As moving time approaches, deciding how to move your belongings is one of the biggest decisions you'll have to make. Do you take a van and give yourself the job of moving, or do you pay professionals to do the donkey work?

Each has advantages and disadvantages, and their appropriate use usually can be determined by how much money you have available, the amount of time you can devote to the move, and how complicated your move may be. If you live in Toronto or nearby, you won't lack van rental services or moving firms, making your choice more difficult.

This guide separates the advantages and disadvantages of the two so you can decide the best step ahead.

1. The Way Van Rentals Work

Van rental is a hiring process, usually of either a cargo van, passenger van or cube truck, of a vehicle with a rental company over a specific time. This puts you in control of your move process, including the packing process and the timing.

Benefits of renting a van in Toronto:

• Cost savings: Hiring a moving company is always more costly than renting a van. You do not pay labour, you pay the vehicle.
• Diversity in Stock: Toronto van rental companies offer a range of vehicle sizes to accommodate your moving needs. This entails the use of cargo vans of different sizes that facilitate both small and big moves, combined with cube trucks.

Potential drawbacks:

• Hard Work: You must perform the process of loading, unloading and driving a vehicle.
• Driving: The larger vans could prove hard to manoeuvre, especially in the congested towns of Toronto.
• Time: DIY plans are usually less time-economical as compared to those undertaken by professionals.

2. What are Professional Movers?

By hiring movers, you'll be paying a company to move your belongings. Movers can also pack, load, and unpack your possessions, depending on the type of service you choose.

Advantages of moving companies in Toronto:

• Convenience-Big work is done by professionals, and you have time to deal with other sides of your move.
• Experience: Movers have developed the habit of taking care to carry and pack the goods and loading, resulting in a decrease in the risk of damage.

Potential drawbacks:

• Greater Expense-Full service moving companies are more costly than van rentals.
• Lack of Control: You will have to operate around the schedule of the movers.
• Trust Factor: You are leaving your items in the hands of strangers.

3. Which is Faster ?

Renting a van gives you the freedom to call the shots, allowing you to travel with friends, but it will take longer. It will take 6-10 hours to relocate the average one-bedroom apartment.

• Getting movers: A professional team may do the same task in 3-5 hours.
• In case speed is the most important factor, movers win this one.

4.Which Is More Effective on a Small Move?

Van rental is often the most convenient option for students, renters, or anyone needing to transport small cargo throughout the City of Toronto. A small cargo van can be rented by the hour, and the large minimum charges demanded by moving companies can be avoided.

• Large or complicated moves, Which Is Better?

It can be well worth the money to hire movers when you have a lot of furniture to move, a lot of items in a large house, or limited space to maneuver, such as stairs and narrow hallways. They have the skills to prevent damage to both your possessions and your building.

5. Liability and Insurance

Renting out a van means you have to take care of the vehicle and your possessions for the duration of the move. The majority of the companies providing rentals provide the insurance of the vehicle as an optional; however, the contents of the vehicle are not insured against.

In the case of movers, they are also insured and therefore their insurance will cover damage to your goods (there is a limitation, of course), providing you with added security.

6.Flexibility/Reliability

• Van rental: It is maximum flexible as one can get a head start, take breaks and extend the rental time as necessary.
• Movers: Bring some reliability- they will bring the right equipment, manpower and a strategy to get the job done.

7. Making the Decision

Ask yourself:

• What is my budget? In case cost is the most important consideration, use van hire.
• How long have I got? Moving companies may be preferable in case you are in a hurry.
• Can I even lift the heavy things? Otherwise, it is safer with movers.
• What complication is involved in the move? 

Sometimes a professional should be employed due to several flights of stairs, fragile antiques, or moving a long distance.

Final Thoughts

What is more important is the van rental or finding Toronto movers.

In the case you are on the side of low prices, convenience, and not bothered about engaging in manual labour yourself, then you will use a van rental. It is ideal in any small or medium moves, student moves, and in those cases where the individual may wish to find him/herself nearly in complete control of the scheduled moves.

Alternatively, in case you would prefer not to spend time, not disrupt your body with any physical strain, and make sure that the move would be quick and professional, it would be worth paying the extra money in case you belong to the type of house that is large or requires a complicated move.

Whichever you decide, make sure to plan in advance, request quotes, and book as early as possible- Toronto moving season can be busy and finding the right service ahead of time will help the process run a lot smoother.