While it's common to choose a moving company when relocating, surprisingly, many people move themselves without relying on one. In such cases, they start by preparing a vehicle to transport their belongings, and **rental cars** are often used for this. This time, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of moving yourself using a rental car, along with practical advice. Sapporo Rent-a-Car also offers many vehicle types suitable for moving, such as vans!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Moving Yourself with a Rental Car

When moving yourself without relying on a professional, what are the advantages and disadvantages? Let's summarize each point clearly here.

Advantages

・Lower cost ・Can proceed at your own pace ・Flexible scheduling While there are various moving companies, moving yourself with a rental car is overwhelmingly **cheaper**. For a single person's move, it's not uncommon for the cost to be less than half of what a moving company would charge. Moreover, with a rental car, you can move at your own pace without strict time constraints. There's no need to rush packing, and you can handle your belongings carefully.

Hiring movers often means strict time slots like 'between X and Y o'clock,' requiring you to keep that entire period free.

With a self-move, you can start early morning or evening. You also have the flexibility to choose your moving date freely, even during peak season, if availability is confirmed. The flexibility of time is also a major advantage of moving yourself.

Disadvantages

・Loading and unloading are laborious ・Too much burden for one person, so helpers must be arranged ・Must pack and protect furniture and belongings yourself ・Driving large vehicles can be difficult if unfamiliar Even if you decide to move yourself, it's not realistic to do all the work alone. Especially large furniture and appliances are difficult to carry alone. Having to find family or friends to help is a disadvantage of not hiring a professional. Additionally, you must handle all packing of furniture and fragile items yourself. Preparing proper packing and protecting items from damage can take surprising time and effort. Expensive furniture and precision equipment, in particular, require **special care** to prevent damage during transport. Moreover, driving a large vehicle you're unaccustomed to can be very stressful, depending on your driving skills and experience. Especially on narrow roads, in parking lots, or on steep slopes, the **difficulty level is higher** than normal. Long-distance driving in an unfamiliar large vehicle also increases fatigue, so physical strain must be considered.

Self-Move vs. Professional Mover Comparison

Let's compare comprehensively, including not only cost but also effort and time.

Comparison Item	Self-Move (using rental car)	Professional Mover
Cost	Lower (approx. 20,000-40,000 yen)	Higher (40,000-100,000+ yen)
Effort	High	Low
Time Flexibility	High	Low (within specified time)
Packing	All by yourself	Support available depending on plan
Large Furniture Transport	Can be difficult	Handled by specialists
Insurance	Rental car insurance only	Moving insurance available

Which option is better depends on factors such as your **budget, moving scale, physical strength, and time availability**.

Rental Car vs. Moving Company Cost Comparison

Costs are also a concern. How much do the costs differ between moving with a rental car and hiring a professional mover? Here, we'll calculate the approximate cost for a single person moving about 100 kilometers away.

Case: Moving Yourself with a Rental Car

The costs for moving yourself are the **rental car fee and gasoline expenses**. Also, it's customary to give some form of gratuity to those who helped, so it's good to include that in your budget.

・Rental car fee → Consider including one-way drop-off fees and gasoline costs (confirm amounts in advance).

・Gratuity for helpers → If paying, a rough guide is 5,000 yen per person.

For a self-move, you should budget approximately **25,000 to 35,000 yen**.

Case: Hiring a Moving Company

When hiring a professional, even with a single-person package, it will cost at least around 45,000 yen. Plan options vary; a full-support plan from packing to furniture setup costs more. Here, we calculate for a simple loading and unloading plan only. As you can see, moving yourself with a rental car is more affordable.

Recommended Vehicle Types for Moving and Estimated Cargo Volume

If you're planning a DIY move with a rental car, you need to start by considering what type of vehicle to rent. Here, we introduce recommended vehicle types for moving and an estimate of the cargo capacity.

Vehicle Type	Suitable Cargo Volume	Estimate
Kei Van	~3㎥	Studio apartment (light luggage)
Van	3~5㎥	1K~1DK (light luggage)
Wagon	4~7㎥	1DK~1LDK
1.5-ton Truck	8~10㎥	1LDK~2DK
2-ton Truck	10~15㎥	2DK~2LDK
Hiace	6~8㎥	1LDK~2DK

Vehicle Type Features

・Van

If you live alone and have minimal belongings, a van can accommodate your items.

Another advantage is that with a roof, you don't need to worry about rain or wind.

However, having a roof significantly limits the amount of cargo you can load.

・Kei Truck

Kei trucks are also commonly rented for moving, but their cargo area is often smaller than expected, frequently requiring multiple trips even for a single person. This vehicle type is convenient for short distances where two round trips are feasible.

・Wagon

It's wider than a van, making it easy to load large furniture.

The roof provides peace of mind in rainy weather. It's a good option with a balance of easy driving and cargo capacity.

・One-box Van

It features a high ceiling, making it easy to load tall furniture. With its large cargo capacity, it's suitable for moves from 1LDK to 2DK.

・2-ton Truck

A 2-ton truck significantly increases cargo capacity, making it the only choice for family-sized moves. However, its large size requires driving skill, so it's not recommended for those who are not confident drivers.

Also, depending on the size, a medium-sized driver's license may be required, so prior confirmation is necessary.

For Sapporo Rent-a-Car, these are the available vehicle types, but they require reservations, so please confirm in advance.

Practical Advice for DIY Moving

How to Arrange Helpers

Securing people (helpers) to assist with your move is a crucial point for DIY moving. ・Ask friends or family This is the most common method, but requires scheduling. ・Use moving helper services There are online services where you can secure help on an hourly basis. ・Recruit collaborators via SNS or community (only trustworthy individuals) You can also call for mutual aid moving help.

Inform helpers of the schedule in advance and clearly define the tasks.

Also, don't forget to prepare food and drinks, and compensation.

Importance of Reservations and Insurance Confirmation

When moving with a rental car, early reservations are essential, especially during peak season (March-April). ・Book 2-3 weeks in advance Weekends and month-ends are particularly busy. ・Check insurance details Be sure to confirm the scope of Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and third-party liability coverage. ・Allow ample return time Allow extra time for return, considering that work may take longer than planned.

It is important to check the rental car company's insurance details in advance to prepare for unforeseen accidents or cargo damage.

Precautions for Driving on Snowy Roads in Winter

For winter moves in snowy regions like Hokkaido, safe driving on snowy roads is extremely important. ・Secure vehicles with studless tires Always choose a vehicle equipped with winter tires. ・Act early Plan to complete tasks during daylight hours. ・Drive with caution Keep speed moderate and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns. ・Check road conditions Particular caution is required for icy roads and fresh snow.

Those unfamiliar with driving on snowy roads need to be especially careful. For more detailed precautions on snowy road driving, please refer to Sapporo Rent-a-Car's Winter Road Driving Guide. It provides detailed explanations of driving techniques and precautions during snowfall.

Summary

Moving can be done independently using a rental car, without relying on professional movers. However, there are disadvantages, so it's important to consider all factors, including costs and workload. For those looking to save on budget, DIY moving with a rental car is an attractive option, but advance preparation such as vehicle selection, securing helpers, and estimating cargo volume is crucial.

Especially for winter moves, don't forget to prioritize safety.

By choosing the right vehicle and making thorough preparations and plans, you can achieve an efficient and economical move. Please proceed safely and without overexertion!