The Smart Way to Move Just a Few Items Without Lifting a Finger

 

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By PAGE Editor

When you are considering tackling a move, the actual number of items you have needs to be evaluated. Someone considering a small vs. large move needs to budget differently, after all, and having just a few items means that you don’t necessarily need to rent a moving truck or call in favors from friends. Regardless of whether you're downsizing, shipping items to others, relocating for a job, or some other type of move, learning how to efficiently ship items without the heavy lifting, stress, or costs can help. 

What Counts as a Small Move?

The first step in gauging how much effort will be required from a move is determining whether it’s a small or large move. Generally speaking, moving 1-10 items or items with a total weight of under 2,000 lbs. is considered to be a small move. Some common examples of smaller moves include:

  • Moving from a studio or dorm

  • Sending heirlooms or furniture to a relative

  • Relocating for a short-term work assignment

  • Clearing out a storage unit

  • Moving only yourself out of a home 

Small moves aren’t just for local moves, contrary to popular belief. They can be cross-country or long-distance too, with the only real criteria being the number of items and/or their combined weight.

Why Traditional Movers Don’t Make Sense for Small Loads

You might be wondering why you shouldn’t just call your standard mover if you have a small move on your hands. There are three main reasons you should hesitate to hire formal movers for your needs:

  1. Cost Inefficiency: You’re paying for a full truck and labor you don’t need.

  2. Scheduling Inflexibility: Movers often batch small jobs or charge extra for non-peak hours.

  3. Extra Labor: You may still have to pack and prep everything yourself.

The last thing you want to do is waste money unnecessarily, but hiring a full-service mover for a small move is essentially the same as throwing money away. 

What Small Move Services Do Differently

When considering making a small move, there are some key benefits to considering a small move service. First is the fact that these companies often use volume-based pricing where you pay based on the size and weight of what you’re shipping, rather than the truck size itself. Additionally, these companies often have more expansive pickup and delivery options available, with door-to-door and even in-home pickup options typically available.


You can also opt for special handling with small move companies that include services like blanket wrapping, furniture disassembly, or fragile item care. There also isn’t a minimum load requirement for many small moving services, which is ideal for those conducting partial moves or single-item shipments only. While the choice of whether or not to use a small moving service is yours, doing so when you only have a few goods can ensure you don’t have to put as much effort into the move yourself.

Types of Items You Can Move Without Lifting a Finger

A small move service opens up the door to allowing you to ship a variety of goods without needing to do anything yourself. Some common examples by category include:

  • Furniture: Beds, sofas, desks, dressers

  • Boxes: Books, kitchenware, office supplies

  • Special Items: Antiques, instruments, electronics

  • Combination Moves: A few pieces of furniture  and personal boxes in the same shipment 

Unless you’re moving a full house or have an entire family you are attempting to move, small move services may be applicable to your needs.

How a Small Move Process Works

Luckily for those familiar with general moving processes, the steps associated with a small move are not dissimilar:

  1. Get a Quote: Online inventory or consultation

  2. Schedule Pickup: Choose a time that works for you

  3. Professional Handling: Items are packed, loaded, and transported

  4. Delivery: Items arrive at the new destination without any work on your part

As mentioned, small move services often come with perks such as white glove service, inclusive of packaging and superior care, which means you need to do nothing but watch. 

For the above reason, small move services tend to be best for busy professionals, remote workers moving for a contract, college students, families shipping furniture to their kids, and anyone who’s downsizing or decluttering. 

Tackle the move of your dreams 

You don’t need a full-service move or a moving crew if you’re just trying to relocate a few times. In fact, the logistics of big groups and the cost associated with them can quickly become too much to bear for those budgeting for a move on the smaller side. Small move services are an easy and affordable option that can allow you to be more hands-off with your move. Don’t risk hurting yourself moving goods when you can just reach out to professionals in your area who specialize in small moves.

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