How can I save money when hiring a moving company in NYC?
- Do some or all of the packing yourself—and take the boxes to the street on moving day
- Try to time the move during off-peak times, with mid-month and winter being the cheapest
Good question! Given the hefty upfront costs associated with renting or buying a new place in the city, hiring a moving company to transport your belongings can put additional strain on an already tight budget. That's especially true when this service costs anywhere from $500 for a small studio to over $2,000 for a larger apartment.
Now for the good news: "There are multiple ways to save money on a moving service, from doing the packing yourself to knowing the pros and cons of paying a flat price or an hourly rate," said Dor Klein, chief operating officer of Big Apple Moving, a highly rated company that has provided local and long-distance moving services and secure storage options to New Yorkers since 1979.
Keep in mind that the cost of moving services varies depending on the size of your home, the distance between locations, and other factors like whether you live in a walk-up or an elevator building.
Overall, the better you prepare for the move ahead of time, the faster and smoother it will go. Read on for strategies to reduce and manage expenses while moving in NYC.
Declutter before you move
The fewer items you pack and move, the less your move will cost. Take the time to purge your home, going room by room and eliminating all but the things you truly want to keep. Consider selling or donating anything too nice to discard.
Clearing the entrance area and hallways (both inside and outside your place) will also help the movers get in and out more quickly.
Match the pricing to the job
All moves are based on either a flat fee or an hourly rate. A flat fee, calculated in advance, remains the same regardless of the time it takes to complete the move, offering peace of mind against any complications and unforeseen delays. In contrast, hourly fees are determined by the time it actually takes—and the meter will be running until the job is finished..
According to Klein, the flat-fee model can be more cost-effective for larger-volume moves involving two- or three-bedroom apartments and townhouses, as well as for longer-distance moves, such as from one borough to another, when traffic can cause serious delays.
"You should opt for the hourly model if you are planning simpler moves like a studio or a small, one-bedroom apartment in a nearby location," he said.
Expect to pay an average flat fee of approximately $1,250 for a one-bedroom apartment compared to $500 to $1,000 for studios and smaller apartments and $1,500 to $3,000 for larger apartments, using an hourly rate of $100 to $150.
Do the packing yourself
Most customers opt to pack their own boxes because they prefer not to pay for this service, Klein said. This is definitely the easiest way to shave costs on your move, but only if you have the time and wherewithal to undertake this laborious task.
At Big Apple Moving, the cost of packing ranges from $13 to $21 per box, inclusive of labor and materials. So the price saved is determined by the number of boxes.
Those with a lot of stuff and little time may choose to do partial packing, leaving fragile items such as dishes, glassware, electronics, and other valuables to the experts.
"It's important to be aware that any breakage or damage is only covered if the moving company does the packing," Klein said.
Be sure to use the right-sized box—books and other heavy objects should only go in smaller ones—and clearly label all boxes with the target room so the movers know where to place them at the other end.
Bring boxes to the curb
Unless you live on the first floor, you can take DIY packing one step (or multiple stories!) further by lugging the boxes downstairs, closer to the street.
"This can save a couple of hours and hundreds of dollars—assuming you are not paying by the box," Klein said.
Organize the boxes by room and make sure the labels are visible when the boxes are stacked.
Also, work with your supervisor or property manager to determine how far in advance you can do this before the movers arrive.
Move on cheaper dates
The timing of your move is just as important as the process itself in terms of impacting the moving cost, much like surge pricing when shopping for airline tickets.
Generally, moving on weekends or during the peak season (May to September) will cost more than moving on weekdays or during off-peak times.
Klein said that moving at the end of the month will also be more expensive because that is when leases typically expire, and moving companies are in high demand.
"Moving in the middle of the month will be about 25 percent cheaper, whether it is during the week or the weekend," he added.
The best way to estimate how much it costs to move in NYC? Request a quote—or you can use Big Apple's free moving cost calculator.
Consider leaving packing up rare or valuable artwork, heavy mirrors, and musical instruments (or a prized wine collection) to the pros.
"We offer expert handling by specialists, and the items will be insured by the company in case of damage," Klein said.
Planning your next move? Big Apple Moving provides top-notch service backed by our 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and a team of skilled movers for a pleasant, comfortable experience. Visit the website or call (212) 365-0707 for an instant price quote.
