Turns out DIYing your move is not as fun as your latest DIY embroidery project – shocking! If you’re still committed to it though, at least get some professional advice.
The numbers are here people and they don't lie - lo and behold, the cheapest way to move (in most cases) is to do all the packing and heavy lifting yourself, and just rent a truck for transport.
Despite everything getting more expensive, apparently by the minute, beer and pizza are still relatively cheap - compared to hiring a full-service moving company.
It's no wonder most people (37.5% of Americans) choose to DIY their move. Plus, you get all the benefits of weightlifting and cardio without going to the gym - I'm pretty sure that's how it works.
If your heart is set on a DIY move (and hopefully healthy cuz you'll need it), there are some things you need to know before you rent a truck. Do you even know which size truck you need? How about insurance - do you have it? What are you going to ask the truck rental company - besides can you give me a truck?
I can't give you all the answers - I'm not a moving expert. But I did find this moving guide that helped me a lot when I moved last year - it's got tips on everything you need to know when renting a moving truck. I'll try to go through some of them here, but if you want to get the full story, I suggest reading the guide. And don't forget to bookmark it, too.
✔️ Low Cost, High Stress?
Sure, DIY moves are cheaper - and that's great. But, if it's gonna cause you so much stress that you later have to pay for a therapist, medication, and luxury vacation just to de-stress - how much did you really save?
I'm not trying to convince you to give up on DIY; I'm just saying that you need to make sure everything is properly planned so you don't lose hair and sleep over it.
✔️ We're Gonna Need a Bigger Truck
And it all starts with determining what size truck you need. Generally speaking, this will depend on how much stuff you have, especially large items like furniture. However, for a four-bedroom apartment, you can just go with a 26-foot truck - that should be enough. If you live in a studio or a small one-bedroom apartment, then a 10-foot truck should be enough. If you're not sure, you can always ask the truck rental company for advice.
And remember, it's always best to get a slightly bigger truck - just in case.
✔️ Research & Compare
I probably don't need to tell you this, but just in case you're in a hurry and want to get this thing done fast, slow down and do your research. You really don't wanna go with the first company that picks up the phone.
Call a few more - two or four - and compare the estimates and the companies themselves. It's always a good idea to check out reviews and websites like MovingScams.com to make sure you're dealing with legitimate and reliable businesses.
And, if Hustle and tons of other stories about thieves and conmen have taught me anything it's that if it's too good to be true, it probably is. So watch out for anything sus.
✔️ Full-Service Moving - How Expensive Is It?
Of course, it doesn't hurt to check just how much more would hiring a professional moving company cost you. Depending on where you're moving, it may actually not be that much more expensive. Plus, you can still opt to pack your stuff, which will reduce the moving costs.
In any case, if you want to compare the costs, you can get up to seven estimates from the guys who wrote the guide I told you about. Just go to Movers.com or click here and request quotes, free of charge. All the movers on the site are licensed and insured - so at least you know you're not dealing with scammers. That's one less thing to worry about.
