"Should I just rent a truck?" is one of the first questions people ask when they start planning a move. Sometimes the answer is yes. But the truck rental rate is rarely the full cost of doing it yourself, and the gap is smaller than most people expect. Here's an honest look at both, from a crew that does both kinds of jobs.
The real cost of a DIY move
When you add it all up, a do-it-yourself move usually includes:
- The truck: the daily rate, plus distance charges, fuel and damage coverage. See what rental quotes leave out.
- Equipment: dollies, moving blankets and straps.
- Helpers: pizza and drinks at the very least, and a lot of favours owed.
- Your time: often a full day of loading, driving and unloading, sometimes two.
- Risk: damaged walls, floors and furniture, and the very real chance someone gets hurt lifting a dresser down the stairs.
None of that shows up on the rental quote, but all of it is part of the price.
When renting a truck makes sense
- You're moving a studio or small one-bedroom, mostly boxes.
- You have two or three strong, reliable helpers who will actually show up.
- There are no tricky stairs, and no heavy items like a piano, safe, treadmill or solid wood furniture.
- You're comfortable driving and parking a large truck.
- Your schedule is flexible and you can afford a long day.
When hiring movers is worth it
- Stairs or elevators at one or both ends.
- Heavy or awkward items: appliances, sectionals, king beds, gym equipment.
- A tight timeline, like a same-day key handover or a work shift the next morning.
- A larger home, where a DIY move could stretch into a second day.
- Nobody available to help, or helpers you'd rather not ask.
A professional crew moves faster because it does this every day. The furniture is padded and the truck is loaded to use every foot, so most moves finish in one trip. We explain how hourly pricing works in how much do movers cost?
The middle option: your truck, our muscle
A lot of people don't know you can split the job. You rent the truck (or a POD or U-Box), and a crew handles only the loading and unloading. You drive; we lift.
This works especially well when:
- You've already booked a truck or container and realised the lifting is the hard part.
- You're moving to another city and driving yourself, but want it loaded right so nothing shifts.
- Your container is being shipped and needs to be packed tight and tied down.
It's our loading and unloading service, and it's often the best value for small to mid-size moves.
A quick way to decide
| Your move | Usually best |
|---|---|
| Studio, mostly boxes, helpers ready | Rent a truck |
| 1–2 bedrooms, some heavy pieces | Rent a truck + hire loading help |
| Stairs, appliances or a tight timeline | Hire movers |
| 3+ bedrooms or a full house | Hire movers |
| Long distance, driving yourself | Rent a truck or container + hire loading and unloading |
Still not sure? Send us the details in a free quote request. We'll tell you honestly which option makes sense, even if it's the one where you rent the truck.
Quick answers
Is it cheaper to move yourself?
For small, simple moves it often is. For larger homes, stairs or heavy items, the extra costs and time of a DIY move often add up to close to what movers charge.
Do movers charge for travel time?
Many local movers charge a flat truck or travel fee on top of the hourly rate. Ask how it works before you book so there are no surprises.
Can movers load a POD or U-Box?
Yes. Loading containers tightly and tying them down is one of the most common loading-only jobs, especially for long-distance moves.
