--- title: Hiring Movers vs Renting a Truck: How to Decide url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/hiring-movers-vs-renting-a-truck/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Hiring movers vs renting a truck # Hiring movers vs renting a truck A commercial driver's license is required at 26,001 pounds or more under federal rules, and most household rental trucks are rated below that line, so a rental is a real option for a small move. A crew fits better when the load is heavy, the stairs are many, or your time matters more. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) 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](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/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](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/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](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/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](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/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](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/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. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 383.5 Definitions (commercial motor vehicle)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-383/subpart-A/section-383.5) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [eCFR, 49 CFR Part 375, Transportation of Household Goods in Interstate Commerce](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [How big a truck does your move need?](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-truck-size/) - [How much do movers cost? What drives the price](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-much-do-movers-cost/) - [Local moving in Reno, Sparks and Carson City](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/local-moving/) - [Portable containers vs full-service movers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/pods-vs-full-service-movers/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Moving container vs moving truck](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-container-vs-moving-truck/) - [Full packing vs packing it yourself](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/full-service-vs-partial-packing/) - [Moving to Reno from another country](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-reno-from-abroad/) - [Moving to Canada from the US](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-canada-from-the-us/) - [Moving to Mexico from the US](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-mexico-from-the-us/) - [Moving overseas: how international household moves work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-overseas/) - [How much to tip movers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-much-to-tip-movers/) - [How much do movers cost? What drives the price](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-much-do-movers-cost/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Do I need a CDL to drive a rental truck? A CDL is required at 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight rating or more. Check the rating of the truck you reserve. ### Can movers load a truck I rent? Yes. O'Brien's loads and unloads rental trucks, trailers and PODS. ### Which is better for a long-distance move? Interstate moves have federal paperwork and a network behind them. Read how interstate moves work before deciding. ### What should I ask a rental company about coverage? Ask whether it covers your belongings in the truck, or only the truck itself. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) B Bruce E. December 25, 2024 My family moved exclusively with Bekins when I was young and O'Brien's made it a pleasure to return to this fine local company. I would be pleased to have any members of O'Brien's as friends and highly recommend O'Brien's to anyone needing the services they provide! ### Owner's reply Bruce thank you so much for taking the time to review our company. It was an extreme pleasure to work for you, please do not hesitate to call us for any help you need in the future. L Leticia H. November 1, 2024 O'Brien's Moving and Storage packing crew were great!! They were fast, friendly and most importantly, very professional. Thank you guys. M Michelle C. August 28, 2024 Extremely happy with the moving experience. The moving team showed up on time, friendly and polite. They did a wonderful job moving our boxes and furniture to the new location. We moved a three bedroom home and I could not be more pleased with the employees who assisted with the move. Highly recommend O'Brien moving for your move. ### Owner's reply Michelle, thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. We are so happy to hear about the move experience you had with our company and glad to know we met your expectations! It means a lot to us to know that. Thank you for choosing us as your moving partner. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070