How To Choose A Company For Your Moving Van Rental
Inflation is at an all-time high and so is the cost of housing. With everyone looking for creative ways to save money, it makes sense to also try to move on a budget. There are dozens of reputable moving truck companies to choose from when it is time to relocate. From budget rentals and one-way cargo vans to peer-to-peer options and round-trip rentals, keeping costs down is easier than ever. Comparing rates is even easier than ever, especially with our handy (search tool). You can look for local deals and seasonal sales to help you get the most bang for your buck when renting a box truck.
Keeping all that in mind, choosing the most economical option on the market is not always the best way to go about choosing a moving truck company. In some cases, you may be getting a low price by getting less service or reliability. In other cases, paying just a little bit more can give you additional perks that can end up saving you a lot more in the long run. No matter what your budget may be, we want you to get the most lucrative deal on your moving truck rental. To help, we have put together a few tips that will help you choose a budget-friendly moving truck rental company that is reputable and reliable.
Get recommendations from your friends and family
Online reviews are a good way to see how a company deals with its clients. However, recommendations from people you know and trust is even better. As your friends, family, or even your coworkers for recommendations on moving truck rental companies, they have used in the past. They can give you their real-life experience with these companies as a base to help you determine if they would be a good fit. Since you would be speaking with them face to face, you can find out more about what renting a truck from these companies entails firsthand. They can also steer you away from any rental company that offers less-than-stellar service.
Check local rental agencies
Getting recommendations from friends or family is one of the best ways to choose a service provider, even when it comes to moving truck rentals. However, if the recommendations you get are not available in your area, then their suggestions are not going to be very helpful. You can look online or use our (search tool) to check for local moving truck rental companies in your area with ease. Then, take the list of local companies or peer-to-peer options and get feedback from people you know.
Get on the phone
There is a lot that can be learned from a simple phone conversation. Calling the companies that you are interested in renting a moving truck from only takes a few minutes. During this conversation, you will be able to determine how customer-friendly they are and how responsive to questions they will be. After you get a rate from our search tool, you can call these companies to get a follow-up quote. On rare occasions moving truck rental companies may have special offers that are not advertised online.
Do your research
Once you narrow down your list, it is a good idea to do some more research into the cargo van rental companies that interest you. Check to see if there are any complaints about customer service, issues with their moving trucks, or complaints about payments. It is also a good idea to see if there have been instances of overcharging for mileage or fuel. Keep in mind that any company, no matter how good they are, will have a few complaints. Check to see how the company responds to complaints and if they go out of their way to make things right with their customers.
Ask for a binding quote
Asking for a quote is a good way to get rates for your upcoming box truck rental in writing. Verbal rates are fine when you just want to research market prices. However, when you are nearing the time of making a reservation, it is important to ask for a binding quote. The last thing you want is to plan to pay one rate for your cargo van rental only to be charged a higher rate when trying to make a reservation. Not every company will offer a binding quote, rather they will tell you that prices are only binding with a reservation. This is also a normal practice especially for moving truck rental companies in high-traffic locations.
Comparing quotes between moving truck rental providers
Moving on your own is one of the best ways to save money. Renting an affordable moving box truck will let you manage costs while also managing your relocation project efficiently. Getting a quote for services is a good way to see what rates are available and also make your moving dollars stretch.
Where to find moving truck rental quotes
You can always navigate to a moving truck company’s website and start a truck search to see what rates are available. However, there is also a more time-efficient way to search multiple companies in one place. Our (rental moving truck reservation locator) will allow you to search moving truck rental companies in your area with ease. With just a few clicks, you will be able to see current rates for moving trucks and cargo vans of all sizes on a single page.
All you have to do is input your desired move-by dates, return location, and any add-ons that interest you. The search tool will give you a list of local moving truck companies and the rates for your desired rental moving truck. You can click on the rate that you prefer and click through directly to make a reservation. If you are not ready to make a reservation right now, save the search as part of your quote comparison and planning stage.
Comparing moving cargo van and box truck rental quotes
Speaking of price comparisons, there is more than just the rate on the screen that you should be looking at. In order to narrow down your choices, start by eliminating all the quotes that start off over your budget. Once you narrow down the list, then you need to sit down and take a look at which moving truck companies offer what you need, and which don’t.
A lot of moving truck companies will show customers the base price of a rental just to come in with the “best price”. The bare minimum is rarely the actual price you will pay after adding other services, insurance, and taxes to the moving truck rental contract. For those that do actually show the bare minimum and charge just that, you also need to consider what you are not getting.
We are not saying that you can’t get a great deal, because you absolutely can, only that you need to take a closer look at the numbers. Many moving truck rentals will have mileage limits attached to certain rates, or even truck size limitations. Other companies may not include the cost of insurance in their moving truck rental quotes while others will.
Take your time to review the offers
There is no reason to rush, even if your moving date is just around the corner. Take the time to look through each rental truck quote to see what the offer covers. Are there extra fees for mileage? Is insurance included? What about fueling costs and return locations? These small details can add up to a lot of savings or a lot of extra charges that have a big impact on your moving budget.
Review the fine print
Before making your final choice and completing your reservation, check out the fine print. No matter what affordable moving truck rental company you choose, there are some line items that can result in extra fees. Look for the list of penalties and extra charges. Is there a grace period for returns? What are the rules on early pick-ups or forgetting to refill the tank? Once you know all of the extra fees, then you will be in a better position to choose a rental truck agreement that fits your desired budget.
Rental moving truck FAQ
Now that you have a good grasp on how to go about choosing a moving truck rental company, let’s cover some common questions. These questions cover some of the basic information most people looking for a rental cargo van for their next move need to know. You can always hire a professional moving company, but a lot of people prefer the budget-friendly option of doing it on their own. Hopefully, our FAQ section will make moving truck rentals easier to understand.
How are moving truck rental costs quoted?
Moving van rental quotes are made up of a combination of things. Mainly the quote will cover the truck size, rental duration, distance of travel, and local taxes. Fuel, insurance, and add-on services are not included in a basic quote, however detailed quotes are available upon request.
When should I make a moving truck reservation?
You should reserve your moving truck at least two weeks in advance of your actual moving date. The sooner you reserve your vehicle, the higher chance you will have of getting the best rates. Also, reserving your truck in advance will ensure that you have access to the exact size you need when you need it.
What trucks are available to rent for moving?
The type of moving trucks available will depend on the rental company you use. In general, the smallest size rental truck is a pick-up truck and the largest is a 26’ box truck. You should choose a truck that fits the number of rooms you need to transport while also keeping large furniture in mind.
What do I do if the moving van rental breaks downs?
Most moving trucks are well maintained, especially those offered as rentals. There are roadside assistance numbers provided with every rental and usually help can arrive within a short time period. There are different policies at every truck rental company, so make sure that you ask about their safeguards before signing a contract.
Can you drop off a rental truck at another location?
Many rental truck companies have chains located across the country. For long-distance moves many of these rental companies allow renters to pick up a truck in one city or state and return it to another. Check with the rental company of your choice to find out more about their one-way moving truck return policies.
If your moving date changes, or gets canceled completely, most moving truck companies will allow you to cancel within a certain time frame. 48 to 72 hours is usually the norm for a no-fee cancelation. However, there are many rental companies that charge a cancelation fee regardless of when you cancel. Check the fine print before signing a contract.
Are credit cards required?
In most cases, you must have a credit card in order to secure a moving truck rental. There are some moving truck companies that allow renters to use a debit card or bank card to rent a vehicle, however. What about cancelations?
Are there refunds issued for early returns?
In general, there are no refunds issued for early returns, even though late fees are assessed for late returns. If your moving truck rental was a one-way trip and you arrive several days early, you may be able to request a discount for the unused days.
What are the age requirements for truck rentals?
In most states, the minimum age to rent a moving truck is 18. There are several states in which the minimum age is 21 and 25. It is important to check with the DMV and rental companies within your area before making a reservation.
Start your budget moving truck rental search today!
Are you ready to get on the road to your new life? If so, your search for an affordable moving truck or cargo van starts here. Click (here) to find affordable moving trucks and cargo vans in your area.