Small moves have a reputation for being easy. They're not — they're just short. A studio move has the same number of decisions as a house move, compressed into one room and one very long day. Here's how to get it right.

1. Purge before you pack

In a small apartment, every item has to earn its square footage twice — once in the old place, once in the new one. Before a single crate gets packed, do the ruthless pass: donate, sell, or trash anything you haven't used in a year. Moving charges depend on the mover and job, and there's no spare closet to hide "maybe" boxes in at the other end.

2. Right-size the package

Our starting recommendation is 20 crates for a studio ($169 for the first week, $30 for each extra week, 2 dollies included) or 30 crates for a one-bedroom ($199 for the first week, $45 for each extra week, 3 dollies included). True minimalists — the "everything I own fits in my car plus a mattress" crowd — may need only 10 crates ($139 first-week rental + $4.15 small-order fee, $15 per extra week, 1 dolly). The 10-crate, one-week total is $143.15. All prices exclude applicable distance charges, tax, and optional supplies.

If you're between package sizes, compare your inventory with the package options before ordering. Underestimating can add another task during packing. Unused crates just ride back on the truck. See the full breakdown in our room-by-room guide.

3. Pack by zone, not by room

A studio has no rooms, so "pack room by room" is useless advice. Pack by zone instead: sleep zone, kitchen zone, bath zone, work zone. Label each crate with its zone and a priority — OPEN FIRST (bedding, toiletries, coffee maker, chargers), DAY 1, or LATER. Keeping zones together can help you find first-night essentials while less urgent items wait.

4. Measure the doorways, not just the furniture

The classic studio-move disaster: the couch that came in through the balcony, the bed frame that was assembled inside the bedroom. Measure the furniture, containers, doorways, hallways, and stairwell turns before load day. Check the furniture manufacturer's instructions before any disassembly, and plan a route suitable for the load and handling equipment. Do not assume that a person-sized opening will fit a loaded crate or dolly.

5. Book the elevator before you book anything else

If your building has a freight elevator, reserve it the moment you have a move date — prime Saturday slots go first. Tell the building manager you're expecting a crate delivery a few days before (we deliver the crates to your door) and a pickup after you're unpacked. Get the loading dock code, the service entrance location, and the elevator time window in writing.

6. Plan a clear staging area

Designate a suitable staging area and follow the crate and dolly manufacturers' load and stacking instructions. Keep doors and walkways clear, and leave the included dollies accessible without obstructing an exit.

7. Keep the "first night" crate sacred

One crate gets packed last and opened first: bedding, a change of clothes, toiletries, medications, phone chargers, the coffee maker, and toilet paper. Label it OPEN FIRST in letters big enough to read from across the room. After a full day of moving, the difference between digging through twelve crates and opening one is the difference between sleeping in a bed and sleeping on a pile of laundry.

The load-day math

Loading time and the number of trips depend on crate weights, the route, the equipment, and the help available. Follow the crate and dolly manufacturers' handling and load instructions rather than assuming a fixed number of crates per trip. Agree on staging and loading arrangements with your movers.

Delivery and pickup are included in every package: we drop the crates at your door before your move and pick up the empties after. The first 15 miles of each delivery and pickup trip are included; beyond that, a $2/mile distance charge applies, and both addresses need to be within 75 miles. Everything's paid in full at booking — no deposit.

Ready when you are: pick your package — most studios land on the 20-crate bundle — and check our Houston service area to confirm your ZIPs. Questions: call or text (888) 615-2699.

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