Why people choose labor only
Renting your own truck is usually cheaper than a full service move, but loading and unloading it yourself is the hardest and most physically demanding part of the day. Labor only jobs solve that without paying for a truck you do not need.
It is also a popular choice for anyone moving into or out of a storage unit or a pod, where the truck rental is already handled separately from the moving crew.
What the crew brings
Movers arrive with furniture blankets, straps, dollies, and basic tools for taking apart beds or shelving that will not fit through a doorway assembled. You do not need to provide any equipment beyond the truck itself.
If you have specific concerns, like a fragile mirror or an odd shaped piece of furniture, mention it when you book so the crew brings anything extra that job might need.
How the hours are used
The clock generally starts when the crew arrives and begins working, and ends when the truck is loaded or unloaded and the crew is packed up to leave. A typical two to three bedroom job runs a couple of hours for loading and a similar amount for unloading.
Having boxes taped, sealed, and staged near the door before the crew arrives saves time, since every minute spent searching for what is ready to go comes out of the booked hours.
Loading a truck versus loading a pod
A rental truck and a storage pod load a little differently. A truck needs weight distributed for a safe drive, with heavier items low and centered, while a pod that will sit in place for a while can be packed more like a storage unit, prioritizing access to items you might need before the rest.
Tell the crew ahead of time which one you are using so they plan the load accordingly from the first item on.
Getting the most from your booking
Point out anything unusual as soon as the crew arrives rather than partway through the job, since it changes how the load is planned from the start. A quick walk through together at the beginning saves confusion later.
If you are driving the truck yourself afterward, ask the crew for a quick rundown of how the load is secured before they leave, so nothing shifts on the freeway between the old address and the new one.