Studio & Small-Space Moving Tips

What a studio move costs

A full studio with a truck and two movers usually costs $385 to $660. A partial load, such as a bed, a few pieces, and some boxes, can come in lower, and small moves start at $195. There is no three or four hour minimum on small moves.

• Stairs and the walk from the truck matter more than the number of boxes.
• A weekday in the middle of the month is the cheapest slot.
• Small moves are the easiest to fit in on short notice.

How much you actually have

A typical studio is 15 to 25 boxes, a bed, a small sofa or chair, a table, a dresser, and a TV. That fits a cargo van or a 10 foot truck. Two movers handle it unless there is something heavy, such as a sleeper sofa, which is worth mentioning in your quote request.

Measure the new place first

In a small apartment, a few inches decide whether your furniture works.

• Measure the wall where the bed will go, and the wall for the sofa.
• Measure the elevator door and the apartment door against your largest piece.
• Check where the outlets and the cable or internet jack are before you decide on a layout.
• Sell or donate anything that will not fit before the move. It costs money to move and more to get rid of later.

A one-week packing plan

A studio can be packed in a week of evenings.

• Day 1. Get 20 to 25 boxes in two sizes, tape, and packing paper.
• Day 2. Pack books, decor, and anything on shelves.
• Day 3. Pack off-season clothes and spare linens.
• Day 4. Pack most of the kitchen, leaving out one plate, one mug, and one pan.
• Day 5. Pack the bathroom cabinet and the closet.
• Day 6. Take apart the bed frame and the table, and bag the hardware.
• Day 7. Pack the last things and stack boxes by the door.

Small buildings still have rules

A small move can still be held up by a building.

• Ask whether the elevator has to be reserved, even for a short move.
• Ask whether movers need a certificate of insurance.
• In a walk-up, tell us the floor, so the stairs are in the quote.
• On a DC street, a DDOT permit holds the curb for the truck. It needs signs posted 72 hours ahead.

Move day in a small space

The crew needs room to work, and a studio has little.

• Stack boxes along one wall, leaving a clear path from the bed and sofa to the door.
• Keep an essentials bag with chargers, medication, toiletries, and a change of clothes, and carry it yourself.
• At the new place, have the bed set up first, then place the largest furniture before the boxes come in.