How long does it take to move a 2 bedroom apartment?
Understanding realistic moving timelines helps you plan your day, coordinate utilities, schedule building elevators, and set appropriate expectations. Professional moving times differ significantly from DIY estimates because trained crews work systematically with proper equipment.
Moving time estimates by home size
| Home Size | Loading Time | Total Move Time | Typical Crew Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1-Bedroom | 1-2 hours | 2-4 hours | 2 movers |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | 1.5-2.5 hours | 3-5 hours | 2-3 movers |
| 3-Bedroom House | 2.5-3.5 hours | 5-8 hours | 3-4 movers |
| 4-Bedroom House | 3.5-5 hours | 7-10 hours | 4-5 movers |
| 5+ Bedroom House | 5-7 hours | 10-14 hours | 5-6 movers |
Note: Times assume everything is packed and ready, ground-floor or elevator access, parking available near entrances, and local moves within 20 miles. Add time for stairs, long carries, disassembly, or difficult access.
How long does it take movers to load a truck?
Loading is typically the longest phase of any move because it requires:
- Proper truck organization – Heavy items on bottom, strategic weight distribution, fragile items separated
- Furniture protection – Wrapping all furniture in blankets and securing with straps
- Disassembly when needed – Bed frames, tables, shelving must come apart to fit
- Multiple trips up and down – Every item from third floor to truck requires significant time
- Careful handling – Professional movers work quickly but never rush and risk damage
What slows down a move the most?
Common move delays and their time impact
- Stairs (no elevator) – Add 30-60 minutes per floor above ground level
- Not packed when movers arrive – Add 1-3 hours for crew to wait or help pack
- Long carry from truck to door – Add 30-90 minutes if over 75 feet
- Furniture disassembly – Add 15-30 minutes per bed frame, table, or shelving unit
- Narrow hallways/doorways – Add 30-60 minutes for maneuvering large items
- Parking complications – Add 30-120 minutes if truck parks far from building
- Heavy specialty items – Add 20-45 minutes per piano, safe, or hot tub
- Elevator scheduling conflicts – Add 20-60 minutes waiting for elevator access
- Last-minute decisions – Add 15-45 minutes each time you change what’s moving
- Bad weather – Add 20-40% more time in rain, snow, or ice
⚠️ The “not ready” penalty
The single biggest moving day delay is not being ready when movers arrive. If boxes aren’t packed, drawers aren’t emptied, or you’re still deciding what to take, expect to add 1-3 hours to your move time. Movers charge by the hour, so unpreparedness directly increases your cost.
Common “not ready” problems:
- Closets still full of clothes on hangers
- Kitchen cabinets unpacked
- Garage/basement items not boxed
- Furniture drawers still containing items
- No labels on boxes (movers don’t know where they go)
- Deciding on moving day what stays vs. goes
How long does it take to move a 3 bedroom house?
What affects 3-bedroom house moving time
Faster scenarios (5-6 hours):
- Ranch-style single-story home
- Direct garage or ground-level access
- Everything packed and labeled
- Furniture already disassembled
- Short distance between locations (under 5 miles)
- Good parking at both addresses
- Standard furniture that fits through doors
Slower scenarios (7-8+ hours):
- Two-story home with basement and attic
- Second or third-floor walk-up
- Items not fully packed
- Multiple large furniture pieces to disassemble
- Distance over 15 miles between locations
- Parking challenges or permit requirements
- Narrow staircases or doorways
- Heavy specialty items (piano, gun safe, pool table)
Frequently asked questions about moving time
Professional movers vs. DIY time comparison
Professional Movers
2-bedroom apartment: 3-5 hours total
- Systematic loading process
- Proper equipment (dollies, ramps, straps)
- Truck packed efficiently (one trip)
- Team coordination
- Protection for furniture and walls
- Same-day completion
DIY Moving
2-bedroom apartment: 8-16 hours over 2-3 days
- Trial and error loading
- Basic or no equipment
- Often requires multiple trips
- Friends helping inconsistently
- Higher damage risk
- Multi-day process
The time savings with professional movers become even more dramatic for larger homes, moves with stairs, or locations with parking challenges. A 3-bedroom house that takes professionals 6-8 hours often takes DIY movers an entire weekend or longer.
⚡ 10 ways to speed up your moving day
- Pack completely in advance – Have every box sealed, labeled, and stacked before movers arrive
- Disassemble furniture the night before – Bed frames, tables, shelves ready to load
- Clear all pathways – Remove shoes, decorations, and obstacles from hallways and doorways
- Reserve parking in advance – Get permits or cones to save spots close to entrances
- Drain and defrost refrigerator – Do this 24 hours early so it’s ready to move
- Disconnect electronics – Have all cables wrapped, labeled, and ready to transport
- Create a “load last, unload first” box – Essentials for first night in new home
- Do a final walkthrough the night before – Catch anything that still needs packing
- Have payment method ready – Cash, check, or card ready to avoid end-of-move delays
- Arrange childcare and pet care – Kids and pets slow moves significantly
How weather affects moving time
Weather conditions can significantly impact moving duration and difficulty:
Rain
Light rain adds 15-30 minutes to protect items with plastic covers and tarps. Heavy rain can add 45-90 minutes as movers work slower to prevent slips, and must cover each load carefully. Hardwood furniture, mattresses, and boxes require extra protection.
Snow and ice
Winter weather adds 20-40% more time to any move. Slippery surfaces force slower, more careful movement. Clearing walkways of snow and ice before movers arrive prevents significant delays. Some moving companies charge weather surcharges for winter moves.
Extreme heat
Temperatures above 90°F slow physical labor and require more frequent breaks. Heat adds 15-25% more time to summer moves. Movers need water breaks every 30-45 minutes, and some companies schedule earlier start times in summer to avoid afternoon heat.
Best moving weather
Mild, dry weather (60-75°F) provides optimal moving conditions. Spring and fall months typically offer the most predictable weather, though these are also peak moving seasons with higher demand and pricing.
Building-specific timing considerations
High-rise apartment buildings
High-rise moves require additional coordination that affects timing:
- Elevator reservations – Buildings often limit moving hours and require advance booking
- Certificate of Insurance – Some buildings require documentation filed 48-72 hours ahead
- Shared elevator time – Other residents using elevators creates wait times
- Loading dock access – May have specific time windows or shared access
- Doorman/security coordination – Check-in processes at both buildings
Row homes and townhouses
Philadelphia’s classic row homes present unique timing challenges:
- Narrow staircases – Often require taking larger items apart or going through windows
- Street parking only – May need to carry items 50-100+ feet from truck
- Tight turns – Maneuvering furniture around corners adds significant time
- Multi-level layouts – Many have 3-4 floors including basement and attic
Suburban single-family homes
Suburban moves often go faster due to better access:
- Driveway parking – Truck parks right at front door or garage
- Wider doorways – Standard furniture fits more easily
- Garage staging – Can stage items in garage for efficient loading
- Fewer access restrictions – No elevators, doormen, or parking permits needed
💚 The “golden hour” principle
Every hour of preparation before moving day saves 30-45 minutes on moving day. Spending 4 hours packing and organizing the weekend before your move can save 2-3 billable hours during the actual move. At typical hourly rates, this preparation time pays for itself many times over.
Think of pre-move preparation as an investment that reduces stress, saves money, and ensures movers can work at maximum efficiency from the moment they arrive.
Timeline for a typical 3-bedroom house move
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how time gets allocated during a standard 3-bedroom house move with professional movers:
| Phase | Time | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival & Walkthrough | 15-20 min | Introduction, review of items, confirm pricing, address questions |
| Truck Setup | 10-15 min | Position truck, set up ramps, prepare equipment and blankets |
| Loading Phase | 2.5-4 hours | Disassembly, wrapping, carrying items, organizing truck, securing load |
| Final Walkthrough (Old Home) | 10-15 min | Check all rooms, closets, basement, attic, garage |
| Travel Time | 15-45 min | Drive to new location (varies by distance) |
| New Home Setup | 10-15 min | Position truck, layout discussion, floor protection |
| Unloading Phase | 1.5-3 hours | Carrying items in, placing in designated rooms, reassembly |
| Final Walkthrough (New Home) | 10-15 min | Verify all items present, address damage or concerns, payment |
| Total Time | 5.5-8 hours | Complete move start to finish |
Get an accurate time estimate for your move
Our experienced team provides realistic timing based on your specific situation
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When moves take longer than expected
Despite careful planning, some moves exceed estimated time. Common reasons include:
Hidden volume
Customers often underestimate belongings, especially in:
- Basements and attics (out of sight, out of mind)
- Garages packed with storage items
- Kitchen cabinets and pantries (heavy when packed)
- Closets with more clothes than anticipated
Undisclosed access issues
Site conditions that weren’t mentioned during estimates:
- Walk-up floors not initially disclosed
- Parking farther from entrance than expected
- Doorways too narrow for certain furniture
- Unexpected elevator outages or restrictions
Items requiring special handling
Large or fragile items that need extra time:
- Pianos requiring professional piano moving techniques
- Gun safes weighing 500-1000+ pounds
- Pool tables needing disassembly and releveling
- Artwork requiring custom crating
- Chandeliers needing careful removal and packing
How to get the most accurate time estimate
For the most reliable moving time predictions:
- Request in-home or video estimates – Let movers see actual volume and conditions
- Be completely honest about stairs and access – Don’t minimize challenges
- Mention all specialty items upfront – Pianos, safes, fragile items, disassembly needs
- Ask about parking at both locations – Discuss permits, loading zones, distances
- Disclose all levels of your home – Basement, attic, garage, shed, all floors
- Provide accurate distance information – Use mapping tools for exact mileage
- Discuss your packing status honestly – Will everything truly be packed and ready?
- Ask for time ranges, not exact hours – Realistic estimates include buffer for variables
Professional movers base estimates on thousands of previous moves and can predict timing quite accurately when given complete information. Hidden details or surprises on moving day are the primary cause of time overruns.
