Unpakt: Find the best movers at the best price, sign contracts you can understand, and manage your whole move online

By Tracy Kaler | August 8, 2012 - 11:19AM

This week's Real.Est. List Spotlight is all about getting organized.

Unpakt is an easy-to-use online service that helps you plan your move, compare movers, book a mover of choice, and execute your actual move down to details like box sizes, packing materials, and whether or not you'll do the packing.

You can search and compare movers based on exact pricing, expertise, availability, and more. Those that are currently available through the site are Marrins Moving, Dumbo Moving and Storage, Velocity Moving, FlatRate Moving, Elite Moving & Storage and Shleppers Moving.

You can also store the contact info for your current building and the building you're moving to -- critical moving-day details like the elevator sizes and hours or operation, the buildings' special rules or instructions, and whether you will need a certificate of insurance for the move.

Unpakt also uses contracts that you can actually understand when you read them, and offers access to user reviews of each mover before you sign on the dotted line.

Here are a few of Unpakt's top tips on how to tackle a New York City move:

If you're moving into a small apartment in a walk-up, one of the most important things you can do is take measurements of the new place. There is nothing more frustrating than moving your overstuffed couch, king-sized bed, or extra-large dressers, only to discover that you can’t even get them in your apartment. Be sure to include stairs, hallways, doors, and the space in the apartment itself.
Streets are narrow. Your moving truck may be blocking traffic and you could get a parking ticket, so plan ahead. Be aware of alternate side of the street parking and start early to secure a good spot in front of your building. Also be aware that with a NYC move, extra manpower may be needed so one person can remain with the vehicle at all times, while the others unload and carry.
Many buildings have rules forbidding weekend moves. Be sure to speak with the managers of your current and future buildings to make them aware of your move date. Also, many buildings require booking a two-hour window to move in or out, since others may be moving that day also.

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