7 common mistakes to avoid when choosing a moving company in NYC

As if finding a new place to live in New York City wasn't hard enough—now you're faced with actually making the move. But moving in (and to) NYC can be understandably overwhelming. How can you possibly navigate the maze of building requirements and parking regulations, all while trying to nail the best time to move and find a company that won't leave you high and dry? 

Breathe deep: Following some tried-and-true tips for moving in NYC will help avoid the usual stress and economic strain. Because moving shouldn't cost a fortune or test your mettle. Most importantly, you'll want to work with a reliable company with the necessary experience to handle all those details.

"We have over 200 crews ready and experienced in handling any moving challenge: pianos, TV mounting, fine art packing, heavy machinery, rigging, staging, and office cubicles," says Lior Rachmany, CEO and founder of Dumbo Moving, a popular local moving and storage company. It's also one of the most affordable moving companies in NYC—and among the first to eliminate hidden fees and offer a flat rate. (This is one case where cheaper movers in NYC can be better!)

"Whatever you need to be moved, we can do it with transparency and no surprises on the day of the move," he adds. "We deal only with accurate pricing, not estimations. Our movers know what they are getting into at each job, and our customers know exactly what they are paying for and what they are not."

Here, a moving expert shares the 7 most common moving mistakes—and what you can do to avoid making them. 

1. Booking based on hearing what you want to hear rather than understanding all the scenarios—especially on very busy days 

In other words, don't make the mistake of booking with a sweet-talking company that eventually will not show up, or charge you more because the estimate didn't meet the expectations. Indeed, Dumbo Moving prides itself on never leaving a customer stranded and always completing the jobs on schedule.

"Our customers often tell us that they hired another company that canceled on moving day or just never showed up," says marketing specialist Niko Kankia, adding that these are usually smaller companies without a lot of resources and can't handle the number of moves in the summertime. 

"With more than 200 crews and 200 trucks, and over 100 reps on the phone, Dumbo Moving can handle 600 to 800 moves in a day," Rachmany states.

2. Failing to get the all-important COI

Every NYC building requires movers to show a valid Certificate of Insurance, yet many people forget to ask for this.

"We have a dedicated team who prepares the COI right away, even without the customer having to bring it up," Kankia says. 

The COI covers any potential damage during the move. However, you may want to consider purchasing additional insurance (on top of your apartment or homeowner's insurance) to cover high-value items—family heirlooms, expensive art and antiques, a grand piano, etc. 

Talk to a rep from your insurance company—or contact a broker if you don't have an existing policy.  

3. Oops, you forgot to book the service elevator

Never, ever assume the service elevator will be yours for the taking. As soon as you've scheduled the move date, speak to your super or property manager to reserve it. This is especially true on weekends, holidays, and during peak moving season (aka summer). 

Know, too, that some buildings prohibit the use of passenger elevators for moving—so if yours lacks a service elevator, your movers might have to take the stairs. Or if the elevator is not off limits, they'll be sharing it with your neighbors while the meter is running. 

4. Getting hit with hidden fees

The goal is to have transparent pricing so you can budget for the move without worrying about annoying (and all-too-common) cost creep—such as when a company quotes you a low price, knowing they'll need to tack on extra charges when they arrive. 

According to Rachmany, Dumbo Moving revolutionized the industry by introducing item-based pricing rather than the standard hourly or square footage structure. "The quote is based on your itemized list, so if you decide to donate a nightstand, that item is dropped from the cost, and vice versa—any new pieces will be added based on their individual cost. This approach eliminates any surcharges or surprises on the moving day; the only thing that's not included is the optional but recommended tip for the moving crew," he said.

Know, too, that Dumbo Moving will match or beat prices at a minimum of two other companies. 

"We are able to provide services at a cheaper cost than other companies because we have a huge parking lot filled with vans and trucks and over 500 employees around the state and in other states," Rachmany says. "It's the economy of scale." 

5. Underestimating the amount of stuff

Many moving companies base the size of the move on the number of rooms in your current apartment. But one person's two bedroom can hold substantially more stuff than, say, a minimalist's two bedroom. Or maybe you live in a spacious loft that doesn't have a specified number of bedrooms. 

That's why Dumbo Moving's line-item checklist provides a more accurate picture of what exactly is being moved—and the types and number of boxes you will need. 

"Even experienced movers underestimate the number of boxes needed for items, which is why we bring extras—including complimentary wardrobe boxes," Kankia says.

If you are self-packing (which about half of Dumbo Moving's customers do), the company will sell you boxes (or you can rent reusable plastic bins) and drop them off between two days and two weeks before the scheduled move. (Pro tip: Declutter when packing and only move what you want to keep.)

In their experience, people often overlook the need to protect glasses and other breakables, so the company also sells bubble wrap and paper wrapping. (Think of this as mistake number 5b.)

You'll want to avoid another common complaint from movers, too: packing books in large or medium boxes, which are then too heavy to lift. Only use the small boxes for books.

6. Running into hiccups requiring a handyman

Imagine discovering your oversized sofa or queen-sized box spring won't fit through the doorway or into the elevator of your new apartment. (True story.) Or you have an IKEA bookcase that needs disassembling on the spot, or a wall-mounted TV that requires taking down. 

Dumbo Moving will send a handyperson to tackle such jobs, but not all companies provide this service, so be sure to ask how they will handle these kinds of things. 

"You also need to take measurements of the pieces and all the entrances ahead of time," Kankia says. True story: Dumbo Moving has had to cut a sofa and break it down and then put it back together again. (It's a popular hack on TikTok!)

7. No communication during the move 

A classic NYC moving story goes something like this: You've been waiting for hours for the truck with all your furniture to arrive at your new place. When calling the office, either the mailbox is too full to accept new messages, or the person on the other end says they'll call you right back—and never does.  

First, it's important to get a realistic ETA from the movers so you know what to expect. They are the ones who know how long it can take to get from point A to point B given traffic patterns. Some movers get a lunch break between pick-up and drop-off. Clarify this before they drive away. 

"Doing the number of jobs we do means getting lots of calls from customers every day, which is why we have about 70 moving experts standing by 24/7—and either the team manager or another representative is available to assist you with all your questions," Rachmany says. "This is a big reason we have a reputation for helping customers have smooth moves." 

Visit Dumbo Moving's website to learn more and make your next move a breeze!