When loading your truck, save lighter boxes to load last and fill gaps.

When moving to a new home, most people think do-it-yourself is cheaper. However, that is not necessarily true. Can you get enough people to help? What if your help damages to your stuff? There are the truck rental and fuel costs, plus trying to figure out just what size truck is needed.

If you do decided to handle the move yourself, start by deciding how big the truck needs to be. Imagine the nightmare of a full moving truck with a pile of stuff still waiting to be loaded. In the moving world, a cubic foot is the measurement norm. The problem is figuring out how many cubic feet you need to hold all your stuff?

The rule of thumb is to allow 150 to 200 cubic feet of truck space for each furnished room. Most rental companies have a chart that estimates what size home fits in each truck. For example, a three to four-bedroom house will require a 24-foot truck. Plus, rental company websites often have calculators to help you come up with the right size.

However, those are just average figures, so you need to consider just how much stuff you have packed into each room. Plus, as amateur movers, you may not pack the truck to utilize all of the available space. This is why the second rule of thumb is to order a truck at least 10 to 15 percent bigger than you think you’ll need. When in doubt, pick a bigger truck.

Next, call and compare truck rental prices. This amount is determined by the size of the truck, distance of the move, number of days needed, and if the move is one-way or can you return to the truck to its original location. Make sure you understand what’s included in the price. Also, check to see if it is cheaper to move on a different day, and don’t forget to order any additional equipment you might need, such as a moving dolly, moving pads or an extra trailer.

When you pick up the truck, you will need your driver’s license and a major credit card. Before you sign any paperwork, check the truck’s condition and note any dents and scratches on the rental agreement. Also make sure the agreement has the correct mileage and fuel in the tank.

Finally, it is time to load the truck. Start with the big stuff first — appliances, furniture, mattresses, etc. Take apart bed frames and any other pieces that can be disassembled, and then tape the loose pieces together so nothing gets lost or mixed up. Next, load the biggest and heaviest boxes, followed by the lighter stuff and anything that can be squeezed into nooks such as the space under a table or desk.

Before you return the truck, be sure to fill the tank. Yes, you’re tired after a long day, but the rental company’s fuel charge will be way more than what you pay doing it yourself.