Moving with Family: Is Truck Rental the Best Option?
When you move, it is challenging for the whole family. The more family members you have, the harder it can be. And, of course, if you have a lot of children, it can be a real circus. Even a short move can be extremely challenging. The more miles you add to your move, the more complications you are likely to encounter - especially if you have not planned well. Be sure to get the very best moving equipment and service you can. If you plan to use a truck rental, be sure to rent one that is big enough and in good condition to avoid complications.
You will have a lot of choices when considering a moving truck rental service. On the surface, you may think all truck rental companies are alike, but a little research will show you that there are actually big differences. Compare the extra services you may see from one company to another. Be sure to carefully evaluate the terms of service each company offers. Look at your belongings, your time frame, and the length of the move to determine which truck rental service best matches your needs. This may take a little time, but it is time well spent. There are three things to consider when evaluating your needs.
The first thing to determine when looking at self-service moving companies is the fact that they will want you and your family members and any other warm body on the premises to help with the packing and moving. You will be the supervisor of this crew. You will have to get all the packing materials and boxes you need. You will have to be sure all your belongings are properly packed, and you will have to put everything on the truck. If you are very organized and like doing this kind of thing, it shouldn’t be a problem for you. However, if you are not suited to this kind of job, it can be a major headache. If you are busy packing stuff, you may not have the time and the patience to deal with your children’s concerns regarding having their things boxed up and driven off. So you really need to look at whether or not you are up to facing the monumental task of organizing and shifting all of your belongings while addressing your family’s ongoing need for security and reassurance.
The second thing to think about is the fact that not only will you and your family members will be loading heavy boxes and items onto the truck, you will also be doing the driving yourself. Then, you will unload the boxes, crates and heavy items at your destination and drive the truck back to the rental service. If you have plenty of able bodied family members who are willing and able to help and if you are comfortable driving a large, heavy vehicle, this kind of service may be an excellent way for you to go. If not, you may want to consider alternatives.
The third thing to think about is the cost effectiveness. It may seem like cheap truck rental is the best alternative on the surface. After all, you don’t have to pay a professional driver, and you don’t have to pay professional movers. However, this may end up being more trouble than it is worth. Saving the stress of the packing and loading may be worth the money you would spend on pros. Add to that the fact that you or a family member could be injured doing unaccustomed heavy lifting, and you have a genuine financial and health concern to consider when thinking about whether or not a cheap moving service is a real savings for you. On top of that, driving a large, unfamiliar, heavily laden vehicle can be a challenge. Even the best driver of a family car may encounter problems on the road in this sort of situation. And, if you go with a smaller vehicle and end up not having enough room for all your belongings, you will face another challenge. You may end up spending money on additional gas to tote things in your private vehicle or additional mileage to make extra trips in the “cheap rental truck”.
There can be a lot of hidden expenses in a move. Be sure you thoroughly examine the three important aspects of moving before you decide which method is right for you. Remember that children make all of these aspects doubly important to consider. Your savings of a few dollars may end up costing in unseen ways. A stressful move can create a negative memory for life. Be sure to plan carefully for a happy and stress free move.
