Let’s be honest for a second. No one loves the idea of moving. Sure, moving to a new place can be an exciting adventure. But, the process of moving? Not so much. It requires time, money, and oh so much effort. Not to mention all of the cheap moving boxes that lay strewn around your house. Of course then the question that begs to be asked is, “Do I hire a moving company? Or, do I just rent a moving truck? Neither are bad options, but the trick is figuring out which one is best for you. So, how do you do that?
Start by looking at your situation, and then add in some key factors to help formulate your decision. Those key factors are as follows.
- Costs
On the surface it seems that renting a moving truck would be cheaper. In some instances you’d be right. However, often times you fail to calculate in all the costs that go into renting a moving truck. First, you have the cost of the truck itself. Then you have gas, potential tolls, sleeping accommodations if you have to drive for more than a day, hidden fees, taxes, etc. Plus, don’t forget the cost of packing supplies. Even if you use cheap moving boxes and things like newspapers to protect items, packing supplies can get expensive. The best way to truly compare and contrast the cost between a moving company and a rental is by checking out one of those cost comparison tools online. They can help you break down the different expenses you could incur from either choice.
- Help
When planning a move, help is crucial. It literally can be the difference between you staying sane or going insane. Moving is hard work and takes a lot of time and effort. Which means calling in those favors you’ve been waiting to cash in with your friends. But, now you need to ask yourself the question, “Do I really want Butterfingers Bob to help me carry my prized TV to and from the van?” This is a legitimate question. If you go with a moving company, you’ll be dealing with professionals who do this sort of thing on a daily basis. Plus, they have insurance, so if they damage your items, they’ll replace them or reimburse you their value. Now, if you don’t’ have a lot of valuable items, and just a few items packed in cheap moving boxes. Then maybe going with a moving service would be an added expense that isn’t necessary. Again, it comes down to accessing your particular situation.
- Safety
Driving a moving truck can be scary if it’s not something you’re used too. They are bigger, it’s harder to see traffic beside and behind you, and braking is much different than in a normal vehicle. Plus, add in the factor of being exhausted from packing and loading the truck, and the task of driving even a state away can seem daunting. So, unless you’re just moving across town or a couple hours away, a moving company could save you a lot of stress and help ensure the safety of yourself and your items.
Ultimately, the choice is yours on weather or not you’ll hire a moving company or rent a truck. Both have pros and cons, and neither is a bad choice. The key to making this decision is bringing in all the factors before you decide. Costs, help, safety, moving location, and the amount of items you have all play in a role in what ultimately will help you make the perfect decision for you.
