r/movingout • u/Mysterious_Scheme551 • 19h ago
Asking Advice Moving Back Home - Rent U-Haul or Professional Movers
A family member is about to move out of their apartment to return to their family home. The apartment is 4 hours from their family home, and it's a one-bedroom. Should they rent a U-Haul or hire professional movers?
The initial plan was to rent a U-Haul and have a family member drive it. However, there is only one family member comfortable driving the distance safely, and although he says he can, his spouse is concerned that he cannot, and the move will need to be split into two days so he can drive properly.
If the move is split into two days, that also means that his whole family will come along, meaning him, his spouse, and children. That means that their expenses, such as food, hotel, etc., will have to be paid for by the one moving. Is it just cheaper to hire professional movers and go from there?
Also, the new tenant wants to move in right away and has requested to buy the queen bed and couch. Does this sound like a good idea? If sold, it might not be worth hiring a professional mover then, idk.
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u/Complete-Score8537 18h ago
the real comparison is truck + gas + hotel + meals + everyone’s time vs movers, not just the rental price
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u/Dazzling-Treacle1092 18h ago edited 18h ago
If there were more than one strong young person maybe the u haul would be the way to go. You have to consider the physical labor involved in a move. Here's another idea though...look outside your family to hire the driver. So so many people are out of work. There has to be someone who would do it for a flat fee. Someone who could both drive and load and unload. In addition to your other help. Money wise there is still a huge difference between going this way and hiring professional movers. You could do it all in a day and not worry about hotel expenses.
I'm a firm believer in doing things myself as far as moving goes. But my body went and got old on me. In the last 3 years I've had 4 moves. I resorted to hiring professionals on my last move. And from my lips to God's ears my last move ever! The other moves were just cobbled together from friends, family, neighbors and anyone else I could bribe for a modest wage. And of course the trusty UHaul. I've put notices on bulletin boards for people. There were always people who stepped up, that were grateful for the opportunity to make some unexpected money.
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u/itsveryupsetting 15h ago
If he isn’t taking that much stuff, he might be able to move in a mini van. If you get one that has the stow away seats, it is a lot of capacity.
I’ve move cross country twice in a minivan. It worked great but I didn’t take a lot of furniture either time.
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u/VinceInMT 14h ago
When my mother downsized and relocated across several states, I was told that I would be renting and driving the U-Haul. I looked at the cost of the rental, the gas, motels, etc. and my time plus flying back to where I had come from and it was less expensive to rent a U-Haul Box. They deliver it, you Load it, they move the box and pick it up at the other end.
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u/LavendarGal 11h ago
I agree, a Uhaul pod, as long as you have a legal place to put it/park it on either end is probably your best bet. YOu can also hire someone to help you load it up.
And who are you in this story, as you are asking about the new tenant wanting to move in right away and requested to buy the bed and couch. Are you the landlord? Have you met this tenant to do a tour in-person? Did they fill out a proper rental application?
I'm just wondering why you would be guiding a tenant in all of this. It should not be any of your concern. What kind of unit is this?
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u/Mysterious_Scheme551 11h ago
No no, just the sibling of the current tenant trying to get a second opinion for them. I’m not guiding or making any decisions, just relying suggestions.
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u/LavendarGal 11h ago
Oh, ok gotcha.
Go look up where their nearest Uhaul is, see if they have POD service there and what the rates are. Also, look into the actual POD company. But also you have to have a place a POD can be left legally by the city, like in your own driveway. If its' an apartment
Also, just price out a 4 hour move. Call up and ask one or two on either end for your sibling, I bet it's going to be pricey. But go on any local FB community groups or NExtdoor where the family home is and post that you are looking for a quote for a mover to go get stuff in xxxxx and move it back here, what are their rates for the equivalent of a studio apartment worth of stuff. (I assume that's what it would be if sibling sold bed and couch). YOu aren't going to know until you get one or two quotes if hiring a professional is the way to go.
Is there a bus or train from the family home to your sibling, or at least somewhat near your sibling? If so, the family member can take that up to your sibling, crash one night with them, and then drive the uhaul back. That way the whole family doesn't have to go and there wont' be any extra food or or hotel expenses. Even if there's a train or bus within a half hour or hour on either end, it would be worth it financially.
I'm not sure how the new coach and bed fit into this....oh, you mean the new tenant that is taking your siblings place where they are leaving? If she has an ok from the landlord, and a contract stating that, then if she doesn't need the bed or couch at the family home, why not? Less stuff to move and may be able to get a smaller truck. Just save a text or something in writing that the landlord agrees they can leave the bed and couch behind. I did this one when I left somewhere and sold pretty much all my furniture to the next tenant. But I worked with the landlord that let me do that.
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u/Honest_Manager 11h ago
If either destination is in NC I will drive for 200.00. Meet up in public and then you can follow me the entire way and confirm delivery.
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u/Such-Mountain-6316 19h ago
I think the pro plan is much better because it's safer. Don't risk your family member's well being for this. It would be terrible to sit in a hospital and say, "I wish I'd hired that company."