General:
How long have you been in business?
Great Movers has been around since 2011 and we continue to provide top-notch service at affordable prices.
Do you subcontract? Are you a broker?
No and no. All our movers are our employees. We vet each for professionalism, reliability, and trustworthiness. So when you hire us, you know you’re getting quality service.
What precautions are you taking to make sure your movers are COVID-19 free?
We monitor our movers’ temperature every morning before they leave for work. If they have a fever, we send them home. We also sanitize our trucks on a daily basis. Our movers also all are required to wear masks and gloves and maintain a safe distance from our clients. You can learn more about our COVID-19 response here.
Please note that we will not be held liable for any damages if a customer or member of the community gets sick, from COVID-19. You use our business at your own risk, and we will not be held liable for any illness, injury, or death.
What is the best day of the week to move?
We don’t charge extra regardless of whether it’s during the workday or weekend unlike other moving companies so it really depends on what you want. In general, the best time to move is on a Sunday as there’s less traffic. However, many doorman buildings do not allow weekend moves. In these cases, you should try to aim for the middle of the week as many people do not move on these days, thus giving you more options for elevator times. Plus, if anything goes wrong it will be easy to contact our offices during the work week!
How far in advance should I plan and book my move?
As we work on a first come, first serve basis the earlier you can book your move the better your chances that we will be available. We generally recommend booking at least one month in advance. With that said, we have worked with people who needed to move within a week or even a day so it’s always a good idea to fill out our online form to get an estimate. We will get back to you as soon as possible to let you know if we can help or not.
Will inclement weather affect the moving process?
Bad weather can affect the delivery window as roads might be blocked in severe weather conditions. For everything else, weather should not affect your move.
What is a full-service move?
A full-service move is just what it sounds like. You get everything from packing to disassembling to the actual moving. Naturally, this will cost you more as the movers have to spend more time doing everything for you! However, if you don’t have the time to pack yourself and you have the money, it’s a great option as you’ll know everything is being packed properly.
How do I organize my move?
There’s a lot of moving parts when it comes to moving so it is important to stay organized. Here are a few things you can do to make your move easier:
- Keep all important moving documents in one place such as your lease, moving quotes, photos related to the move, etc.
- Start decluttering your belongings at least 4-8 weeks before your move so you have time to donate and/or sell items you no longer need
- Consider and compare moving insurance if you have a lot of expensive items
- Research and choose a moving company in your area
- Get in touch with doctors, child’s school, etc. to make sure you have the necessary paperwork for your new location
- Request the appropriate moving paperwork from your new and old location
- Schedule the utility cut off in your old place and turn on in your new location
Pricing:
Do you provide a flat rate or are your rates hourly?
We provide an hourly rate that is broken down into 30-minute increments. So if your move will take 2 hours and 45 minutes, we will round up to 3 hours. Please note that the price quote that we provide to you is our minimum charge and not the actual cost of the move. The minimum price will always be charged even if the move is completed faster than the estimated hours.
Please note that even if you reduce or add a couple of items to the move it will not impact the rate. With that said, if you add enough items to impact how long the move will take, this will affect the final cost so it’s always best to be as accurate as possible when providing details of your move.
What is the travel time included in my estimate?
Travel time is added to cover the time spent traveling between the mover’s warehouse to your old apartment and then back to the warehouse from your new apartment. This fee is already included in your estimate as Travel Time. This is a flat fee so you don’t have to worry about it changing in the final invoice.
Are there any other fees I need to worry about?
We generally charge between $10-20 stair fee per flight of stairs. We do NOT have a long-carry charge.
How long is the estimate valid for?
We work on a first-come, first-serve basis. The estimate is valid for as long as we have moving slots available for the day of your move. In order to lock down the detailed quote, you will need to confirm the date and pay a $100 deposit.
What is included in my move?
We provide basic disassembly/assembly of furniture items such as bed frames, dining tables, etc. We do NOT assemble/disassemble items such as murphy beds, IKEA wardrobes, couches, or other pieces of furniture that require specialized tools.
We will also wrap all of your furniture items in blankets to prevent damage, dismount your TV, uninstall your AC unit, cover your mattress in a plastic mattress cover, provide three wardrobe boxes to you on a rental basis, and will provide the necessary equipment like tape, tools, and dollies. Even if you decline these complementary services, it will not affect your total cost so you might as well take advantage of them!
Any packing materials required beyond what we provide such as masonite boards, wall protection, and floor protection will incur an extra charge. While you can pack these, we suggest you keep all legal documents, jewelry, and currency on your person to ensure they don’t get lost or damaged.
What is NOT included in the move?
We do not install any items (AC unit, TV) in the new destination for safety reasons. We also will not take off curtain rods. While we can disassemble L shaped couches, we do not disassemble 2 or 3 seater couches. We also do not assemble cribs for safety reasons. While we can pack and move your plants, we do not take any responsibility if they are damaged during the move so we highly suggest that you pack and move them yourself for safety reasons.
Why is the material charge an estimate?
The material charge listed on your quote is an estimate as it can not be calculated until the movers have arrived at your location. The charges can be applied to things like packing your delicate items like TVs, mirrors, lamps, etc. It also depends on the boxes that we will have to use and customize to suit your belongings. The material charges can go up or down depending on usage.
When will I be charged for the move?
Once you have paid the deposit, you will be charged the remaining balance after the move has been completed
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash or credit card. We do not accept Venmo, PayPal, or checks. Please note that paying by credit card will result in a 5% merchant fee that will be added to your bill.
Should I tip the moving crew?
Yes! The tip is not included in the final quote. In general, we recommend tipping the crew 15-20 percent of the total cost of the move. You can pay the tip in cash or with your credit card.
If I’m paying cash, who do I give the money to?
Please provide any cash payments to the Foreman/Lead movers. You will be given an itemized receipt of your cash payment for your records.
What if I need to reschedule or cancel my move?
Please cancel or reschedule at least 3-days before the scheduled date of your move. If you cancel within that time frame, we will refund your deposit. While we do understand that things happen, any rescheduling or cancellation that happens less than 3-days before your move will incur a 100 percent penalty as per the estimate.
Protection & Insurance:
Is NYC Great Movers Licensed and Insured?
Yes. You can look us up via the US Department of Transportation by entering in license 2180117 or with our New York State Department of Transportation license 39493/MC 919428
When you move with us, you’re also protected from liability. We have general liability coverage, worker’s compensation, automobile liability, and umbrella liability.
Can you provide a COI?
Absolutely. Please make sure to request a sample COI from the appropriate building to make sure we have all the necessary coverage and boxes filled in to make the move as seamless as possible. We charge $50 for a single building and $80 for two buildings. You can get more info about COI here.
What kind of protection do you offer me should my belongings get damaged?
Our customers are protected by the federal default released valuation coverage of $0.60/lb per item ($0.30/lb per item in New York State). Our liability only extends to items that are damaged while under our care, control, and custody. If you would like additional coverage for your belongings, you can use our partners: Moving Insurance or Baker International.
What happens if your company gets a parking ticket during the move?
You don’t have to worry about it, unless it is your car who got the ticket.
Can I ride in the truck with the movers?
No, you will have to travel to the new location in your own car or via public transportation for safety and liability reasons.
How do I spot fake movers?
It can sometimes be hard to spot fake movers, but generally speaking they will be very cagey when you start asking too many questions. This is especially true if you ask for their Department of Transportation number and/or insurance information. Many will also try to pressure you into paying a large deposit upfront. If you notice these red flags, run!
How will you protect my furniture?
We will wrap your furniture in moving blankets to avoid damage.
What happens if you damage the buildings when you move?
Our foreman will contact the building management to let them know and then work out a payment.
How will you protect my fragile items?
We highly suggest you label any boxes or items as fragile so that we know to handle them with care. We will then make sure to load it properly in our truck to ensure nothing gets crushed.
How do I pack my boxes so nothing gets damaged?
Here are a few guidelines:
- Keep similar items in the same box
- Pack by room and mark boxes so you and the movers know where they should be placed
- Use small boxes for heavy items like books
- Use medium boxes for fragile items and electronics
- Use large boxes for linens, sheets, and clothes
- Your box weight should not exceed 50 pounds
During & After The Move:
How do I confirm my reservation?
Once you have looked over the quote and read the contract, you can eSign the estimate. In order to book your date, you will have to provide a $100 deposit. After the payment is received, we will send a confirmation email detailing all of the information such as moving date, addresses, total cost, etc.
What time will the movers arrive?
This will be determined by the customer service/dispatch department. We will let you know when the movers will arrive at least 48 hours prior to the move date.
What is a delivery window?
A delivery window is a window of time when we will move all of your belongings from your old place to your new one and is dependent on the size and distance of your move. You or someone else needs to present to accept the move to your new home.
What items should I leave for the movers to pack?
You should avoid packing odd-shaped items like lamps, glass tabletops, marble tops, etc. Just note that this will lead to a material charge.
I don’t have a box for my picture frames, artwork, mirrors, etc. How should I pack them?
We can customize the boxes you already have to wrap these items. A material charge for the boxes will be added to your final bill.
I need to store my belongings, do you have storage options?
Yes, we do. You can request an estimate for packing and moving here.
Who do I contact after the move if I have any issues?
You can call us: 718-407-4137 or email us info@nycgreatmovers.com.
I have other questions not answered here.
Please call us: 718-407-4137 or email us at info@nycgreatmovers.com and we will answer your questions.
Local Moves:
What parts of New York do you provide your services in?
We service the entire state as well as the NY-NJ-CT area.
Do I need to stay with movers while they work?
You or someone on your behalf (provide the name and contact information to us beforehand) will have to be there to meet the foreman and crew.
What time will the movers arrive?
This will be determined by the customer service/dispatch department.We will let you know at least 48 hours prior to the move date.
Long Distance:
How do I move cross-country?
Moving cross-country requires a lot more planning and foresight than a standard local move. When hiring professional moving services, always check to make sure they are licensed by the Department of Transportation and look them up on Yelp and the Better Business Bureau. After that, follow these steps:
- Keep a detailed inventory of all of your items
- Prioritize the items that you need when you just move into your new home
- Properly label all boxes and include your name
- Pack all boxes even more securely (doubly so for fragile items) as the longer it’s on the road, the higher the risk of damage
How long does it take for my items to arrive?
It depends on the length of the trip. We try to get everything delivered ASAP and within your delivery window.