Moving house can be a stressful affair, and while we can’t really say it’s worse than bankruptcy or divorce as some studies have suggested, relocating does come with its fair share of headaches.
There is the hassle of house hunting and dealing with difficult agents or landlords, gathering moving supplies, packing up the house, finding a way to move from your current place to your new abode, putting together the money for the move, you name it.
The fact that things don’t always go according to plan, considering there are many potential problems that could crop up before the move, only serves to add to the anxiety.
Now, one way to significantly reduce the stress associated with moving is to hire a local or long distance moving company (depending on how far you’re going) and particularly opt for the full-service moving service. This solution sees the mover handle most of the moving aspects, allowing you to focus on other areas of your life that require your attention.
But full-service moving does come at an extra cost, and understandably so.
However, you always have the option of going DIY by either using your own car or renting one.
Van or truck rental allows you to save some money, but it’s important to always remember that the burden of relocation is entirely on you.
Van hire makes sense when you’re not moving a large household. When it comes to the actual hire, here are a few tips you need to keep in mind.
Reserve the van
Last-minute plans don’t always work out well, and that particularly applies in the case of moving.
When moving, it is best practice to prepare things well in advance and this extends to when you’re hiring a car. Or truck. Always make sure to reserve your vehicle ahead of time if you don’t want last-minute inconveniences and frustrations.
Most van rental companies work with a limited inventory, so you risk missing out on a vehicle if you wait it out too long.
The bigger the better
Obviously, a van comes with limited space compared to what you get with a truck. That said, if you’re going to rent a vehicle for moving, you might want to declutter your household first – from the clothing, to the furniture and other possessions.
Still, there are some items we might not feel ready to let go of just yet. This is why when selecting a van for moving, it’s always advisable to overestimate the amount of space you might need.
It’s better to have space left over than to deal with the dilemma of working with a space that cannot accommodate your items.
Be realistic about the time it will take you
When renting a vehicle for moving, you should have an idea of how long the move will take you.
If it’s a couple of hours’ work, then it makes sense to rent a moving van for only a few hours. If you think the whole operation might take a few days, then book the van for those number of days.
This keeps you from incurring extra fees levied when the booking ends before you’re done, never mind the stress of knowing your rental return date is overdue.
Avoiding penalties
Still on the topic of incurring additional charges, every rental company has a policy you’re required to abide by.
For example, most companies require the gas tank be refilled before returning the vehicle.
Read the fine print as pertains to the rules appointed by your rental agency before signing up; and while you’re at it, orient yourself with the company’s fee policy to avoid incurring charges you didn’t even know existed.
Plan your route ahead of time
Moving DIY means you’re in charge of every aspect of the move, whether that’s packing, loading, or doing the actual driving.
Since the responsibility of driving falls on you, you might want to establish the best route to your new digs.
Scope out the route ahead of time and look for any potential issues. That could be anything from establishing the best time to move to avoid heavy traffic, to checking the local events calendar along the way that could clash with your move.
