Not all moves are the same. Regardless of the size of your move, you still need to put in the time and effort if you want to reduce your stress. Of course, hiring a professional NJ moving company can make the process that much easier. But before you put down a deposit, make sure you know exactly what a small move entails.
What is a Small Move?
As the name suggests, a small move means you are relocating fewer boxes and other household items than your typical move. Usually, it’s associated with one or two-room apartments or smaller homes and the items, but it can also include moving one large item like a piano or dining room set.
In general, small moves do not require the use of a full-size moving truck and can usually be completed by two professional movers. A move can also be labeled small even if it’s long-distance or cross-country. The word small describes the amount of stuff you’re moving, not the distance.
NJ Small Move Cost Table
| Cost Factor | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Base Hourly Rate (2 Movers) | $100 – $150/hour |
| Small Truck / Van Rental | $50 – $120/day |
| Minimum Fee | $200 – $350 |
| Packing Services | $50 – $150 |
| Stair / Long Carry Fee | $20 – $75 per flight/item |
| Specialty Items (Piano, Furniture) | $50 – $200 |
| Insurance / Liability | $50 – $150 |
Just because you’re not moving as much stuff doesn’t mean a small move is a simple process. You still need to take into consideration things like decluttering your belongings, packing, finding a mover, and more. Even moving a single large item can be a hassle if you don’t do the appropriate legwork, like making sure the item not only fits in the house but also through the doorways and halls.
Benefits and Drawbacks of a Small Move
It doesn’t matter how much stuff you’re moving; it’s going to be a process. Still, there are a lot of benefits to a small move versus a large one:
- Affordable – smaller moves mean fewer boxes and furniture. Regardless of whether you’re paying a fixed or hourly rate, fewer staff means lower prices. Heck, with the money you save, you might even be able to afford other services like packing and unpacking.
- Flexible – Depending on the distance of your move, a small move means more flexibility on the date and time of your move. It’s even easier to find last-minute movers since you likely need one truck or even a small van.
- Simple – organizing and packing for a small move is a lot easier if you have fewer belongings. Even if you live in a larger house, you should do your best to reduce the number of items you’re bringing with you to your new home. The goal should be to declutter as much as possible. Not only does it make packing easier, but it also makes the unpacking process go that much faster.
Of course, there are some downsides to a small move. Not all moving companies are willing to cater to small moves, as it often won’t be worth their time. For those who do provide the service, they may charge a minimum fee, so you may end up paying the same amount of money for a few boxes as you would for a larger move. In that case, it might be worth your time to add on the additional packing and unpacking service or plan a DIY move if you’re truly only moving a handful of boxes.
Planning a Small Move
Whether you already don’t own a lot of things or plan on reducing how much you bring to your new home, you need a plan and time to get everything done. Your first order of business is to declutter. Yes, even if you’re already living in a small home, chances are you still have plenty of things that are unnecessary. Separate your belongings into two to three separate piles: keep, sell/donate, trash, and sort accordingly. If you’re not sure whether you should keep or sell something, think about the last time you used said item. If you haven’t used it in the past year, chances are you don’t really need it. Trash anything that’s broken or in very bad condition.
Tipping Guidelines for Small Moves
| Move Type / Duration | Recommended Tip |
|---|---|
| Small Move (1–3 hours, 2 movers) | $10 – $20 per mover |
| Half-Day Move (4–5 hours) | $20 – $40 per mover |
| Full-Day Move (6–8 hours) | $40 – $60 per mover |
| Exceptional Service | Consider 10–20% above standard tip |
Once you’ve sorted everything, get packing! Hopefully, you only have a handful of boxes to pack, which should take you less than a day to put everything away. Remember, you don’t need to pack everything into boxes. Leave your clothes in their dresser and just wrap the drawers tightly with plastic wrap. Instead of buying bubble wrap or packing paper, use towels and scrap paper to protect your fragile items. Make sure to keep a detailed inventory of all your items and include photos of everything, so if something gets damaged, you have proof.
After decluttering, make sure to spend some time researching and reaching out to multiple moving companies. Again, not all movers will handle a small move, so be upfront about your needs. That includes if you need additional services like storage and full or partial packing. And don’t forget to include important details like whether the movers will need to go up and down any flights of stairs. All of these will increase the cost of your move. When talking to movers, pay attention to how they answer or don’t answer your questions. If they seem to dodge your questions or get annoyed, it could be a red flag that they’re scamming you or just not professionals.
Small Moves Don’t Need to be Stressful
At NJ Great Movers, we can help with your move regardless of the size. And if you need any other help, we offer plenty of useful services. We can even provide moving materials in case you don’t want to make multiple trips to pick up all the necessities. So whether you just need to move a few boxes or you’re moving a jacuzzi, we’re here to help.
FAQ
Should I tip for a small move?
That’s up to you and how well the moving crew performed. Tipping is not a requirement, but it’s always appreciated. Don’t feel pressured to give money, though, if the movers were unprofessional, late to arrive, disrespectful, etc.
If I’m moving only a few boxes, should I hire professionals or DIY?
It depends. If you only have one or two medium-sized boxes, you might be able to get a taxi or Uber to take you to your new place. However, anything over that, you should at least get some friends to help out. And if some of the boxes are very heavy, then you should definitely hire professionals so you don’t throw out your back during a move.
What qualifies as a small move in New Jersey?
A small move in New Jersey typically involves relocating a limited number of items, such as a studio or one-bedroom apartment, a dorm room, or just a few pieces of furniture. It can also include moving a single large item like a piano or sectional sofa. The key factor is the volume of items, not the distance—small moves can be local or long-distance and usually require two movers and a small truck or van.
