options have their plusses and minuses, the right choice depends on your personal factors like your budget, the size of your move, how much time you have spare, how good of friends you have, and the level of effort you’re willing to put in.
This guide will break down both options and help you make an informed decision based on your current situation.
Hiring professional movers is one of the most cost-effective and stress-free ways to move. Moving APT offers various services that can cater to all different budgets and needs, and our experience and efficiency make us an excellent choice no matter how you choose to move.
Renting a moving truck and buying your friend’s pizza and beer are often the first things that come to mind when people think of moving on a budget.
After all, it is a simple, straightforward option- right? While it can be more affordable in the short term in some cases, renting a truck requires more time, effort, and planning and could even come out more costly at the end if you don’t plan right. Here’s a breakdown of the costs and challenges you might face.
Rental Truck Costs
Don’t take a price you see online at face value Truck rental prices vary depending on the size of the truck, the duration of your rental, when you need it, and the distance of your move. For a local move, renting a truck will cost anywhere from $30 to $100 per day for a small 10-15 ft truck.
For a long-distance bigger move, rental prices will range from $1,500 to $2,500, depending on the truck’s size and how far you’re going in miles.
Additional Costs To Consider
Gas: A moving truck is a gas guzzler with terrible milage, and depending on how far you’re traveling, gas costs will quickly add up. A large moving truck consumes 10-15 miles per gallon on a good day, meaning long-distance moves could see gas costs alone of $300-$500 depending on fuel rates that day.
Insurance: Most truck rental companies will offer insurance for an extra fee, ranging from $20 to $50 per day per driver, depending on the coverage level. Without it, you’re liable for any damages during the move so this is a pretty critical add on.
Mileage: Most truck rental companies charge for extra mileage, especially for long-distance moves. $0.50 to $1 per mile is standard, which cawilln quickly add up for the long haul. Make sure to check what miles are included with your rental.
Equipment: Moving supplies like dollies, blankets, or straps cost extra. If your move is more complex, you could spend an additional $50 to $100 on these items, if not more.
Effort
Renting a truck will save you some money as you aren’t paying the daily salary of the workers, but it also means you’ll be responsible for packing, loading, and unloading all your belongings. You become oyur own worst nightmare.
This is overwhelming if you have heavy furniture, fragile things, or even just if you are working full time as this too is a full time job. Don’t forget that you’ll be responsible for driving this truck with your whole life inside, which can be stressful, especially on unfamiliar roads.
Hiring Professional Movers: A Better Choice?
On the other hand, hiring professional movers means you’re paying for their experince, knkowledge, efficiency, and really for your peace of mind. Though the cost might be higher upfront, many people find that the benefits outweigh the price. Here’s a breakdown of costs of a full moving service:
Costs of Hiring Movers
Hiring movers involves more than just laborer that come move your boxes, you’re paying for the team’s time, skills, and equipment. This saves you lots of other costs that add up quickly.
For a local move, usually you will pay an hourly rate, which ranges from $100 to $150 per hour for a team of two or three movers and the truck including all saftey things.
For a long-distance move, the cost can be from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the distance, size of your home, and the specific services you choose.
Services That Affect Cost
- Packing and Unpacking: Some moving companies, including Moving APT, offer packing and unpacking services, which can add an additional $300 to $1,000 depending on the amount of packing required.
- Specialty Items: If you need to move fragile or valuable items (such as sports equiptment or artwork), expect to pay an additional $100 to $500 for specialized treatment.
- Insurance: Most moving companies include basic insurance in the cost, but you might want to add additional coverage for high-value items to be in a clear head space for the move.
- Gas and Tolls: Some companies charge a fuel additional fee over X amount of miles or toll fees if you’re moving long-distance on toll roads.
Why It’s Worth Hiring Movers
Time and Labor: Professional movers are trained to pack, load, and unload quickly and efficiently. They have tons of experience and know how to safely move large furniture and delicate items, reducing the chances of damage which ends up costing more.
Less Stress: The peace of mind that comes with knowing your belongings are in safe hands is priceless. You won’t need to worry about renting a truck, organizing your friends, or coordinating logistics on moving day.
No Missing Costs: Unlike truck rentals, where gas, mileage, and insurance can add up unexpectedly as you might be missing something last second, movers provide a flat rate or transparent pricing with all costs included, so you know exactly what to expect.
Liability: If something is damaged, your professional movers will have the proper insurance coverage so that you will be compensated. There might be a premium you need to pay.
Comparison: Renting a Truck vs. Hiring Movers
To give you a better perspective on which option is cheaper for your circumstances, let’s break it down with an example for a local move:
- Distance: 25 miles
- Truck rental cost (per day): $100
Gas cost: $80 (for the round trip) - Insurance: $50
- Labor (friends or family): Free, but with an value of $200 for 4 hours of labor + factor in pizza and beer for $60
- Time: 8 hours total (for packing, loading, driving, and unloading)
For this scenario, renting a truck would cost around $290 in total, excluding any potential damage that could happen due to inexperience. In this case renting a truck would be more cost effective if you have the friends to help.
On the other hand hiring professional movers for this same scenerio would cost you approximately $400 to $500 for a team of 2 movers for 4 hours, including loading, unloading, and basic insurance.
Although it is slightly more expensive, the added value of not needing to manage everything yourself and ask help from freinds could make this the better choice.
For a long-distance move, the numbers will be higher for both options, but the convenience and lack of stress associated with hiring movers make them usually the better choice.
Moving APT, offers affordable long-distance moving deals that include everything from packing to unloading with no hidden fees.
Get a price comparision we think you will be suprused at how small of a savings doing things on your own is.
When to Rent a Truck
- Small Move
- Tight Budget
- DIY Mindset
- When to Hire Movers:
- Large or Complex Move
- Limited Time or Help
- Stress-Free Experience
No Matter How You Move, Simply Plan
Why Moving APT is Your Best Choice
At Moving APT, we offer various moving services tailored to fit your needs and budget. Whether you’re planning a local move or heading across the country, our experienced team can help ensure your move is as easy and cost-effective as possible. With transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and a commitment to excellence, Moving APT is your go-to choice for stress-free moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire movers for a local move with Moving APT?
Local moves generally cost between $300 and $1,500 depending on the distance you need us to travel for you, size of your home, and the services you choose to bundle into your package.
What is included in the cost of hiring movers?
The cost covers the labor of usually up to 4 workers for a standard package with loading, unloading, and transportation, but additional VIP services like packing, unpacking, and moving specialty items will come at extra cost and can be added on as you wish.
Is it cheaper to rent a truck than to hire movers for a short-distance move?
Renting a truck may be cheaper for small, short-distance moves where you have help from friends or family, but the cost of fuel, insurance, and the effort involved will add up and you need to factor in opportunity costs.
What are the benefits of hiring a full-service moving company like Moving APT?
A full-service company like Moving APT offers everything from packing to unloading, providing a seamless experience with no hidden fees, and allowing you to focus on other aspects of your move. You get trusted movers at a fraction of the price and can relax knowing your move is in good hands.
Can I save money by packing myself?
Yes, packing yourself will save money as you won’t need to add on this service, but be careful. Improper packing can damage your items, which could end up costing you more in the long run.
Consider hiring movers who offer packing services if you want extra protection and don’t have the time without missing work.
