Renting A Moving Truck Vs. Hiring Professional Movers: Which Is The Right Choice For Your Long-Distance Move?

28 December 2020
 Categories: Business, Blog

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If you're moving across the country, you may be wondering if it's better to rent a moving truck and move by yourself or to hire professional long-distance movers. Many people opt to rent trucks in order to move long distances, as evidenced by the fact that you can find truck rental companies almost everywhere. However, it may not always be the most convenient option, and it may not be the best way to protect your belongings. To help you decide whether hiring professionals or renting a truck is the best option for your move, read on to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Renting a Truck

The biggest advantage of renting a moving truck and moving on your own is that it's a cheaper option than hiring professionals. Even when adding up the daily rental cost of the truck and the gas you'll need to get to your destination, moving on your own will cost less. In addition, renting a truck and moving your things yourself means that you'll already be at your new home—if this allows you to avoid paying airfare for a plane trip, you'll save even more money.

Another advantage of renting a truck is that you're able to move on your own schedule. Although you'll pay truck rental fees for every day that you have it, you have the freedom to spend multiple days loading and unloading the moving truck. When you hire professionals, you're bound to the moving dates on the contract you sign.

Hiring Long-Distance Movers

When hiring professionals, the primary advantage is that your belongings will be safer, especially if you purchase insurance. Long-distance movers know how to load your belongings onto the truck and secure them properly, preventing them from being damaged while they're in transit. If you move your belongings on your own and hit a pothole on the highway, your belongings could be damaged if they're not properly secured in the truck. If you purchase insurance for the move, you'll also be reimbursed for any damage that occurs—your homeowners or renters insurance policy may not cover items that were damaged during a move, but the insurance from long-distance movers does.

Another advantage of hiring professional long-distance movers is that you won't have to load or unload the truck yourself. Loading a moving truck will probably require moving heavy furniture, and it's possible that you may injure yourself or damage your belongings trying to move them. Unloading your moving truck is an even bigger hassle since it will likely be the last thing you'll want to do after spending hours on the road.

Which Is the Right Choice for Your Move?

Overall, hiring professional long-distance movers to transport your belongings to your new home is much more convenient, and it also helps keep your belongings safe. It's more expensive than renting a moving truck and moving by yourself, but the added convenience is worth it for many people.

If the high cost is a factor, there are a few ways you can reduce it. Moving during the winter off-season and moving on a weekday will usually result in a lower price. If you're moving for work, you can also typically write off your moving expenses. Selling items you don't need before you move and purchasing replacements once you've moved to your new home can also cut down on the cost of hiring professionals. Finally, make sure you contact numerous long-distance movers in your area to find the company offering the lowest price.