1BHK Moving Cost in Dubai | Detailed 2025 Price Guide

Understanding the Real Cost of Moving a 1BHK in Dubai

Shifting homes in Dubai is never as simple as calling a mover and booking a truck. Whether you’re moving from Dubai Marina to JLT, upgrading from a studio in Business Bay, or relocating within Al Barsha, the cost of moving a 1BHK varies widely based on building rules, access points, distance, and volume of furniture.

At ShiftyUAE, after more than 10 years in the industry, we’ve learned that no two 1-bedroom apartments cost the same to move. A 1BHK in Dubai Marina with tight service lifts and long walking distances can cost more than a bigger 2-bedroom in JVC with easy parking.

This guide breaks down everything that influences the price, how professional movers calculate shifting charges, and how you can get an accurate estimate before moving day.

What Affects the Cost of Moving a 1BHK in Dubai?

The price depends on multiple factors, not just your apartment size. Different areas in Dubai come with different challenges.

For example:

1. Dubai Marina → long walkways, strict lift bookings
2. Downtown Dubai → high security, limited loading zones
3. Jumeirah Village Circle → easy access, quick loading
4. Karama / Bur Dubai → heavy traffic + competitive parking

Movers must consider these variables, and a 1BHK move can only be priced accurately after checking these elements.

Below are the main cost drivers.

Size & Quantity of Furniture

A typical 1BHK in Dubai includes:

1. 1 queen bed
2. 1 three-seater sofa
3. 1 dining table
4. 1 TV unit + TV
5. 1 washing machine
6. 1 fridge
7. 1 coffee table
8. 10–20 boxes of personal items

But in premium locations like Palm Jumeirah or Dubai Creek Harbour, residents tend to have:

1. Larger beds
2. Heavy wooden wardrobes
3. Extra décor
4. Bigger TVs
5. Outdoor furniture

More items = more manpower = more wrapping = higher cost.

ShiftyUAE estimates manpower and materials based on photos, video surveys, or in-person inspections.

Packing Materials Required

Packing materials are crucial because Dubai homes often include:

1. Glass décor
2. Expensive electronics
3. High-end appliances
4. Artwork
5. Outdoor sets

A 1BHK typically needs:

1. 1–2 rolls of industrial bubble wrap
2. Stretch film for sofas and mattresses
3. 8–12 blankets
4. 10–25 boxes
5. Foam protection for décor items

Heat-sensitive areas like Dubai Marina, JBR, and Bluewaters Island require extra wrapping.

Building Access & Restrictions

This is one of the biggest differences between a cheap and costly move.

High-rise buildings (Dubai Marina, Downtown, JLT)

Challenges include:

1. Long walking paths
2. Small service elevators
3. Booking time restrictions
4. Security checks
5. No truck access at the lobby level

Movers spend more time navigating elevators and corridors.

Mid-rise buildings (Sports City, Arjan, Silicon Oasis)

These usually have:

1. Easy basement access
2. Larger service lifts
3. Shorter walking distances

This reduces the total price.

Villas (Arabian Ranches, Jumeirah Park)

Even if it’s a 1BHK inside a villa, movers deal with:

1. Garden pathways
2. Stairs
3. Outdoor furniture
4. Larger items overall

This increases the labour time.

Distance Between Pickup & Drop-Off

Shifting inside areas like:

1. Business Bay to Downtown Dubai
2. Dubai Marina to JBR
3. JLT to JVC

…is usually low-cost because the roads are close.

But shifting from:

1. Dubai to Sharjah
2. Dubai to Abu Dhabi
3. Dubai to Al Ain

…will involve longer travel time and fuel considerations.

Number of Labourers Needed

A 1-bedroom normally requires:

1. 3–4 movers
2. 1 truck
3. 1 technician (for dismantling)

But if you have heavy furniture or difficult access points (such as Marina Promenade or Elite Residence), the team may need more manpower.

Dismantling & Reassembly Complexity

In a 1BHK, the following items usually need dismantling:

1. Bed
2. Wardrobe
3. Dining table
4. TV wall units
5. Shelving

If you have IKEA PAX or Nolte wardrobes, movers must send a trained technician.

ShiftyUAE includes this service in moves starting from 1200 AED, depending on furniture complexity.

Hidden or Overlooked Factors That Increase Cost

Many customers in Dubai don’t realise that small details can increase labour hours.

Long walking distances

Common in:

1. Marina Gate
2. Bay Central
3. Address Residences
4. Marina Promenade
5. Downtown Burj Views

Waiting time for lifts

Busy towers like Princess Tower often have 10–20 minute lift waits.

Multiple trips required

If the furniture doesn’t fit in one truck, movers need to make two rounds.

Last-minute bookings

Peak seasons (weekends, month-end) increase demand.

How Professional Movers Calculate the Cost of a 1BHK Move

Here is the formula ShiftyUAE uses:

(Furniture Volume) + (Packing Materials) + (Manpower Hours) + (Dismantling Complexity) + (Building Access Difficulty) + (Distance)

We add these variables to generate the final cost estimate.

Let’s break down each factor.

Furniture Volume Estimation

Movers assess your furniture visually through:

1. Video call
2. Photos sent via WhatsApp
3. In-person visit

A bigger sofa, oversized mirrors, or heavy wardrobes add cost.

Packing Material Breakdown

Dubai moves require durable materials due to heat, humidity, and high-rise transport.

Industrial-grade materials are used to protect:

1. TVs (foam + bubble)
2. Kitchen items (fragile packing)
3. Mattresses (covers + stretch film)
4. Sofas (blankets + plastic wrap)

Cheap materials = increased risk.

Manpower Hours & Team Size

More items → More packers → More hours → Higher cost.

Dismantling Labour

A simple bed costs less to dismantle compared to:

1. Hydraulic beds
2. Storage beds
3. PAX wardrobes
4. Glass cabinets

Luxury buildings in Dubai Hills and Palm Jumeirah often have large, complex furniture sets.

Building Access Difficulty

Movers check:

1. Lift size
2. Walking distance
3. Basement access
4. Parking restrictions
5. Move-in/move-out timings

Less access = more time = higher cost.

Distance & Traffic

The time taken for transport contributes to the overall cost.

Peak traffic near Sheikh Zayed Road, Financial Centre Road, or Al Khail Road increases travel time.

Real-Life Example: Moving a 1BHK from Dubai Marina to JVC

Last month at ShiftyUAE, we moved a young couple from Marina Promenade to Jumeirah Village Circle.

Here were the challenges:

1. Long walking distance (200 metres)
2. Service lift booking required
3. Large corner sofa that barely fits the lift
4. Small parking bay for the truck

Our team of four packers + one technician completed the move in 4 hours.

The clients appreciated how we handled the tight lift situation and protected their TV and dining table.

They said this was the smoothest move they’d experienced in Dubai.

Average 1BHK Furniture Breakdown in Dubai

A typical 1BHK move includes:

Bedroom

1. Queen bed
2. Mattress
3. Two side tables
4. Chest of drawers
5. Wardrobe

Living Room

1. Sofa
2. TV + TV unit
3. Coffee table
4. Bookshelves

Kitchen

1. Microwave
2. Kitchenware
3. 5–10 boxes of items

Bathroom

1. Toiletries
2. Towels
3. Cleaning supplies

Balcony (sometimes)

1. Small outdoor set
2. Plants

All these items require careful packing to avoid damage.

How Much Time Does a 1BHK Move Usually Take?

On average:

1. 3–5 hours for buildings with easy access
2. 5–6 hours for high-rise towers
3. 6+ hours if a long walking distance is involved

Popular areas:

Fast-moving areas:

1. JVC
2. Arjan
3. The Greens

Slow/complex areas:

1. Dubai Marina
2. Downtown
3. DIFC
4. JBR

How to Reduce Your 1BHK Moving Cost in Dubai

Here are expert tips from ShiftyUAE:

1. Move on a weekday

Weekends are peak pricing days.

2. Declutter before the move

Fewer items = fewer boxes = lower cost.

3. Pack personal items yourself

Clothes, toiletries, and small items can be packed by the customer.

4. Book movers early

Last-minute moves cost more.

5. Choose a professional team, not the cheapest one

Cheap movers = damaged furniture = higher long-term cost.

Benefits of Hiring ShiftyUAE for Your 1BHK Move

ShiftyUAE offers 1BHK moving services starting from 1200 AED, based on volume and materials.

Here’s what you get:

✔ Professional Packing

Industrial bubble wrap, stretch roll, blankets.

✔ Experienced Technicians

Bed dismantling, TV unmounting, and wardrobe setup.

✔ Clean, Covered Trucks

Safe transport across Dubai.

✔ Full Unpacking & Setup

We place everything where you want it.

✔ Free Survey

Video or in-person.

✔ Trained Pakistani & Indian Workforce

Professional, uniformed, experienced.

ShiftyUAE completes hundreds of 1BHK moves yearly across Dubai areas like JLT, Marina, Business Bay, Al Barsha, and Dubai South.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does it cost to move a 1BHK in Dubai?

Moves start from 1200 AED, depending on access, packing materials, and furniture.

2. How long does a 1BHK move take?

Usually 3–5 hours, depending on building rules.

3. Do movers pack everything?

ShiftyUAE offers full packing + unpacking services.

4. Do movers dismantle furniture?

Yes, beds, wardrobes, and shelving units are dismantled and reassembled.

5. Do you handle same-building moves?

Yes, even moving between floors is common in Dubai.

Conclusion

Moving a 1BHK in Dubai involves more than just loading and unloading.

Access rules, packing materials, building restrictions, traffic patterns, and furniture size all play a role in the final cost.

Using a trusted team like ShiftyUAE ensures:

1. No hidden charges
2. Professional packing
3. Stress-free moving
4. Safe transport
5. Smooth setup in your new home

Contact ShiftyUAE today for a free quote

and let our team handle your 1BHK move with professionalism and care.