How to Choose the Best Apartment Moving Services

Learn how to choose the best apartment moving services by comparing pricing, reliability, insurance coverage, reviews, and overall service quality.

Moving to a new apartment is easily one of the most stressful life events you will go through.

From packing up everything you own to staying organized with logistics…there's a lot that goes into apartment moves. And that's BEFORE you realize:

Moving apartments fails more times than not because you didn't hire the right moving service.

Luckily for you, I'm going to teach you how to avoid that mistake. Finding the best apartment moving services isn't as hard as you think. And by following this guide, you'll learn how to save money, save time, and avoid all that moving stress.

Ready to dig in?

Quick Summary

1. Why Apartment Moves Are Different Than House Moves

2. The Factors You Should Consider Most When Choosing Movers

3. Absolute Red Flags To Avoid At All Costs

4. How To Find The Cheapest Prices (Without Sacrificing Quality)

Why Apartment Moves Are Different Than House Moves

Moving an apartment is different from moving from one house to another.

Why? Simple. Apartments have limitations that houses don't.

How many times have you heard someone complain about…

• Elevators

• Parking restrictions

• Small spaces

• Building management

Multiply those headaches by however many items you own, and it's no wonder people hate moving to a new apartment.

Here's the thing: In 2023 alone, almost 41 million people in the United States picked up and relocated to somewhere new. And you better believe that a huge portion of those moves were to apartments.

Moving apartments isn't impossible. In fact, with the right professional help, it can be pretty darn smooth.

But you have to choose wisely.

Apartment movers who have experience know how to navigate those moving obstacles we mentioned. They know how to handle tight spaces, elevators, steep parking fees, and HOA rules. Pick an experienced company that does local apartment movers and you won't have to worry about the tricky parts of your move.

The Factors You Should Consider Most When Choosing Movers

There are plenty of factors that come into play when deciding which moving company is right for you.

But some matters matter more than others.

Here are the big ones…

Experience With Apartment Moves

All moving companies are different.

Some do long-distance moves. Others only offer portable packing. And some specialize in local apartment moves.

When searching for the best company to move your stuff, look for ones with specific experience in apartment moving. They should be well-versed in:

• Stairs & elevators

• Scheduled time windows

• Delicate areas

• Building management rules

Insurance and Licensing

This should go without saying, but your movers should be licensed and insured.

If they don't have the proper credentials, walk (or crawl…lol) away.

Ask to see:

• Liability insurance

• Worker's compensation

• Motor carrier license (if moving across state lines)

• DOT number (for verification)

Transparent Pricing

This one surprised me…

According to recent data, only 20% of the population will actually hire a full-service moving company to help with their move.

Why?

Most people figure moving companies are too expensive. Or they're afraid of getting nickel-and-dimed by the mover.

The thing is, reliable moving companies have transparent pricing with zero hidden fees. When they send you a quote, it should include:

• Free in-person or virtual estimates

• Detailed cost breakdown

• Full explanation of what services are included

• Written quote you can shop around with

If a moving company can't or won't do this, they aren't the best choice to help you move to your apartment.

Customer Reviews and Reputation

Word of mouth is powerful.

Before you hire that random "moving company" down the street, take some time to read online reviews from past customers. You should be able to see clear patterns in their ratings like:

• Are they punctual?

• Do they take care of your stuff?

• Will they try to upsell you?

• How do they handle issues?

Look on Google, Yelp, the BBB, everywhere. If a company has solid five-star reviews all across the board, they're probably a good choice.

Absolute Red Flags To Avoid At All Costs

Don't fall for these tricks.

Not every company has your best interest in mind. In fact, some scammers are very good at what they do. Make sure you avoid these big red flags when apartment hunting for movers:

No Physical Address or Office

If a moving company won't tell you their physical address or you can't check them out…

…it's time to run for the hills.

Stick with local moving companies that have an office you can walk into. No address? No deal.

Asking For Large Upfront Deposits

Listen up…

I've never hired a moving company that requires a large deposit upfront. Sure, they might want a small deposit to hold your date. But anything over 25% before they start work is a red flag.

Wrong Equipment

Professional movers will arrive ready to work.

That means:

• Clean truck that's branded with their company logo

• Loading and unloading equipment ( Dollies , lifting straps, padding )

• Proper uniforms or identification

• Tools they'll need to do the job

If your movers show up in an unmarked rental truck wearing tee-shirts and haven't brought any moving equipment…stuff gets broken.

Not Willing to Do An In-Person Estimate

All respectable moving companies should be able to provide you with an in-home estimate.

Why? Because they want to see exactly what they're moving before giving you a final price.

If your mover can't come to your home (or do a virtual walk-through) and give you a quote that way, beware. They're likely going to low-ball you just to get your business, then hit you with extra fees later on.

How To Find The Cheapest Prices (Without Sacrificing Quality)

Here are a few tips to save money on your next move.

Stay away from yes-men.

While it's good to find a company that seems to want your business at all costs, you also don't want to hire someone who's afraid to say "no." Here are some tips to save money on your apartment move:

Get Multiple Quotes

Don't be afraid to shop around and get several quotes before deciding on a mover.

Try to obtain 3-5 quotes from different moving companies. Not only will this give you a good idea of what price range you should expect to pay, but you'll also know which quotes are way above or below that range.

Make sure you're comparing apples-to-apples. Every quote should include the same services and moving dates.

Move During Off Peak Times

Move during the week and in the off-season.

Most people overlook this trick, but movers charge significantly more during peak moving season (May – September) and at the end of the month.

If you have flexibility in your moving date, try to schedule your move:

• Between October – April

• Mid-month

• Weekdays

You can literally save yourself hundreds by doing this.

Declutter Before Moving

Simple as it sounds…

The more stuff you have to move, the more money you'll have to pay to move it.

Take the time before you request quotes to go through your belongings and purge anything you don't want/need. Not only will you have less stuff to move, but you'll feel good about starting fresh at your new place.

Keep in mind: You're paying your mover per HOUR they work. The less clutter you have, the quicker they can load and unload your truck.

Do Some DIY Moving

Don't feel like you need to hire movers to do EVERYTHING.

One great way to save money is to do your own packing. Most moving companies charge you less if you pack your own boxes. Just be careful not to break anything.

That being said, don't over do yourself. Did you know that DIY movers are 39% more likely to experience a neck or joint injury than professional movers? Take care of your body and leave the heavy lifting to the experts.

Wrapping Things Up

There are plenty of great apartment moving services out there.

But with the moving services industry set to reach $110.97 billion by 2025, it can be difficult to know who you can trust.

Use this guide as a starting point for your search. Do your due diligence and research several different companies. Get everything in writing, and don't be afraid to ask questions if something doesn't sound right.

Moving to a new apartment is stressful enough. You don't need to let a sketchy moving company make your life more difficult than it has to be.

Move safely, friends.