Moving in NYC is never easy. Whether you’re just moving to a new apartment in Manhattan, or you’re venturing to a new area like the Bronx, Queens, or anywhere else in the city, you may not be sure how to hire an NYC mover – and ensure you’re getting a good rate, and the best service.
So, what should you do? Keep reading this guide to moving in NYC! We’ll discuss the best strategies for finding professional movers, interviewing them, hiring them, and more! You’ll learn everything you need to know. Let’s get started.
Start With Research
You’re going to want to do some research on the best NYC mover available to you. One of the best ways to get started is to just ask your friends, family members, colleagues, and others living in NYC if they have any recommendations. This is a great way to find a reputable moving company – and learn more about what the experience of working with them is like.
If you strike out on that front, it’s time to pop open your Google search engine – and start looking for moving companies. Find a few top candidates, read their reviews, find their listings on the Better Business Bureau – you get the picture!
Once you start doing research, you should get a pretty good idea of what to look for – reliable, trustworthy movers in the area who are licensed and insured, and have good customer reviews, such as Simply Moving!
Consider Whether You Want A Full-Service NYC Mover
If you’re moving in NYC, it’s important to choose if you want a “full-service” move. Not familiar with the term? Full-service moving means that your chosen NYC mover will come to your home, box up all of your stuff and move it all to your new place, and unpack it – all under your direction and supervision.
Sounds nice, doesn’t it? It is – but it’s not cheap. To save money, you may want to consider packing and unpacking your own stuff. A full-service move is well-worth the investment, but it may not fit your budget. (You do have a budget for your move, right?)
Check The Credentials Of Each Moving Company
You’ll want to check that each moving company is fully licensed, certified, insured, and registered in New York City. Check each company’s US Department of Transportation (USDOT) number with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Ask for proof of insurance and registration as a business, and other such details.
If you come across a company that refuses to comply, or otherwise seems unwilling to supply you with the information you’ve requested, don’t work with them. Getting a slightly better rate is not worth risking all of your stuff, or working with an unregistered or illegal NYC mover.
Get A Written Quote From Your Top 3-4 Moving Companies
Each of your selected moving companies should be willing to give you an estimate. Note that this will likely be a non-binding estimate. It may be higher on the day that you move, but it should be relatively close to how much you’ll pay.
Have an estimator come to your home, and show them everything that you will need to move – in each room, including attics and basements. They should easily be able to give you an informed quote.
It’s likely that most of your quotes will be quite similar. But the advantage of getting a quote from more than one NYC mover is that you can use the lowest quote to negotiate, which ensures that you will get the best possible rate. Just be realistic – don’t try to ask for a price that’s 25% lower than the initial quote, for example.
Choose The Right Mover
Once you’ve done all of your research and gotten estimates from each moving company, you’ll be ready to choose the one you prefer. Using what you know about each company, the experience you’ve had with their estimator, and all of the other details you’ve gathered, you’re sure to make the right choice!
Consider Additional Insurance
Your stuff is always insured when working with an NYC mover, but it’s usually insured by weight – so if you have any particularly delicate or valuable items, you may want to purchase additional insurance. You can typically do this through your moving company, and it’s worth the investment for the additional peace of mind.
Make Your Move In NYC
If you’ve hired full-service movers, all you have to do is wait for moving day! But if you’ve opted to save a bit of money when hiring your NYC mover, you’ll have to pack up on your own. Make sure to box up each room one-by-one and clearly label all of your stuff. Use high-quality cardboard boxes and secure them tightly, and use packing materials to keep delicate objects save.
Before you move, you should also make sure you work out any other details, like renting a storage facility if some of your stuff won’t fit in your new place, signing up for your utilities at your new apartment or home, and changing your address to make sure that you’ll receive important mail.
Congrats! You’re done! You’ve hired an NYC mover, gotten a great rate on professional service, and finished your move.
Follow These Tips For Hiring An NYC Mover!
Hiring an NYC mover like Simply Moving doesn’t have to be a struggle. Just follow the steps we’ve outlined above, and you’re sure to get the service you need at a great rate, and have a simple, stress-free and smooth move.