How to Move Cheaply in NYC

Moving is often thought to be an expensive and difficult process. That is even more so for NYC because of its unique sprawl of apartments and buildings. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Moving can be much cheaper than you think. If that sounds too good to be true, then don’t worry, we are going to lay out everything for you. 

Tips for Cutting Moving Costs In NYC

Plan Ahead to Avoid Extra Costs

A move in NYC is usually not a sudden affair. You usually have some notice that you have to move, be it a few weeks or a few months. You should use this time wisely and plan ahead to cut costs. 

Here’s what you can do to book a moving service for significantly cheaper than normal. 

• Book in the off-season. The off-season for moving consists of fall and winter. This is because demand for moving companies falls due to lower volume transfers and relocations. This means that companies have more free time, and they can’t charge you extra for “urgent” moves or use time constraints as a bargaining chip.
• Choose mid-month or weekdays.  Same as off-season, mid-month and mid-week days are not typically used for moving as people have other responsibilities to fulfill. Using your PTO to schedule a mid-week and mid-month move can get you cheaper moving services.
• Set your budget in advance. A move can be unpredictable due to many different expenses racking up. So, you should set your budget in advance to avoid getting caught off guard. In your budget, you should factor in movers, supplies, transportation, and tips. Some prior research will help you with that.

Compare DIY vs Professional Movers Strategically

One method of cutting costs on a move is to do it yourself. However, that can often be a trap. Experienced DIY movers can indeed complete a move on their own for cheap. However, an inexperienced DIYer may find themselves paying more than they would have paid a professional NYC moving company.

To ensure you don’t fall into the same trap, here are a few things you should consider to see if a DIY move is the right choice or not.

• DIY Costs

DIY can be deceptive. To do a DIY move, you will need to:

• Rent a truck.
• Buy packing supplies.
• Set aside a lot of time for packing and unpacking.

In NYC, you will also need to account for building moving times. Moving things across flights of stairs and narrow hallways does require some expertise. Otherwise, you will find yourself reimbursing damages to building owners for bumps and scrapes.

That inconvenience alone may be enough to deter you from doing a DIY move. 

• Mover Rates

There are many local movers in NYC. Get multiple quotes from them for various service packages. Some movers will provide packing, moving, and unpacking. Some will only offer loading/unloading and moving. 

Compare the quotes. Do not take the quotes at face value unless the movers provide you with written confirmation that they are binding, i.e, you won’t pay more than that under any circumstances. 

Check the reviews of each mover to see if they stick to their quotes or not. Many movers like to take extra money on the day of the move for things they didn’t specify in the quote. Reviews will reveal whether any such shenanigans are afoot.

Don’t forget to check out small-scale local movers. They are ideal for single‐item or short moves, with flat rates and sprinter vans.

Prepare and Pack Yourself

While moving companies do offer expert packing services, they also cost a pretty penny. You can save a lot of money if you get your own packing materials and pack yourself. Here’s how that works.

• Get free boxes. It’s quite easy to get free boxes to pack your stuff. Check your local grocery and liquor stores. Try to catch them at a time when they are receiving new shipments. They will have a surplus of boxes that they will be more than happy to get rid of.

Check for people who have newly moved into your neighborhood/apartment building. They will have a lot of boxes that they won’t know what to do with. 

• Pack yourself. Movers don’t have the same attachments to your items that you do. So if you pack yourself, you can provide the proper care your items need so that they don’t get damaged during the move. You will also won’t have to pay anyone to do that.
• Clean out and downsize. Fewer items mean smaller trucks and fewer hours. Since NYC local movers charge by the hour, you will reduce your total charges.

Choose the Right Moving Company

New York City has a lot of moving companies. But not all of them are great. So, it is in your best interests to research the best companies. Here’s how you can do that.

• Research reputation. Check reviews on sites like TrustPilot and Google My Business.
• Flat-rate movers. Among the well-reviewed movers, look for flat-rate movers. On moving day, things like building entrance license, parking space fees, fuel costs, and delays that increase the number of hours can add up to quite a lot. Flat rate moves help you avoid all of that and save your costs. Dumbo Moving and Storage NYC is a great choice here, as it provides free binding quotes within the entirety of NYC.
• Get at least 3 written estimates. When getting a quote, get details including labor, mileage, wait time, and extra services. This way, you can ensure no hidden charges sneak up on you.

Don’t Over Tip

You can tip movers in two ways. You can either pay the tip along with the rest of the costs. Sometimes your contract will also include the tip, so make sure you don’t double tip.

The other method is to provide each crew member with their tip in cash at the end of the move. 

A good rule of thumb for calculating tips is as follows: Standard tip is 15–20% of the move cost. That can amount to $20–40 per mover for small local jobs, and for long/heavy moves, it is $50–100 per mover.

Moving Day Essentials

Moving day is just as important as all the days before. On this day, keep some snacks ready and an overnight bag that has a change of clothes, toiletries, and any important documents you may need.

This will help you save money because, on moving day, things are unpredictable. You don’t know how long it will take to load your stuff and move to your destination. So, having some snacks to stave off hunger will prevent you from spending more money at a restaurant. 

Similarly, an overnight bag will prevent you from having to buy emergency toiletries or a change of clothes if things take too long.

To save time, you must also be vigilant and direct movers in an orderly manner to maximize the time saved and reduce the hours you have to pay for.

After the Move: Save on Waste & Storage

Once you are done moving, you can actually recoup some of your costs. After you are done unpacking, you will have a lot of boxes just sitting there. You can sell or recycle them to get some money back. 

If you are selling the boxes, then you will have to lug them around. To save costs on that, use public transport instead of cabs and Ubers. You will have to work a bit more, but just note this. A subway ride is just $2.75, while an Uber can cost upwards of $40. So, pick wisely. 

Final Words

Moving cheaply in NYC requires you to do your due diligence. Research the proper moving companies to get the best quotes and service. Do what you can yourself to save money, and be resourceful in obtaining packing supplies. Keep track of your expenditure, and you will be able to complete your move for cheap.