Frequently Asked Moving Questions

Moving companies in New York City base their rates on the size of your load. Crews measure furniture and boxes in cubic feet, then match that volume with the number of movers and hours required. Travel time from the company’s garage to your pickup address and the return trip from your new place is also part of the bill.

Extra services can change the total. Packing, bulky or fragile items, stairs, long hallway carries, and building restrictions often add labor and materials. The surest way to lock down cost is to request an on-site or video survey, confirm the inventory in writing, and ask for a binding estimate that lists every service.

Legitimate movers carry both state and federal licenses. An NYSDOT number covers moves within New York, while a USDOT number is required for any job that crosses state lines. These identifiers must appear on the truck, the estimate, and the bill of lading.

You can verify the numbers on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration site or the New York Department of Transportation database. A professional mover will also show proof of active cargo and liability insurance on request. If a company hesitates or offers excuses, take that as a warning sign.

Movers do not sell insurance directly. Instead they provide valuation coverage that sets the mover’s legal liability if belongings are lost or damaged. The basic option, called released value protection, is included at no extra charge but pays only a small amount based on weight.

You can upgrade to full value protection, which requires a fee and holds the mover responsible for repair, replacement, or cash settlement at current market value. For high-value items or special collections, many people add a separate moving policy through their homeowners carrier or a third-party broker. Whatever you choose, document belongings with photos and serial numbers before moving day.

A Certificate of Insurance, or COI, proves that the mover’s policy meets a building’s requirements for property damage and liability. High-rise, elevator, and doorman buildings usually refuse entry to any crew that cannot present this document.

Ask your mover for a COI a few business days before the move. Provide the exact legal name and address of the property management company so the certificate matches their records. Email the finished form to your super or property manager and keep a copy on hand the day of the move.

Demand for movers spikes on weekends, holidays, and around the start or end of each month when most leases change. Summer is the busiest stretch of the year, so trucks and elevator slots book up quickly and flexibility is limited.

If your schedule allows, choose a weekday between the fifth and the twenty-fifth of a winter or early-spring month. Crews tend to have more openings, and some companies offer off-peak discounts. No matter the season, reserve your spot at least two weeks ahead and much earlier if you plan to move in the heart of summer.

Smaller moving companies can deliver careful service at a lower sticker price, but only if they follow the same licensing and insurance rules as large fleets. Verify their USDOT and NYSDOT numbers, read independent reviews, and insist on a written inventory with a binding estimate.

Low bids sometimes hide extra charges for stairs, fuel, or specialty items, and unlicensed operators may offer little help if something breaks. Paying a bit more for a fully certified firm often costs less than repairing or replacing belongings after the fact. Use a credit card for extra dispute protection and keep every document until the move is complete.

A binding estimate is the best way to keep your moving cost stable. Federal rules do not allow a mover to raise a binding quote unless you add items or request new services, so check that the word binding appears on the contract.

Give the sales rep a precise item list, mention narrow staircases, elevator reservations, or long hallway carries, and save a signed copy of the estimate. If you need to change the shipment later, ask for a revised binding estimate before the truck is loaded to prevent surprises.

Most can, but not all do it the same way.

• Basic movers will pop off table legs or headboards and screw them back on at your new place. It’s quick and usually included.
• Full-service pros go further: they bring tools, label every bolt, pad each panel, and rebuild everything exactly where you want it. Think big wardrobes, platform beds, and anything with glass.
• Specialty items (Murphy beds, cubicles, gym equipment) might need technicians. Some movers bring them in, others leave it to you.

What sets companies like Moishe’s Moving apart is that the same trained crew handles the full job, breakdown to setup, with care and consistency. When you're comparing quotes, ask who’s doing the work, what’s covered, and whether they keep track of all those tiny screws (trust us, that matters).