The Average Cost To Move A One Bedroom Apartment

Get Free Moving Quotes

The best way to find out what your move will cost is to simply request free quotes. Getting a quote from a mover does not have any obligation to book, so be sure to get as many estimates as possible. This will allow you to compare rates and even negotiate with your preferred movers. Here are some of the best apartment moving companies available today:

Average Cost to Move an Apartment

Local moving costs are determined by hourly rates, while long-distance moving costs are primarily determined by weight and move distance. On average, here’s what you can expect to pay to move a one bedroom apartment:

Factors that Influence Apartment Moving Cost

The following are some of the main factors that can impact the cost of your apartment move. They should be discussed with your customer service representative during any estimate you receive:

• Distance: As you can see in the table above, cost increases with distance. The further away you’re moving, the more you can expect to pay. The extra cost is for additional fuel, driver and crew pay, and liability.
• Weight: The more items you’re moving, the more you will pay. For local moves, which are billed on an hourly basis, the more things you have the longer it will take to physically move them. For long-distance moves, more items means more weight in the truck, which can increase fuel costs. If you have more items than can fit in a truck, you’ll have to get another truck as well. More items can also mean that additional crew members will be necessary to complete your job efficiently.
• Ease of access: Difficult driveways or tight parking lots can prevent some moving trucks from accessing your home. This will likely drive up the cost of your move. If you’re moving to or from a city, you should consider reserving parking for your moving company to use. Depending on your location, this can either be done through a central authority or by simply marking off spaces with parking cones.
• Long carries: Somewhat related to ease of access, many movers will charge a fee for long carries to/from their truck and your residence. A typical threshold for this is 75 feet, although this can vary. If nothing else, long carries will increase the time your move will take, which will lead to higher costs if moving locally and charged by the hour.
• Specialty furniture: Pianos, large china hutches, and valuable antiques will usually come with added fees if you need to have them handled with extra care or padding.
• Time of year: Peak moving season is between May and September in the US. Unless you book well in advance, you can expect to pay more for a move during this time.
• Last-minute booking: Many movers will tack on a little extra for the convenience of booking within a few days of a move. This can be even more true for nationwide providers, whose schedules are usually filled.
• Add-on services: Aside from shipment weight and move distance, add-on services like packing, storage, and car shipping will have the biggest impact on your moving cost. The more services you hire a company to manage, the more you should budget for your move.

Popular Add-On Services

Each mover offers a different range of add-on services at different prices. Be sure to discuss your needs during your estimate so you can decide what is within your budget. Here are some of the most popular add-on services and how they can impact your cost:

• Packing services. Packing Is usually charged by an hourly rate and the number of crew members involved. The average cost to pack a one-bedroom apartment is $250 to $550. If you need your mover to unpack as well, you can double that cost. Some of the best movers will offer options like full-service packing or fragile-only packing, so you can find a better compromise between your needs and budget.
• Crating. Custom crating involves placing an item in a wooden box or frame to keep it protected in transit. This is usually done on an item-by-item basis, typically for the most fragile or valuable items. Pricing is typically $50 to $150+ per crate, depending on the size and shape of the item that needs to be crated.
• Storage. Many moving companies offer short-term and long-term storage. This can be very convenient if you’re downsizing, have time between your move-out and move-in dates, or just want to keep some items out of the way while you get situated in your new home. Typical monthly rates range from $90 for a small unit to $300 for a large unit.
• Debris removal. People often throw things away when preparing for a move. If you have many items that you are discarding, a debris or junk removal service might be necessary. Rates range on average from $125 to $350 depending on the amount of debris that needs to be removed.
• Furniture assembly and disassembly. Basic disassembly and re-assembly of furniture is typically included for free. Sometimes it is necessary to dismantle furniture to get it to fit into the truck. Assembling new packaged furniture, however, is a different service that not all movers will provide. Those that do will typically charge an hourly rate.
• Appliance installation. While not all movers will provide this, those that do will typically charge a flat rate ranging from $100 to $275.

Planning Your One-Bedroom Move

Now that you know what you can expect to pay for your apartment move, here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Give Yourself Ample Time: Ideally, you should begin planning your move around eight weeks before your move date. At this point, you should begin researching movers in your area and calling them to set up estimates.
• Inventory Your Home: Between the eight and six weeks ahead of your move, you should conduct a full inventory of your home. Go through each room and decide what you’re going to be taking with you. During this time, you should compile lists of all goods to be moved as well as services required.
• Get Free Quotes: No matter the scope of your move, you should always reach out to multiple companies to request free moving quotes. Doing this will help ensure that you book with a moving company whose service offerings and pricing best align with your needs.

Buying Guide for Moving Companies

Before booking with any moving company, you should request proof of the following items. Any reputable mover will expect this and should provide documentation when asked.

• FMCSA Registration: Any moving company conducting interstate business falls under the jurisdiction of the FMCSA. Aside from registering with them, movers must also carry valid USDOT and MC numbers. Clients can use these numbers to research a mover’s registration status and complaint history through this link.
• Local Registration: Most states have their own governing body that regulates movers. Movers moving within the state must often have an additional state license and meet unique insurance and service requirements. To find out what your state’s requirements are, check here.
• Proper Insurance: All moving companies must maintain multiple insurance policies to legally operate, including workers’ compensation and released liability coverage. Many companies will offer additional valuation coverage as well.
• Well-reviewed: When evaluating any service-based company, customer reviews are an important resource to consult. A few sources to begin your research include Google, Yelp, social media, and the Better Business Bureau.

Top Apartment Moving Companies

Here are the best apartment moving companies available today. Each company is fully licensed to operate throughout the country, offering both local and long-distance moving services. We selected these companies based on their availability, service options, reputation, affordability, and more:

* Long-distance average cost is based on aggregate data from customer reviews for a one-bedroom apartment, moving 250 miles. Cost can vary significantly based on move weight and distance. Be sure to request a free quote to get an accurate estimate for your move.