Hire Movers vs. Rent a Moving Truck: Which Option Should You Choose?
Let us help you decide whether to hire movers, rent a moving truck, or both
Highlights
Professional movers can simplify and expedite the moving process by transporting boxes and furniture quickly.
Renting a moving truck can be a budget friendly option, costing $20 to $100 per day.
You can reduce the risk of injury and property damage by hiring professional movers.
Moving can be exciting but also overwhelming, as there’s many steps involved with packing up your life and relocating it. So, you may be deciding whether you should hire movers vs. rent a moving truck. The answer depends on many factors, such as your budget, the distance of your move, and how much time you have to complete the move. Let’s review everything you need to know to choose the best moving option for you.
Hire Movers vs. Rent a Moving Truck: Key Differences
There are some significant differences to consider whether to hire movers or rent a moving truck. When you rent a moving truck and go the DIY route, you’re responsible for the packing and unpacking process, heavy lifting of items into the moving truck, and transporting of your items to your destination. That’s quite a lot to do, and it requires specialty skills and equipment, such as moving straps, to complete the tasks safely.
On the other hand, local professional movers provide assistance with transporting your boxes and furniture to and from the moving vehicle, plus add-on services as requested. Many moving companies offer different service levels, so you can decide how much help you want based on your budget. For instance, a full-service moving company will pack your items, load them on the truck, and drive them to their new destination.
What Are Movers?
Professional movers can tackle any task you need to help make your move easier. These pros come equipped with the necessary supplies, equipment, experience, and workers required to move all of your items safely and efficiently. You can choose the number of professional movers to hire based on your move size and budget.
Moving companies provide a range of add-on services aside from the loading and unloading of boxes. For example, a white-glove moving service will pack and unpack your items, drive the moving vehicle, and help you reassemble and set up your furniture once you reach your destination. However, these services come at a premium cost.
| Pros of Hiring Movers | Cons of Hiring Movers |
|---|---|
| Saves time on moving day | Less flexibility on moving dates |
| Less stress and physical involvement | More expensive |
| Items protected with moving insurance | Less control over your items |
| Movers have extensive experience | Unexpected delays can happen |
Best for:
People with higher moving budgets
People that don’t have the time or resources for a DIY move
People that are moving long-distance
Pros of Movers
Check out the advantages of hiring professional movers.
Saves time: Moving is extremely time-consuming. Rather than spending time packing, loading, and getting your items to your new home, you can leave it to the professionals and worry about checking off other items on your moving checklist.
Lower stress and reduce injury risk: According to a Gitnux report, 61% of people rank moving at the top of their stress list, even more than starting a new job. Hiring professional movers to tackle this task can lower your stress levels, and you will reduce the risk of injuring yourself and others.
Insure your items: If you have valuable items, you can protect them by purchasing moving insurance. That way, if they are damaged or lost during the move, you will receive compensation.
Movers are experienced: Moving bulky items, such as heavy furniture, appliances, and boxes, can be dangerous if done incorrectly. Professional movers have everything required, including years of experience, to ensure your items get from point A to point B successfully.
Cons of Movers
Check out the disadvantages of hiring professional movers.
Less flexible moving dates: If you are trying to move during the busiest moving seasons (spring and summer), you may not be able to move when you want. Or you’ll pay a premium price to hire movers on popular weekends. The date you can move will depend on the moving company's availability.
More expensive: Hiring professional movers is typically more costly than renting a truck. The cost of hiring movers is $880 to $2,540, depending on the distance and size of your move and any additional services.
Less control: It can be nerve-racking not to have control over your items while they’re in transit with the moving company. However, that’s why it’s essential to vet your moving company thoroughly before hiring and purchase moving insurance.
Unexpected delays: While moving companies try their utmost to deliver on time, there can be unexpected delays. Heavy traffic, vehicle issues, or other incidents can cause late arrival and delivery times.
What is a Moving Truck?
A moving truck features a covered bed so you can safely transport your items without risking damage from inclement weather. You can rent moving trucks for local or long-distance moves, and you can drive them yourself or hire a professional truck driver to transport your items.
There are various sizes of moving trucks, ranging from 10- to 26-feet long, and the size you need will depend on various factors, such as the size of your home, the weight of your items, and the distance you are moving.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More affordable than full-service moving | Extra fees for gas and tolls |
| More control over your items | Risk of injury or damaging items |
| Flexible moving dates | Driving the truck can be difficult |
| Move at your own pace | Takes significant time and labor |
Best for:
People on a tighter moving budget
People who aren’t moving many heavy items
People who are moving locally
Pros of a Moving Truck
Check out the advantages of renting a moving truck.
More affordable: The average moving truck rental cost is $1,000, with prices ranging from $30 to $3,500, depending on the size of the truck, distance traveling, and whether you hire movers to load and unload the truck.
More control: If you have sentimental or fragile items or feel more comfortable doing things yourself, a moving truck may be the way to go. You have full control over the process, so you will know your items are carefully packed and relocated safely.
Flexibility: Depending on whether you are moving locally or cross-country, you have more flexibility for your moving dates if you rent a moving truck. Professional moving companies can require weeks to months advance notice, which can restrict when you can move.
Move at your own pace: If you don’t have a hard moving deadline, renting a truck allows you to take more time to pack and load your items. However, keep in mind that most moving truck companies charge by the day, so adding more time can incur more fees.
Cons of a Moving Truck
Check out the disadvantages of renting a moving truck.
Extra fees: You’ll have to pay for fuel, tolls, and mileage costs if they are not included in the base rental fee. Renting your truck during peak moving seasons may cost more than renting during the winter.
Risk of injury and property damage: Lifting heavy objects can cause injuries if you’re not careful. You also risk dropping your items, which can damage or break them.
Driving the truck can be difficult: Depending on the size of the moving truck, it can be difficult to drive and park for the first time. If you’re not skilled at driving large vehicles, it may be best to hire professional movers.
Time-consuming and labor-intensive: Packing, loading, and transporting your items takes a lot of time and risks injury to yourself and your items.
Hiring Movers vs. Renting a Moving Truck
Let’s compare hiring movers versus renting a moving truck further to see which is best with each category:
Options and Customizations: Professional Movers
While you have various customization options for truck rental sizes, movers offer more service options. You can choose how much professional help you need, depending on your move specifications and budget.
For example, if you are trying to save money, you can pack your items yourself and hire the pros to move them for you. However, if you have a higher moving budget, you can opt for a full-service move and have the entire process done for you.
Ease: Professional Movers
It’s much easier to skip the heavy lifting and let the professionals take care of it. Hiring movers saves you the time of purchasing the necessary equipment to move your items, collecting packing supplies, and you avoid the risk of injuring yourself.
Plus, driving a large moving truck can be difficult and stressful. So, hiring professional movers near you is a much easier and less-stressful option.
Flexibility: Moving Truck
Trying to hire movers that align with your moving date can be frustrating, especially if you need to move during the peak seasons of spring and summer. In that case, you’ll have to hire movers months in advance, which can make it difficult if you need to move sooner. Renting a moving truck offers more flexibility with your moving dates, and you can take your time with the process, if necessary.
Price: Moving Truck
If you are on a tight budget, renting a moving truck and moving yourself is more cost-efficient. The cost to rent a moving truck is $30 to $3,500, depending on the size and distance of the move. However, a long-distance move can cost between $2,700 to $10,000 if you hire professional movers.
Keep in mind that renting a moving truck requires paying for packing supplies, fuel, and even mileage in some cases. So, depending on the type of move and its complexity, you may want to get a quote for both.