Learn more about selling, donating, and tossing your old belongings in our guide to getting rid of stuff before your move.
Different moving companies charge differently for the same services. If you get only one quote, you might pay way more than you have to.
That’s why it’s essential to get quotes from multiple truck rental companies before you decide which one to rent from. You’ll know you’re getting a low price if you have several others to compare it to.
We’ve already done some of the research to help you get started. To find out which truck companies usually offer the lowest rates, check out our list of budget-friendly truck rental companies.
Like we said earlier, large moving trucks cost more to rent than small ones. If you get a bigger truck than you need, you’ll be paying extra for every unused cubic foot of storage space.
The ideal truck size for your move will be based on several factors:
- How many rooms are in your old home
- How many boxes you’ll need
- How large your furniture is
If you’re moving out of a studio apartment, it’s unlikely you’ll need anything larger than the smallest truck size available. For every additional bedroom in your home, you’ll probably need to go up at least one truck size.
Of course, these are just estimates, and the right truck size is impossible to predict without knowing exactly how much stuff you have. To learn more, read our guide to picking the right truck for your move.
Promotional discounts are a staple in the moving business, and they can save you a lot of money.
Many discounts are only offered to people in specific demographics—seniors, college students, military service members, etc.—but others are offered to all customers. Check each truck rental company’s website for discounts that might apply to you.
If you don’t find any discounts advertised, ask customer service about them when you call to get your quote.
You can also search for promo codes online, but don’t be surprised if these don’t always work.
The moving industry is highly competitive, and companies are constantly trying to undercut their competitors’ prices. This can mean big savings for you if you play your cards right. When you talk to customer service representatives, ask about price matching.
Price matching is a business strategy where one company will lower its own price to match (or beat) a written quote from one of its competitors.
This is another reason you should always get multiple quotes before you sign a rental contract.
Not all companies offer price matching, and many of those that do only offer it under special conditions. For example, some companies will match a competitor’s price only if that competitor has a good score on Better Business Bureau. Jumping through hoops like these can be annoying, but a lower price is almost always worth the trouble.
Damage protection (sometimes called coverage) does exactly what you’d expect. It protects your belongings and truck if they get damaged by natural disasters, equipment malfunction, theft, or car crashes.
Most companies include at least a little protection like this on every rental, but it’s rarely comprehensive, and the exclusions can leave you high and dry in most cases. Damage protection that actually covers you against unforeseeable circumstances is always a good thing to have, but it costs extra.
If you’re trying to cut corners to save money, then foregoing extra damage protection can save you hundreds of dollars.
That is if everything goes well . . .
If you do get in an accident or your stuff gets stolen, you’ll wish you’d sprung for the coverage. The couple hundred bucks you saved will feel like nothing compared to the cost of replacing your stuff or fixing your rental truck.
For that reason, we never recommend moving without damage protection. If you’re willing to take the risk to save some money, though, it is an option.
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