Small-Load Moving Companies (Guide to Small Moves)

Here are the top 5 companies we recommend for small long-distance moves:

Best for Small Moves MiniMoves rating 4.8 / 5 Licensed Insured Price No minimum move size Full-service packing Short-term storage Check prices Visit Website

Best value container U-Pack rating 5 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Fast delivery Nationwide 100+ miles moves Check prices Visit Website

best for small moves Transit Systems Inc (TSI) rating 4.7 / 5 Licensed Insured Price 34+ yrs experience Online chatbot Car shipping Check prices 800-626-1257

best for specialty moves Ship Smart rating 4.2 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Small moves Specialty shipping College and senior moves Check prices (800) 237-1343

Best online marketplace U-Ship Moving rating 3.9 / 5 Licensed Insured Price Single item quotes Bidding system Secure payment platform Check prices Visit Website

Sometimes, large moving companies turn down shipments that don’t meet their 2,000-pound minimum size requirement. Enter movers that specialize in small moves.

We’ve narrowed down the best movers for small moves based on our extensive research and firsthand reviews through our Better Moves Project.

Our top five picks are perfect for long-distance moves, but if you just need help getting your couch downstairs and moving it across town, we’ve provided a couple of recommendations for small local moves, too.

Have a one-bedroom apartment with a little more to move? Check out our recommendations for the best moving companies to find one that meets your needs.

Our track record

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

• Founded in 2015
• 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
• $50,000 in moving grants delivered
• Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
• Fact-checked for accuracy

Best overall: MiniMoves

MiniMoves specializes in moving small shipments, from a few pieces of furniture to the contents of a small one-bedroom apartment. They’re available in most major cities and can also handle international shipping.

Best for Small Moves

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.8 / 5

Check prices Visit Website

At A Glance

• No minimum size
• Top-quality materials
• Full-service packing

read our full review

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Their thoroughly vetted moving crews will pick up, transport, and deliver your items door-to-door. You can also add professional services like packing and unpacking.

Plus, there’s no minimum shipment size—you only pay for what you move—and MiniMoves offers binding estimates. Their specialization in small-load moves, low prevalence of damage claims, and glowing reviews from Better Moves Project participants like Lyle make them our top contender.

Pros and cons

Best for moving containers: U-Pack

If you’re up for handling the loading, packing, and unloading yourself, U-Pack is one of the best moving container companies for small moves.

Best value container

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 5 / 5

Check prices Visit Website

At A Glance

• Long distance moves only
• Only pay for the space you use
• No deposit or initial fees
• Fast delivery time frames

read our full review

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They drop off the shipping containers and give you three days to load them. U-Pack will then pick up the container and transport it to your new home, where you’ll have three days to unpack, or to a short-term storage facility.

U-Pack only charges for the space you use—if you order more storage containers than you need, you won’t have to pay for the unfilled containers. They also provide online tracking so you always know where your stuff is.

In addition to moving containers (container dimensions: 6 x 7 x 8 feet), they also rent 28-foot moving trailers, which are a great solution if you have a few larger pieces of furniture.

Pros and cons

Best if you have a few large items: Transit Systems Inc. (TSI)

TSI (formerly Transit Systems, Inc.) is a Pennsylvania-based shipping and moving company that brokers small moves for residential and commercial customers.

best for small moves

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.7 / 5

Check prices 800-626-1257

At A Glance

• Specializes in small moves
• Guaranteed delivery date
• Online chatbot and resources for a seamless move
• Car shipping services
• Gives back with charitable donations

read our full review

Check prices 800-626-1257

They offer everything from professional organization to packing services, and a branch of their business is exclusively focused on older adults. Moves for Seniors helps people 65 years and older prepare for their golden years by downsizing and distributing family heirlooms to their new homes.

We’d recommend TSI as one of the top moving companies for small moves as long as you live within the contiguous United States and are making a long-distance move.

Pros and cons

Best for moving fragile or high-value items: Ship Smart

If you need help moving a piano, fine art, or antiques, consider Ship Smart. The company specializes in small moves, and we like their attention to detail when it comes to moving high-value furniture and heirlooms.

best for specialty moves

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.2 / 5

Check prices (800) 237-1343

At A Glance

• Small moves
• Specialty shipping
• College and senior moves

read our full review

Check prices (800) 237-1343

Ship Smart can also handle small moves involving electronics, providing onsite full-wood crating and optional full-value insurance to cover any damage to your items while in transit.

If you have a particularly bulky piece of fitness equipment or furniture that won’t fit in your moving container or truck, Ship Smart will come to your house to build a custom crate and move it for you. Delivery with Ship Smart is either curbside or indoor, which includes reassembly and debris removal.

Pros and cons

Best for competitive pricing: uShip

If you have flexible move dates and really want to get a deal, go with uShip’s online marketplace. This service connects people who are moving with truck drivers and other moving services.

Best online marketplace

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 3.9 / 5

Check prices Visit Website

At A Glance

• Online marketplace that connects people with movers and transporters
• Multiple providers compete for your move by offering bids or name your own price
• Make complex moves simpler and more organized
• Secure payment methods once you choose a driver

read our full review

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However, uShip is just an online marketplace, and you won’t find full-service movers offering packing, moving, or storage services on the platform.

Instead, companies and contractors with equipment and moving crews bid on moving and transportation jobs. This competition keeps prices low, but service could vary depending on who you hire.

uShip makes it easy to find a good match by providing real customer reviews through its verified vendor system. This way, you can have confidence when you select a service provider for your move.

Pros and cons

Best for small local moves: HireAHelper

If you need help with loading and unloading items from your rented moving truck for a small local move, HireAHelper is a great place to look. It’s an online marketplace that allows you to hire local movers on an hourly basis.

Best Labor Only

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.5 / 5

Check prices Visit Website

At A Glance

• First call quoting, get a quote in just a couple of minutes
• Rates are typically 20-40% lower than the industry averages
• $1,000 money-back service guarantee
• Fast and accurate delivery times
• Free damage coverage with additional coverage options

read our full review

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Apps like HireAHelper are great for moving from one home to another, but they’re also perfect for additional moving services like:

• In-home assembly (like after you buy furniture from IKEA)
• Rearranging furniture inside your home or apartment
• Clearing items from garages before a yard sale
• Loading items into and out of mini storage units

Labor providers like HireAHelper can be less expensive and more flexible than professional movers, especially if you’re just moving across town. HireAHelper quotes also include one flight of stairs and standard repair coverage.

Pros and cons

Best for moving labor: Bellhop

Bellhop is another one of our top picks for smaller local moves. They provide everything from moving labor to trucks and supplies.

Best customer experience

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.3 / 5

Get A Quote

(866) 774-5063

At A Glance

• Quick and easy booking process
• National 4.75/5 star rating (these guys are good at what they do)
• Dedicated move concierge specialist
• Pay as you go service. 2-hour minimum and then prorated down to the minute
• The time clock starts when the movers arrive and ends when you tell them

read our full review

Get A Quote

(866) 774-5063

You can hire Bellhop to load your belongings into a truck, drive them to your new home, and unload them. If you have your own truck, you can opt for their labor-only services. This is a great solution for loading bulky furniture and boxes into your truck.

Bellhop’s lack of packing and full-service features might be a drawback for long-distance moves, but if you just need help with the heavy lifting for your local move, they’re an affordable pick.

Pros and cons

Compare the best moving companies for small loads

Here’s an overview of our picks for the best small load movers.

What is considered a small move?

According to most moving companies, a small move is any move weighing less than 2,000 pounds. That’s typically the size of a studio or one-bedroom apartment.

• Weight: Full-service movers base pricing on weight, so even if you move less stuff, you’ll have to pay the price for the minimum weight of their shipments.
• Time: Some local moving companies have minimum time commitments, typically two to six hours. Even if your move goes faster than the minimum, you’ll have to pay the rate for their hourly threshold.

Examples of small moves

Not sure whether your move counts as “small?” If any of these situations sound familiar, you might qualify for small-move pricing.

• Moving a single item: Sometimes, a small move might involve moving one item, like a large piece of furniture, a piano, or a piece of artwork. You could also use these services if you buy an oversized item from a faraway store and need to ship it.
• Moving a studio or small apartment: The total weight of a studio or lightly furnished one-bedroom apartment is usually less than 2,000 pounds.
• College dorm moves: Students moving into a furnished college dorm usually fall into the small move category since they typically don’t need to transport any large furniture.
• Relocating fragile/specialty items: Specialty items like pianos, pool tables, or hot tubs require extra attention because of their size, weight, and fragility.
• Temporary storage during renovation: Temporarily moving furniture and other belongings to a storage unit protects them from damage during construction.

Small-load moving options: How to move your things

Fortunately, moving with just the necessities gives you lots of options. Here are a few ways to handle a small move.

• Rent a truck and move yourself: Some moving truck rental companies like U-Haul Truck Rental make it easy to rent a small trailer for a studio or one-bedroom apartment. You’ll need to pay gas, mileage, and tolls.
• Move in your own car: The cheapest way to move is to use your own vehicle, but it also means you’ll have to fit everything you own into your car or truck, not to mention make several trips back and forth.
• Rent a moving container: You can use a company like U-Pack, PODS, or 1-800-PACK-RAT to get your items to your new home. The benefit of moving containers is you save some money by loading your items yourself but still get a professional driver to transport them.
• Hire professional movers or labor-only movers: Hiring professionals is the most expensive but easiest way to move. Choose a mover that specializes in small moves, or hire one of the best moving labor companies to pack and load your items for you.

What to look for in a small-load moving company

Aside from the initial pricing you get when you receive a free quote, here are a few things to be mindful of when choosing a mover:

• Minimums: Look for companies that don’t have minimum time or size requirements or that specifically offer small moves.
• Type of estimate: The moving industry uses different types of estimates. A binding estimate offers flat-rate pricing, while a non-binding estimate is more of an educated guess and can vary significantly from your final cost.
• Years of experience: Small moves often involve transporting fragile objects. Make sure that, in addition to proper licensing, a mover has ample experience transporting the type of items you’re moving.
• Reviews and referrals: Ask for referrals or read online reviews to see the pros and cons of working with different movers. You can also check honest customer feedback through our Better Moves Project to get a balanced view.
• Storage needs: If you anticipate needing storage at any point in your move, ask the moving company if they offer that option. It’s also smart to ask if they can pick up and deliver at self-storage facilities.

How to prepare for a small-load move

Moving can feel overwhelming, but a checklist can help you stay calm and organized. Follow these steps to prepare for your move:

• Downsize: It’s worth decluttering for a move long before moving day. Start discarding, donating, and selling rarely used items weeks before your move to get the most bang for your buck.
• Pack and prep your items: You can save a lot by handling packing, furniture disassembly, and other tasks yourself. Get cheap or free moving boxes or buy packing supplies from a store like Home Depot. You can use your own towels or linens to pad fragile items inside boxes.
• Keep essentials with you: Pack a bag of essentials to keep with you, including important documents, toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, phone chargers, and anything else you might need if your shipment is late.
• Get a quote: Get moving quotes from at least three movers and ensure the estimate covers all the moving services you’ll need. Use our moving cost calculator to get started.

Not sure if your move is small enough for the companies on this list? You can also check out our picks for best moving companies and best interstate movers for more options.

Small-load moving costs

On average, you can expect to pay $50 to $1,200 for a small move.The cost will vary depending on whether you’re moving locally or shipping your items across the country.

• DIY move: Moving truck rentals typically range from $50 to $300, and moving container companies usually charge an average of around $400–$1,200, but not everyone has the time or ability to pull off a DIY move.
• Pro move: If you’re thinking about hiring a pro mover, you can expect to pay $200–$500 for local moves and more than $1,000 for long-distance moves.

Your moving costs will ultimately depend on the size and weight of your belongings, the timing of your move, and how far you’re moving.

The cost can also be higher if you add on moving services like furniture disassembly and reassembly, have special handling requirements, or you need temporary storage options.

Why van lines aren’t your best option for small moves

If you’re planning a small move, hiring a van line to handle everything is tempting, but van lines usually aren’t a good fit for small-load moves for several reasons.

• Minimum weight/size requirements: Many larger van line companies, like North American Van Lines, have a minimum weight requirement. That leads to higher costs, especially for small moves.
• Charge minimums: If you’re moving from one apartment to another, you’ll likely need long carry services, which means the truck has to park at least 75 feet from your door. International Van Lines charges $400 for this.
• Built-in fees: Full-service van lines sometimes include items like moving blankets and straps in their flat fee, saving you the hassle of buying them. But if you’re not moving furniture, you’ll still pay for these unused extras.
• Lost or damaged items: Many van lines require customers with smaller loads to share trucks with other customers, which makes it more likely for your items to get mixed up with another customer’s.
• Scheduling and delivery windows: Van lines specialize in large long-distance moves, so your small load isn’t a priority. This could lead to longer wait times for both pickup and delivery.

Alternative movers for small moves

The issues we mentioned above don’t apply to all van lines. Here are a few to consider if you’re looking for alternatives to the small movers on our list.

Allied Van Lines

Some companies like Allied Van Lines offer specialized moving services for small moves and provide portable storage containers. Allied Express containers could be helpful if you’re making a move that’s too small to meet their size requirements or only want to ship an item or two.

Best for Contents Coverage

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating 4.75 / 5

Get A Quote

(866) 935-3437

Mayflower

Mayflower Moving is available in 46 states and offers local, long-distance, and international moves. Their specialized program, Snapmoves, is tailored to quick, smaller moves.

Snapmoves provides comprehensive moving services for smaller moves up to two bedrooms, with guaranteed delivery windows and binding estimates.

United Van Lines

Like Mayflower, United Van Lines offers Snapmoves packages for smaller apartments, condos, and houses. If you don’t have a specific move date in mind, you can save money with the more flexible standard plan or lock in a set date with the priority package.

FAQ

Methodology

moveBuddha follows a rigorous methodology for choosing the best moving companies. Our editorial team compiled data on these movers and compared multiple metrics to come to these rankings:

• Customer satisfaction (30%): We listen to real-life customer experiences to rank moving companies. This includes input from our Better Moves Project participants, as well as feedback on TrustPilot, Google, and other review sites.
• Standard services (20%): We look at a moving company’s offerings and how they compare to the competition. We try to focus on companies that offer uncommon perks or services to their customers.
• Reputation (15%): This metric refers to a mover’s industry standing. We calculate this based on validating the U.S. Department of Transportation licensing and registration requirements. We also check to see if the company has insurance and holds a satisfactory BBB rating, and verify participation in professional organizations like the United States Movers Association.
• Add-on services (10%): We consider add-on services to calculate value for the money. Typical add-ons include custom crating, junk removal, cleaning, and furniture assembly and disassembly.
• Availability (10%): Not all moving companies are available everywhere. moveBuddha’s ranking system gives preference to companies with a national or international footprint.
• Type of mover (5%): We assess a moving company’s capabilities based on whether it’s a full-service provider, a self-service company, or something in between.
• Payment (5%): How easy is it for customers to pay a company? moveBuddha focuses on businesses with simple accounting and payment options.
• Scheduling (5%): This metric assesses how easily customers can schedule a mover. We look at the availability of online booking, lead time, and customer service availability.