Moving to Dallas, TX: a practical guide

Whether you're moving across Dallas or arriving from somewhere else, this guide covers the practical side of the move: a packing timeline, what to ask your building or HOA, how to handle North Texas heat, and how STORVA's reusable tote drop-off and pickup works in Dallas. For tote rental details and pricing, see our Dallas tote rental page.

Your Dallas packing timeline

  • 4–6 weeks out: set your date, book a truck or movers, and ask your new building or HOA about move rules.
  • 3–4 weeks out: start packing rarely used rooms and closets; reserve your totes.
  • 1–2 weeks out: pack room by room, finishing each before you start the next.
  • Move week: pack a first-night tote and stage containers by the door, labeled by room.
  • After the move: unpack priority rooms first, then stack empty totes by the door for pickup.

Apartment and house moves in Dallas

Dallas has a mix of homes, and the right plan depends on yours. For apartments and condos, ask the leasing office early about elevator reservations, loading areas, move-in hours and whether movers need a certificate of insurance. For houses, check driveway and street parking for the truck, and plan the order rooms will be loaded.

In an HOA community, ask whether there are rules about moving trucks, parking or hours. In any building, ask whether the old and new addresses have quiet hours on the day you plan to move.

Questions to ask your building or HOA

  • Do I need to reserve an elevator or loading dock, and for how long?
  • Are there allowed move-in and move-out hours?
  • Where can a truck park, and is a permit or pass needed?
  • Do movers need to provide a certificate of insurance?
  • Is there a move-in deposit or fee?

Moving in Dallas during the summer

North Texas summers are hot. Load early in the morning, keep water close, and move heat-sensitive items — medications, electronics, candles, photos and plants — in your air-conditioned car rather than a closed truck. Pack the days before so move day is only carrying.

Local tips for Dallas

Reserve the freight elevator: Uptown, Downtown and Oak Lawn high-rises usually require a booked freight elevator and a certificate of insurance for movers. Book your elevator slot first, then schedule tote drop-off a few days before it.

Plan around older-home access: Lakewood, M Streets and other older neighborhoods often have narrow driveways, alley access and steps at the door. Totes with snap-on lids stack on a dolly, which makes tight entries easier than loose boxes.

Beat the Texas heat: From late spring through September, load the truck early in the morning. Pack the totes in air-conditioned rooms the days before so moving day is only lifting.

Watch end-of-month lease turnover: Many Dallas apartment leases end on the last day of the month, so loading docks and elevators get busy. Book early and pack ahead so you can move on your reserved time.

Common reasons Dallas customers rent totes

  • High-rise and loft moves with elevator reservations
  • Historic-home moves in Lakewood and Munger Place
  • Downtown office and creative-studio relocations
  • Clearing rooms before a listing goes live
  • Short-term packing during a kitchen or bath remodel

How STORVA drop-off and pickup works in Dallas

STORVA serves Dallas as part of our Dallas County & East area. Choose a package and your drop-off and pickup dates online. We drop the empty 27-gallon totes (and dollies with most packages) at your Dallas address; you pack, move and unpack on your schedule; then we pick the empty totes up on the date you chose — from your new address if it's in our DFW service area. Next-day drop-off is available; for weekends and the end of the month, book 2–3 days ahead.

We regularly serve areas including Uptown, Lakewood, Bishop Arts, Deep Ellum, Preston Hollow, Lake Highlands, with ZIP codes such as 75201, 75204, 75206, 75214, 75218. Not sure about your address? Call (214) 444-3699 or email hello@storva.com.

  • Dorm / Studio: 10 totes, 1 week included, $79.
  • 1 Bedroom: 20 totes + 1 dolly, 2 weeks included, $109.
  • 2–3 Bedrooms: 40 totes + 1 dolly, 2 weeks included, $189.
  • 4+ Bedrooms: 60 totes + 2 dollies, 2 weeks included, $239.

Moving between Dallas and nearby cities

Many moves start and end in different DFW cities. If you're moving between Dallas and Richardson, Garland, Mesquite, Irving, we can drop off at one address and pick up from the other as long as both are in our service area.

Rent totes · Use the tote calculator

Frequently asked questions

Does STORVA deliver moving totes in Dallas?

Yes. We drop off empty reusable 27-gallon totes in Dallas and pick up the empties on the date you choose.

Can you pick up from my new address if I'm moving out of Dallas?

Yes, as long as the new address is in our Dallas–Fort Worth service area.

Does STORVA move my belongings in Dallas?

No. STORVA rents empty totes and dollies. You pack, move and unpack your own belongings, and we pick up the empty totes.

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