Should You Hire a Full-Service Moving Company or Rent a Truck

Moving can be quite expensive, as everyone who has ever moved already knows. There are a lot of ways in which you can reduce moving costs, however, one of which is to rent a moving truck and conduct the move on your own. Alternatively, you can take some time to find one of the best moving companies in your area and find the best deal. Renting a moving truck, of course, is always going to be cheaper than hiring professional movers. That being said, it might not always be the best idea. Whether you hire a full-service moving company or rent a truck, you need to understand that each option comes with distinct pros and cons. In this article, we will go over these pros and cons and help you decide on the best course of action for your relocation.

Pros and cons of hiring a professional moving company

Professional moving companies may charge a pretty penny for their services, but they also offer the easiest way to relocate. This is especially true when it comes to long-distance relocations, as driving distances can be overwhelming for most people. According to the moving trends in 2023, almost 18% of all moves involved moving from one state to another. The reason why most people choose to hire a moving company for a long-distance relocation is the fact that, aside from the move itself, there are a lot of other things that need to be taken care of. By hiring professional movers, you will essentially “buy” yourself the time you need to finish all of the tasks that your relocation might put in front of you.

Now, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of hiring a professional moving company in a bit more detail.

Pros

• Least labor involved
• No driving required
• Your movers will take on most responsibilities

Furthermore, by hiring professional movers, you will have access to all of their moving knowledge. If this is your first move, for example, you might not be aware of exactly what is expected of you, what are the common moving day problems and how to fix them, as well as how to prepare for the move in the first place. If you have a professional mover in your proverbial corner, though, you will always have someone to answer any moving-related questions you might have.

Cons

• Expensive
• Possibility of a moving scam

The reason why many people choose to involve themselves in a DIY relocation is the simple fact that hiring a moving company can be prohibitively expensive in some cases. Do note, however, that you can opt out of many moving services, such as packing and storage, to make your relocation a bit more affordable. Alternatively, you may hold a pre-move sale and pad your moving budget. The worst thing you can do is try to search for “no-name” movers and try to reduce the moving cost that way. By doing that, you are opening yourself to a high possibility of a moving scam. If you want to find the most affordable moving company in your area, the best thing to do is to consult the Consumer Opinion Guide and read our reviews and comparisons. We have already done all the research for you!

Even if you find an affordable mover, however, it may so happen that the price is still too high. In that case, the choice to hire a full-service moving company or rent a truck may already have been made for you. While there are many options for a DIY move (moving containers, shipping, etc.), renting a truck is the most popular one. However, it is also one that comes with distinct pros and cons.

Pros and cons of renting a moving truck

By renting a moving truck, you will be expected to pack and load your belongings on your own, as well as drive the truck to the destination. While you can hire packing and labor services, this usually defeats the entire purpose of renting the truck in the first place. Furthermore, you may also need to figure out whether you require any of the different types of storage units in the process, as this can increase the overall cost of the move, as well. Do note that renting a truck is not exactly cheap, either. For a long-distance move, you are looking at around $2,000 that you will need to spend on the truck rental.

With that in mind, let’s go over the pros and cons of this option.

Pros

• More affordable
• You get to set all the terms

If your goal is to save as much money on your move as possible, renting a moving truck is usually the best option. Furthermore, you will have the ability to conduct the relocation exactly how you want to. Want to go on the road at 3 AM? If you are driving the truck, no one is stopping you!

Cons

• Labor-intensive
• Driving over long distances can be exhausting

Aside from these two obvious disadvantages, renting a moving truck for your move is a lot more intense and stressful. You need to consider carefully whether the added stress and the amount of work required are worth it or not.

Should you hire a full-service moving company or rent a truck?

The best option for you will usually depend on your priorities as well as your particular situation. While renting a moving truck may be cheaper, the fact is that you will have to put in a lot of work and effort. You also need to take into account exactly how much you are saving. The average cost of a long-distance move is anywhere between $2,500 and $6,000, while you can get a moving truck for around $2,000.

That being said, if the cost of your move is the most important factor, go with a moving truck. If you want some added conveniences, you can always hire specific moving services such as packing and/or storage from your movers.

Regardless of whether you want to hire a full-service moving company or rent a truck, you will still want to choose the best possible option. If you want to minimize the time and effort that it takes to find a good moving or rental company, refer to the Consumer Opinion Guide. We’ve done all the research already and are happy to share the results with you! Good luck!