Moving anywhere can be difficult, but it’s especially hard in New York City. Not only do you have to deal with potentially shady brokers, but you also need to figure out how to get all of your belongings from point A to point B.
If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, you might be thinking that you should do all the packing and moving yourself to save some money. After all, you’ve probably heard the horror stories of professional movers in New York finding ways to double up your budget during the move. While there are some new york movers who will charge an arm and a leg, there are many more options, such as Great Movers, who can offer excellent service at an affordable price.
With that said, before you decide to move by yourself or hire movers, you might want to consider the pros and cons of both.
DIY Moving
Regardless of how many times you’ve moved, every move is different. For example, someone moving out of their college dorm will have different needs from a family of five moving out of their 4 bedroom apartment. As you would expect, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Depending on how much time (and muscle) you have a DIY move might be an option.
As the name suggests, a DIY move requires you to do everything yourself or with some help from friends (so long as you provide them with some free pizza after). A DIY move is labor-intensive as it requires you to do everything from packing to disassembling your furniture to loading and unloading the moving truck. That also means lugging your stuff up and down the stairs if you live in a walkup.
If you don’t have a lot of possessions, then a DIY move might be perfect as you can easily load up your belongings into a single truck within a few hours. Even if you do have a lot of stuff, a DIY move isn’t a bad option if you’re okay with putting in some sweat equity. You will end up spending only around $150-200 for a truck rental making it a very economical option for a residential move.
Before you call up the nearest truck rental service, make sure to factor in the non-monetary costs as well. A DIY move is a significant time investment and can be incredibly stressful. Not only do you have to deal with packing, loading, unpacking, etc. you also have to think about other factors that come with driving a big truck around the city. There are also a lot of potential issues you have to prepare for. For example, do you know where you can find a gas station in NYC that will service a twenty-six-foot truck? How do you arrange your belongings in the truck to minimize damage to your fragile items? Also, what happens if your truck breaks down? Do you know who to call in cases of emergency? Remember, in a DIY move you are responsible for everything so you’ll have to come with some backup plans in case something goes wrong.
Then there’s the issue of physical stress on your body when it comes to DIY moves. Unless you’re in very good shape, you’ll definitely be sore for the next few days after a move. Worst case scenario, you can really hurt yourself during a move if you lift improperly. There’s nothing worse than getting a slipped disc when trying to load up your truck. If you don’t have anyone else there to help you, you’ll then have to call in last-minute professionals to help you move. As you would imagine, last-minute anything in New York will cost a lot more money than if you had scheduled in advance.
Ultimately, moving yourself is always going to be cheaper than hiring local movers in new york. However, you need to weigh the amount of time and stress you’ll face when doing your own move. If you’re only moving a few boxes and no furniture, a DIY move is a great option. If that’s not the case, then you’ll want to look into moving companies in new york.
Professional Movers in NYC
Residential moving in New York has a lot of stages, but your first stage should be getting estimates from local residential moving companies. Unlike DIY moving where you control exactly how much you spend on packing materials, the truck, etc. some moving companies can be opaque on their costs and even include hidden charges and fees. Even if you get a quote over the phone, some non-reputable movers might give a different rate at the end to make sure that they maximize their profits. There are horror stories where people have been charged extra despite the movers showing up late and getting delayed.
Of course, not all moving companies in New York are trying to pull a fast one on you. There are plenty of reputable options (like us) who provide excellent customer service and listen to suggestions or recommendations during a move. A good full-service moving company can take care of your entire move from your packing to disassembling your furniture to transporting and unpacking in your new apartment.
One of the best things about full-service movers is that you don’t have to worry about anything, not even packing if you don’t want to. Of course, the more services you ask for the more expensive it will be. Depending on the number of items you have a full-service move could cost between $550-$2,000. Again, the cost will depend on how many services you require from the mover. If you pack all of your items and just require loading and unloading, the cost will likely be lower. If you don’t have the time to pack due to work or other circumstances, plenty of residential moving services offer a deluxe package that will do all the work for you.
In addition to the ease of hiring professional movers, you also receive moving coverage. Most companies provide basic liability coverage that will protect your belongings for $0.60 per pound. While that amount won’t be able to replace those delicate antiques, at least you will get something back. Many professional movers also provide more comprehensive coverage. Costs will vary from company to company, but you can call each mover to see what they offer. In addition to moving coverage, movers will also have their own coverage and often certificates of insurance to cover any potential damages to your old and new buildings.
Conclusion
Whether you decide to opt for a DIY or professional move, you will need to do your research. If you plan on going the professional route, you should look up the companies to make sure they are properly insured and licensed. You should also look up their reviews to see if there are any glaring issues.
What option you choose is up to you. While moving by yourself does give you more control and is more affordable, moving companies can provide you with a stress-free experience. If you have any questions about your move, or if you have any suggestions for us feel free to call us. We can be reached out at: (718) 306-9980
FAQ
Is Great Movers Licensed and Insured?
Yes. You can look us up by our license numbers: US DOT 2980117/NYS DOT 39493/MC 919428
How much does Great Movers cost?
Each move is different so if you would like to see if we can fit into your budget, make sure to request a quote.
What services does Great Movers offer?
We offer local and long-distance moving, packing, storage, and moving supplies.
