Getting ready to move to a new place in NYC? You may have noticed, that the city has plenty of moving companies to choose from. You may find yourself in the paradox of choice – the more options you have, the harder it is to decide.
It’s crucial to make sure you find a reputable, reliable company. After all, they are going to be trusted with all of your most precious things. Thankfully, there are some great moving companies amongst the candidates. Unfortunately, there are also some not-so-great ones.
If the pressure of making the right choice is overwhelming, we’re here to help. We’ve put together some tips to help you pick the best moving company in NYC so you can move with peace of mind.
1. Check for Referrals
A great place to narrow down your options is by asking people you trust for recommendations. Friends, family, and colleagues can tell you about their first-hand experience with a mover. Ask around, and see if anyone you know has moved to NYC recently. Ask about their move, and what it was like to work with their moving company.
You’ll want a mover that is communicative, on time, and professional. More than that, you want to be sure there were no surprise fees at the end of the move. Any ideal move is incident-free, but sometimes things happen. The most important thing is how the moving company handles any issues that may arise.
2. Confirm Licenses
When trusting movers with all of your earthy possessions, you want to be sure they’re licensed and insured. Perhaps those strong guys who rent a van can haul your stuff, but do you want to leave it to chance? The best moving companies in NYC have all of the right paperwork in order.
Before you consider a mover, verify their business license. Do your due diligence by checking the basics: their professional website and online presence, to start. Call the mover at their listed number, and check how they answer the phone. Do they greet you professionally and use the business name?
You can verify a moving company’s operating history and validity with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). They’ll have a record of formal complaints, which can be useful when you’re vetting a mover.
3. Choose Someone Who Knows NYC
We don’t have to tell you: New York City is like no other. While you may be used to navigating the city in your day-to-day life, moving is a different experience altogether. Busy streets, limited (okay, most often, no) street parking, and tight spaces to negotiate through make moving complicated.
A reputable and experienced NYC mover will take it all in stride. They’ll know exactly how to get between your current and future homes with as little disruption or stress as possible. They’ll know the laws for parking and moving into buildings, too. Moving into a walk-up or an apartment with tight doorways? The best NYC moving company has it all covered. Talk to your potential movers and get a feel for their experience.
4. Do Your Research
Even if you have a recommendation from someone you know, it pays to do a little research of your own. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy in this day and age to get information on moving companies.
Check sites like Facebook, Google Maps, and Yelp for reviews from previous customers. You don’t want to just look for glowing reviews, of course. Keep an eye out for red flags as well. If you notice a trend in complaints and let that serve as a warning. If many people mention surprise fees or expectations not met, it might be a sign to keep looking.
5. Start Early
It goes without saying: there are a lot of movers in NYC because there are a lot of people moving in NYC. The best moving companies have busy schedules, so it’s important to start hunting (and booking) early. If you procrastinate, you run the risk of either finding the perfect moving company once they’re all booked up or needing to adjust your schedule to suit.
The busiest times for moving are late spring through early fall, weekends, and holidays. If you’re looking to move on a weekend in June, you’ll have some stiff competition. Get in early, and allow yourself time to research, vet, and book your moving company without pressure.