[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/expert-moving-company-in-nyc\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/expert-moving-company-in-nyc\/","headline":"5 Signs You\u2019re Hiring an Expert Moving Company in NYC","name":"5 Signs You\u2019re Hiring an Expert Moving Company in NYC","description":"When you spend money to hire professional NYC movers, you expect a certain level of professionalism in their […]","datePublished":"2015-12-21","dateModified":"2026-07-02","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\/2015\/12\/5-Signs-Youre-Hiring-an-Expert-Moving-Company-in-NYC.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/5-Signs-Youre-Hiring-an-Expert-Moving-Company-in-NYC.jpg","height":1151,"width":1152},"url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/expert-moving-company-in-nyc\/","about":["Moving Tips"],"wordCount":1904,"keywords":["Brooklyn movers","Expert Moving Company","local movers nyc","movers Brooklyn","Movers in NYC","Movers New York","movers nyc","Moving Companies NYC","Moving Company NYC","New York Movers","NYC Movers","NYC moving companies"],"articleBody":"When you spend money to hire professional NYC movers, you expect a certain level of professionalism in their attitude, services, and, most importantly, results. After all, hiring expert movers means that you don\u2019t have to worry about anything besides potentially packing and disassembling some furniture. However, not all movers are created equal. Yes, there are experienced movers that you can trust, but there are plenty of other shady companies that will provide you with subpar service.Most of the time, people end up hiring incompetent movers because they are looking for a bargain. That\u2019s not to say you can\u2019t find good and affordable city movers; it just means that you need to do a bit more homework instead of hiring the cheapest movers in New York City. So how do you know if the people you\u2019re hiring actually know what they\u2019re doing? There are several things you should look for.They Are Properly LicensedAll professional movers are required by law to be registered and authorized by both the United States Department of Transportation to perform moving services. In addition to the standard license from the USDOT, many states require moving companies to register for a state license.An expert moving company in NYC will proudly list both license numbers in an easy-to-find place on their website. If you can\u2019t find it, you can always call and ask for their license numbers. Most will be happy to provide it. From there, you\u2019ll need to enter the number on the FMCSA site to make sure that the license is still valid. You\u2019ll want to look for the following fields:Out of service – this should say NO, which means the license is still validHousehold Goods – this should say YES, which means they are licensed to move household goodsSafety Ranking – this should say SATISFACTORY, which means that they are probably following safety procedures and using the equipment properly.They Offer InsuranceYou know you\u2019re choosing a trustworthy moving company when they have their own insurance policy. All moving companies are required to assume liability for any item they move. That way, if an item is damaged at any point during the move, the company will reimburse you. Of course, not all liability coverage is created equal.Most moving companies offer the basic protection, also known as Released Value. This protection comes at no charge, but it does only reimburse you for $0.60 per pound, per item, and it doesn\u2019t allow punitive damage claims. While the reimbursement might seem reasonable at first glance, remember that it\u2019s $0.60 per pound. That means if your 15-pound flat screen TV gets damaged, you\u2019re only getting reimbursed $9. Types of Moving Insurance ExplainedInsurance TypeCoverage per Pound \/ ItemCostProsConsReleased Value Protection (Basic)$0.60 per pound per itemFree (included with most moves)No extra cost; provides minimal protectionVery low reimbursement; doesn\u2019t cover full replacement; no punitive damagesFull Value ProtectionFull repair or replacement valueExtra cost (varies by company & move size)Full coverage for damaged or lost items; peace of mindHigher cost; may require an inventory list and documentationSupplemental \/ Optional InsuranceCustom coverage limitsVariesCovers high-value or specialty items beyond standard limitsAdditional paperwork; separate cost; not always requiredWorker\u2019s Compensation InsuranceN\/AIncluded by licensed moversProtects you from liability if a mover gets injuredOnly covers movers, not your belongingsPublic Liability \/ General LiabilityN\/AIncluded by licensed moversCovers damage to property or injury to third partiesDoesn\u2019t cover your personal belongings directly Luckily, most reputable moving companies also offer full value protection, but it\u2019s not free. With that said, if you own a lot of valuable items, it might be worth the extra cost for some peace of mind. As the name suggests, Full Value Protection means the movers will assume the full cost of repairs or the replacement value of any goods that have been damaged or gone missing while in their custody.In addition to protecting your belongings, you should also make sure the company has both workers\u2019 compensation and public liability insurance. Both will protect you against potential injury claims should a mover or passerby sustain injury during the move. Instead, the moving company will take full responsibility.They Have a Good ReputationThanks to the internet, it\u2019s now easier than ever to quickly see whether a company is reputable or not. Barring review bombing, most people who leave reviews for companies either do so because they had a great or a horrible experience. Sites like Yelp, Google, and the Yellow Pages serve as excellent references on the company and give you an idea of what to expect. Of course, even the best companies might get a bad review, but you can tell the mark of an expert moving company because they will respond professionally and work to rectify the issue as soon as possible. NYC Moving Company Reputation ScoresCompany NameGoogle \/ Yelp Rating (Approx.)Number of ReviewsBBB Rating \/ NotesDyno Moving\u2b50 4.6 (Google) \/ \u2b50 4.7 (Yelp)Google: ~200+ \/ Yelp: ~900+Strong reputation for punctuality and transparency.Veteran Movers NYC LLC\u2b50 4.5 (Google) \/ \u2b50 4.6 (Yelp)~500+ total reviewsHighly rated for professionalism and veteran staff.NYC Great Movers\u2b50 4.6 (Google) \/ \u2b50 4.5 (Trustpilot)Google: 700+ \/ Trustpilot: 120+Trusted NYC mover with over a decade of service.JP Urban Moving\u2b50 4.9 (Google) \/ \u2b50 5.0 (Yelp)Google: 240+ \/ Yelp: 200+Excellent service record and strong customer feedback.Divine Moving & Storage\u2b50 4.9 (Google) \/ \u2b50 4.5 (Yelp)Google: 300+ \/ Yelp: 220+A+ BBB rating; praised for reliability and quick response. You can also check more professional sites like the Better Business Bureau, which keeps track of complaints lodged against a company. Generally speaking, the BBB rating and the user reviews tend to line up. However, there are companies who post and\/or buy fake reviews. If you notice a discrepancy between the number of complaints on the BBB site and user reviews, then you probably want to avoid using that moving company.They Answer Your Questions ClearlyWhen you\u2019re looking for a moving company, it might seem like they are at an advantage, but you have all the leverage in the beginning, so make sure to take advantage of it. There are hundreds of inexpensive movers in New York, and you want to make sure you\u2019re choosing the right one for you. That means you need to take the time to ask them important questions, such as:How long have they been in businessDo they have the appropriate tools and vehicles for the moveDo they have experience with your particular move (ex., moving a piano, moving into a high-rise)What extra fees do they charge (long carry, stairs, etc) Essential Questions to Ask Your MoversQuestionWhy It\u2019s ImportantWhat to Look for in the AnswerAre you licensed and insured?Verifies legitimacy and compliance with state and federal laws.Mover provides USDOT and NYSDOT numbers, plus proof of insurance.How long have you been in business?Shows experience and reliability.Look for 5+ years of operation and consistent positive reviews.Do you offer written, binding estimates?Protects you from hidden fees or price changes after the move.Mover provides a clear, written estimate with all charges listed.What kind of insurance coverage do you provide?Ensures your belongings are financially protected during transit.They explain both Released Value and Full Value Protection options.Do you have experience with my type of move?Different moves (high-rise, long-distance, piano, etc.) require specific skills.They should confidently describe similar moves they\u2019ve completed successfully.What extra fees might apply?Prevents surprise charges for stairs, elevators, or long carries.They clearly list potential fees upfront with estimated costs.Can you provide references or recent reviews?Validates their reputation and past customer satisfaction.They readily share client testimonials or direct links to Google\/Yelp reviews.What documents will I receive before the move?Confirms that the company follows legal and professional standards.Expect Order of Service, Bill of Lading, and Inventory List before moving day.Do you subcontract or handle all moves in-house?Determines who is actually responsible for your belongings.Best answer: they perform all moves with their own trained employees.How do you handle damages or claims?Shows accountability and customer service reliability.They explain a straightforward claims process with realistic timelines. If they\u2019re having a hard time answering these questions, it means that they are either scammers or bad movers. Remember, even if you asked for a quote, it\u2019s non-binding and you\u2019re able to move on if you don\u2019t like what you hear. If you\u2019re ready to work with a moving company, make sure that they provide all the required documents, like the order of service, Bill of Lading, valuation addendum, inventory lists, receipts, etc., and read them over very carefully to confirm all the details. If something isn\u2019t clear or not included, do not sign!They Have ExperienceHow long has the company been in business? The longer the movers have been around, the more experience they have dealing with different obstacles, circumstances, requirements, and challenges. A company that has a long tenure also means that they provide a service that enough people find satisfactory enough to remain open. So, before you sign that contract, check to see how long the company has been open. Sure, not all new moving companies are scams, but many scammers tend to start new companies when their old one gets flagged in the Better Business Bureau or get a lot of negative reviews on Yelp.Speaking of experience, if you own large furniture items like a piano, antique furniture, pool table, etc., you should make sure the company has experience moving them. While these items might be heavy, they are also quite delicate and require certain care and treatment to make sure that they remain undamaged. It\u2019s also important that the movers know how to deal with different building situations. Again, experienced NYC movers will know the various requirements of buildings and will be able to provide important documents like a certificate of insurance should a building require it.ConclusionFinding an expert moving company in NYC isn\u2019t impossible, but it does require some planning and research. You might not get the most affordable packers and movers, but the extra cost means you\u2019re getting a trustworthy moving service.Even if everything seems to line up, if you just have a bad feeling about the company, trust it. You might not be able to pinpoint the exact reason why the company is setting off alarms, but it\u2019s important to go with your gut. Doing so allows you to stay in control of the situation, which can be the difference between having your belongings arrive safe and sound in your new home.FAQIs NYC Great Movers Licensed?You bet. Our license numbers are as follows: US DOT 2180117 \/ NYS DOT 39493\/MC 919428How long have you been in operation?We have been around since 2011 and have only grown in size and reputation since.Do you move special items like pianos?We can move pianos. For other large items, you should contact us directly to provide more information on the item. Please note that we only offer basic disassembly, so for anything that requires special tools (ex. Murphy bed), you will need to do it yourself or hire a handyman."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"5 Signs You\u2019re Hiring an Expert Moving Company in NYC","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/expert-moving-company-in-nyc\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]