How far in advance should I hire movers in NYC?

You always want to book your movers as soon as possible. Giving them a month or two in advance for a local move is generally considered good etiquette. Keep in mind that the summer months, from May to September, tend to be the busiest. If you know your lease is up around that time, you may want to book sooner rather than later.

How much should I pay for movers in NYC?

The price you pay will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the number of items being transported, mileage, whether there are any stairs or elevators in your new building, and whether or not you need help packing. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50 to more than $100 per mover per hour.

Do you tip movers in NYC?

Generally, yes. It is never mandatory, but since they work in a service industry, it is polite to tip them, even more so if you feel that they did an outstanding job. Other considerations for tipping include whether they had to move a lot of heavy furniture upstairs in a walk-up building or if the weather conditions were particularly dreary on your moving day.

What is the cheapest way to move in NYC?

The cheapest way to move is to do most of it yourself. You can hire a container company like PODS to supply the vehicle and the driving. The packing, loading, and unloading would fall under your responsibility, but you would be saving on labor costs. Another way to save is to get creative about where you find your moving supplies. You can ask for boxes, tape, and bubble wrap in your local Buy Nothing Group, or you could go ask your local grocery store if it has any cardboard boxes it can give you.

What is the cheapest month to move in NYC?

There's never a downtime for moving in NYC, but prices are significantly higher during the summer. The period of time from the end of September through April is generally a good time to schedule a move because the demand is lower and moving companies are more inclined to offer good deals. Before you book with any company, make sure to get multiple quotes so you can ask your preferred company to price match your best offer.

Best Moving Companies in NYC in 2023

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Choosing a moving company in NYC is similar to picking an apartment. There are a lot of options, but your decision will most likely come down to a few key factors. The best moving companies in NYC are the ones with affordable rates, superb customer service, and a wide range of offerings, from packing assistance to storage solutions.

In a city where traffic seems to get worse by the day, it’s important to book a service that offers either a flat rate or a very competitive hourly rate. And experienced NYC movers should be well-versed in many of the buildings' moving requirements, providing the necessary paperwork without any hassle. To make your transition a little easier, we've created a detailed guide to the best NYC moving companies.

Best Moving Companies in NYC

Best Overall: Wheaton World Wide Moving
Best Customer Service: Atlas Van Lines
Best for Self Service: PODS
Best for Interstate Moves: Allied Van Lines
Best for Packing Services: United Van Lines
Best for Small Loads: Sweet Lou Moves You
Best for Last-Minute Bookings: Piece of Cake Moving & Storage
Best for Sustainability: Movers, Not Shakers!

Best Overall: Wheaton World Wide Moving

Wheaton World Wide

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 50 states
Moving Options: Local, long distance, and some international locations
Initial Deposit Required? No

Pros & Cons

Pros

No deposit required
Partners with local companies
Full-service move

Cons

Need to call for quote
Issues with the local company may not always be resolved by Wheaton

Why It Made the List

It doesn’t matter if you’re moving from Brooklyn to Queens, from Staten Island to North Dakota, or from Manhattan to Canada, Wheaton World Wide Moving has you covered. It is able to provide this service by tapping into its network of Wheaton agents, a web of local companies across the nation. You can rest assured that you’ll always get the best white-glove moving experience, as all agents within the Wheaton network are extensively vetted and committed to following the company’s high standard of performance.

The company offers full- and partial-service moves, meaning the movers can come to your home and pack all your belongings for you, or pack only the most fragile and valuable items. It also services all five boroughs in NYC, and can produce a certificate of insurance (COI) if you require one. To get a quote, you have to call the company and schedule an in-person or virtual home assessment. Costs vary depending on the size of the move, distance, stairs, and the parking situation, among other factors.

Best Customer Service: Atlas Van Lines

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 50 states
Moving Options: Local, long distance, and international
Initial Deposit Required? No

Pros & Cons

Pros

Partners with local companies
Customer portal to simplify your move
No deposit required
24/7 customer service

Cons

Must call to get quote
Inconsistent quality of packing services

Why It Made the List

When you live in the city that never sleeps, you prefer dealing with companies that can answer your call any time and any day. That’s what makes Atlas Van Lines stand out from the rest. Its 24/7 customer service can help address any questions or issues you have about your upcoming move. The company also has an online customer portal, where you can see all the details of your move, make payments, and file any claims if necessary.

To get a quote, you have to speak to a representative and schedule an in-person or virtual visit to go over your home and get a sense of how many things need to be transported. So your final cost depends on how much stuff is getting moved, the distance you’re traveling, and also the accessibility to your building and home or apartment, and whether or not there is parking available.

Be advised, the company partners with local companies, and while it can offer you packing services for a full-service move, customers have had vastly different quality experiences. So make sure to do your own research when Atlas tells you which local company will be taking care of your move.

Best for Self Service: PODS

Pods Moving

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 46 states
Moving Options: Local and long distance
Initial Deposit Required? No

Pros & Cons

Pros

Full refund for cancellations 24 hours before the moving date
No deposit required
16-foot container can easily accommodate contents of a two-bedroom apartment

Cons

Need to call for quote
Limited valuation coverage
Only four free hours for loading and unloading

Why It Made the List

PODS is a moving container service, meaning you take care of all the packing, loading, and unloading, and it takes care of driving your belongings safely to your new home. It offers three different container sizes (8-, 12-, and 16-feet long), which are large enough to fit all the furniture and items from a room or studio apartment, all the way up to a two-bedroom apartment. Because you’re doing most of the labor, the costs are usually very affordable.

In NYC, the company offers its PODS City Service—and services all five boroughs. Unlike in suburban areas, where you can keep the container for a month at a time, with the city service you’re limited to four free hours. If you think you’re going to take longer to load or unload your boxes, you’ll need to pay an additional fee for extra time. If you want help with packing, loading, or unloading, the company can connect you to third-party providers that can do this for you. But note that the additional time and labor needed will add to the costs of your overall move.

Best for Interstate Moves: Allied Van Lines

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 50 states
Moving Options: Local, long distance, and international
Initial Deposit Required? No

Pros & Cons

Pros

Exclusive local partnership with Liffey Van Lines
Shipment tracking
Full-service move
In-transit storage

Cons

Need to call for quote
Interstate moves require payment before driver can begin delivery

Why It Made the List

With nearly a century of experience under its belt, there’s no move that can rattle the staff at Allied Van Lines. The company has an exclusive partnership with Liffey Van Lines, a local NYC moving company, to service all moves across the area. Together, these companies offer a full-service move, so you can have as little involvement as you want with the packing and the logistics of your relocation. To get a quote, you have to speak to a representative and get an in-person or virtual home assessment.

If you’re traveling across state lines, Allied offers a shipment tracking service so you’re always aware of where your things are. However, all interstate moves require payment in full before the driver can begin delivery. Additionally, the company offers up to 90 days of in-transit storage should you need it.

Best for Packing Services: United Van Lines

United Van Lines

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: 50 states
Moving Options: Local, long distance, and international
Initial Deposit Required? No

Pros & Cons

Pros

Full-service move
Partners with local companies
Binding quote
Responsive claims department

Cons

Need to call for quote
Any damaged or missing items must be reported in delivery paperwork
Some local partners are based in New Jersey, not NYC

Why It Made the List

United Van Lines offers customizable packages to suit your needs. If you only need packing for a couple of big-ticket items, it can help you with that. If you want everything completely taken care of without lifting a finger, United’s staff can do all the packing and unpacking for you. The company also handles debris and car shipping, and can even install your technology for you. And for the special items that need extra care, United has a custom crating service to ensure full protection for fragile items and specialty goods.

The company is able to take care of any move in the tri-state area, thanks to its local partners. These partners are located in New Jersey, Long Island, and some in NYC. It is up to you to decide whom you want to work with. To get an estimate, you need to speak to an agent and go through a virtual assessment of your belongings. Make sure to ask about the valuation coverage that protects your items, and note any damaged or missing things in the delivery paperwork when you receive your shipment.

Best for Small Loads: Sweet Lou Moves You

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: One state
Moving Options: Local
Initial Deposit Required? Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

Rough estimate available online
Uses sprinter vans to easily navigate tight NYC streets
Great for walk-up apartments
Can produce a certificate of insurance (COI) if requested

Cons

Nonrefundable deposit
Need to call for binding quote
Doesn’t offer packing services nor mattress or couch covers

Why It Made the List

The no-frills, no-nonsense attitude showcased on Sweet Lou Moves You’s website is a pretty good introduction to its services. The Brooklyn-based company can help you move across the NYC area quickly and efficiently. The crew uses a sprinter van that’s big enough to fit the contents of a one-bedroom apartment and can navigate the city’s narrowest streets without any difficulty. It is ideal for individuals who don’t need to move too many things and don’t mind paying an hourly rate. A one-bedroom apartment move can cost anywhere from $500 to $700, per the company’s website.

Sweet Lou Moves You prides itself on providing top-notch service and being able to tackle any challenges, including disassembling IKEA furniture and fifth-floor walk-ups. To book services, you need to call the company to get a quote and put down a nonrefundable deposit. Be warned that the company could elect to charge you the full price of your move if you try to cancel or make any changes within 72 hours of your scheduled date. Also, it doesn’t provide packing services, so you have to do that on your own. Mattress bags and couch covers are also not part of the service.

Best for Last-Minute Bookings: Piece of Cake Moving & Storage

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: One state
Moving Options: Local and long distance
Initial Deposit Required? Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

Can accommodate last-minute moves
24/7 services
Flat-fee quote
Full-service move and platinum packing services

Cons

Requires $50 deposit
Need to call for quote

Why It Made the List

True to its name, Piece of Cake Moving & Storage works hard to ensure a smooth and seamless moving experience. The company boasts a 24/7/365 moving service, so it can help you move in the middle of the night on Christmas Day, if that is what the assignment requires. To book its services, you need to speak to an agent, get a quote, and then pay a $50 deposit to secure your moving date. The deposit is fully refundable if you cancel up to one business day before your move.

Instead of a typical hourly rate, the company will quote you a flat fee that includes wrapping your couches and chairs in moving blankets, your mattress in plastic wrapping, and TVs, mirrors, and electronics in cardboard boxes. However, if you would like the crew to take care of all the packing, you can request its full-service move or its platinum packing services. If required, Piece of Cake can produce a certificate of insurance (COI), should your building ask for one. Its services are available throughout NYC and New York state, and it can also complete a long-distance move from New York to anywhere in the country.

Best for Sustainability: Movers, Not Shakers!

Get a Quote

Key Specs

Nationwide Availability: One state
Moving Options: Local and long distance
Initial Deposit Required? No

Pros & Cons

Pros

Flat-fee pricing
Uses reusable plastic bins and biodiesel trucks
Full-service move
No deposit required

Cons

Need to call for quote
Reusable bins pickup date could rush your unpacking time

Why It Made the List

Although recyclable, cardboard boxes can create a lot of unnecessary waste in a move. Enter Movers, Not Shakers! and its reusable plastic bins. If you’re doing the packing yourself, the company can deliver its sustainable packaging a week or so before your moving date so you can use its bins free of charge to store your belongings. Or you can also book its packing services and let its staff sort everything out for you.

The Brooklyn-based company services all five boroughs and is available to complete long-distance trips as well. As part of its eco-friendly and sustainability practices, all its trucks are powered by biodiesel. Another advantage is that the company offers a flat-fee rate, so you should not receive any surprises when the bill comes. While it doesn’t require a deposit to book its services, you still need to call the company in order to get a quote. Also keep in mind that if you use the reusable bins, you may need to unpack everything sooner rather than later because the company will need to pick up its equipment from you.

Final Verdict

As exciting as moving to the Big Apple might be, once you live in the city and you’ve been through move after move, from borough to borough, all you really want is a reliable moving partner to get it done smoothly. You want a company that can quote you a price and stay within that estimate, and one that can tailor its services to your needs and your budget, no matter where your final destination might be. In other words, a company like Wheaton World Wide Moving. Yes, it connects you with a local company, but it’s a trustworthy partner that follows the same standard of care as Wheaton. And, in the event that it doesn’t, you know Wheaton will do everything in its power to make you whole and make it right.

Compare the Best Moving Companies in NYC

Company	Nationwide Availability	Moving Options	Initial Deposit Required?	Vehicle Relocation?	Type of Quote
Wheaton World Wide Moving Best Overall	50 states	Local, long distance, and some international locations	No	Yes	Non-binding
Atlas Van Lines Best Customer Service	50 states	Local, long distance, and international	No	Yes	Both (binding and non-binding)
PODS Best for Self Service	46 states	Local and long distance	No	Yes, through third-party providers	Non-binding
Allied Van Lines Best for Interstate Moves	50 states	Local, long distance, and international	No	Yes	Both (binding and non-binding)
United Van Lines Best for Packing Services	50 states	Local, long distance, and international	No	Yes	Binding
Sweet Lou Moves You Best for Small Loads	New York	Local	Yes	No	Non-binding
Piece of Cake Moving & Storage Best for Last-Minute Bookings	New York	Local and long distance	Yes	No	Binding
Movers, Not Shakers! Best for Sustainability	New York	Local and long distance	No	No	Binding

How to Choose an NYC Moving Company

Choosing the best moving company for your needs may require a little bit of sleuthing on your part. Here are some things to consider:

Price

The most important thing in a move is choosing a company that can meet your budget. You want to shop around and get at least three estimates to compare their prices. Make sure you’re always asking for the same services. Remember, it’s perfectly fine to negotiate and ask your preferred company to price match your best offer.

Availability

It’s important to choose companies that can accommodate your scheduling needs. Sometimes you cannot get off work to meet movers in the middle of the day. Prioritize companies that are going to work with you rather than impose a schedule on you. On a different but related topic, some companies will actually offer you a lower rate if you book on a different day, so always ask your movers about their flexibility and availability.

License and Insurance

Always ask your movers about their license and insurance. A recurring theme in NYC living is that a lot of buildings will require a certificate of insurance from your movers before letting them in. This is so that the building won’t have to worry about any damages incurred during the moving activities because the insurance would take care of it. If your movers don’t have it, your building won’t let them in, and they could be forced to drop your goods on the sidewalk.

Credibility

Anyone can make it in NYC, but that doesn’t mean that the “company” you found on Craigslist is legit. Always make sure to check reviews on multiple sites like Google, Facebook, and even Yelp to verify that the company does good work and is reliable. For additional checking, you can head to the Better Business Bureau for more information. You don’t want the company to run away with your money or your belongings, or both.

How to Prepare for a Move in NYC

Whether it’s your first time coming to the Big Apple or your 10th apartment move in the last three years, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind while you prepare for your upcoming move.

Shop around: Knowledge is power. The more you understand how companies are pricing your move, the more power you will have to negotiate a rate you feel comfortable with. Always get as many moving quotes as you can.
Check building requirements: A lot of buildings require a certificate of insurance (COI) from your movers because they want to make sure any damage incurred during the move will come out of the movers’ insurance pockets and not their own. They won’t let uninsured movers inside, so verify the requirements from both your new and old buildings and then make sure you pick a mover with insurance.
Get a parking permit: A tour through NYC will reveal the city’s proclivity to double park. It happens often, but that doesn’t make it a good thing. Check to see if you can get a parking permit for your movers’ truck, or ask your movers if they can help you get one. Your neighbors and all NYC drivers will thank you for it.
Sell, donate, and toss items: You know there are things in your possession that do not bring you any joy and are simply gathering dust. Why do you keep them? It’s time to purge. Reducing the number of items that need transporting will reduce your moving bill as well.
Notify utility companies and the postal service: You are probably still getting mail from the person who lived in your apartment 10 years ago. Don’t be like them. Let the postal service know you’re moving. Don’t forget to cancel or move all your utilities to your new place, unless you’re feeling generous and want to pay the next tenant’s bills. You can easily forward your mail to your new address on the United States Postal Service website.
Make an inventory and take photos: Accidents happen. Things could go missing or get damaged when the truck hits a literal bump on the road. Hopefully, this won’t be the case for you, but just to be safe, take photos of everything. You want to have evidence of your items’ pre-move condition and an inventory as well, so no one can tell you they “didn’t move that.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I hire movers in NYC?

You always want to book your movers as soon as possible. Giving them a month or two in advance for a local move is generally considered good etiquette. Keep in mind that the summer months, from May to September, tend to be the busiest. If you know your lease is up around that time, you may want to book sooner rather than later.
How much should I pay for movers in NYC?

The price you pay will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the number of items being transported, mileage, whether there are any stairs or elevators in your new building, and whether or not you need help packing. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50 to more than $100 per mover per hour.
Do you tip movers in NYC?

Generally, yes. It is never mandatory, but since they work in a service industry, it is polite to tip them, even more so if you feel that they did an outstanding job. Other considerations for tipping include whether they had to move a lot of heavy furniture upstairs in a walk-up building or if the weather conditions were particularly dreary on your moving day.
What is the cheapest way to move in NYC?

The cheapest way to move is to do most of it yourself. You can hire a container company like PODS to supply the vehicle and the driving. The packing, loading, and unloading would fall under your responsibility, but you would be saving on labor costs. Another way to save is to get creative about where you find your moving supplies. You can ask for boxes, tape, and bubble wrap in your local Buy Nothing Group, or you could go ask your local grocery store if it has any cardboard boxes it can give you.
What is the cheapest month to move in NYC?

There's never a downtime for moving in NYC, but prices are significantly higher during the summer. The period of time from the end of September through April is generally a good time to schedule a move because the demand is lower and moving companies are more inclined to offer good deals. Before you book with any company, make sure to get multiple quotes so you can ask your preferred company to price match your best offer.

Methodology

This list of the best moving companies in NYC was compiled using more than 500 data points collected over a two-month span. Our research team reviewed nearly 20 companies, looking at location, services provided, customer support channels, quote processes, online tools, and more.

Weights were assigned to each piece of criteria evaluated, then used to calculate an overall score. In order to receive a high rating, companies had to perform well in a handful of categories, including but not limited to:

Service area (15%)
Types of services offered (10%)
Company reputation (6%)
Online quote system (5%)
Additional costs and fees (5%)
Packing options (5%)

The information presented here was accurate at the time of publication and confirmed by at least two data collectors. Verification was completed through customer service calls and live chat or email exchanges.

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