Small Move Ottawa — Studio, 1-Bedroom & Partial-Move Specialists
A small move gets its own playbook at Men In Trucks. No 4-mover upsell you don’t need. No 6-hour minimum. Just 2 movers, a 26-foot truck, a 2-hour minimum, and honest hourly pricing — exactly what a studio, 1-bedroom, or partial move actually needs. This page is part of our full Ottawa moving services lineup.
Call 613-800-0917 or book online in under 2 minutes.
Small moves should not be priced like full-house moves
Some Ottawa movers refuse small jobs under a 4-hour minimum. Others charge a fixed $800 “small move package” that is 60% profit. We just run the real clock — 2 movers at $140/hr, 2-hour minimum, done.
Right-sized crew — just 2 movers
A studio or 1-bedroom does not need 3 or 4 movers. 2 professionals with proper gear handle it in 2-3 hours.
No inflated minimums
Our 2-hour minimum matches the industry standard. Some Ottawa movers push 4-hour minimums on every job — that is a flat-fee dressed up as hourly.
Same gear, same quality
You get the same 26-foot truck, same blankets, same dollies, same crew training as a 4-bedroom house move.
What a small move actually costs in Ottawa
Honest estimates based on hundreds of small moves. Includes 2 movers, truck, blankets, basic wrap, fuel, a one-hour travel fee, and basic liability.
2 Movers + Truck
Studios, 1-bedroom apartments, light loads. 2-hour minimum.
3 Movers + Truck
2-bedroom apartments, small houses. Fastest per-dollar option.
4 Movers + Truck
3+ bedroom houses, heavy loads. Cuts clock time nearly in half.
Recent small moves — real numbers
Three recent studio and 1-bedroom moves, actual times and totals.
Sandy Hill studio, 2 movers
Ground-floor exit, 3rd-floor walk-up destination in Vanier. 3 hours + travel. Total: $520.
ByWard Market 1-bedroom, 2 movers
Condo-to-condo within downtown. 3.5 hours including elevator time. Total: $590.
Single-room move from Hintonburg
One bedroom out of a shared 3-bed house to Westboro. 2 hours (minimum). Total: $420.
The small-move situations we run every week
If your move fits one of these patterns, you are in the sweet spot of our pricing.
Studio / bachelor (under 500 sq ft)
2 movers, 2-3 hours total. Typical cost $420-$580. Often completes in the 2-hour minimum.
1-bedroom (500-800 sq ft)
2 movers, 3-4 hours total. Typical cost $560-$760. Most common small-move booking.
Partial move (heavy items only)
10-15 pieces — bed, couch, desk, dresser, boxes. 2 movers, 2-3 hours. $420-$580.
Single-room move (out of a shared house)
One bedroom of furniture + personal items. 2 movers, 2-3 hours.
Storage unit → small apartment
Loading from a 5×10 or 10×10 unit to your new place. Usually 2 hours flat.
Specialty single items
Piano, safe, treadmill, large sectional — single-item moves starting at $280 (2-hour minimum + travel).
Full Ottawa region coverage
We cover all of Ottawa plus Gatineau, Hull, Aylmer, Stittsville, Manotick, Rockland and surrounding communities. Every Ottawa neighborhood — Centretown, The Glebe, Westboro, Hintonburg, Alta Vista, Rockcliffe Park, Kanata, Barrhaven, Orleans, Nepean, Sandy Hill, ByWard Market, Vanier — is within our standard dispatch radius.
Explore every moving service we offer in Ottawa
Whatever your move — one piece, one bedroom, a full house, an office, or just a storage gap — we have a service tuned for it. All priced on the same transparent hourly rates.
Small move FAQ
What is the minimum charge for a small move?
A 2-hour minimum on the hourly rate ($280 for 2 movers, plus a one-hour travel fee). Most small moves finish in the 2-hour window.
Do I need 2 movers for a studio?
Almost always yes. One mover cannot safely handle a mattress, couch, or anything requiring two hands at each end.
Can you move just a few items instead of the whole apartment?
Yes — partial moves are common. Tell dispatch which pieces and we will quote an honest 2-3 hour estimate.
What about a single-item move — like just a sofa or piano?
Single-item moves are 2-hour minimum ($280) plus travel. Pianos require a specialty team — see our piano-movers page.
Do I pay the same $140/hr for a small move?
Yes. Our rates do not change based on job size. $140/hr for 2 movers is what every small-move booking pays.
How do I get a binding flat-rate for a small move?
For local Ottawa small moves, hourly is nearly always cheaper. If you still want a flat-rate, call dispatch with exact details — we can issue a firm quote within 24 hours.
Can I help carry items to save money?
Yes — we do not mind if you carry lighter items in parallel. Just do not get in the crew way on tight stairways.
Is a small move cheaper than renting a U-Haul?
By the time you factor U-Haul rental + fuel + dolly rental + your own time + potential damage, a 2-hour Ottawa small move at $420 is usually within $50-$100 of DIY and saves you a full weekend.
Do you do small moves in Kanata, Barrhaven and Orleans?
Yes — suburban small moves are common. Hourly rate is identical; travel fee is $140 (one-hour) regardless of suburb.
Get your small-move quote now
Studios, 1-bedrooms, single-room moves, specialty single items — all billed the same transparent $140/hr. Book online in 2 minutes or call dispatch.
