Things To Consider Before Renting A Moving Van

Moving to an affordable self-storage unit or a new home? Here are some ways to save money. Most people don't get rid of everything they own and start over from scratch when they move, which means that you're going to have to bring in some outside help, whether it be a full-scale moving crew or a rented moving van.

First, decide whether you want to rent just a truck and do all of the moving yourself, or if you want to hire a team. If the latter, you have a choice between getting a couple of people to load up the truck and drive it for you, or a whole crew who will come out and pack up all of your belongings in addition to driving the van.

Before making any calls, inventory your belongings. You'll need to provide some basic information on the amount and types of items you need to have moved, and what kind of residence you're moving into. For example, if it's an apartment, is there a service elevator? Will the movers be able to park close to an entrance, or will they have to carry everything a considerable distance?

Remember that an estimate is just that, though; if you're hiring a full-service company, they'll need to come out and take a look for themselves before giving you a final quote. If you're just getting the truck a home visit won't be necessary, but it will be up to you to make an accurate accounting to ensure you don't end up with too much or too little space.

Use local and online resources to check out the reputations of the companies you're considering. Ask friends for referrals, and ask the companies themselves for references. Be sure to actually call the people on the reference lists.

Make your reservation early to be sure the truck you want is available when you need it. Certain times of the year are busier than others, so lock in your dates as soon as you can.

Be sure to take into account additional expenses such as deposits, fuel costs, and extra insurance coverage, if needed, as these can be considerable.

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