The True Cost of DIY Moves: Unmasking the Hidden Expenses of Rental Trucks

We’ve all seen the ads — a flashy vinyl sticker on a passing rental truck promotes a cheap hourly rate. You wonder: Wouldn’t I save money on my move by renting a moving truck? It’s only practical, of course, to look for the most economical way to move. And if you’ve got the DIY spirit and a tight budget, it can be tempting to want to handle things on your own. But there are a lot of things that a cheap base rate doesn’t include, and the reality lies in the fine print.

When you’re moving everything you own, you want to make sure the move is done right. This isn’t a job you should entrust to just anyone — even if they’re well-meaning friends and family. A proper move is best handled by professionals.

United Van Lines has been in the industry for nearly 100 years, so we know what it takes — and what it really costs — to move. As America’s #1 Mover^®, we are the authority on cost-effective relocation. In this guide, we’ll show you all the ways the cost of handling your own move adds up, from fuel and mileage costs to insurance and labor. We’ll also give you a few tips from the pros on how to save time, stress and money when you move.

The Foundation of Hidden Costs: Beyond the Base Rental Rate

If you’ve ever rented a car, you know that the advertised base price is rarely what you wind up spending. Every moment the engine’s running seems to drive the price higher, and if you get even a tiny scratch on the finish, you could be out hundreds of dollars.  

Renting a moving truck is no different, except that the stakes are even higher. Companies may charge extra for mileage, fuel and damages, not to mention all the “optional” add-ons, like safety packages, labor, tools, moving supplies and miscellaneous fees. Suddenly, that $19.95 sticker feels like little more than an illusion. And your wallet feels a whole lot lighter. 

If you only have a few items to move in town, and you don’t mind lifting heavy furniture, a rental truck can seem like the way to go. But if you’re moving a whole household — even just a one-bedroom apartment — there are a lot of things to coordinate. An experienced, full-service moving company like United Van Lines can help manage your relocation, top to bottom, with upfront pricing and a binding quote.

A Deep Dive into Hidden Rental Truck Costs

We’ve talked about the gap between sticker price and actual costs in renting a moving truck, but how exactly does it all add up? You have to consider the costs you can’t see — that includes fuel, insurance, mileage and labor. Companies may lure you in with a cheap base rate, but the fees lurking in the fine print can definitely give you sticker shock. Let’s look at how the hidden costs of renting a truck make it more expensive than you’d think.

Fuel: The Unexpected Roadblock of DIY Moves

When you rent a truck, even something as straightforward as filling the tank can be confusing. Instead of simple, upfront pricing, you may be presented with a puzzling menu of fueling options: prepaid fuel, self-refueling, gas service … it’s hard to tell them apart. Even more frustratingly, many refueling options could cost far more than they let on. If you’re offered a fuel plan as part of your truck rental, here are some red flags to watch out for. 

First, beware of the “empty tank” trap. Prepaying for a full tank of fuel can appear to offer convenience and savings, but it rarely pays off. It’s difficult to accurately estimate how much fuel you’ll actually need, and if you don’t use every last drop, you’re simply giving free gas to the rental company. Just like the label on the truck says, you will not be reimbursed for unused fuel.  

If you opt for a gas service plan — where you pay the rental company only for the fuel you consume — companies may charge you considerably more than a gas station would. That’s because they set their own fuel rates and often mark up the price. You might end up paying double or triple what you’d find on your own — plus service fees — to replace any fuel you’ve used. 

Even if you opt for filling your own tank, you should take care to estimate these costs ahead of your move. Rental trucks are some of the least fuel-efficient vehicles, and renters may be astonished to find they only get 6-12 mpg. That means that a 1,000-mile move could cost you nearly $700 with today’s average fuel price of $4.16/gallon. Be sure to review the terms of self-fueling carefully, documenting the mileage, the fuel gauge and your fuel expenses with images and receipts.

Why Car Insurance Won’t Cover It

When you’re renting a car, your personal auto insurance may be all you need to cover you in case of an accident. But renting a truck is different. That’s because most insurance policies have a maximum vehicle weight, and a large rental truck will exceed it. Unfortunately, this means you’ll likely need to budget extra funds to cover the cost of insurance for your rental truck, which typically ranges from $15-$30/day.

Because it can be difficult to safely maneuver a large vehicle — particularly the 26’ and 29’ trucks — renters may also want to consider purchasing supplemental coverage from the rental company. Loss Damage Waivers (LDW) insure against bumps, scrapes, collision damage, vandalism and theft of the vehicle. Personal accident plans provide coverage for bodily injuries as well as damages to cargo inside the truck. And supplemental liability plans provide additional insurance for drivers in the event of a claim by a third party. Some of these plans may duplicate your existing insurance coverage or each other, while others may also have deductibles. Be sure to carefully review the contract and consult your personal insurance provider if you have any questions or concerns.

Labor: The Physical and Financial Toll of Moving Yourself

Labor isn’t always “free” in a DIY move. The truth is, moving by yourself is time-consuming hard work. Every box you lift takes a toll, and moving furniture and appliances takes more than grit and determination.  

In an effort to save money, many first-time movers think, I’ll just ask my family and friends to help. But, in doing so, you may be putting them — and yourself — at risk. If someone gets injured during your move, will your insurance cover them? If not, do you have enough savings to cover their medical expenses? And, what happens if you get injured and can’t complete your move? If you’re going the DIY route, you need to have a contingency plan in case of emergency.  

Now, you can avoid the risk of injury by hiring a team of labor-only movers with your rental truck, but this will cost you. Many truck rental companies offer add-ons for labor, and you can estimate paying anywhere from $45-$80 per hour per person for this service. Having an authorized, back-up driver listed on your rental car policy can be a lifesaver should you be unable or unwilling to complete the move solo. However, this too may come at an additional upfront cost.

Beyond the Big Four: Other Fees to Anticipate with a DIY Move

If you don’t choose a professional mover, you’ll also need to cover the full cost of moving supplies. This goes beyond the boxes and packing materials that you’d pay for even with professional help. You’ll likely also need to rent furniture pads, moving dollies and other supplies that would already be included in a professional move.
 
So-called “nominal” fees also really add up when you’re renting a moving truck. That $15.00 environmental fee doesn’t sound so bad on its own, but when you add it to the cleaning fees, administrative fees, recovery fees, destination fees, lost key fees and other potential charges, you may be paying substantially more than the base rate would indicate.
 
And even those “unlimited miles” deals sometimes have restrictions. If you’ve reserved a one-way rental that doesn’t charge per mile, be sure there isn’t a maximum mileage limit before you make your travel plans. Also ensure that the contract allows you an adequate number of days to pack, drive and unload your vehicle. Remember, companies can charge you exorbitant fees for late returns, and they usually will not reimburse you if you return your truck early. Finally, if you need to change your drop-off location, you may be slapped with a “wrong destination” penalty, some of which can be extremely steep.

The Transparent Advantage of Moving with United Van Lines 

Between the financial cost of renting a truck and the physical and mental costs like strain and stress, planning a DIY move can take an unexpected toll. When you move by yourself, you’re essentially paying a la carte for all the services that a professional mover would bundle together. On top of that, you are personally responsible for all the challenging logistics of your move — planning, organizing and securing supplies — as well as the manual labor. Once you tally up the expenses and the extra days off work, moving on your own may not prove to be as cost-effective as it may seem.  
 
But how can you be sure you’re getting a good value from a professional mover? That’s a fair question. An experienced, reliable mover like United Van Lines can provide you with full-service solutions that make your life easier. We can pack and unpack your belongings, crate fragile and oversized items, store your items until you’re ready to move in, remove packing materials and even ship your car. All your items will be securely transported from your old home to your new one by professionally trained teams. With nearly 100 years in the moving business, you’ll know your belongings are fully protected for the duration of your move. And, when you move with United, you’ll be able to manage every detail of your move 24/7 in the MyUnited Move Portal, which even tracks your shipment in real time. 
 
See how the cost and experience of a DIY move compares with a professional one in the chart below.

Get a Transparent, Binding Estimate with America’s #1 Mover®

Whether you’re making a DIY move or working with an experienced, professional team, the best way to move is always the least stressful one. That’s why United Van Lines provides comprehensive moving services and resources to help make this transition seamless for you.
 
Our transparent pricing will never leave you wondering about hidden fees or unexpected charges. With a binding quote from United Van Lines, you can be confident you’re getting a great value backed by nearly a century of experience.
 
If you’re still on the fence, why not see how United Van Lines can simplify your move by requesting a free quote?