30 Apr The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Moving Truck
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Since 2020, about one-fifth of all Americans have relocated. More recently, WeForum reported that relocation rates across the country are at around 8%. Amidst all this relocation meanwhile, areas like Dallas and Fort Worth have even experienced the highest population growth in the country. All in all, this reflects a continuing trend of families making the move for greener pastures.
Unfortunately, the process of moving itself can sap some of the joy and excitement from this journey. For lots of people making a move, the logistics of packing up and transporting almost keep the end goal from being worth it. In many cases though, moving trucks can offer solutions, simplifying the process and taking much of the hard work out of people’s hands.
With that said, hiring a moving truck can offer just as many cons as it does pros. So let’s take a look at both sides of the option:
The Pros:
Less stressful
According to surveys of adult Americans by OnePoll, moving is by far the most stressful event most experience. In fact, with 64% of respondents calling their most recent move “one of the most stressful things they’ve ever experienced,” moving even outranked divorce or breakups in this regard. Furthermore, of those who did the moving on their own, 43% said they would never do so again.
On the flip side, with the help of a moving truck and company, you are privy to the expertise of movers who can do the hauling and transport for you. This is especially beneficial for long-distance moves, wherein you have more moving parts to account for. And because moving trucks also tend to be equipped with extra tools like dollies or boxes, you don’t have to worry about struggling to sort and pack your items yourself. Finally, with a moving truck, you can be more comfortable yourself during the actual move, since you won’t be crammed into a van full of boxes. This can make the overall experience a great deal more pleasant.
Availability of insurance
During a move, it’s common for a few things to go missing or get broken. Naturally, this can be particularly concerning if the items in question are valuable or important (think family heirlooms or official paperwork). Thankfully, with a moving truck, you are typically offered insurance coverage as required by federal law. According to a moving insurance guide on Forbes, there are three types of moving insurance that you can select from. These are full value, released value, and separate liability. The main differences between them concern how much coverage and reimbursement you can receive.
Regardless of your specific choice, insurance coverage assures that you won’t end up at a loss should something go awry. Conversely, if you’re moving sans moving company (and sans insurance), you’re going to have to cover all expenses related to what you lost on your own.
The Cons:
Hidden costs
While most moving truck companies are quite proud of their prices, it’s important to remember that what you sign up for likely isn’t all you’ll end up paying for. As explained in an article about U-Haul price estimates at AskMoney, customers usually end up paying for a far more expensive bill at the end of the day. Usually, the price moving truck companies advertise is only the base fee. This covers the rental of the actual moving truck. Ultimately, you’ll also be charged for every mile driven, the gas that is used, and additional insurance fees.
Even if you forgo any insurance coverage, you’ll still be required to reimburse the company for any damages incurred. Some other hidden fees you may end up paying, meanwhile, include environmental, toll, cleaning, and drop-off costs. All in all, you may end up owing up to 100% more of the original base fee you signed up for. This is more or less standard across moving companies, but it’s still important to know as you set about budgeting and making plans.
Lack of flexibility
No matter how much you prepare, moving seldom goes entirely according to plan. For instance, you may forget to pack something important; your original route may be diverted; or your schedule when the big day comes might be disrupted. Bear in mind also that if you’re moving to a new state like Texas, your moving schedule will have to factor in visiting utility providers and government offices.
If you’re moving on your own, issues like these aren’t necessarily problematic, because you’ll have a degree of flexibility. However, with a moving truck, your schedule is more set in stone. This means that you can’t make any sudden, unplanned schedule changes without first clearing them with the company (and possibly paying more). Additionally, moving trucks often require advanced logistical preparation, like securing permits. All things considered, these issues can lead to more paperwork, higher fees, and possibly a delayed move.
While moving is always exciting in theory, it can easily become problematic in practice. A moving truck can streamline the process for you, but is not necessarily a blanket solution in every case. Before you make your big move, it’s best to weigh the pros and cons of a moving company, so as to ensure the most positive moving experience.
Article contributed by Rosie Johnson
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