[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/choose-reliable-brooklyn-movers\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/choose-reliable-brooklyn-movers\/","headline":"How to Choose Reliable Brooklyn Movers","name":"How to Choose Reliable Brooklyn Movers","description":"Now that you\u2019ve finally found the Brooklyn apartment of your dreams, you\u2019ll need to start the moving process. […]","datePublished":"2024-09-17","dateModified":"2026-06-12","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/#Person","name":"Great Moving (Kevin)","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NYC Great Movers","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","width":600,"height":363}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/How-to-Choose-Reliable-Brooklyn-Movers.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/How-to-Choose-Reliable-Brooklyn-Movers.jpg","height":1260,"width":2240},"url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/choose-reliable-brooklyn-movers\/","about":["How To","Local Services and Resources"],"wordCount":1516,"keywords":["Brooklyn movers tips","Brooklyn moving company","choosing moving company","confirm licenses","DOT","find reliable movers","finding local movers","hire local movers","licensed moving company","moving company estimates","moving company referrals","moving company scams","moving process tips","moving to Brooklyn","NYC Great Movers","professional movers Brooklyn","trustworthy movers Brooklyn"],"articleBody":"Now that you\u2019ve finally found the Brooklyn apartment of your dreams, you\u2019ll need to start the moving process. While you might have gotten the hardest part out of the way, you still need to do your research to find a professional and reliable Brooklyn moving company. With hundreds of companies to choose from, it\u2019s easy for scammers and poorly run companies to blend in with the more legitimate Brooklyn movers. To avoid unnecessary headaches, below are some tips on how to find a trustworthy moving company.Hire LocalRegardless of whether you\u2019re moving to or from Brooklyn, you should hire movers who are local to your area. Not only do local movers know how to deal with all the crazy NYC traffic and parking regulations, they also know exactly how to navigate narrow halls and stairs, provide the necessary paperwork for landlords who request a certificate of insurance, and more. Plus, you get to save a little bit of money since the movers won\u2019t have to travel as far to help you with your move. Since many local movers charge by the hour, starting from when they leave the parking lot, you could potentially save $100 or more by hiring local Brooklyn movers. Local Brooklyn Movers vs Non-Local Movers#Apartment SizeTypical Local Move (Brooklyn) \u2014 RangeTypical Long-Distance Move \u2014 RangeTypical Local Move \u2014 HoursTypical Crew \/ Truck1Studio$300 \u2013 $900$900 \u2013 $2,5002 \u2013 4 hours2 movers, 1 truck21-Bedroom (1BR)$500 \u2013 $1,400$1,200 \u2013 $3,5003 \u2013 6 hours2 movers, 1 truck32-Bedroom (2BR)$800 \u2013 $2,000$1,800 \u2013 $4,5005 \u2013 8 hours3 movers, 1 truck43-Bedroom (3BR)$1,300 \u2013 $3,000$2,500 \u2013 $6,500+7 \u2013 12 hours3\u20134 movers, 1\u20132 trucksNotes: Local ranges reflect typical Brooklyn\/NYC hourly pricing and common add-ons (stairs, long carry, packing). Long-distance figures represent typical cross-state or cross-country moves and include transport + fuel + mileage. Always get at least 3 written estimates and compare crew size & hours as explained above.Get ReferralsBefore you even start looking online, go to friends, family members, and coworkers to see if they have any suggestions. You\u2019ll get the most honest reviews from them since they are completely disinterested third parties and, hopefully, want to make sure you don\u2019t get swindled. If you know someone who recently moved, go to them first, as their experience will be fresh in their mind, and ask about their move. Some questions to ask include:Was the initial estimate close to the final bill?Were the movers professional, and did they treat you with respect?How long did your move take?Was anything damaged or broken during the move? If so, how did the company handle the issue?What services did the movers offer?Did they show up on time?Did the movers communicate everything consistently and clearly?If you can\u2019t find anyone close to you who has moved recently, check out the online reviews at Google or Yelp. Just take them all with a grain of salt, as companies can pay people to leave positive reviews and, in many cases, can have negative reviews removed.Confirm LicensesYou\u2019re trusting complete strangers with the safety of your most precious belongings. Don\u2019t just hire the first company that turns up in your search! You want to make sure they have all the proper licenses and insurance to keep your possessions safe. In order to qualify and do business as movers, the company must register with the United States Department of Transportation (DOT). They must then prove that they are a legitimate company by providing necessary documentation, including proof of incorporation, insurance, and more. After that, they will receive their DOT number. Some states, including New York, require movers to also register with the state DOT.\u00a0CategoryNYC \/ New York State (2026)Why It MattersRegistered Movers (USDOT)\u2248 1,150+ companies in NYS\u2248 350+ based in NYCEvery legal mover must have a USDOT number issued by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation.NYSDOT Licensed Movers\u2248 280+ movers authorized for intrastate moves within New YorkRequired for moves that stay within New York State (Brooklyn to Queens, for example).Movers with BBB Profiles\u2248 75% of licensed NYC movers have Better Business Bureau profilesBBB profiles allow customers to check complaints, ratings, and dispute history.Consumer Complaints Filed (NYC Movers)\u2248 1,800+ complaints in 2024 reported to NY Attorney General & DOT(Top issues: hidden fees, hostage goods, damage claims)Highlights the importance of checking the complaint history before booking.Movers Operating Without a LicenseAn estimated 10\u201315% of companies advertise in NYCUnlicensed movers pose the highest scam risk \u2014 they often offer very low quotes.Notes: Figures are based on 2025\u20132026 DOT and New York State transportation reports plus consumer protection statistics. Always verify a mover\u2019s USDOT and NYSDOT numbers online before hiring. In compliance with the law, all professional Brooklyn moving companies must have their number displayed prominently on their website. That way, customers can navigate to the DOT website and enter the number to ensure all the company\u2019s licenses are up-to-date. You should also check out their company profile on the Better Business Bureau for any formal complaints.Call Potential CompaniesOnce you\u2019ve narrowed down your choices to 5 or 6 companies, it\u2019s time to reach out to them. Before you do that, write down a list of questions you have for the company related to your move, and if you need any extra services like packing, storage, moving materials, etc. As well, don\u2019t forget to cover the following topics:Whether they have any other fees like stairs, long carry, etc.How long will it take to move\u00a0If they can provide any referencesHow much do you need to pack before the movers arrive and how? Some companies require you to have everything in boxes, while others will let you keep your clothes in your dressers, so long as you wrap it upTheir claims process if anything gets damaged or brokenCancellation and\/or rescheduling feesIf you have a unique requirement like moving a piano or a large piece of furniture, make sure to write that down as a question. Now that you\u2019re armed with questions, call up every potential moving company and pay attention to how they act over the phone. Do they greet you professionally and use their business name? Do they answer your questions with ease and confidence? Or are they trying to dodge the questions and\/or get angry when you ask? If you notice any hint of anger or if it sounds like they don\u2019t know what they\u2019re talking about, end the conversation and cross them off the list!Get EstimatesOnce you\u2019ve narrowed down your choices, ask for estimates. Get at least three estimates from different moving services and compare them. While there are slight variations between companies, you probably won\u2019t see more than a $10-$25 difference. If one estimate is significantly lower or higher than the others, it\u2019s a red flag that these Brooklyn movers are not reliable. Average Moving Costs in Brooklyn by Apartment Size (2026)Apartment SizeTypical Local Move (Brooklyn) \u2014 RangeTypical Long-Distance Move \u2014 RangeTypical Local Move \u2014 HoursTypical Crew \/ TruckStudio$300 \u2013 $900$900 \u2013 $2,5002 \u2013 4 hours2 movers, 1 truck1-Bedroom (1BR)$500 \u2013 $1,400$1,200 \u2013 $3,5003 \u2013 6 hours2 movers, 1 truck2-Bedroom (2BR)$800 \u2013 $2,000$1,800 \u2013 $4,5005 \u2013 8 hours3 movers, 1 truck3-Bedroom (3BR)$1,300 \u2013 $3,000$2,500 \u2013 $6,500+7 \u2013 12 hours3\u20134 movers, 1\u20132 trucksNotes: Local ranges reflect typical Brooklyn\/NYC hourly pricing and common add-ons (stairs, long carry, packing). Long-distance figures represent typical cross-state or cross-country moves and include transport + fuel + mileage. Always get at least 3 written estimates and compare crew size & hours as explained above. Once you have the estimates, see which company matches your needs and budget the best. If one company has a slightly lower offer, bring it up with the company you want to work with. More often than not, they will match their competitors. If you\u2019re a student, senior citizen, or active or retired military, see if the company provides a discount. Otherwise, you can always ask if they have any special deals going on. While you probably won\u2019t get any deals during peak moving season between April through September, you might be able to negotiate a lower price during off-peak season.Work with NYC Great MoversIf you\u2019re ready to make your Brooklyn move, then give NYC Great Movers a call. We have years of experience moving people to every corner of Brooklyn and beyond. Whether you are moving a piece of furniture or a 3-bedroom apartment, we\u2019ve got you covered. Reach out, and we\u2019ll help walk you through the process and help customize your moving plan. FAQ                    \t\t\t\tDo moving companies ever cancel a move and what happens if they do?                \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\tIn very rare circumstances will moving companies cancel a scheduled move and that\u2019s usually only for natural disasters or a severe accident. The movers will contact you immediately to reschedule.                                                        \t\t                    \t\t\t\t Do I need to tip my Brooklyn movers?                \t\t\t\t\t                    \t\t\t\t\t\tWhile tipping isn\u2019t required, it is good etiquette especially if the movers performed within your expectation. The rule of thumb is to tip 15-20% of the final bill or $15-20 per person per hour. Of course, if the movers didn\u2019t perform well (unprofessional, rude, damaged your belongings, showed up late, etc.) you don\u2019t need to tip them.                                                        \t\t    {\t\t\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\t\t\"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\t\t\"mainEntity\": [\t\t\t\t{\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Question\",\t\t\t\t\"name\": \"Do moving companies ever cancel a move and what happens if they do?\",\t\t\t\t\"acceptedAnswer\": {\t\t\t\t\t\"@type\": \"Answer\",\t\t\t\t\t\"text\": \"In very rare circumstances will moving companies cancel a scheduled move and that\u2019s usually only for natural disasters or a severe accident. 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