A frequent trap people fall into is underestimating the amount of both time and work the entire process takes. Sorting and packing your stuff, loading everything in a vehicle and unloading it at the new home will take many, many hours of intense labor.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storagecafe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2020\/01\/diy-moving1r.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s not forget that you need to reconcile all that with the schedules of friends and family members that are generous enough to help you move. You might not be able to do the move at the most convenient moment for you, and you\u2019ll likely need to take time off work \u2013 all of which ultimately translates into lost money.<\/p>\n
In the case of a long-distance move with a rented truck, the time spent on the road could also lead to extra expenses. Depending on road conditions and other factors beyond your control, the drive could take a lot longer than expected. You might end up spending more on food, accommodation or fuel than you initially budgeted for.<\/p>\n
<\/span>You Won\u2019t Declutter Properly<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nSince you won\u2019t be paying professionals to pack, load, and transport your stuff \u2013 which is usually billed by weight or volume – you might not feel incentivized enough to trim your bulk. Moving is a golden opportunity to get rid of all the stuff you don\u2019t need and to start afresh with a perfectly organized new home<\/a>, where every item you keep to hand has a purpose. However, the process of decluttering is difficult for many reasons, including emotional attachment to things, indecisiveness, and not knowing what to do with the discarded items.<\/p>\nThat\u2019s why most people DIYing their own move end up packing a lot more stuff than they really should. The rationale behind it is that you\u2019re the one packing and moving, so you\u2019re not paying anything extra, and who knows, you might even end up using some of that stuff again. However, this approach will end up costing you money. You\u2019ll be wasting time packing, you\u2019ll be forced to rent a bigger and therefore more expensive truck, or you\u2019ll make more trips by car, which adds up in terms of fuel and vehicle wear and tear.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storagecafe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2020\/01\/diy-moving4r.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/span>Your Belongings Might Take a Hit<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nThere are some risks associated with packing, loading into a truck and transporting virtually your entire home without help from professional movers<\/a>. Lack of experience could lead to using unreliable packaging boxes, stuffing too much in one box, not securing electronics and furniture properly inside the truck, or simply losing your footing when moving an item. All that translates into damages you\u2019ll have to cover out of your own pocket.<\/p>\nMoving truck rental doesn\u2019t include insurance for the stuff you are transporting. You\u2019ll have to purchase cargo insurance separately, which generally covers only damages due to road accidents, not theft or improperly securing your goods.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Injuries Might Occur<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nManipulating large and heavy objects constitutes a pretty dangerous activity, especially when done by inexperienced people. A simple back injury, which is one the most common types of injuries in such circumstances, might keep you on the sidelines for literally weeks. Not only will moving become a lot more challenging for your family, but you could also be forced to take extra time off from work or cover for medical expenses.<\/p>\n
Things get even more complicated if one of the people that came to help you move gets injured. For a start, you\u2019ll feel pretty bad for that person and you\u2019ll try to compensate for all the inconvenience. In extreme cases, you might even end up facing a personal injury lawsuit and you could be held liable. Obviously, that\u2019s not a common occurrence, but the possibility that you or another person could suffer an injury during the move, with serious consequences, shouldn\u2019t be ignored.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storagecafe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2020\/01\/diy-moving5r.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/span>Transportation-Related Costs That Most People Don\u2019t Factor In<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nWe already established that time spent on the road costs money, but there are other hidden transportation costs to be aware of. A thorny issue is that of rental truck insurance. Most truck rental companies don\u2019t require you to purchase insurance policies but do offer a variety of options.<\/p>\n
Damage waivers protect the person renting the truck against any damages or the theft of truck, while a supplemental liability insurance is needed in case you hit another vehicle. You need yet another insurance, a personal accident and cargo protection one, to cover you and your belongings in the truck.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a chance, albeit small, that your personal auto policy covers truck rentals \u2013 check with your auto insurance provider. In case it doesn\u2019t \u2013 in fact, most don\u2019t \u2013 you\u2019re left with two choices: purchase the policies, which really adds up, or take your chances, which might result in serious damages to the truck or to your belongings that you\u2019ll be paying for out of your own pocket.<\/p>\n
The cost of fuel, particularly in the case of a long-distance move, also needs to be properly budgeted. Moving prices can vary significantly from one state to another<\/a>, so don\u2019t draw up your budget based solely on gas prices in your area. Do some research on how much fuel costs along the way in order to have a clearer image of how much you will spend.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storagecafe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2020\/01\/diy-moving-2r.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Renting a truck that\u2019s not the right size for your stuff will also end up costing you extra money. Get one that\u2019s too small, and you\u2019ll have to scramble at the last minute to find some additional means of transportation. On the other hand, if you overestimate your needs and get a truck that\u2019s too big, you will end up paying a lot more than you should.<\/p>\n
<\/span>How to Choose the Right Truck Size for Your Moving Needs<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nPickup trucks and cargo vans are suitable for small loads, such as, for example, when moving a studio apartment locally or moving a student to their dorm room. A 10 to 12 ft. truck works for smaller apartments, while a 14-17 ft. truck is the right size for an average, two-bedroom home. Larger trucks, like the 20-24 ft. ones, should be rented if you\u2019re planning to move all the belongings in a large (3+ bedroom) residence. The costs vary depending on the size you choose so make sure it\u2019s the best for your moving needs.<\/p>\n
[desktoponly]![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storagecafe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2020\/01\/Moving-Truck-Sizes-for-DIY-Moves-Desktop.jpg\")
[\/desktoponly]<\/p>\n
[mobileonly]![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/storagecafe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2020\/01\/Moving-Truck-Sizes-for-DIY-Moves-Mobile.jpg\")
[\/mobileonly]<\/p>\n
A small truck that you can use when moving a small apartment rents for around $35 per day. Medium-sized trucks, which are recommended for average-sized houses or apartments (2 or 3 bedrooms) cost around $60-$80 per day. If you need a large truck to move a 3+ bedroom home, the daily fee for renting one hovers around $100. These prices refer to simply renting the truck. Factoring in the rest of the expenses, like gas, insurance and mileage fees, as most companies charge extra after a certain number of miles, the basic cost could double at least.<\/p>\n
<\/span>How to Make Sure Your DIY Move Will Be a Success<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nThere are, indeed, many obstacles when it comes to organizing a successful DIY move \u2013 but that\u2019s not saying it can\u2019t be done! You just need to be extra careful and to plan every stage of the process in detail, making sure you avoid the veritable money pits detailed above.<\/p>\n
Start with a thorough declutter, to reduce the volume of items to be packed and transported and pay extra attention to safety rules while loading and unloading your stuff. If it\u2019s a long-distance move, draw a detailed itinerary of the trip ahead of you, budgeting some extra time and money for unexpected events on the road. Put all of that in an online planner that will help you estimate costs and keep splurging in check. After seeing it on a virtual piece of paper, it usually all becomes clear and more real.<\/p>\n
Moreover, there are some other simple tricks that will help streamline your DIY move without breaking the bank. You could jump-start the process by packing a good chunk of your stuff early on and shipping it to a storage unit<\/a> located near your new home. Let\u2019s say, for example, that you are moving from Philadelphia to Washington, DC. Rent a storage unit in Washington<\/a> and use it as your pied-a-terre in the city \u2013 you can ship a lot of your belongings in advance, thus making the entire process easier. A 10×10 storage unit<\/a> in Washington, DC costs about $142, according to Yardi Matrix, so it pays off to keep one for the couple of months leading up to moving day.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why most people DIYing their own move end up packing a lot more stuff than they really should. The rationale behind it is that you\u2019re the one packing and moving, so you\u2019re not paying anything extra, and who knows, you might even end up using some of that stuff again. However, this approach will end up costing you money. You\u2019ll be wasting time packing, you\u2019ll be forced to rent a bigger and therefore more expensive truck, or you\u2019ll make more trips by car, which adds up in terms of fuel and vehicle wear and tear.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/span>Your Belongings Might Take a Hit<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nThere are some risks associated with packing, loading into a truck and transporting virtually your entire home without help from professional movers<\/a>. Lack of experience could lead to using unreliable packaging boxes, stuffing too much in one box, not securing electronics and furniture properly inside the truck, or simply losing your footing when moving an item. All that translates into damages you\u2019ll have to cover out of your own pocket.<\/p>\nMoving truck rental doesn\u2019t include insurance for the stuff you are transporting. You\u2019ll have to purchase cargo insurance separately, which generally covers only damages due to road accidents, not theft or improperly securing your goods.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Injuries Might Occur<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nManipulating large and heavy objects constitutes a pretty dangerous activity, especially when done by inexperienced people. A simple back injury, which is one the most common types of injuries in such circumstances, might keep you on the sidelines for literally weeks. Not only will moving become a lot more challenging for your family, but you could also be forced to take extra time off from work or cover for medical expenses.<\/p>\n
Things get even more complicated if one of the people that came to help you move gets injured. For a start, you\u2019ll feel pretty bad for that person and you\u2019ll try to compensate for all the inconvenience. In extreme cases, you might even end up facing a personal injury lawsuit and you could be held liable. Obviously, that\u2019s not a common occurrence, but the possibility that you or another person could suffer an injury during the move, with serious consequences, shouldn\u2019t be ignored.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/span>Transportation-Related Costs That Most People Don\u2019t Factor In<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nWe already established that time spent on the road costs money, but there are other hidden transportation costs to be aware of. A thorny issue is that of rental truck insurance. Most truck rental companies don\u2019t require you to purchase insurance policies but do offer a variety of options.<\/p>\n
Damage waivers protect the person renting the truck against any damages or the theft of truck, while a supplemental liability insurance is needed in case you hit another vehicle. You need yet another insurance, a personal accident and cargo protection one, to cover you and your belongings in the truck.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a chance, albeit small, that your personal auto policy covers truck rentals \u2013 check with your auto insurance provider. In case it doesn\u2019t \u2013 in fact, most don\u2019t \u2013 you\u2019re left with two choices: purchase the policies, which really adds up, or take your chances, which might result in serious damages to the truck or to your belongings that you\u2019ll be paying for out of your own pocket.<\/p>\n
The cost of fuel, particularly in the case of a long-distance move, also needs to be properly budgeted. Moving prices can vary significantly from one state to another<\/a>, so don\u2019t draw up your budget based solely on gas prices in your area. Do some research on how much fuel costs along the way in order to have a clearer image of how much you will spend.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Renting a truck that\u2019s not the right size for your stuff will also end up costing you extra money. Get one that\u2019s too small, and you\u2019ll have to scramble at the last minute to find some additional means of transportation. On the other hand, if you overestimate your needs and get a truck that\u2019s too big, you will end up paying a lot more than you should.<\/p>\n
<\/span>How to Choose the Right Truck Size for Your Moving Needs<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nPickup trucks and cargo vans are suitable for small loads, such as, for example, when moving a studio apartment locally or moving a student to their dorm room. A 10 to 12 ft. truck works for smaller apartments, while a 14-17 ft. truck is the right size for an average, two-bedroom home. Larger trucks, like the 20-24 ft. ones, should be rented if you\u2019re planning to move all the belongings in a large (3+ bedroom) residence. The costs vary depending on the size you choose so make sure it\u2019s the best for your moving needs.<\/p>\n
[desktoponly][\/desktoponly]<\/p>\n
[mobileonly][\/mobileonly]<\/p>\n
A small truck that you can use when moving a small apartment rents for around $35 per day. Medium-sized trucks, which are recommended for average-sized houses or apartments (2 or 3 bedrooms) cost around $60-$80 per day. If you need a large truck to move a 3+ bedroom home, the daily fee for renting one hovers around $100. These prices refer to simply renting the truck. Factoring in the rest of the expenses, like gas, insurance and mileage fees, as most companies charge extra after a certain number of miles, the basic cost could double at least.<\/p>\n
<\/span>How to Make Sure Your DIY Move Will Be a Success<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nThere are, indeed, many obstacles when it comes to organizing a successful DIY move \u2013 but that\u2019s not saying it can\u2019t be done! You just need to be extra careful and to plan every stage of the process in detail, making sure you avoid the veritable money pits detailed above.<\/p>\n
Start with a thorough declutter, to reduce the volume of items to be packed and transported and pay extra attention to safety rules while loading and unloading your stuff. If it\u2019s a long-distance move, draw a detailed itinerary of the trip ahead of you, budgeting some extra time and money for unexpected events on the road. Put all of that in an online planner that will help you estimate costs and keep splurging in check. After seeing it on a virtual piece of paper, it usually all becomes clear and more real.<\/p>\n
Moreover, there are some other simple tricks that will help streamline your DIY move without breaking the bank. You could jump-start the process by packing a good chunk of your stuff early on and shipping it to a storage unit<\/a> located near your new home. Let\u2019s say, for example, that you are moving from Philadelphia to Washington, DC. Rent a storage unit in Washington<\/a> and use it as your pied-a-terre in the city \u2013 you can ship a lot of your belongings in advance, thus making the entire process easier. A 10×10 storage unit<\/a> in Washington, DC costs about $142, according to Yardi Matrix, so it pays off to keep one for the couple of months leading up to moving day.<\/p>\n
Moving truck rental doesn\u2019t include insurance for the stuff you are transporting. You\u2019ll have to purchase cargo insurance separately, which generally covers only damages due to road accidents, not theft or improperly securing your goods.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Injuries Might Occur<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nManipulating large and heavy objects constitutes a pretty dangerous activity, especially when done by inexperienced people. A simple back injury, which is one the most common types of injuries in such circumstances, might keep you on the sidelines for literally weeks. Not only will moving become a lot more challenging for your family, but you could also be forced to take extra time off from work or cover for medical expenses.<\/p>\n
Things get even more complicated if one of the people that came to help you move gets injured. For a start, you\u2019ll feel pretty bad for that person and you\u2019ll try to compensate for all the inconvenience. In extreme cases, you might even end up facing a personal injury lawsuit and you could be held liable. Obviously, that\u2019s not a common occurrence, but the possibility that you or another person could suffer an injury during the move, with serious consequences, shouldn\u2019t be ignored.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/span>Transportation-Related Costs That Most People Don\u2019t Factor In<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nWe already established that time spent on the road costs money, but there are other hidden transportation costs to be aware of. A thorny issue is that of rental truck insurance. Most truck rental companies don\u2019t require you to purchase insurance policies but do offer a variety of options.<\/p>\n
Damage waivers protect the person renting the truck against any damages or the theft of truck, while a supplemental liability insurance is needed in case you hit another vehicle. You need yet another insurance, a personal accident and cargo protection one, to cover you and your belongings in the truck.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a chance, albeit small, that your personal auto policy covers truck rentals \u2013 check with your auto insurance provider. In case it doesn\u2019t \u2013 in fact, most don\u2019t \u2013 you\u2019re left with two choices: purchase the policies, which really adds up, or take your chances, which might result in serious damages to the truck or to your belongings that you\u2019ll be paying for out of your own pocket.<\/p>\n
The cost of fuel, particularly in the case of a long-distance move, also needs to be properly budgeted. Moving prices can vary significantly from one state to another<\/a>, so don\u2019t draw up your budget based solely on gas prices in your area. Do some research on how much fuel costs along the way in order to have a clearer image of how much you will spend.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Renting a truck that\u2019s not the right size for your stuff will also end up costing you extra money. Get one that\u2019s too small, and you\u2019ll have to scramble at the last minute to find some additional means of transportation. On the other hand, if you overestimate your needs and get a truck that\u2019s too big, you will end up paying a lot more than you should.<\/p>\n
<\/span>How to Choose the Right Truck Size for Your Moving Needs<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nPickup trucks and cargo vans are suitable for small loads, such as, for example, when moving a studio apartment locally or moving a student to their dorm room. A 10 to 12 ft. truck works for smaller apartments, while a 14-17 ft. truck is the right size for an average, two-bedroom home. Larger trucks, like the 20-24 ft. ones, should be rented if you\u2019re planning to move all the belongings in a large (3+ bedroom) residence. The costs vary depending on the size you choose so make sure it\u2019s the best for your moving needs.<\/p>\n
[desktoponly][\/desktoponly]<\/p>\n
[mobileonly][\/mobileonly]<\/p>\n
A small truck that you can use when moving a small apartment rents for around $35 per day. Medium-sized trucks, which are recommended for average-sized houses or apartments (2 or 3 bedrooms) cost around $60-$80 per day. If you need a large truck to move a 3+ bedroom home, the daily fee for renting one hovers around $100. These prices refer to simply renting the truck. Factoring in the rest of the expenses, like gas, insurance and mileage fees, as most companies charge extra after a certain number of miles, the basic cost could double at least.<\/p>\n
<\/span>How to Make Sure Your DIY Move Will Be a Success<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nThere are, indeed, many obstacles when it comes to organizing a successful DIY move \u2013 but that\u2019s not saying it can\u2019t be done! You just need to be extra careful and to plan every stage of the process in detail, making sure you avoid the veritable money pits detailed above.<\/p>\n
Start with a thorough declutter, to reduce the volume of items to be packed and transported and pay extra attention to safety rules while loading and unloading your stuff. If it\u2019s a long-distance move, draw a detailed itinerary of the trip ahead of you, budgeting some extra time and money for unexpected events on the road. Put all of that in an online planner that will help you estimate costs and keep splurging in check. After seeing it on a virtual piece of paper, it usually all becomes clear and more real.<\/p>\n
Moreover, there are some other simple tricks that will help streamline your DIY move without breaking the bank. You could jump-start the process by packing a good chunk of your stuff early on and shipping it to a storage unit<\/a> located near your new home. Let\u2019s say, for example, that you are moving from Philadelphia to Washington, DC. Rent a storage unit in Washington<\/a> and use it as your pied-a-terre in the city \u2013 you can ship a lot of your belongings in advance, thus making the entire process easier. A 10×10 storage unit<\/a> in Washington, DC costs about $142, according to Yardi Matrix, so it pays off to keep one for the couple of months leading up to moving day.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nWe already established that time spent on the road costs money, but there are other hidden transportation costs to be aware of. A thorny issue is that of rental truck insurance. Most truck rental companies don\u2019t require you to purchase insurance policies but do offer a variety of options.<\/p>\n
Damage waivers protect the person renting the truck against any damages or the theft of truck, while a supplemental liability insurance is needed in case you hit another vehicle. You need yet another insurance, a personal accident and cargo protection one, to cover you and your belongings in the truck.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a chance, albeit small, that your personal auto policy covers truck rentals \u2013 check with your auto insurance provider. In case it doesn\u2019t \u2013 in fact, most don\u2019t \u2013 you\u2019re left with two choices: purchase the policies, which really adds up, or take your chances, which might result in serious damages to the truck or to your belongings that you\u2019ll be paying for out of your own pocket.<\/p>\n
The cost of fuel, particularly in the case of a long-distance move, also needs to be properly budgeted. Moving prices can vary significantly from one state to another<\/a>, so don\u2019t draw up your budget based solely on gas prices in your area. Do some research on how much fuel costs along the way in order to have a clearer image of how much you will spend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Renting a truck that\u2019s not the right size for your stuff will also end up costing you extra money. Get one that\u2019s too small, and you\u2019ll have to scramble at the last minute to find some additional means of transportation. On the other hand, if you overestimate your needs and get a truck that\u2019s too big, you will end up paying a lot more than you should.<\/p>\n Pickup trucks and cargo vans are suitable for small loads, such as, for example, when moving a studio apartment locally or moving a student to their dorm room. A 10 to 12 ft. truck works for smaller apartments, while a 14-17 ft. truck is the right size for an average, two-bedroom home. Larger trucks, like the 20-24 ft. ones, should be rented if you\u2019re planning to move all the belongings in a large (3+ bedroom) residence. The costs vary depending on the size you choose so make sure it\u2019s the best for your moving needs.<\/p>\n [desktoponly] [mobileonly] A small truck that you can use when moving a small apartment rents for around $35 per day. Medium-sized trucks, which are recommended for average-sized houses or apartments (2 or 3 bedrooms) cost around $60-$80 per day. If you need a large truck to move a 3+ bedroom home, the daily fee for renting one hovers around $100. These prices refer to simply renting the truck. Factoring in the rest of the expenses, like gas, insurance and mileage fees, as most companies charge extra after a certain number of miles, the basic cost could double at least.<\/p>\n There are, indeed, many obstacles when it comes to organizing a successful DIY move \u2013 but that\u2019s not saying it can\u2019t be done! You just need to be extra careful and to plan every stage of the process in detail, making sure you avoid the veritable money pits detailed above.<\/p>\n Start with a thorough declutter, to reduce the volume of items to be packed and transported and pay extra attention to safety rules while loading and unloading your stuff. If it\u2019s a long-distance move, draw a detailed itinerary of the trip ahead of you, budgeting some extra time and money for unexpected events on the road. Put all of that in an online planner that will help you estimate costs and keep splurging in check. After seeing it on a virtual piece of paper, it usually all becomes clear and more real.<\/p>\n Moreover, there are some other simple tricks that will help streamline your DIY move without breaking the bank. You could jump-start the process by packing a good chunk of your stuff early on and shipping it to a storage unit<\/a> located near your new home. Let\u2019s say, for example, that you are moving from Philadelphia to Washington, DC. Rent a storage unit in Washington<\/a> and use it as your pied-a-terre in the city \u2013 you can ship a lot of your belongings in advance, thus making the entire process easier. A 10×10 storage unit<\/a> in Washington, DC costs about $142, according to Yardi Matrix, so it pays off to keep one for the couple of months leading up to moving day.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/span>How to Choose the Right Truck Size for Your Moving Needs<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
[\/desktoponly]<\/p>\n[\/mobileonly]<\/p>\n<\/span>How to Make Sure Your DIY Move Will Be a Success<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n