In this guide
Whether to rent a truck or hire movers in St. Peters comes down to how much you are moving, how many stairs and long carries are involved, and how much of the lifting you want to do. There is also a middle option: rent the truck yourself and book movers only for the loading and unloading. This guide compares all three so you can match the plan to your move.
We run full-service moves and labor-only jobs across St. Charles County from our St. Peters office, so we see every version of this decision. Below is what each option really involves on moving day.
The Three Ways to Move a St. Peters Home
Most St. Peters moves fit one of three plans. Each one moves the same furniture, but the work is split differently between you and the movers.
Option 1
Do it yourself
You rent the truck, round up friends, and do the wrapping, carrying, loading and driving.
Option 2
Rent the truck, hire the labor
You rent and drive the truck. Movers load it at the old home and unload it at the new one.
Option 3
Full-service movers
Movers bring the truck, pads and tools, then load, drive and unload for you.
When Renting a Truck on Your Own Works
A do-it-yourself move works when the load is small, the helpers are reliable, and the access is easy on both ends. A studio or a one-bedroom apartment with a ground-floor entry is the classic case.
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Your load is mostly boxes and a few light pieces of furniture
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You have at least two helpers who can lift for a full day
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Both homes have short carries and few stairs
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You are comfortable driving and backing a large truck
The trade-off is that every hour of the day is your own labor. Wrapping furniture, protecting door frames and tying the load are all on you.
When to Rent the Truck and Hire Loading Help
Renting the truck and hiring movers for the heavy part fits people who want to drive themselves but do not want to carry a sleeper sofa down the stairs. Our labor-only movers come without a truck and work on the one you rented.
You can book help at one end or both. Our loading and unloading help covers rental trucks and containers, and the movers pack the load so it rides without shifting.
Arch Mover Tip
Book the truck rental first, then book the movers for a start time that gives you room to pick the truck up. A truck that arrives late eats into the hours you booked.
When Full-Service Movers Make More Sense
Full-service movers make more sense for a house, a long carry, or a day when you cannot afford to lose time. The movers bring the truck and the equipment, and they handle the driving between homes.
It also helps when the furniture needs work. Most standard furniture can be taken apart and put back together at the new home, and the movers help unhook washers and dryers. Cribs, bunk beds, sleeper sofas and medical beds may only be taken apart.
How the Options Compare
| Question | Do it yourself | Truck plus labor | Full service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who drives the truck | You | You | The movers |
| Who lifts and loads | You and helpers | The movers | The movers |
| Who brings pads and tools | You | Ask when booking | The movers |
| Good fit | Small, easy loads | Mid-size loads, you drive | Houses and heavy items |
For any option that uses movers, the bill is hourly. The clock starts when the movers arrive and stops when the foreman closes the contract, so a ready home with packed boxes keeps the hours down. Our guide on how we price a move explains the rest.
What to Have Ready Before Movers Arrive
The same prep helps every option. A ready home is the biggest thing that changes how long a move takes.
Pack and tape every box, and empty all drawers and shelves
Arrange parking for the truck close to the door at both homes
Keep flammables, firearms, documents, jewelry, money and medications with you
Make sure you or another adult 18 or older stays for the whole move
Clear a path from each room to the door
Customers cannot ride in the moving truck, so plan your own ride to the new home. You can take apart beds and stage boxes ahead of time, but the movers do the carrying.
Questions to Ask Before You Book Loading Help
A few questions up front keep a labor-only job from running long. Ask them when you request a quote, not on moving day.
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How many movers will come, and how long do they expect the job to take
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Do the movers bring pads, dollies and tape, or should you have them
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Is the job at one end of the move or both
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What happens if the rental truck is late or smaller than planned
Tell us the size of the truck or container you rented and the number of rooms you are moving. That lets us send the right number of movers so nobody stands around and nobody runs short.
Lighten the Load Before You Rent
Every piece you leave behind makes the truck smaller and the day shorter. St. Peters homes can schedule free curbside pickup of bulky items such as old furniture and mattresses, up to 3 cubic yards per collection, through the city bulky item program.
Book that pickup a week or two before the move. Then size the rental truck for what is left, not for what you own today.
If the truck is going to sit loaded overnight, plan where it will park and who keeps the keys. Unloading first thing the next morning is easier than unloading tired at the end of a long first day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to rent a truck or hire movers in St. Peters?
It depends on the size of the load and how many hours of help you need. Labor-only help on your own rented truck sits between a full do-it-yourself move and a full-service move.
Can I hire movers just to load a rental truck?
Yes. Our labor-only and loading and unloading services work with a truck or container you rent, at one end of the move or both.
Do labor-only movers bring a truck?
No. Labor-only means movers without a truck, so you rent and drive the truck yourself.
Can I ride in the truck with the movers?
No. Customers cannot ride in the moving truck, so plan to drive yourself to the new home.
How far ahead should I book movers for a St. Peters move?
Book at least 30 days ahead for warm months and month-end dates. Other dates usually open up sooner.
Movers for Your St. Peters Move
Whichever plan you pick, start with an honest look at the load and the stairs. Our movers in St. Peters handle full-service moves and labor-only jobs across St. Charles County, seven days a week from 8 AM to 5 PM.
Request a free quote for full-service moving or loading help in St. Peters.
About the author
Hayden Mattingly
Owner, Arch Moving · St. Ann, MO
Hayden Mattingly owns and runs Arch Moving, a locally owned moving company in St. Ann serving St. Louis, St. Charles County and the rest of Missouri. He leads a crew with a combined 20 years in the moving industry, trains movers from within, and oversees residential, commercial, packing and long-distance moves. He writes these guides from what his crews handle on real St. Louis moves.
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Pick your plan in 4 checks
1
Count the rooms and heavy pieces
2
Count the stairs at both homes
3
Decide who will drive the truck
4
Book help for the heavy end
Keep Planning Your St. Peters Move
Renting the truck yourself?
Book movers for the loading and unloading, and keep the driving in your hands.