MiniMoves is America's only nationally licensed, full-service moving company specializing exclusively in small moves. For over 35 years, we've focused on studio apartments, one-bedroom units, dorm rooms, partial households, and single furniture pieces—moves that traditional movers often ignore or overcharge for. Unlike traditional moving companies with 1,000–2,000 lb minimum weight requirements, we have no minimum weight charge. You only pay for what you actually move, whether that's a single chair or an entire studio apartment.

No. MiniMoves is a licensed and insured household goods carrier, not a broker. We directly manage every move from start to finish, partnering with carefully vetted, reputable crews that meet our strict service standards. This ensures consistent reliability, professional care, and clear communication throughout your entire moving experience. We've been providing small-move solutions with our own team for over 35 years.

We specialize in:

• Studio and one-bedroom apartment moves (our specialty)
• Dorm room and college moves
• Small household relocations (partial moves)
• Single furniture pieces or room-by-room moves
• Senior downsizing and estate liquidations
• Military moves (DOD-approved)
• Local, state-to-state, and international moves
• Short-term and long-term storage solutions

If you're moving a small load and want professional service without paying for a half-empty truck, MiniMoves is built for you.

Pricing varies based on distance, volume, and services needed, but transparency is our priority. Local moves typically start around $500–$1,500, while cross-country studio apartment moves generally range from $2,500–$4,500. We provide binding, guaranteed quotes with no hidden fees. What we quote is what you pay. Unlike DIY options with surprise fuel costs, rental fees, and potential damage expenses, our price includes professional loading, transportation, protective blankets, and inside delivery.

Every MiniMoves relocation includes:

• Professional loading and unloading by experienced movers
• Furniture disassembly and reassembly (beds, tables, etc.)
• Protective cloth moving blankets on all furniture
• Detailed inventory tracking from pickup to delivery
• Scheduled pickup and delivery windows
• Inside delivery with furniture placement in your chosen rooms
• No minimum weight charges—pay only for what you move
• Basic valuation coverage (upgradable to Full Value Protection)

Optional add-ons include full packing services, partial packing for fragile items, auto transportation, storage, and specialty crating for fine art.

MiniMoves provides complete full-service moving; we do all the heavy lifting. With containers like PODS or U-Pack, you load and unload everything yourself, which means physical labor, potential injury risk, and the challenge of packing efficiently. While containers work well for some people, many underestimate how difficult loading heavy furniture can be. MiniMoves offers professional service at competitive prices, often comparable to container costs once you factor in the labor you'd need to hire separately for loading/unloading.

Often, yes, especially when you account for the total cost. DIY truck rentals seem affordable upfront, but hidden expenses add up quickly:

• Truck rental: $1,200–$2,100 for long-distance
• Fuel: $700–$1,100+ for cross-country trips
• Equipment rental: dollies, pads, straps
• Tolls, hotel stays, and meals during multi-day drives
• Potential damage from inexperienced handling
• Physical exhaustion and injury risk

MiniMoves provides a binding quote that includes everything: professional service, fuel, equipment, and peace of mind, often for a comparable or lower total cost than DIY when all factors are considered.

Yes, you are protected, but the amount of “protection” or valuation coverage is contingent upon the option chosen on the household goods bill of lading.

• Full Replacement Value Protection: If an item is lost, destroyed, or damaged while in transit with MiniMoves, MiniMoves will either repair the damaged article to its previously shipped condition or pay the replacement cost.
• Released Value: With this form of coverage, the maximum liability for loss or damage to any item in the shipment is 60 cents per pound per item.

Yes! We offer:

• Full packing: Our team packs your entire home or apartment
• Partial packing: We pack fragile items, artwork, mirrors, and breakables while you handle the rest

Our professional packers use industry-standard techniques and quality materials to ensure your belongings arrive safely.

If you are unable to accept delivery within MiniMoves standard transit time, we offer temporary moving storage for your items at the local destination terminal in a safe environment until you are ready for delivery. However, you are responsible for storage charges, warehouse valuation coverage (if transportation valuation was elected) warehouse handling charges and final delivery of the shipment (if storage is greater than 6 months). Contact us today to get more details for our moving company costs.

Yes, through MM Worldwide, our international division. We're one of the few small-move specialists offering international moving services. We handle customs documentation, international logistics, and overseas coordination for small shipments, whether you're relocating abroad or sending items to family overseas. Our small-load focus makes international moves more affordable than traditional international movers.

Yes. MiniMoves is fully licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as a household goods carrier. We maintain comprehensive insurance coverage and have been operating safely and legally for over 35 years. You can verify our credentials and safety record through the FMCSA database. MC 268180 US DOT No. 526036 IL CC 107443 FMC 033415F

MiniMoves provides moving services nationwide. We handle:

• Local moves within Chicago and the surrounding suburbs
• State-to-state moves (interstate)
• Cross-country relocations coast-to-coast
• International moves

No matter where you're moving from or to within the United States, MiniMoves can help. Check out our service areas page here.

Getting your free, no-obligation quote is easy:

• Request online: Fill out our quick quote form with your move details.
• Call us: Speak directly with a moving specialist who can provide an estimate over the phone at 866-437-3093.
• Phone survey: We can conduct a phone walkthrough.

We provide transparent, binding quotes with no surprise fees or hidden charges. What we quote is what you pay.

We specialize in what big movers overlook. Major van lines are built for large household moves with minimum weight requirements that make small moves prohibitively expensive. You end up paying for truck space you don't use. MiniMoves was purpose-built for small moves—we've spent 35+ years perfecting systems, pricing, and service specifically for studio apartments, small households, and partial moves. You get the quality of a major mover with pricing designed for your actual needs.