The do-it-yourself, or DIY move, is for the bold and adventurous. DIY movers are not going to be hiring anyone to help haul all their worldly possessions from one place to another, although they might call on family and friends to lend a hand. When you choose this option, you are telling the world that you laugh in the face of back-breaking manual labor, driving a truck the size of your apartment, and turning your family and friends against you. You're also saying that you want to save as much money as possible because this tends to be one of the cheapest moving options for obvious reasons.

Still, you'll have to shell out some cash unless, for some reason, you personally own a big rig. You will choose among renting a truck, portable storage container, or space in a freight truck. More on that later. You'll also have to invest in pizza, refreshing drinks, and toilet paper (for the bathroom of your new residence) for the friends and family you coax into helping you. It's the least you can do.

What is a "Hybrid™ move?" Well, it may sound fancy and exotic, but really, it's for the practical and budget-minded because it is both convenient and affordable - the cheap moving option that doesn't feel cheap. For a few hundred dollars, you can hire local moving professionals through sites like HireAHelper, MovingHelp, and MovingStaffers who will load and unload a truck or container for you. You could even have them pack, if you'd like. By foregoing the full-service move, which literally costs thousands of dollars, you are saving money. As a bonus, you will be saving your back, too.

Besides, professionals have a lot more experience, so they will do a better job of securely loading a truck or packing grandma's antique vase. If they are able to keep more of your stuff intact by packing or loading and unloading it better, or perhaps fitting your goods in one container rather than renting two, then investing in their services could be of real value and could even bring on some savings in the long run. There's a few different hybrid moving options which will affect how much time you have to invest in your move, which you can check out below. Whichever you choose, you'll be saving yourself a lot of time versus the D.I.Y. moving option, and a ton of hard earned dough versus the full-service moving option.

A full-service move is the right choice for those who are too busy to pack up their stuff and ship it out on their own. It's also great for those who have to move on the fly, say, because of a job relocation, and are moving on someone else's dime, say because of a job relocation, or are simply lazy. You can kick back on your couch as the full service movers are carrying it out of your place. Not really, but you could sit on the floor and watch them as they do all the heavy lifting. Right about now, you're imagining yourself sipping an iced tea as your things simply disappear from one home and reappear in another. Magic! And you're thinking, "Why isn't everyone going full-service?" Well, it costs a lot of money. That's why. A lot. We're talking thousands.

Still, you get what you pay for. The movers pack your stuff, load it onto the truck, drive the truck, unload it at your new place, and even rebuild furniture that had to be disassembled for the trip. You're just left to unpack the boxes at the new place.

Here are 10 tips to ensure that you’re working with a professional, ethical mover:

1. Know who you’re dealing with — verify the mover’s identity.

Look for red flags that something may not be right, such as:

• No physical address or phone number online, just a “Contact Us” feature
• You’re quoted a very low price that seems too good to be true
• No federal motor carrier (MC) number is shown; or if there is an MC number, it doesn’t match with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) website

2. Get at least three written in-home estimates.

Be wary of any “guaranteed” estimates offered over phone or online; instead, ask to have someone come to your home. Some movers also offer virtual home surveys that you can do yourself. Get more than one written estimate. If a mover insists that he can provide a “final” estimate over the phone without ever seeing your home and your furniture — choose another mover.

3. Check the company’s ratings.

Visit the Better Business Bureau, or other consumer websites such as Angie’s List, and ask family and friends for referrals.

4. Know your rights.

Your rights for an interstate move are spelled out in two federal government publications, Ready to Move? and Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.

Federal regulations require your mover to give you a copy of the first brochure, Ready to Move?, with all written estimates for interstate moves. When you agree to hire a mover, you must then receive a copy of Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move, a second booklet that goes into more detail. You must also receive information on the arbitration program that the mover participates in. Some movers now provide this important information electronically. No matter what form it comes in, be sure to review it and ask questions about anything that you don’t understand.

Most state governments regulate movers who operate within that state, so for a local move, check with your state moving association or your state consumer affairs office for details.

5. Understand the level of liability,

or valuation, that your mover would be responsible for in case of loss or damage. The cost of full-value protection must be included by law in interstate estimates — so you must “opt out” to get the minimum coverage of 60 cents per pound, which we don’t recommend. This is a different product than traditional insurance, which is written by a third party.

6. Avoid large down payments.

Although some movers may ask for a small “good faith” deposit to hold a date (especially during the busy summer season), be wary of carriers seeking large down payments, or payment in advance for any reason.

7. Make sure all agreements between you and your mover are in writing,

and get a copy of everything you sign, especially the most important document, called the bill of lading. Never sign any blank forms.

8. Take valuables with you.

Cash, coins, jewelry, photographs, and important papers should be taken with you or sent ahead separately.

9. Be reachable by phone.

Make sure the mover has your cell phone number and is able to reach you during your move, in case there is any unforeseen change in your delivery schedule. Be sure to have the driver’s full name, ID and truck number to allow for fast and accurate communication.

10. Ask questions.

If you do not understand something, ask. The moving business and has its own terminology and can be complex. If you aren’t satisfied with the answers to your questions or if the mover hesitates when you ask for clarification, talk to another carrier.

Getting Estimates

Once you have a list of several potential movers, the next step is to contact them to get estimates. It is very important to get in-home, written, signed estimates from the companies you are considering. That way there is no disagreement later about the terms of your agreement. Get estimates from at least three different companies so you can compare services and prices. Estimates should be at no cost to you.

If a mover you are considering refuses to give you an in-home estimate and claims he can provide an accurate estimate over the phone or online without ever seeing your possessions – choose another mover. Moving consultants, especially those certified through our CMC program, are trained to identify any issues with stairs, low hanging tree branches, or other obstacles, and can provide a more accurate estimate of your total weight through a visual inspection.

Be wary of low-ball estimates. If a company you’re considering tells you that it can do the job for a surprisingly low price, ask questions. It could mean he will “suddenly remember“ some extra charges once your belongings have been loaded on the truck, the doors have been padlocked and your leverage over the situation has been greatly reduced.

Many movers offer three types of estimates, binding, non-binding, and not-to-exceed. It’s important to know what the differences are. Learn more about them here.

Making Your Decision

After you have compared your estimates, you should be ready to make a decision about which mover to hire. Contact that company and chose pickup and delivery dates.

Your mover may ask you to select several consecutive days during which your goods can be loaded, and a second series of dates during which your goods can be delivered to your new home. A spread of days gives you and your mover the flexibility needed to keep your move on schedule.

You’ll then receive a document officially known as an order for service, which will include the agreed-on price for the move from the estimate. After you sign and return it, you’re good to go unless anything changes before your moving day.

Your mover must also give you a copy of the Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet (a paper copy or a link to the information) as well as a summary of the arbitration program the mover participates in to comply with federal law.

Truck Rental Space Size Guide

Of all your moving options, moving truck rental companies like Uhaul, Penske and Budget Truck remain the staples of the moving industry. Dating back to the 1940s, Americans have had their stuff loaded into giant pickups, vans, or big rigs to chase their dreams in a sweet, new home.

On average, when you use a rental truck for your move, you will pay around $155 for a local move, $225 for a medium move, and $971 for a long distance move.

Rental trucks are easy to utilize for your personal move, now that hiring Full Service movers is no longer the only route to moving bliss. Signing up for a Hybrid™ Move - where you rent a truck and hire someone else to load and unload it - allows you to hack a Full Service option without breaking the bank. Reserve a rental truck online or over the phone, then simply pick it up on moving day.

Uhaul® Truck Rental

2978 reviews (4.18 out of 5)

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U-Haul® created the DIY move and squashes the competition with its availability. With more than 21,000 locations in the United States and Canada, no other truck rental company comes close to having the same volume, which means there's likely a U-Haul center near you. Still, no company is perfect. While you can pick up just about anything you need for your move at the local U-Haul center, you could easily be led into buying stuff when making your reservation online because quantities for products are preset for purchase.

Be careful! In fact, their entire online reservation system is pretty frustrating, in general. We recommend speaking to a customer service representative by phone. Keep in mind that your preferred pick-up location might not be the one to which you end up traveling. The good news is that if U-Haul changes things up on you, it will pay you $50 for the inconvenience.

For more detailed information on U-Haul visit its profile page.

PRO

• Massive network that makes finding a truck easy. Knowledgeable employees.

CON

• Large corporate structure can often lead to problems, including non-personable interactions and inconvenient solutions.

Penske® Truck Rental

1674 reviews (4.39 out of 5)

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Penske's® commercial businesses often overshadow its consumer rental truck arm, but it's worth a second look. Penske's relatively smaller size often makes for better overall customer service. Booking a truck online is easy and over the phone agents are open to helping you find multiple discounts to lower the cost. One note: You do have to be willing to speak up and ask questions to make sure you get the best possible price and value for your specific move.

Penske also offers roadside assistance available 24/7, which is a nice perk for anyone who is the slightest bit intimidated by driving a ginormous truck.

For more information on Penske visit its profile page.

PRO

• Easy online reservations. Generous resolutions to any issues that may arise.

CON

• Not as many physical locations as other rental truck companies.

Budget® Truck Rental

1349 reviews (3.64 out of 5)

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Maybe you've used Budget® for its car rental service and didn't even know it had a truck rental arm. Well, with over 2,800 locations in the United States, Budget is a great choice for your move! The best news about Budget's truck rentals is that there are lots of discounts available for bringing down your cost. However, your experience will only be as good as your local Budget dealer, as they really run work more as individual entities. This, in turn, also limits your ability for modifying your reservation online.

And while everyone was kind as can be, customer service representatives often refer you to the local dealer for answers. Who wants to dwell on the negative though? One of the differentiating factors here is that Budget practically guarantees your preferred pick-up location, which can really help you plan your move more efficiently.

For more information on Budget visit its profile page.

PRO

• Competitive pricing, easy to navigate website and personable experience.

CON

• Because their fleet of trucks are large, they can often go too long without proper servicing.

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Enterprise® Truck Rental

26 reviews (4.85 out of 5)

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When you think of Enterprise, no doubt "that car rental place" flashes through your mind. But now with Enterprise Truck Rental, could Enterprise be a viable option to help out your move? Well, it just depends on what you're hauling and where you're going. Enterprise offers a massive variety of different types of trucks to rent, which means if you're relocating, say, your above ground pool, they might be able to help you do just that. But don't get too excited if you have plans on taking that pool very far; Enterprise Truck Rental mandates that all vehicles be returned to the same location they were rented from.

This means whether you're moving your kitchenware or your ride mower, Enterprise is logistically a local move option only. But with Enterprise's famous rental car business model dangling over, including their 24/7 roadside assistance program and free pick-up options, it's a tempting and affordable option for your DIY move.

For more info, check out their profile page.

PRO

• Tons of affordable options with an easy cancellation policy.

CON

• Having to drop off the vehicle at the same store you got it limits Enterprise to local moves only.

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Ryder® Truck Rental

19 reviews (4.84 out of 5)

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Ryder trucks aren't just for commercial use. In fact, there's a lot to like if you go with Ryder. For starters, booking an available van or 22 foot straight truck is a seamless process, and canceling is just as simple, if for whatever reason you have to do it. And as far as rental trucks go, Ryder trucks are plenty affordable where you can get them, especially for their size.

On the downside, all Ryder trucks must be dropped off at the same location you rented them from, meaning that personal moves are relegated to local ones (unless you like driving for a living). Also, the driving, insurance, and any incurred damages are pretty much all up to you. It's as straightforward a rental procedure as it gets.

For more info, visit the Ryder Moving101 profile page.

PRO

• Super simple online reservation, affordable moving transportation.

CON

• Impractical for long distance moves, you are the driver and are liable for damages without purchasing insurance.

Is a Moving Truck Right for Your Move?

Local Moves

PROS

• Often the most affordable local moving option
• Pairs great with local movers to save money
• Many companies have a variety of rental sizes and helpful equipment

CONS

• You have to do the driving
• Flexible, but your local supply of trucks may be limited
• Higher mileage fees for local moves

When should I reserve my truck by?

Ideally, you want to reserve your rental truck no later than one month out from your move.

But hey, life happens. Calling your local rental truck company as late as moving day is something they're used to, but be prepared to call several places in and around town—especially during the busy summer season.

Long-Distance Moves

PROS

• Fantastic value compared to other moving options
• Variety of sizes allow you to customize your moving journey
• Lower or alternatively priced mileage options

CONS

• You have to do the driving
• Responsible for tolls and fees
• Insurance usually more costly

Long-distance moves are more complicated. First, you have to drive further, which inevitably means paying a larger bill. Second, you have to find a rental company that allows you to pick up the truck in one place and drop it off in another. This means that the company must have locations in your departure and arrival zones.

Versus Other Moving Options

PROS

• Very often the most affordable moving option
• Likely the most customizable option for your specific move
• Discounts are easier to come by

CONS

• You have to do the driving
• Harder to know final cost, due to fees
• The most in demand moving option year-round

Rental moving trucks were once the only way to make a move, especially one across the country. But nowadays, you have more options to consider, including:

• Doing it all yourself
• Moving containers
• Space on a freight truck

Still, for those who like to drive - even driving the hugest of those bad boys - moving trucks remain a viable, affordable option.

They have decent flexibility, dwarfed only by the moving container, and are usually the most affordable way to move, short of moving things in your own car with your own muscles.

Rental truck insurance

Insurance isn't really optional with moving truck rentals. Most credit card companies and auto insurance policies won't cover the cost of the truck if there is significant damage on your watch. Totaling a truck can cost upward of $45,000, so you'll have to consider investing in insurance!

Most of the rental truck companies offer some sort of logical option. Many provide you with more than one possibility, too, and it's usually one insurance that provides the bare minimum and another that allows you to go all in. Unfortunately, you ultimately have to make a choice regarding much of the truck will be covered, as well as personal property and human life within the vehicle in case of an accident.

Paired With Movers

PROS

• The best cure to moving stress in the world
• Extremely great value for their cost
• Efficient with their time and bring lots of knowledge to your move

CONS

• Are more expensive than a DIY Move
• Cannot drive your moving truck if hired as labor-only
• Subject to their schedule and local availability

You can hire professionals to load and unload the truck to make the experience considerably easier. Sometimes this option can cost as low as one or two hundred bucks. To figure out exactly how much your moving truck/mover combo would cost, you just have to study your options to determine the best fit for your move.

Most truck rental companies sell other moving supplies, such as boxes and packing tape. But you might be able to find these items cheaper at the local hardware store or even the dollar store, so keep that in mind. You can rent hand trucks and furniture pads from truck rental companies, too. Tows for your car are also available.

Don't forget these things w/ your truck

• Moving blankets
• Hand trucks
• Car tows
• Boxes
• Ties

You can rent these at most truck rental and hardware stores, and most are essential. Many movers automatically provide many of these things, which really help out with moving costs!

Are There Any Downsides with Moving Trucks?

There are often hidden fees. Some companies charge an environmental fee, for example.

You must budget for gas, which is not going to be included in an estimate.

The locations of the truck rental company matters. Why? If you get a great price but have to drive another vehicle far away to pick up the truck, you will be spending more on gas and losing time. Also, some companies allow you to drop off your truck at a different facility, which makes them ideal for a long-distance move. However, if you are moving from, say, New Jersey to Florida and have to pick up and drop off at the same New Jersey location ... that truck isn't for you.

You have to be willing and able to drive it yourself. This is not for everyone. Know thyself and determine whether you can handle it. Some people love the opportunity, while others dread it. Regardless, you have to be insured and prepared for the worst case scenarios.

Planning

It’s never too early to begin planning your move. Start out by decluttering your home! Create a Trash, Donate and Keep pile for your entire home; you won’t believe how much stuff you don’t need. Donate used clothing and other household goods, which will provide a tax deduction. For other items, have a yard sale.

When should I move?

If you can move during off-peak season, from September through April, you may get a better price and find that movers can be more flexible in their pickup and delivery. One of the unfortunate myths about relocation is that school age children should not be moved until summer. Many families have undergone considerable inconvenience just to avoid a school-year move. But a summertime move may cause more problems than it solves.

Since school is a primary source for making friends, a summertime move will place your child in unfamiliar surroundings at a time when his or her chances for making friends are at a minimum. When school opens in September, they will enter the first day chaos as a stranger. The teacher, meanwhile, facing a new class, may not be able to identify their discomfort and need for special attention.

A move during the school year, on the other hand, allows your child to go directly from one social setting into another. They are new on the scene, so their classmates – and more importantly, the teacher – pay special attention to them.

If you need to move during the busy season of summer, schedule it mid-month and/or mid-week, which may result in a lower price and fresh crews. Weekends and ends of month are busiest for movers.

Who should I look for?

We strongly recommend choosing among the approximately 3,500 companies who are using background screening with government authorities at the state or federal level, as well as with their Better Business Bureau chapter. They are reputable, legitimate companies who operate under honest business practices and the law.

You can check your interstate mover’s complaint history at the federal government’s consumer information website for household goods moves.

Accessorial (Additional) Services — services such as packing, unpacking, or shuttle service that you request to be performed (or are necessary because of landlord requirements or other special circumstances). Charges for these services are in addition to the transportation charges.

Advanced Charges — charges for services not performed by the mover but instead by a professional, craftsman or other third party at your request. The charges for these services are paid for by the mover and added to your bill of lading charges.

Bill of Lading — the receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation. It is your responsibility to understand the bill of lading before you sign it. If you do not agree with something on the bill of lading, do not sign it until you are satisfied that it is correct. The bill of lading is an important document. Don’t lose or misplace your copy.

Binding/Non-Binding Estimate — a binding estimate is an agreement made in advance with the mover that guarantees the total cost of the move based on the quantities and services shown on the estimate. A non-binding estimate is the carrier’s approximation of the cost based on the estimated weight of the shipment and the accessorial services requested. A non-binding estimate is not binding on the carrier and the final charges will be based on the actual weight and tariff provisions in effect.

Guaranteed Pickup and Delivery Service — an additional level of service whereby dates of service are guaranteed, with the mover providing reimbursement for delays. This premium service is often subject to minimum weight requirements.

High Value Article — items included in a shipment that are valued at more than $100 per pound. These items should be disclosed to the mover to ensure that they are protected accordingly.

Inventory — the detailed descriptive list of your household goods showing the number and condition of each item.

Transportation Charges — charges for the vehicle transportation portion of your move. These charges apply in addition to the additional service charges.

Order for Service — the document authorizing the mover to transport your household goods.

Pickup and Delivery Charges — separate transportation charges applicable for transporting your shipment between the warehouse and your residence.

Shuttle Service — use of a smaller vehicle to provide service to residences that are not accessible to the mover’s normal linehaul equipment (large moving vans).

Storage-In-Transit (SIT) — temporary warehouse storage of your shipment pending further transportation; for example, if your new home isn’t quite ready to occupy. Added charges for SIT service and final delivery charges from the warehouse will apply.

Valuation — the degree of “worth” of the shipment. The valuation charge that you are assessed compensates the mover for assuming a greater degree of liability than that provided for in the base transportation charges.