This page is the carton job. The building job — freight elevator, certificate of insurance, path measurements — lives on the apartment moving checklist. Do that first if you live in a managed building.
A studio or one-bedroom fails when large boxes get too heavy, when dishes ride in owner-packed cartons the carrier will not stand behind, and when the last night is spent camping among sealed boxes. The plan below is a shape, not a price.
A workable box mix (planning, not a quote)
| Carton | What goes in | What goes wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Books, cans, tools, records | Overfilled mediums you cannot lift |
| Medium | Kitchenware, closet, pantry | Mixing glass with books |
| Large | Bedding, pillows, lampshades | Loading them with books anyway |
| Dish-pack / wardrobe | Plates, hanging clothes | Skipping these and hoping |
Owner-pack vs crew-pack liability
Packing yourself saves hours on an hourly local job. It also changes who stands behind a broken plate. FMCSA’s booklet for interstate household-goods moves says improper packing of containers you pack yourself can limit the mover’s liability. Released-value protection, if you waive full-value on an interstate shipment, is 60 cents per pound per article. A same-state local job follows that state’s minimum — ask for it in writing. Do not treat a phone rate as coverage.
A practical split for a small space: you pack books, linens, and clothes; the crew packs dishes, glass, lamps, and electronics.
Disassemble only what earns its keep
Bed frames, table legs, and freestanding shelving are worth breaking down: they turn awkward shapes into flat, stackable pieces and lower the chance of a doorway scuff. Tape each set of screws to the piece they came from in a labeled bag. Leave dressers assembled but empty the drawers only if the crew asks — light dressers often travel fine with soft clothing left inside. Do not take apart anything you cannot rebuild without the original instructions.
Two-day packing schedule
| When | Pack | Leave out |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Books, décor, off-season clothes, spare kitchen | What you will cook and wear tomorrow |
| Day 2 morning | Kitchen and bathroom | Medications, chargers, one towel, one change of clothes |
| Day 2 night | Everything else except the bed you sleep on | First-night box + bedding |
| Move morning | Bedding last | IDs, keys, jewelry — with you, not on the truck |
Quick check
You packed the dishes yourself. A plate breaks. What is usually true?
Van-and-friends vs a licensed crew
Stairs, a full-size mattress, a sleeper sofa, or a lot of glass usually decide this — not the mile count. Ground-floor boxes and flat-pack furniture can be a rented van. An upper floor with no elevator is a different job. If you hire, ask for a written hourly estimate after a walkthrough. Compare those papers on the local moving desk rather than from a texted room-count guess.
Questions people ask
How many boxes does a one-bedroom really need?
Plan for about 15–25 boxes for a typical one-bedroom, weighted toward small and medium sizes. Heavy items belong in small boxes. Treat the count as a starting mix, not a rule.
Should I pay for professional packing?
For a small space it is often optional. A common split is owner-pack the non-fragile 80% and let the crew pack dishes and electronics. Ask how the carrier treats damage inside cartons it did not pack.
Does owner-packing void coverage?
It can limit it. On interstate moves, FMCSA notes that cartons you pack yourself may reduce the mover’s liability if the packing was insufficient. Released value is 60 cents per pound per article if you waive full-value. Local in-state minimums are set by the state.
What belongs in the first-night box?
Chargers, medications, a towel, a change of clothes, basic toiletries, and whatever you need to sleep. Keep IDs and jewelry with you.
Should I empty dresser drawers?
Ask the crew. Light clothing in a sturdy dresser often rides. Heavy drawers and anything loose that can shift should come out.
Where do elevator and COI rules live?
On the apartment moving checklist — not here. This page is cartons. That page is the building.
Sources
- FMCSA — Protect Your Move (opens in a new tab), retrieved 2026-09-13
- FMCSA — Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move (49 CFR Part 375 Appendix A) (opens in a new tab), retrieved 2026-09-13
- USPS Official Change of Address (opens in a new tab), retrieved 2026-09-13