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Tips for moving in New York City
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by Itamar Kestenbaum of Moishe's Moving Systems
‘Back in the day’ movers operating in the Big Apple routinely had to double park and hire a couple of ‘locals’ to watch the truck to avoid a ticket and ensure none of the furniture walked away while they worked inside.
Occasionally brave ol’ timers would pay the building ‘super’ to look the other way while they threw an oversized sofa or old oak armoire on TOP of the elevator to avoid carrying them down eleven flights of stairs to the loading dock.
Recently I asked Itamar Kestenbaum, a representative of one of the largest regional movers in the greater NYC area what’s changed. The following are some of his notes and practical tips for movin' in NYC.
Moving and New York City are daunting in their own respective ways. But when put together, “Moving in New York City” can sometimes sound downright terrifying. However, if you are prepared enough – and know the ins and outs of what you're about to embark on – your move can go surprisingly smooth!
“The first and most important tip I would give anyone who is moving is do your homework!” says Gene Lemay, President of Moishe’s Moving Systems. “Doing the research nowadays is easy. There are so many great how-to articles, blog posts, and videos online that can help customers with everything from industry terminology, to learning how to pack valuable china.”
If you are still confused or have questions, Mr. Lemay suggests customers check out social media outlets. “Many companies now use social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to communicate directly with potential and existing customers, so I urge customers to ask as many questions as they need so they will feel confident going into their move.” “I hate to sound cliché,” he adds, “but an educated customer is a happy one.”
Lemay shares some other basic tips:
Dealing with your Building Management
If you live in New York City, there is a 50% chance that your building has a management company, and that that management requires lots of things from you. Step 1 in making your move smoother is getting to know who you need to speak with. Your building superintendent is not your building manager – but you can definitely find out from who or where the building manager is. Get that name and number, and you're well on your way.
Scheduling your Move
As far as scheduling goes, it's a bit more complex in New York City and other metropolises than in suburbs or private homes. Your building might have a few people moving in and out on the same day, construction, or a broken elevator. Therefore, it's paramount that you talk to your building manager a month in advance in order to secure or hold a spot on the day of the move. Even if you haven't yet set up a mover – secure a spot. You can always let it go, and schedule a new time. This will ensure that there will be a time set aside for you by the building, and your move will not be disrupted.
Alternate Side Parking
Wikipedia defines Alternate Side Parking as “a traffic law that dictates on which side of a street cars can be parallel parked on a given day.” The reason for this is usually to allow traffic to flow smoother or let snow plows and street sweepers through.
Alternate side parking is a major deal in NYC, so make sure you know whether your street has alternate side parking, and what that means in regards to your move. If your street happens to have alternate side parking on a certain day, you may want to consider not having the move happen that day just in case it runs in to the restrictive time period. If the Alternate Side Parking is scheduled in the morning, you might want to consider making your move an afternoon move, or changing it to a different day.
You can find the Alternate Side Parking schedule at the NYC.gov site, or by clicking here.
Certificates of Insurance
Ask your management if you need a Certificate of Insurance for your building. A Certificate of Insurance is a piece of paper that shows the building manager that the moving company you are dealing with is insured and liable for any damages that they might cause for the building. Really it's an assurance between the building management and the moving company, and you're the middleperson. If you’re not comfortable dealing with it, give the phone and fax number of the building’s management office to your move coordinator – and let them deal with it for you.
Building Regulations
Every building has its own regulations. Some require movers to lay masonite down to protect the floors, or hang pads in the elevator to protect the walls. Other properties require loading the truck using a loading dock in the back of the building. Also, some buildings require you to move on a weekday, and only during specific time slots. Make sure you find out exactly what your building's regulations are, and comply with them. This will save you a lot of difficulty on the day of the move. In general, it's a good idea to schedule your move during business hours.
Well, we never said moving in New York City was going to be simple, but it can be easy.
Whether you're moving down the block, or from Washington Heights to Wall St., the above tips are the ABCs necessary to moving in Manhattan. So while your friends and neighbors may have warned you about a dreadful experience – a little preparation can go a long way toward making your experience a lot more pleasant.
If you're contemplating a move into or out of five boroughs and still have questions, contact the pros at Moishe's.
Moishe's Moving Systems
800.642.3269
Web: www.moishes.com
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