Understanding Average Moving Costs for a 1-Bedroom Apartment

When planning a move, understanding the moving estimate for 1 bedroom apartment is crucial. Costs can vary significantly based on the distance of your move, the volume of your belongings, and the level of service you require. To create an accurate budget, it’s important to know what goes into the final price.

Here’s a quick overview of what you might expect:

• Local Moves (under 100 miles): Typically range from $300 to $1,500.
• Long-Distance Moves (over 100 miles): Can range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more.

These figures cover the basics of transporting your goods, but extra services like packing, special handling for fragile items, or unexpected logistical challenges can add to the total. This guide will help you understand all the elements that go into your moving estimate, so you can plan effectively and avoid surprises.

As Mina Georgalas, owner and president of Bernard Movers, I have nearly 30 years of leadership experience ensuring accurate moving estimate for 1 bedroom apartment services for clients in Chicago and beyond. Our team is dedicated to making every relocation seamless and stress-free.

Local Moves: What to Expect in the Chicago Area

If you’re moving a 1-bedroom apartment within the Chicago area, like from downtown to Melrose Park, it’s considered a local move (typically under 100 miles). For these relocations, moving companies like Bernard Movers usually charge by the hour. The cost for a local 1-bedroom move generally falls between $300 and $1,500, an estimate that covers loading, transportation, and unloading.

The primary cost is labor, which you can expect to be around $25 to $50 per mover per hour. A 1-bedroom apartment move typically requires a two-person team for three to five hours. The exact time depends on factors like the amount of furniture, whether items need disassembly, and building access. A sparsely furnished ground-floor unit might take three hours, while a third-floor walk-up with lots of boxes and complex furniture could take five hours or more. Remember that the clock also includes travel time from your old home to the new one. Professional packing services can add an extra $200 to $400 to your bill. We provide transparent pricing for our Apartment Moving services, so you understand every charge.

Long-Distance Moves: Costs Beyond Illinois

Moving your 1-bedroom apartment from Illinois to another state is a long-distance move (over 100 miles). These are priced differently, based on the total weight of your shipment and the distance traveled, not on hourly rates. The cost can range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more.

The average weight for a 1-bedroom apartment’s contents is 1,800 to 3,500 pounds. Movers often charge between $0.50 and $0.80 per pound for long-distance moves, meaning transportation alone could be $900 to $2,800. Other factors like fuel surcharges and potential shuttle fees (if a large truck can’t access your new home) can also apply. For long-distance moves, you may be offered a binding, non-binding, or binding-not-to-exceed estimate, so be sure to understand what type you are receiving. Professional packing for a long-distance move is more intensive and can add around $1,000. Our team at Chicago Long Distance Movers provides detailed estimates to clarify your journey’s costs.

We at Bernard Movers are also offering a special promotion: a 20% additional discount on moves to Georgia and Florida booked for delivery by March 15, 2025. It’s our way of helping you settle into your new sunny destination with less financial stress.

Factors That Shape Your Moving Estimate for a 1 Bedroom Apartment

Many factors influence a moving estimate for 1 bedroom apartment. Your specific situation, needs, and choices will shape the final price, so understanding these variables is key to creating an accurate budget.

The size of your move (both weight and volume), building accessibility, the presence of specialty items, and the time of year all affect pricing. A third-floor walk-up in Melrose Park with narrow hallways will cost more to move than a ground-floor unit with easy parking right outside. Moving on a weekend in July will be more expensive than a weekday in February due to high demand. At Bernard Movers, we consider all these details to provide an accurate Full Service Moving estimate that reflects your unique circumstances.

Comparing Moving Approaches: Professional Movers vs. Self-Move

Deciding whether to hire professional movers or do it yourself significantly impacts your budget and stress levels. A DIY move seems cheaper on the surface, involving renting a truck ($30 to $130 per day), buying gas and supplies, and doing all the heavy lifting. However, the hidden costs in time, physical strain, and potential for damage can add up quickly. If you drop a box of dishes or scratch a hardwood floor, you’re responsible for the cost.

Here’s how a professional service compares:

When you factor in the physical toll, the risk of injury, and the time you might have to take off work, professional services often provide better overall value and peace of mind. Our experienced team knows how to navigate tight corners and protect your belongings, a skill that is hard to replicate. If you’re still weighing your options, we’ve written more about Deciding whether to hire movers or move yourself.

Additional Services and Fees to Budget For

Several services and fees can affect your total moving estimate for 1 bedroom apartment. Being aware of these helps you budget effectively and avoid last-minute financial stress.

• Packing Services: Our Packing Services Chicago team can pack your belongings. For a 1-bedroom apartment, this typically costs $500 to $1,500. If you pack yourself, expect to spend $50 to $200 on supplies like boxes and tape. While traditional cardboard is common, reusable plastic bins offer better protection and are more sustainable. The environmental impact of using new cardboard makes plastic a more sustainable packing option.
• Storage Solutions: If your new Chicago apartment isn’t ready, you may need temporary storage. This can cost $100 to $300 per month for a suitable unit. We can help arrange a secure, climate-controlled unit to protect your belongings.
• Moving Insurance (Valuation): By law, movers must provide basic coverage, known as Released Value Protection. This is included but only covers 60 cents per pound per item. For example, if a 10-pound, $1,000 television is damaged, you would only receive $6.00. For better protection, we recommend Full Value Protection, which costs about 1% of your belongings’ total declared value and ensures items will be repaired, replaced, or you’ll receive a cash settlement for their current value.
• Specialty Items: Pianos, oversized art, grandfather clocks, or heavy antiques require special equipment and handling, which comes with extra fees. Piano moving alone can cost $260 to $590.
• Accessibility & Fees: Chicago apartment moves can involve extra costs. A “long carry” fee may apply if movers have to carry items more than 75-100 feet from the truck to your door. If a large moving truck can’t access your street, a smaller shuttle truck may be needed for an additional fee. You may also need to secure and pay for parking permits for the moving truck.
• Tipping: While not required, it’s customary to tip movers for good service. A common guideline is $5 to $10 per mover per hour or 10% to 20% of the total moving cost, distributed among the crew.

We believe in transparency. Read about other moving costs you’ll need to factor into your moving budget on our site to be fully prepared.

Your Strategic Guide to a Budget-Friendly Move

Moving your 1-bedroom apartment doesn’t have to break the bank. Careful planning and strategic decisions can significantly reduce your moving estimate for 1 bedroom apartment and make your relocation far more efficient and less stressful.

Key Planning Steps for a Smooth Relocation

A successful move starts long before the truck arrives. Following these steps will help you organize a smoother, more cost-effective relocation in the Chicago area.

1. Create a Detailed Moving Checklist: Start a timeline 8 weeks out. Outline all tasks, from decluttering and booking movers to transferring utilities and submitting a change of address. A good checklist is your roadmap and prevents last-minute panic.
2. Set a Realistic Budget: Using the cost estimates in this guide, establish a clear budget for your move. Be sure to include a 10-15% contingency fund for unexpected expenses, like needing extra boxes or a last-minute shuttle fee.
3. Declutter and Downsize Ruthlessly: The fewer items you move, the lower your cost will be in terms of both time and money. Go through every room and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard. This reduces the weight and volume of your shipment.
4. Gather Packing Supplies Strategically: Collect boxes, tape, and markers early. To save money, look for free used boxes from local stores, online marketplaces, or community groups. Just ensure they are clean and sturdy.
5. Pack Early and Systematically: Begin packing non-essential items, like books, seasonal decor, and guest room linens, weeks in advance. This spreads out the work and makes the final week before your move much more manageable.
6. Label Boxes Clearly: This is one of the most crucial time-savers. Label each box with its contents and the destination room (e.g., “Kitchen – Pots & Pans”). This helps movers place them correctly and makes your unpacking process infinitely easier.
7. Plan for Building Logistics: In a city like Chicago, logistics are key. Contact your building management (both old and new) to reserve elevators, understand any moving-day restrictions, and check parking rules. Failure to do so can result in costly delays.
8. Get Multiple, In-Home Quotes: Contact at least three reputable moving companies 6-7 weeks before your move. Request an in-home or video survey for the most accurate estimate. This allows you to compare prices and services to get a fair price for your moving estimate for 1 bedroom apartment.

Effective Tips for Saving Money on Your Move

Even after getting an estimate, you can still take steps to trim the final bill. A little flexibility and effort can lead to significant savings.

1. Move During the Off-Season: Moving prices are based on supply and demand. They are highest during the peak season of May through September. If possible, schedule your move from October to April when demand is lower and companies may offer better rates.
2. Choose a Mid-Week, Mid-Month Date: Weekends and the end of the month are the busiest times to move. Booking your move for a Tuesday or Wednesday in the middle of the month can often be cheaper.
3. Do Your Own Packing: Full-service packing is a great convenience, but it’s also a significant expense. Packing yourself can save hundreds of dollars. Just be sure to use proper materials and techniques for fragile items, or leave those to the professionals.
4. Find Free Packing Supplies: The cost of cardboard boxes can add up. Ask local liquor stores, grocery stores, or big-box retailers for used boxes. Also, check online community groups for people giving away their recently used moving supplies.
5. Disassemble Furniture Yourself: For local, hourly moves, time is money. Taking apart bed frames, desks, and tables before the movers arrive can reduce their labor time and lower your bill. Keep all screws and hardware in a labeled bag taped securely to the main furniture piece.
6. Understand Potential Tax Deductions: While the 2018 tax law eliminated moving expense deductions for most people, there is an exception. Military personnel on active duty moving due to a permanent change of station may still qualify. Consult a tax professional for advice.
7. Compare Quotes Thoroughly: Don’t just look at the bottom-line price. A suspiciously low quote may have hidden fees or indicate a less-reputable company. Ensure each quote is a written, binding estimate that details all services, insurance coverage, and potential extra charges.

For your Chicago-area relocation, from Skokie to Glenview, consider our expert Apartment Moving services. Ask about our 20% discount for moves to Georgia and Florida. We’re here to ensure you receive a fair and accurate moving estimate for 1 bedroom apartment.