How to Find Last Minute Movers in New York City

Planning and preparing well in advance is the key to a successful move. However, sometimes life likes to throw a curveball. There are plenty of reasons why you might need to hire last-minute moving help including a new job, breakup, or a great deal on the perfect apartment. Whatever your reason, you need movers and you need them fast.

Unfortunately, finding cheap, last-minute movers can be challenging. Most residential moving companies require at least a couple of weeks to find the team and trucks. Now with COVID-19, it can be even harder to find next day movers as many people are either leaving the city or moving to a more affordable apartment. Of those that are available, they may end up charging premium rates.

Of course, you still have to move. So what can you do to make sure that you’re getting reliable next day movers?

Know What You’re Going to Move

When planning a move, you sort out your belongings and make an inventory in advance of everything that you’re bringing with you. Unfortunately, it’s a little harder to plan when you only have a couple of days (if that) to prepare. With that said, you don’t want to skip this step. This is the first thing you should when preparing for your last-minute move as you will need to let your local residential movers know how many boxes and pieces of furniture they will need to transport.

You’ll need to set aside some time as soon as possible to go through your possessions and separate them out into piles that you will keep and that you will get rid of. Instead of tossing all the items into the trash, post a message on Craiglist or Facebook listing out all the items you’re leaving behind and where they can pick them up. You can also call some friends and family over to pick up some unwanted items they need or like. For clothes, you can always drop them off at your local thrift shop. Or, if you don’t want to deal with any of this, you can call a pick-up company that will donate or recycle your items.

Whatever option you choose, you want to reduce how much stuff you have as this can affect your overall moving cost. The less time it takes your movers, the cheaper it will be. If you have the time, take photos of the items you’re going to take with you so you remember exactly what you’ve entrusted to the residential moving and packing company you’ve hired.

Find Reliable Movers

Once you know where you’re moving and what you’re bringing with you, it’s time to find movers. While you might be able to rent a moving truck, it will definitely make the day a lot more stressful as you will have to arrange the details, prepare all of your items, and then make the trip in a super short time. Just renting a moving truck can be a challenge as most are reserved weeks in advance.

Same day moving companies have the resources and ability to get you packed up and moving efficiently. Of course, not all movers are created equal. While you might not have a lot of time, you should still take the time to do your research. When looking for reliable and experienced last-minute movers you should do the following:

  • Make sure they have the ability to do short notice moves who can provide service as soon as possible. Not all moving companies can handle a quick turnaround so this is a great way to narrow your choices. For best results, fill out an online moving quote form and the movers who are able to accommodate your request will get in touch with you within an hour or so.
  • Research the movers who responded to your initial request. While you won’t have time for in-depth research you can find information on the company quickly by checking their USDOT number, checking their Better Business Bureau rating, reading reviews on Yelp, call the FMCSA safety violation and consume complaints hotline.
  • Get estimates and see which one fits your budget. Make sure to ask if there are any extra charges such as same-day fees, stair charges, long carry charges, etc. That way you won’t be surprised by the final bill.
  • Compare the offers and make your final decision. Don’t just consider the price, but also the services, reviews, and any extra conditions.

Double Check Everything

No matter how little time you have, make sure to double-check everything. Take one last look at your home to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything. Before you move out, make sure to give your old apartment a final clean. If you don’t have the time, hire a professional cleaning service to do the job for you. You should also make sure to pack all of your essentials in one box so you don’t have to dig through all your boxes to find your toothbrush and toothpaste. Also, collect all your important documents and valuable possessions and keep them with you at all times to ensure they don’t get lost or damaged.

Another huge thing to take care of before you move is your utilities. You don’t want to wait any longer than necessary to get access to things like the internet, gas, and/or electricity. Call your local company to get everything turned on by the time you move in. If you can’t, try to schedule them as soon as possible.

Conclusion

A regular move is already stressful and difficult. Compound all the issues within a very limited time frame and you have a recipe for potential disaster. There are many scam companies that will try to take advantage of you by offering same-day moving services at an exorbitant price. Luckily, if you are able to stay calm and maintain focus, your residential relocation doesn’t have to end in tears. If anything, the right moving company can make your last-minute move a seamless experience.

FAQ

Does NYC Great Movers provide same-day moves?

We do! While we can’t guarantee that we will have a team and truck available, you can always contact us and we will reach out if we have anything available.

If I don’t have time to pack, do you provide packing services?

We do offer packing services, though if you have some time, it’s always better to pack yourself as you will remember what items are in what boxes.

How much would a same-day move cost?

It depends on the size of your apartment, how long it will take, and a few other things. You can fill out our online quote form for more information.