Both choices move your things, and the difference is who does the work and who carries the risk. This guide lists what each option puts on your plate so you can decide from facts, not from a rental ad.
What a rental truck asks of you
With a rental you reserve the truck, pick it up, load it, drive it, unload it and return it. The weight rating on the truck matters: under 49 CFR 383.5, a commercial driver's license is required for a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more. Check the rating of the truck you reserve, and confirm what the rental company requires of the driver.
A large truck is also harder to park and turn, especially in older Reno neighborhoods and on mountain roads. If your move crosses the Sierra, the guide to moving in winter is worth reading.
What a crew handles
A professional crew brings the truck, the driver, the pads and the dollies, and does the loading and unloading. For an O'Brien's local move, the estimator visits the home first, so the estimate reflects the stairs, the long carries and the heavy pieces. Learn more about local moving.
For a long-distance move, the shipment travels with the Bekins network, and federal rules in 49 CFR Part 375 cover the estimate, inventory and bill of lading. See long-distance moving for how it works.
Where each option fits
A rental suits a small load, a driver who is comfortable with a large vehicle, and helpers you trust. A crew suits a full house, a tight schedule, a pianos-and-appliances load, or a family where nobody can lift.
A third option sits between them. O'Brien's loads and unloads rental trucks, trailers and PODS, so you can keep the truck and hand off the lifting.
- Rental: you drive, load and return; you plan fuel, parking and helpers.
- Crew: the crew loads, drives and unloads; the estimate lists the work.
- Labor only: your truck, trailer or container, loaded and unloaded by professionals.
Count the whole job
Write down every piece of the rental plan: the truck, the supplies, fuel, helpers' meals, the time you take off work and the risk of damage. Then ask for a free in-home estimate and compare the two lists. A fair comparison counts the work as well as the invoice. The how much do movers cost guide explains what drives a price.
Protect the belongings either way
Ask what protection applies to your goods. A professional mover offers valuation coverage that you choose in writing; see valuation coverage. With a rental, ask whether the rental company's coverage includes your belongings or only the truck. Call 775-359-6683 for a free estimate and decide with real numbers.