From buying packing supplies to hiring a moving company and getting your house professionally cleaned – there are lots of costs that arise when you’re moving.

Many opt to go down the DIY route for this very reason – packing up, shifting and unpacking everything themselves - sometimes with the help of friends and family. This can be stressful and time consuming. However if you’re looking to keep costs down, you might decide the extra effort is worth it.

If you don’t have your own van, trailer or ute – or know someone who does – you’ll likely need to hire one to help you get everything from A to B. This can be expensive – but there are ways to keep costs down.

To help you navigate your next DIY move, we’ve put together the following guide to keeping truck, van and trailer hire costs low. 

And – if it all starts to feel a bit overwhelming, Ezy Peazy is here to help. Our affordable moving services can be customised to suit your budget, allowing you to book as much or as little help as you need – whether that’s help to pack your belongings, transport your furniture – or enlisting a team of professional movers to take care of everything.

Moving Trailer, Van and Truck Rental: How to Keep Your Costs Down  

1. Choose the Right Vehicle for the Job

Hiring a bigger truck, trailer or van than required is a surefire way to spend more than you need to. Most rental companies offer different sized vehicles to choose from. For example, if you’re looking at furniture truck hire in Auckland, Metropolitan Rentals offers a huge range of trucks covering various capacities – all the way up to 20 tonnes. However, if you’re only moving to a two-bedroom house, it’s unlikely you’ll need anything so large. Similarly, some trucks include extra features like tail-lifts, which make it much easier to load your possessions into – but come with a bigger price-tag. The general rule of thumb? The smaller, and simpler the vehicle you hire, the cheaper it will be. But, bear in mind – if it’s too small – you’ll need to do multiple trips, which could push things like hourly rates and mileage fees up!

2. Avoid Extra Charges for Out of Hours Pick-Up and Drop-Off

If possible, avoid hiring a moving truck, van or trailer outside the company’s standard hours. Some companies charge an additional fee for out of hours pick-up and drop-off, while others, like Handy Rentals, offer 24/7 pick up and drop off. It pays to shop around and compare your options. Note that some companies, like Usave, have a cheaper rate for weekday hire, offering a 15% discount,  due to there being lower demand than on Saturdays and Sundays. 

3. Try to Keep the Hire Period as Short as Possible

The longer you rent a moving trailer, truck or van for – the more it will cost. Some rental companies offer the option to hire by the hour, while others charge per day, per week - or even by month or year. Hirepool, for instance, offers day rates for van and furniture truck hire in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, and other major centres. Storage4you in Auckland, on the other hand, offers truck rentals starting at $20 an hour, with the hourly rate dropping to $15 if you’re renting for more than 4 hours. 

Note that many companies like Northwest Rentals offer set 4 hour, 8 hour and 24 hour slots. If you choose one of these options, making sure you return the vehicle before your time slot is up is essential to avoid additional charges.

One way to make rentals even more affordable? Avoid rush-hour and complete your move outside of peak traffic to minimise your travel time and any costly late return fees.

4. Make Sure You Check Mileage Fees

Hourly and day rates aren’t the only charges to keep in mind when hiring a moving truck, van or trailer. Most companies will also charge per kilometre travelled, too. For instance, some of Usave’s rental options start at 44 cents per kilometre while Onsite Rentals charges 48 cents per kilometre for a 3 tonne furniture truck. Some, like Hireace, offer unlimited kilometre rates for their cargo vans for longer trips. This can be a great option if you’re moving a longer distance, or you think you might need to make several trips back and forth.

5. Opt to Refuel your Rental Truck or Van Yourself

Fuel costs are another expense to keep in mind. Typically, when you hire a vehicle, you’ll have the option to return it with a full tank – or pay for the rental company to refuel it. Refilling your moving truck or van yourself tends to be the cheaper option, as there aren’t any additional admin fees. Budget, for example – which offers truck and moving van hire in Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland and other major centres – has three refuel options: return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel as when rented; return the vehicle with less fuel than when rented and pay for refueling (at a higher rate than retail prices to cover services charges); or purchase a prepaid fuel option. Other rental options, such as Cityhop, cover the fuel entirely within the hireage fee.

6. Make Sure You’re Insured

A cheap moving truck rental can quickly become expensive if you’re involved in an accident. Most companies offer their own insurance options with varying levels of cover. Handy Rentals for instance offers a ‘total protection’ option which includes zero excess, and an ‘at your own risk’ option which incurs a $3,000 excess. It pays to think about your cargo, too. Does your current house and contents insurance cover your precious possessions while you’re in transit?

7. Hire a Trailer from your Local Petrol Station

If you can cover all your moving needs with a trailer, this is likely to be one of the most affordable options. Petrol stations like Caltex and Z, with branches across the country, offer easy trailer hire. Caltex Chartwell in Hamilton, for example, offers flatdeck and caged trailer hire for as little as $55 per day. Keep in mind, however, that you’ll need to have a vehicle capable of towing a trailer – and you’ll also need to check the trailer’s weight allowance to ensure it can safely haul your furniture.

8. Factor in Other Moving Supplies You May Need to Rent

When it comes to moving your worldly possessions - there are a few accessories that can come in handy, such as furniture trolleys (also called a hand truck), bungee cords and moving blankets. If you don’t have your own, many moving truck and van rental companies cover low-cost hire as part of their package. Usave, for instance, offers a $39 package which includes a furniture trolley, furniture blankets, and tie downs. While some stores, like Bunnings, offer furniture trolley hire – you’ll often need to purchase tie downs and furniture blankets outright, which can add up quickly.

9. Book in Advance to Avoid Costly Last-Minute Scrambles

If you’ve got a big move coming up, it pays to book in advance. This ensures you’ve got ample time to weigh up and compare various pricing options and that you’re not lumped with expensive options come moving day because everything else is booked up!  

Book Comprehensive, Affordable Moving Services with Ezy Peazy!

DIY moving feeling overwhelming? Moving house is time consuming and stressful as it is – without adding doing it yourself to the mix! 

That’s where we come in.

Thanks to our extensive network of professional taskers up and down the country, access to comprehensive, affordable moving services is at your fingertips. With our innovative platform, all you need to do is post the details of the job you need help with (for free), plus include your location, budget and preferred time frame. Then sit back while you wait for quotes from professional movers to roll in. 

Our moving services are fully flexible, meaning you can request as much or as little help as you need. Whether you simply need a man with a van to help you transport your things, someone to help move furniture out of your home and onto a truck you’ve hired, or a full team of packers and movers to take care of everything end-to-end – you’ll find reliable, professional help near you with Ezy Peazy.

Using our platform is safe, too. There are no obligations to accept any of the quotes you receive. Plus, we keep your payment secured until you’re 100% happy with the job that’s been completed.

So what are you waiting for? 

Avoid the DIY headache and book affordable house moving services via Ezy Peazy today!

-           Movers in Auckland

-           Movers in Wellington

-           Movers in Christchurch

Keeping Costs Down During Your Next Move: Key Takeaways

​​Moving can be costly and stressful. But with the right planning and smart trailer, truck and van rental choices, you can keep your expenses down - and have a smooth moving experience. By selecting the right vehicle size, comparing rental rates, avoiding unnecessary fees, and booking in advance, you’ll save both time and money.

 But -  if the thought of a DIY move starts to feel overwhelming, Ezy Peazy is here to help. Our flexible, budget-friendly moving services allow you to book as much or as little assistance as you need—whether it’s hiring a vehicle and driver, getting extra hands for heavy lifting, or securing a full team of professional movers.

About Ezy Peazy

Since 2019, Ezy Peazy has been connecting Kiwis with skilled taskers to get all sorts of jobs done. From painting  and garden care to furniture assembly and moving house, Ezy Peazy makes it simple and straightforward to find reliable, local help for anything you need. With transparent reviews, competitive pricing, and a user-friendly experience, Ezy Peazy is transforming the way Kiwis get things done.