At its simplest, a self-move
involves renting a truck, packing your belongings yourself, and loading and
unloading on your own. The only time limitations are your own personal
availability and the bodies needed to load everything. Rental truck companies
(U-Haul, Ryder, Penske, Budget, etc.) are ubiquitous, so you can work at your
own pace.
However, self-moves demand
careful consideration. First, does it make economic sense? While distance often
dictates the answer to this question, it can be easy to overlook the many costs
involved: fuel, mileage fees, tolls, meals, lodging, not to mention the cost of
renting a truck spacious enough to contain your belongings (a good rule of
thumb: a 10′ truck for 1 to 2 furnished
rooms, a 14-15′ truck for 2 to 3 rooms, 18′ to 20′ truck for 3 to 4 rooms, and
a 22′ to 24′ truck for 5 to 6 rooms). In Louisville, Kentucky for example,
a 24’ box truck at Ryder Bluegrass Park costs $103.95 per day plus .36 cents
per mile sans the physical damage coverage. Rental truck prices move like the stock
market depending on demand.
Additionally, some expenses can
remain hidden: insuring valuable property, hiring extra help, or even the cost
of food at a pre- or post-move party. Never forget that truck rentals involve
special precautions. Most rental agencies require drivers to be insured. If
your own auto insurance policy does not cover a truck rental, most companies
will insist that you purchase their additional coverage ($30 per day at Ryder
Bluegrass in Louisville, KY).
Finally, many states require that
rental trucks above a certain size stop at weigh stations to be sure that they
meet tonnage standards for roadways. When
factored together, self-moves can often create as many costs as any
professional moving option.
A Local Van Moving & Storage - Movers Louisville, Kentucky Original article by Sean Parrish
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