Small moves: studios, 1-bedrooms and storage units
Studio and 1-bedroom movers in the Bay Area. 3-hour minimum, 2 movers $145/hr or 3 movers $175/hr, blankets and tape included. Call 1-877-417-6060.
How to keep a small move near the minimum
6 items- Pack every small item into sealed boxes before we arrive. We do not move items packed in plastic bags.
- Box the TV, lamps and mirrors. A TV box is up to $50 for a 75 inch TV if you need one from us.
- Empty the drawers.
- Reserve the elevator and a truck spot of about 40 feet at both ends.
- Have the storage unit open and the gate code ready if we are picking up from storage.
- Disassembly and reassembly of the bed and table are included, so you do not need to take them apart first.
A small move, priced plainly
A studio, a 1-bedroom, a storage unit going into a new apartment, a few rooms of furniture to a family member's place. These are small moves, and the questions are always the same: what is the minimum, and will the move fit inside it? Here are our actual numbers.
The minimum, in dollars
Every local move has a 3-hour minimum, then the time is prorated in 15-minute increments. The rate is for the whole team and the truck.
| Team | Rate | Minimum charge | Rate per mover |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 movers + truck | $145/hr | $435 | $72.50/hr |
| 3 movers + truck | $175/hr | $525 | $58.33/hr |
We offer 2 movers only for very small moves, or when a customer insists. For most studios and 1-bedrooms 3 movers are the better deal: the rate per mover is lower and the job finishes sooner, so the total is often the same or less. Card payments carry a 3% fee; cash and money order do not.
How long small moves take
From the time estimates we give on real jobs:
- Studio: usually 3 to 4 hours. A recent studio-to-studio move from Santa Clara to Morgan Hill was estimated at 3 to 4 hours including double drive time.
- 1 bedroom: usually 3 to 5 hours.
- A home of about 1,200 sq ft: around 5 to 6 hours including double drive time.
The real number depends on how much you have, how well it is packed, the drive between the addresses and the access at both ends.
Double drive time, explained with numbers
We do not charge for driving to your first address or back from the last one. When your pickup and drop-off are more than 10 minutes apart, California's tariff counts the drive between them twice. If that drive is 30 minutes, 60 minutes go on the bill for that part of the move. For a small move this is often the biggest variable, so a move across town costs less than a move across the bay, even with the same boxes. For most moves within the same ZIP code there is no double drive time at all.
Storage unit moves
A lot of small moves start or end at a self-storage unit: clearing a 10x10 into a new 1-bedroom, or putting a studio into storage between leases. These are normal local moves at the same hourly rate. Tell us the unit size, have the gate code and key ready, and check the facility's access hours so the crew is not waiting at the gate. If you need storage from us instead, ours is billed at a flat monthly fee in 30-day periods; see storage solutions.
What about a single item?
We are a full-service moving company, and single-item deliveries are not a standard service. If you only have one or two pieces, call and ask: the answer depends on the calendar. For a whole studio or 1-bedroom, the normal 3-hour minimum applies.
Discounts that apply
Returning customers get 7% off the final price. A referral from a friend or past customer is 5%, and a referral from a real estate agent is 7%, as long as you give us the referrer's name or phone number. See coupons.
Questions and answers
What is the smallest charge for a move?
The 3-hour minimum: $525 for 3 movers and a truck, or $435 for 2 movers on a very small move.
Can I book only 2 hours?
No. The 3-hour minimum is the lowest we can offer because of operating costs. After 3 hours, time is billed in 15-minute increments.
Is the rate per mover?
No. The hourly rate covers the whole team and the truck. There is no separate truck fee.
Do you move a storage unit into an apartment?
Yes. Pickup from a storage unit is a normal local move. Have the unit open and the access code ready.
Do weekends cost more?
No. The rate is the same every day of the week.
Should I tip on a small move?
It is up to you and never required. Tips are not included in the rate; when customers tip, it usually ranges between 10 and 20 percent, and it goes directly to the movers.
Do you bring boxes?
Yes. The truck carries boxes and packing supplies, charged as used. Blankets, tape and wardrobe boxes are included on a full move.
We also move people in Apartment movers, Loading Unloading Help, Moving Cost, Coupon, Moving Checklist, Local Moving and Get Quote.