Apartment moves in St. Louis go wrong for two reasons: the truck has nowhere to park, and the building's rules were not checked. Handle those two things a week or more ahead, pack everything before the movers arrive, and book a weekday morning.

Arch Moving is locally owned and serving St. Ann, and we move apartments across St. Louis City and County. Here are the tips that make the biggest difference, in the order you should deal with them.

1. Sort Out Parking First

Many St. Louis apartment buildings have no loading area. The truck parks on the street, and if it blocks the curb lane or sidewalk, the city wants a permit.

You may not need a permit if your building has a rear alley, a private lot, or a loading dock. Ask the property manager where movers usually park.

Arch Mover Tip

Walk outside and look at the curb in front of your building at the hour you plan to move. If it is full every weekday morning, you need the permit or the meters. If the alley is clear, you may not.

2. Get the Building's Rules in Writing

Ask your leasing office or property manager these questions as soon as you have a date:

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Is there a freight elevator, and how do I reserve it?

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What days and hours are moves allowed?

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Is there a move-in or move-out fee or deposit?

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Where should the truck park?

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Do floors or walls need protection?

Do this at both buildings. The rules at your new place are the ones people forget.

3. Know Your Building Type

Building type	Where you find it	Main challenge
Converted loft	Downtown, Washington Avenue	Freight elevators, loading docks, long hallways
Brick walk-up	Soulard, Tower Grove, Benton Park, The Hill	Narrow stairs, no elevator
Two-family flat	South City, Dogtown	Exterior steps, tight interior stairs
Garden apartment complex	County suburbs	Long carries from the parking lot

Walk-Ups

Older brick buildings have steep, narrow staircases with tight turns. Measure your sofa, mattress, and box spring against the stairwell. A queen box spring that will not bend around a landing is a common problem, and a split box spring solves it.

Lofts

Loft buildings often have one freight elevator shared by every tenant. Reserve early, especially at month-end.

4. Pick the Right Date

The last few days of the month are the busiest for apartment moves, because most leases end then.

If you can, ask for a few days of overlap between leases and move mid-week. Our guide to the cheapest moving days explains the savings, and our guide on booking movers ahead covers lead times.

Student areas have their own peaks. Mid-May and mid-August are crowded around Washington University and Saint Louis University.

5. Pack Completely Before Move Day

On an hourly move, the movers's time is the cost. Boxes that are sealed, labeled, and stacked near the door go out quickly.

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Start with closets, books, and things you rarely use

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Use small boxes for heavy items

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Label each box with the room and a few words on contents

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Keep a separate bag for the first night

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Empty dresser drawers if the dresser is going down stairs

Our packing tips and our list of packing mistakes cover the method, and our fragile packing tips cover breakables.

6. Take Furniture Apart

Remove legs from tables and sofas where you can. Take beds apart. Put screws and bolts in a labeled bag taped to the piece. Ten minutes with a screwdriver the night before saves the movers twenty on the day.

7. Protect Your Deposit

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Photograph every room before you move anything out

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Photograph again when the apartment is empty

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Patch nail holes if your lease requires it

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Clean the oven, fridge, and bathroom

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Return every key and get a receipt

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Give your forwarding address in writing

At the new apartment, photograph any existing damage before the furniture goes in and send the photos to the landlord that day.

8. Understand What the Estimate Covers

Missouri's consumer moving guide from MoDOT explains the two kinds of estimate. At Arch Moving, the estimate is not binding: you pay for the actual hours worked.

Stairs and access matter most for apartments. Tell the mover the exact floor, whether there is an elevator, and how far the door is from where the truck will park. Leave something out and the estimate will not hold.

Our guide to St. Louis moving costs explains what affects the price.

Arch Mover Tip

Tell the mover about the building's elevator window when you book. Movers sized to finish inside the window costs less than smaller movers that runs over.

9. Plan for the Weather

St. Louis summers are hot and humid. Start early, keep water on hand, and do not leave candles, electronics, or plants in a closed truck. In winter, watch the forecast for ice and keep walkways salted. Our article on St. Louis weather shows what to expect by month.

10. Keep Move Day Simple

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Be fully packed when the movers arrive

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Meet them at the door and walk them through

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Point out anything fragile or not going

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Keep pets and children somewhere else

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Carry documents, medication, and valuables in your own car

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Do a final walk through every room, closet, and cabinet

Our moving day guide has a fuller checklist.

How Long an Apartment Move Takes

Move time depends on how much you have, the floor, and how far the truck parks from the door. Third-floor walk-ups, long carries, and elevator waits all add time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a moving truck in St. Louis?

Yes, if the truck blocks any part of a street or sidewalk.

How far ahead should I apply for the permit?

At least one week before the move for a standard application.

What is the best day to move out of an apartment?

A weekday in the middle of the month. Month-end dates are the busiest and most expensive.

How long does it take to move a one-bedroom apartment?

It depends on how much you have, the stairs, the parking, and any elevator wait.

Apartment Movers in St. Louis

Arch Moving provides dependable moving services for apartments and homes throughout St. Louis, St. Charles County, and the Metro East. Our St. Louis Moving Company provides packing and unpacking, furniture assembly, labor-only moving, piano moving, and junk removal. Request a free quote and tell us about your building so we can help plan your move.

About the author

Hayden Mattingly

Owner, Arch Moving · St. Ann, MO

Hayden Mattingly owns and runs Arch Moving, a locally owned moving company in St. Ann serving St. Louis, St. Charles County and the rest of Missouri. He leads a crew with a combined 20 years in the moving industry, trains movers from within, and oversees residential, commercial, packing and long-distance moves. He writes these guides from what his crews handle on real St. Louis moves.