The Average Cost To Move A One Bedroom Apartment

Here, we’ve outlined results of our research into moving costs across the industry. The following figures represent simple averages, and shouldn’t be considered a viable replacement for moving estimates. Moving costs are determined by hourly rates, or by shipment weight and move distance, so you should get multiple estimates to determine a fair price.

Factors that Influence Cost

The following are some of the main factors that can cause your cost of moving to increase. They should be discussed with your customer service representative during any estimate you receive.

• House vs apartment: One-bedroom apartments will almost always be smaller than one-bedroom houses. Houses typically have far more storage space than do apartments, which could easily double the total shipping weight of your move or add to your hourly charges for movers. 
• Ease of access: Difficult driveways or tight parking lots can restrict some moving trucks’ ability to move and freely access 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 company. 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 their truck from 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 anyway.
• Specialty furniture: Pianos, large china hutches, and valuable antiques will usually come with added fees if you need to have them moved.
• 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.
• Number of add-on services required: Aside from shipment weight and move distance, these are the primary source of inflated moving costs.

Popular Add-On Services

These are somewhat necessary for many moves to go smoothly. Each different mover you explore will offer a different range of add-ons at different prices. Discuss them during your estimate to see what is within your budget. 

• Packing services
• Full packing
• Partial packing
• Fragile-only packing
• Crating
• Debris removal
• Furniture assembly and disassembly
• Appliance installation
• Debris removal

Planning Your One-Bedroom Move

• Give Yourself Ample Time: Ideally, you should begin planning your move (of any size) 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.
• Fully Inventory Your Home: Between the eight and six-week mark, you should conduct a full inventory of your home. Go through each room of your residence, 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 Quotes: No matter the scope of your move, getting multiple quotes and opinions on your move is a must. Doing this will help ensure that you book with a moving company whose service offerings and price points best align with your needs.

Buying Guide for Moving Companies

Before booking with any moving company, you should request proof of the registrations and insurance policies below. 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 have to also carry valid USDOT and MC numbers. With these, clients can research a given mover’s registration status and complaint history through this link.
• Local Registration: Most states will have their own governing body, with which, movers will have to remain in good standing. To find out what your state’s requirements are, you should check here.
• Proper Insurance: All moving companies have to maintain multiple insurance policies in order to legally operate, including workers’ compensation and released liability coverage.
• Well-reviewed: When evaluating any service-based company, customer reviews are an important resource to consult. Here are a few reputable sources to get you started: Google, Yelp, social media, Better Business Bureau.

Our Top Moving Providers

Here, we’ve outlined our top providers of moving services. We’ve done thorough research on each, and can attest to their quality in the industry. When vetting different companies, you should get quotes from each that you consider. We hope this provides you with a starting point.

* Long-distance average cost is based on aggregate data from customer reviews for a two-bedroom home, moving 500 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.