It was everything but easy for me to move from Chicago to New York City. Making a decision on what to retain, sell, or donate was a difficult process for me. It was difficult for me to find a moving company that I felt I could trust to take good care of my belongings. This was especially true when taking into account the fact that I would be relocating without the majority of my personal things. A crate of books or a sofa might be a logistical nightmare to transport in New York City. Moving from the Upper East Side to the Upper West Side in New York City was the first time I realized how much precision and knowledge are required to pull off a successful relocation in the city.
Moving less than two miles might bring about a potentially catastrophic change in circumstances, which you probably can’t even begin to conceive. You may put your faith in the fact that the distance between two places has no effect on the success or efficiency of a relocation strategy. What follows is information that will help you avoid creating your own relocation nightmare while relocating to New York City or switching homes elsewhere in the city. Take advantage of these five moving tips to get you started on your next move in New York City and ensure it doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
Find a Moving Company that Has Worked in the NYC Area Before
Getting a mover with expertise working in New York City should be your first priority. Especially if you already call Manhattan home, for instance, NYC to Chicago movers you choose should have extensive experience with moves inside the city. This was a huge mistake, but I should have known better when I decided to engage an antique mover to help me transport my furniture across town. It was my own fault; I should have known better. When packaging and transporting priceless antiques, extra care must be taken throughout the process, but time constraints are not always imposed. Since our moving team used up all of the elevator time in our building, we had to take an SUV to the Upper West Side to complete the relocation. Our two-bedroom apartment was cleaned by my husband, myself, and a few friends over the course of three or four trips. What a dreadful day it was.
Moving in New York City might be complicated, but a seasoned mover should know the ins and outs like double parking and maneuvering large pieces of furniture through tight spaces like a pro. If you’re moving in or out of New York City, the moving company you hire should be aware that you’ll need at least three people: one to stay with the car to make sure it doesn’t get towed (which does happen) and two to move the furniture.
Legal
Without a proper COI, New Yorkers are not allowed to move so much as one inch (Certificate of Insurance). This guarantee is crucial for the protection of your buildings against events that might cause significant financial loss. Estimates like this, which may cost millions of dollars, are often created by your mover’s insurance carrier. The process applies to all movers, and each Certificate of Insurance must be tailored to the unique needs of the building it is being filed to, including being delivered to the right person at the right address. It is your obligation to make sure that everyone involved in your transfer is given a copy of their COI well in advance of the move.
You should have everything packed, including your toothbrush before the movers come
This piece of advice is crucial when it comes to relocating to a new apartment. I learned the hard way that you should be completely prepared on the day the movers arrive at your door. Because there won’t be enough time, and because you may not want strangers touching your possessions, you shouldn’t assume they can finish packing for you. Plus, they won’t have much time to worry about arranging the vehicle since they’ll be too busy trying to organize the truck and transfer every item and box to your new house in one piece and without damage.
Anything that isn’t firmly attached increases the likelihood that it may be lost, damaged, or crushed. Due to the unpredictable nature of Gotham traffic, it is crucial that all items be secured securely and that tape is used to close all boxes rather than just folding over the tops.
When moving, try to avoid packing or moving anything delicate or emotional on the day of the move
Transporting expensive electronics, jewelry, collectibles, photo albums, and other items of sentimental significance by hand is strongly recommended. Do not give your movers anything that is pricey, fragile, or impossible to replace. You wouldn’t believe the variety of ways in which our possessions may be lost or damaged or the number of items that even our comprehensive insurance policy wouldn’t cover if they were stolen or destroyed. Let’s say you’re moving all of your belongings to New York City and plan on leaving the truck open as it sits on the side of the road. It’s preferable to play it safe than to have to concede defeat.
You should postpone your relocation until spring if at all feasible
You will be forever thankful if you are able to remain in New York City during the months of January, February, and the first week of March. It’s only natural that we can never know for sure what Mother Nature will do on any given day. While relocations are seldom convenient, doing so in the midst of a snowstorm or ice storm may be especially taxing on your body and mind.
Do Not Attempt This Yourself, Rather, Obtain Professional Help
Even a little slip-up might have far-reaching and costly consequences in a metropolis like New York. Last but not least, our number one piece of advice is to work with professionals who can help with not just the heavy lifting but also the troubleshooting and specialized support that comes with transporting people all over New York City annually. Trying to save a few hundred dollars on mover fees in anticipation of a moving day that is plagued by problems will not seem like a good idea in retrospect.
