Moving in (and to) Manhattan can be understandably overwhelming. How can you possibly navigate the maze of building requirements, tight spaces, and parking regulations, all while trying to nail the best time to move and find a company that won’t leave you high and dry?
Breathe deep: Following some tried-and-true tips for moving in Manhattan will help avoid the usual stress and economic strain. Because moving shouldn’t cost a fortune or test your mettle. Most importantly, you’ll want to work with a reliable company with the necessary experience to handle all those details.
Here, a moving expert shares the 7 most common moving mistakes—and what you can do to avoid making them.
1. Booking based on hearing what you want to hear rather than understanding all the scenarios—especially on very busy days
In other words, don’t make the mistake of booking with a sweet-talking company that eventually will not show up, or charge you more because the estimate didn’t meet the expectations.
Customers often share stories of hiring a company that canceled on moving day or just never showed up. These are usually smaller companies without enough resources to handle the number of moves during peak times, such as summer.
2. Failing to get the all-important COI
Every Manhattan building requires movers to show a valid Certificate of Insurance, yet many people forget to ask for this.
A COI covers any potential damage during the move. However, you may want to consider purchasing additional insurance (on top of your apartment or homeowner’s insurance) to cover high-value items—family heirlooms, expensive art and antiques, a grand piano, etc.
Talk to a representative from your insurance company—or contact a broker if you don’t have an existing policy.
3. Oops, you forgot to book the service elevator
Never, ever assume the service elevator will be yours for the taking. As soon as you’ve scheduled the move date, speak to your super or property manager to reserve it. This is especially true on weekends, holidays, and during peak moving season (aka summer).
Know, too, that many Manhattan buildings prohibit the use of passenger elevators for moving—so if yours lacks a service elevator, your movers might have to take the stairs. Or if the elevator is not off-limits, they’ll be sharing it with your neighbors while the meter is running.
4. Getting hit with hidden fees
The goal is to have transparent pricing so you can budget for the move without worrying about annoying (and all-too-common) cost creep—such as when a company quotes you a low price, knowing they’ll need to tack on extra charges when they arrive.
To avoid this, work with companies that use item-based pricing rather than hourly or square footage structures. With this method, your quote is based on an itemized list of what you’re moving. If you decide to get rid of an item or add something new, the cost adjusts accordingly without surprise charges on moving day. The only thing not typically included is the optional but recommended tip for the moving crew.
5. Underestimating the amount of stuff
Many moving companies base the size of the move on the number of rooms in your current apartment. But one person’s two-bedroom can hold substantially more stuff than, say, a minimalist’s two-bedroom. Or maybe you live in a spacious loft that doesn’t have a specified number of bedrooms.
That’s why an itemized checklist provides a more accurate picture of what exactly is being moved—including the types and number of boxes you will need.
If you are self-packing (which many customers do), movers can often sell you boxes or rent reusable plastic bins and deliver them ahead of time. Pro tip: Declutter when packing and only move what you want to keep.
When packing, be mindful to protect breakables such as glasses and dishes. Also, avoid packing books in large or medium boxes, as they become too heavy to lift. Stick to small boxes for books.
6. Running into hiccups requiring a handyman
Imagine discovering your oversized sofa or queen-sized box spring won’t fit through the doorway or into the elevator of your Manhattan apartment. Or maybe you have an IKEA bookcase that needs disassembling on the spot, or a wall-mounted TV that requires taking down.
Some companies offer handyman services for these situations—so always ask in advance. Be sure to take measurements of furniture and entryways before moving day to prevent any surprises.
7. No communication during the move
A classic Manhattan moving story goes something like this: You’ve been waiting for hours for the truck with all your furniture to arrive at your new place. When calling the office, either the mailbox is full, or the person on the other end says they’ll call you right back—and never does.
To avoid this, get a realistic ETA from the movers so you know what to expect. Movers understand how long it takes to get from point A to point B, accounting for Manhattan traffic patterns. Clarify how breaks are handled, too, so you’re not left wondering where the team disappeared to.
If you’re planning a move in Manhattan and want a seamless experience without stress or hidden fees, Movers Not Shakers has you covered. As a trusted local moving company in Manhattan, we specialize in handling every detail—from navigating building restrictions to managing tricky furniture disassemblies—so you don’t have to. Visit us to learn more about our professional services and get a quote today!
