Apartment moves look simple on paper. Fewer rooms, less stuff, a quick drive across town. Then move day arrives, and the elevator is booked, the parking lot is full, the leasing office wants paperwork you have never heard of, and the stairs go up three floors. The difference between a smooth apartment move and a stressful one is almost always planning. Here is what to know if you are moving into or out of an apartment in Austin or San Antonio.
Start with Your Leasing Office
Before you book anything, call or email the leasing office at both your current and new apartments. Ask:
- What days and hours are moves allowed?
- Do I need to reserve an elevator or loading area?
- Do you require a certificate of insurance (COI) from my movers? What does it need to say?
- Where can a moving truck park?
- Do I need to schedule a move-out inspection?
Get the answers in writing if you can, and send them to your mover when you book.
What a COI Is and Why It Matters
A certificate of insurance is a document from your moving company’s insurance provider that proves the mover is insured. Many apartment communities and condo buildings require one before they will let movers on the property, and some require the building or management company to be listed on it. If the COI is not ready, your move can be delayed or turned away. Ask your leasing office for the exact requirements, and send them to your mover as early as possible, ideally the day you book.
Elevators: Reserve Early
If your building has an elevator, it is probably shared by everyone, and at month-end it is in high demand. Many buildings let residents reserve the elevator for a time block on move day. Some pad the elevator for you; others ask the movers to. If you are moving from one elevator building to another, try to reserve matching windows so the crew is not waiting at either end.
Stairs: Plan the Crew
Garden-style apartments in Austin and San Antonio often have no elevator, which means every piece goes up and down the stairs. That is normal work for a moving crew, but it changes how long the move takes and how many movers you need. Tell your mover which floor you are on at both places, and whether the stairs are inside or outside.
Parking and the Long Walk
Large apartment communities can have long walks from the nearest parking space to your door. Fire lanes are off-limits, and parking lots fill up in the evening. Ask the leasing office where a truck can park, and if possible, save a spot close to your building. The shorter the walk, the faster the move.
Measure Before You Move
Apartments have narrow hallways, tight turns, and smaller doorways than houses. Before move day, measure your largest pieces, like the sectional, the dresser, and the bed frame, and the doorways and elevator they need to fit through. Furniture that comes apart will be taken apart; furniture that does not may need a plan B.
Student Apartment Moves
If you live near UT in Austin or Texas State in San Marcos, lease turnover weeks in May and August are among the busiest of the year. Streets near campus are crowded, and elevators are booked solid. Book your movers as early as you can, and try to avoid the first and last days of the month. See our San Marcos movers page.
High-Rise and Condo Moves
Downtown high-rises add loading docks, freight elevators, and stricter building rules to the mix. If you are moving into or out of a tower, read our Downtown Austin movers page for what to ask your building.
Your Apartment Moving Checklist
- Call both leasing offices about hours, elevators, COIs, and parking.
- Book your movers as early as you can, especially for month-end.
- Reserve elevators and loading areas at both buildings.
- Send your mover the COI requirements.
- Measure big furniture and tight doorways.
- Pack and label boxes by room before the crew arrives.
- Pack an open-first box: chargers, toiletries, medications, bedding, and a few kitchen basics.
- Take photos of your empty apartment for your move-out inspection.
- Return keys and parking passes.
How Apartment Moves Are Priced
At Elite Star Movers, local apartment moves are priced by the hour based on crew size. There are no truck fees, and travel time is listed separately on your quote. Stairs, elevator waits, and the walk from the truck to your door all affect how long the move takes, so the planning above saves you real time.
We Plan Around Your Building
Our team will ask about your building’s rules when you call for a quote, and Hector Jr’s crew will show up ready for the elevator, the stairs, and the tight turns. Learn more on our apartment movers page, or see our packing services if you want help getting ready.
Quick FAQs
What is a COI for movers?
A certificate of insurance shows that your moving company is insured. Many apartments and condos require one before move day, sometimes naming the property or management company.
Do movers carry furniture up stairs?
Yes. Stair carries are a normal part of apartment moving. Tell your mover the floor numbers at both places so they can plan the crew.
What day of the month is best for an apartment move?
Mid-month is usually easier than the last and first days, when most leases turn over and elevators are booked.
Planning a Move? We Can Handle It.
Elite Star Movers is a family owned and operated moving company based in Buda, serving all areas around Austin and down the I-35 corridor to San Antonio. Request a free quote or call (512) 358-7827 (main) or toll-free (855) 358-7827. Our team returns quote calls, and Hector Jr leads the crew on move day.
Serving People & Protecting Furniture, Peace by Piece.
Verify us: TxDMV #007098595c · Look us up on TxDMV Truck Stop · Family owned and operated · BBB-registered
More guides: Moving Tips & Resources · Moving FAQ
