Can I Use Movers With My Own Truck?

Do Movers Drive the Truck? Depends on the Service Type

Not all movers you hire come with a truck and driver. Some will handle the transportation, while other services are just about helping you load and unload all your stuff.

The main types of moving companies divide the work like this:

Full-Service Movers

Full-service movers bring a company truck, provide the crew, drive your belongings to the new home, and unload everything. Furniture disassembly and reassembly are often included, while packing may cost extra.

This setup works well when you want a more hands-off move or aren't comfortable driving a large truck. It costs more, and you may have less control over pickup and delivery timing on a long-distance move.

Labor-Only Movers

Labor-only movers provide the crew, but not the transportation. You rent a truck from a company such as U-Haul, Penske, or Budget, then drive it yourself or arrange for another authorized driver. The movers can load at your old home, unload at the new one, or help at both ends.

Driving isn't included because the booking covers moving labor (the loading and unloading), not use of the rental vehicle. Anyone behind the wheel must also meet the rental company's driver requirements.

If you're comfortable handling the truck but not the furniture, HireAHelper lets you compare and book local labor-only movers. You can also compare the practical differences between a U-Haul and hiring movers.

Moving Containers

A moving container, like a PODS, is delivered to your home, where you can load it yourself or hire movers to do it. Once it's ready, the container company picks it up and transports it to your new address or a storage facility.

This option works well when you want more time to load, need temporary storage, or don't want to drive. It's especially useful for a long-distance move, although it usually costs more than a rental truck. Container sizes, storage periods, and delivery fees vary, so check the full quote. HireAHelper’s guide to PODS moving costs explains the common charges.

Can I Hire Movers Just To Load or Unload My Truck?

You can hire labor-only movers to load your truck, unload it, or help at both ends of the move. They handle the lifting, carrying, furniture placement, and truck loading, but they don't normally provide or drive the rental truck.

The number of movers and hours you need depends on your home size, how much furniture you have, stairs, long walking distances, and whether anything needs to be taken apart. A two-person crew is common for a smaller move, while larger homes or tight deadlines may call for more people.

Benefits of Labor-Only Movers

Although you'll need to drive the truck or arrange transportation for a storage container yourself, labor-only movers offer benefits such as:

• Preventing injuries: Professional movers know how to lift heavy items safely. They also have access to specialized equipment to make moving larger items easier. Many arrive with equipment such as dollies, ramps, and lifting straps to help move furniture and heavy boxes.
• Saving time and space: Professional movers have the experience to load and unload a truck or storage container quickly. They can often fit more into tight space constraints without damaging your belongings. This means you can save money by opting for a smaller truck/container, or not having to make multiple trips to move all of your things.
• Saving on moving costs: Labor-only services usually cost less than traditional full-service moves. So you don’t have to handle the entire move all by yourself, but you’re saving money by only paying for loading and unloading assistance.

Prices vary greatly based on your location's general cost of living and when you hire a team. Booking movers during peak moving season (summer months) or on weekends, when more people need them, tends to drive prices up. Factors such as stairs and furniture weight can also affect the overall cost and complexity of your move.

However, in general, expect to pay between $40 and $100 per hour.

Can I Hire Someone Just To Drive My Rental Truck?

Yes, specialty driver-for-hire services can provide someone to drive a rental moving truck that you rent and load. This is separate from labor-only moving, which covers loading and unloading, and separate from full-service moving, which includes the company’s truck and crew.

A hired driver can make sense for a long-distance move if you aren't comfortable driving a large vehicle or need to take your own car. Some services also offer ride-along options, depending on the company and the truck's seating.

Before booking, confirm that the rental company allows the driver and find out how to add them to the agreement. Ask whether the quote includes the driver's transportation, lodging, meals, tolls, and return travel. Drivers usually don't load or unload, so you may still need labor-only movers at one or both homes.

Can I Hire Movers To Pack My Stuff?

You can hire movers for full packing, partial packing, or fragile-only packing, even when you provide the truck. Full packing covers most or all of the home, partial packing focuses on selected rooms or items, and fragile-only service handles breakables such as dishes, artwork, and glass.

Pricing depends on the crew, hours, and materials, so review the cost for movers to pack and move and typical hourly packing rates. You can compare local packing help on HireAHelper to find the right crew for your move.

How Do I Choose the Right Type of Moving Service?

You should choose the service based on who you want to handle the driving, how much physical work you can do, and what your budget allows. You probably don't need full service if all you want is help getting a couch down the stairs, but on the other hand, the cheapest option may leave you doing more than you planned or wanted.

• Choose full-service movers when you want one company to supply the truck, crew, and driver and manage most of the move.
• Choose labor-only movers when you're comfortable arranging transportation but want help with loading, unloading, or packing.
• Choose a hired driver when you want to rent the truck and control the move but don't want to drive it yourself.
• Choose a moving container when you want flexible loading time, possible storage, and transportation handled for you.

HireAHelper lets you compare vetted labor-only crews and local full-service movers in one place. Review the broader moving options so you're comparing the full cost and workload, not just the starting price.

Why Trust HireAHelper

HireAHelper is a national marketplace for comparing and booking local moving help. Since 2007, more than one million moves have been booked through the platform, which includes over 1,700 vetted moving providers across the country.

Customers use HireAHelper for labor-only jobs, packing help, and local full-service moves. That gives the team a close view of who supplies the truck, who drives it, and how each type of service works on moving day.