In a nutshell, no. The drivers of Uber can decline your ride for multiple reasons as an independent contractor. Moving furniture poses an insurance risk and decreases a driver’s earning potential, as well as wasting precious time loading and unloading a vehicle.
The better alternatives to using Uber for moving furniture are:
- Hire a full-service mover. These can be pricey but you get peace of mind and allow the movers to handle loading and unloading your vehicle(s) as well as driving them safely to their destination.
- Rent or buy a van or UTE if there are only a few pieces of furniture to move. Cargo vans and trucks typically cost less than $30 – $60 per day and can be rented from any major rental company.
With these alternatives, you won’t have to worry about:
- Driving directly behind your van on its way to the destination.
- Having to load and unload your furniture.
- Driving a large vehicle with poor gas mileage. We all know how expensive gas is these days!
In the end, it’s always best if you can avoid driving altogether when moving from furniture as they tend to be bulky items. If this isn’t an option, using a van or UTE and professional movers is your best bet.
If you’re still going to risk it
Although we strongly advise against moving furniture with an Uber, if you’re still planning to give it a try, here’s what you should know.
- Make the loading process as efficient as possible by packing everything in boxes.
- Inform the driver right away of your current situation so he/she can decline before making the trip to you.
- Because you’ll need as much room as possible, choose an UberXL.
- The driver definitely deserves a tip as he doesn’t have to take the trip.
If you want to move a mattress or other bulky furniture try one of the alternative options as you won’t be able to do it with Uber.