The Ultimate Apartment Moving Checklist for Colorado Springs

Apartment moves come with their own unique set of challenges — tight hallways, elevator schedules, property management rules, parking restrictions, and the ever-present goal of getting your security deposit back. Whether you’re moving into your first apartment or transitioning to a new place across town, a solid plan makes all the difference.

At iHaul iMove, we’ve moved thousands of apartment dwellers throughout Colorado Springs over our 17+ years in business. Here’s the ultimate apartment moving checklist to make your move smooth and stress-free.

4-6 Weeks Before Your Move

Lease and Logistics

• Review your lease — Check your move-out requirements, notice period, and any moving-specific rules
• Give proper notice — Most Colorado leases require 30-60 days written notice
• Coordinate dates — Align your move-out date with your new move-in date. Even a 1-day gap means you need temporary storage or lodging
• Book your movers — Call 719-357-5865 to reserve your date. Weekend and month-end dates fill fast

Building Coordination

• Contact property management at both buildings about:
  • Elevator reservations and time slots
  • Loading dock or designated parking for moving trucks
  • Move-in/move-out inspection procedures
  • Any required deposits or fees for moving
  • Hours when moving is permitted (many buildings restrict to daytime hours)

Start Decluttering

Apartment moves are the perfect time to downsize. Less stuff means:

• Fewer boxes to pack and move
• Lower moving costs
• Faster unpacking at your new place
• A fresh start in your new space

Pro Tip: If you haven’t used something since you moved INTO this apartment, you probably don’t need to bring it to the next one.

2-3 Weeks Before Your Move

Packing Strategy for Apartments

Apartment packing is about efficiency. Here’s a room-by-room approach:

Kitchen

• Pack dishes vertically (like records in a bin) with packing paper between each plate
• Wrap glasses individually
• Use small boxes for heavy items like canned goods and cookware
• Clean and defrost the refrigerator 24 hours before the move

Bedroom

• Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes (or keep them on hangers in trash bags with a hole cut for the hook)
• Roll clothing to save space in boxes
• Strip the bed and pack bedding in large bags or boxes

Bathroom

• Bag toiletries in resealable plastic bags to prevent leaks
• Pack a “first night” toiletry bag separately
• Dispose of expired products and items you won’t need

Living Room

• Wrap electronics in blankets or towels (save specialty packing for TVs)
• Remove batteries from remotes and controllers
• Pack books in small boxes — they get heavy fast

Utilities and Address Changes

• Schedule utility disconnects at your current apartment and connections at the new one
• Forward your mail through USPS
• Update your address with banks, insurance, employer, and subscriptions
• Transfer or set up internet service at the new apartment

1 Week Before Your Move

Preparation Checklist

• Confirm elevator reservation and moving time slot with both buildings
• Confirm truck access — Verify parking spots or loading zones are available
• Prepare your essentials box — Toiletries, medications, phone chargers, change of clothes, paper towels, toilet paper, basic cleaning supplies
• Take photos — Document the condition of your current apartment (walls, floors, fixtures, appliances) for security deposit protection
• Notify neighbors — Let adjacent neighbors know about the move, especially in apartment buildings where hallway and elevator use will increase

Security Deposit Protection

Your security deposit is money you want back. Here’s how to protect it:

• Pre-move photos and video — Document every room, wall, floor, and fixture before anything moves
• Patch small holes — Fill nail holes with spackling compound and touch up paint
• Clean thoroughly — Most leases require the apartment to be left in move-in condition
• Check your lease — Know exactly what’s expected for full deposit return

Moving Day

Before the Movers Arrive

• Clear a path — Remove any obstacles from hallways, doorways, and the route to the truck
• Protect floors and walls — Professional movers from iHaul iMove bring carpet shield and runners, but you can add furniture sliders for extra protection
• Designate a staging area — If possible, have boxes grouped by room near the front door
• Secure your pet — Keep pets in a closed room or arrange for off-site care
• Prop open doors — Use doorstops to keep apartment and building doors open (where allowed) to speed up the process

Apartment-Specific Challenges

Apartment moves have unique logistical challenges that professional movers handle daily:

• Narrow hallways — Maneuvering large furniture through tight hallways requires skill and planning
• Stair carries — No elevator? Professional movers are trained for safe stair carries
• Elevator timing — Coordinating loads with elevator schedules keeps the move efficient
• Long walks — When the truck parks far from the entrance, more trips are needed
• Wall protection — Tight corners and narrow doorways are where wall damage typically occurs

After the Move: Settling Into Your New Apartment

First Day Priorities

1. Check that everything arrived — Do a quick inventory against your packing list
2. Set up the bed — You’ll want to sleep comfortably tonight
3. Unpack the kitchen essentials — Plates, cups, utensils, and coffee maker
4. Test utilities — Confirm electricity, water, gas, internet are all working
5. Take move-in photos — Document the apartment’s condition immediately for your records

First Week

• Introduce yourself to neighbors — Apartment living is better when you know the people around you
• Learn building rules — Quiet hours, trash/recycling schedule, parking policies, pet rules
• Explore the neighborhood — Find the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, and coffee shop
• Set up your routine — Commute test, gym location, walking routes

Popular Colorado Springs Apartment Areas

Colorado Springs has a diverse rental market across many neighborhoods:

• Downtown — Walkable, restaurants, nightlife, arts scene
• Briargate — Suburban apartments with family amenities
• Powers Corridor — Newer complexes with modern finishes
• Stetson Hills — Growing area with newer construction
• Old Colorado City — Historic character, local shops, walkability
• Fountain — Affordable options near Fort Carson

Why Apartment Renters Choose iHaul iMove

Moving in and out of apartments requires specific expertise that not every moving company has. Our team:

• Navigates tight hallways, stairs, and elevators daily
• Brings floor and wall protection to every apartment move
• Works within building time restrictions and elevator schedules
• Knows the parking logistics of most Colorado Springs apartment complexes
• Handles furniture disassembly and reassembly for pieces that won’t fit through doorways
• Has earned 700+ 5-star reviews from thousands of moves — many of them apartments

Get Your Free Apartment Moving Estimate

Ready to make your apartment move effortless? Call 719-357-5865 or request your free, no-obligation estimate online. We’ll ask about your building’s specific requirements and tailor our service to your apartment move.

edit_noteGet Your Free Quote

iHaul iMove has been helping Colorado Springs renters move for over 17 years. Learn more about our apartment moving services or explore all service areas we cover.