Professional Movers vs. Renting a Moving Truck

Professional Moving Truck in front of a House

We all want to be wise consumers, try to save a dollar when we can. For this reason, it’s tempting to rent a moving truck rather than hire professional movers. I understand that—I’ve even helped people in such situations with professional packing supplies and services. (I don’t begrudge anyone trying to save money. In this day and age, every dollar counts!)

If you are thinking about doing your own hauling, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Availability. When moving day gets here, will the truck rental place have a truck available for you? Especially during the summer months, when moving is at its peak, truck rental companies cannot keep up with the demand. Even a “guaranteed” reservation is often no guarantee that a truck will be available when you need it. True, Weleski is subject to the same seasonal demands for equipment. However, when we commit to your move, we serve you as promised. We’ve built our reputation on being reliable and responsive.

Hidden Costs. As someone once said, “the large type giveth and the small type taketh away.” That boldly advertised truck price is a grabber. Be sure to factor in all the related expenses for mileage, seasonal price fluctuations, long-distance and one-way premiums. Then add in an unknown amount for the unexpected, such as a tire blowout or radiator leak. On the other hand, with Weleski professional movers the guaranteed price for service covers everything, with no surprises. If something unexpected happens in transit, we take care of it.

Damaged Goods. When you pack and load your own shipment, you are responsible for the safety of your goods. If items break or are damaged, you’re on the hook. With professional movers, you get experience and best practices for packing and loading. Plus, every shipment Weleski handles is covered by full value protection (unless you say otherwise). FVP guarantees you receive the replacement value of any item in the event of loss or damage.

Your Safety. I was once driving through Florida on I-75 behind a car pulling a popular brand of rented trailer.  Apparently the load inside was unsecured, causing the trailer and car to swerve wildly. Traffic behind slowed in anticipation of a jack-knife and rollover. Fortunately, the driver slowed down and pulled over before a catastrophe occurred. This is but one example of the dangers you can avoid with a professional mover in charge.

Faulty Equipment. Vicious price competition in the truck rental space encourages less-than-ethical operators to cut costs, even on essential vehicle maintenance. Be aware the truck you rent is driven by a different driver on every move—and is only as reliable as the company you get it from. Speaking for Weleski, we are diligent in maintaining our equipment for reliability and safety. The lives of our people and the motoring public depend on it.

I remember seeing a cartoon that illustrated a backhoe beside a roadside stand with a sign: “Fred’s Croissants and Fill Dirt.” In an attempt to be everywhere, truck rental places are often an appendage to some other concern, such as a convenience store or self-storage business. Weleski Transfer, on the other hand, is a full-service moving and storage company with a single focus on helping customers go new places.

True, a professional move on paper is typically more than the cost of a rental truck. But add everything up, and I think you’ll see the many advantages of our professional moving service give you an undeniable value. You can save yourself a lot of hassle and uncertainty—and even come out dollars ahead. Get a free moving quote to see what we can offer you.