Movers

Oz - absolutely outstanding. Broke nothing, friendly, efficient and reasonably priced. (I paid them to pack me too and it was a bargain including packing materials... although I hear rates went up).

We just got a decent quote from Moishe's which includes everything i.e. packing moving boxes and tapes etc.

Do we need to sign a written contract I have heard horror stories about how some movers jack up the rates on the day of the move...

Oz is very good. I've used them a few times. Get a Written Binding Estimate. I just went about a day and a half of back and forth with Moishe's and in the end, they didn't have a truck on they day I needed! Thanks for wasting my time...

Lenox Hill to Carnegie Hill? seems like you should be able to just push things down the street yourself!

has anyone tried smaller movers, like any mentioned here?

http://www.yelp.com/c/manhattan/movers

I used Flatrate in June 2009 to pack and move a 800 square foot 1 bedroom apartment about 10 miles. Total cost was about $1,400. The moving crew was prompt (in fact they arrived 45 mins early) and was done by 4:15. The crew was very courteous and professional. At the end of my move that afternoon, one of the owners was in my new neighborhood, stopped by to ask me how my move went.

We got a quote which said "guaranteed rate" including packing and moving which I thought was reasonable. It includes all tapes, boxes, blankets etc.

But does guaranteed rate mean flat rate?

The smart thing to do would be ASKING the company.

I have used Flat Rate twice 2006 & 2010. The first time I used them they left some of my items on the truck. The seconf time I used them, the consultant gace me a price that included packing, which I did not ask for. When I questioned this they lowered the estimate and said that would include packing of items such as lamps, stereo. The crew was prompt but every single lamp, lamp shade and bulb were broken. They packed the lamps with the lampshades and bulbs and stuffed them in a box. Even my floorlamps were bent. My antique mirror over the sofa was placed last in the truck and they never covered it. Needless to say there are marks scratches all over the mirror and the frame looks chewed up.
In ther same breath, I had used OZ (2005) and they are meticulous. They wrap everything to perfection. BUT, beware. After they were paid the foreman, told me they had gotten a ticket in a NO STANDING when they were at the apartment we moved out of. I asked to see the ticket and he did not present it. I paid the $125 (yes, it was foolish of me). But, I went down to the OZ office and spoke to one of the salespeople, and he refunded the $125. SCAM, I think yes. They also broke some china of mine in the move, but all in all were pretty much okay. But they charge by the hour and you won't know the amount until the end of the move. They also have you sign a contract stipulating the % amount you HAVE to tip the movers.

I moved from Boston to New York last October and used Flatrate. I got quotes from Flatreate and Moishe's and although they were about the same I felt that Flatrate would do a better job.

It was perfection!!!!!You fill out a form listing all contents on line and you can update it right up to the day before you move. It calculates costs and so if you are honest about what you're moving there are no surprises and price does not change.

here's the great part - They showed up in Boston exactly on time at 9:30 with packaging crates for large paintings. I gave them the painting dimensions and the crates were made to fit exactly. I scheduled the delivery two days later to allow me to be at the apt. They held the truck in a secure warehouse and it was not disturbed.

Flatrate showed in exactly at 9:30, same crew. They had to park around the corner and carry everything extra couple hundred ft.

Here's the best part. I had to arrange a crane service (extremely expensive) to hoist several large items in through the window. Flaterate crew worked along side the crane crew. It went off without a hitch. Nothing damaged in the least, paintings uncrated and crates removed.

Like I said, they were the best.

I used Flatrate @ 2004 and they pulled the same parking crap.
Promised that if the ticket got dismissed I would be refunded.
I stayed on it, and when online proof showed the ticket was dismissed, the office finally paid me back.

Ive since made a habit of throwing things out and selling furniture before moving as it never fits in the next place. Particualarly since they were all rental apartments.
My last move to my purchase, I really got rid of everything and moved around 10 boxes plus 5 suitcases of clothes.
Starting relatively fresh is sometimes exhilarating, especially when you have some light hoarding habits.

Does anyone have knowledge of a moving company that does the actual move as well as removing items that you want discarded.
I am moving items from my storage unit in NJ to my apartment here in NYC.
Thanks!

I used Oz for my last move and they were great. No complaints, much praise. Previously I used Moishes and liked them too. Moishe's were a little better at the pre-move negotiation and communication, and Oz was a little better at the move itself. Both parts of the process are important. I recommend both companies highly. fyi, I was pleasantly surprised to find that everyone gave discounts for moving in the middle of the month, and most of the firms who gave me estimates also had an Angie's List discount as well.

Good luck!

We are currently in a rental exactly one block from our new place which has been undergoing renovation. We expect to move in about a month. I'm not sure a truck is necessary as everything can be brought over via hand trucks and dollies. Any recommendations for fine movers who can do this sort of thing would be most appreciated. We have had some problems with low ball estimates and poor service in the past and are willing to pay for good careful service without extortion! Thanks!

Moving Man, Inc. is absolutely top notch. I moved 3/4 of the contents of an 1,150 square foot apartment 4 blocks last fall. They were FAR cheaper than Moishes, OZ, Big John's, Flat Rate, and West Side Movers. THERE WERE NO EXTRAS. They worked continuously and efficiently and absolutely nothing was damaged.

I recommended them to a friend who had to move her art/paint store. Nothing was damaged even though some items had to be carried down steep stairs. They charged 25 to 50% less than the well known movers in the neighborhood.

The problem with hand trucks and dollies is that it's hard to transport furniture on the street, especially if you have to cross the street in traffic. Also, you have a big problem in inclement weather.

how much notice do you need to give for a move?
I am moving in the next 2 months but don't have an exact date yet.
Also, what is the average minimum charge? I have very little stuff and only moving about 4 blocks.

bigmoviebuff:
A musician friend, when asked about the cost of moving; likes to tell the story of his experience:
"I moved from San Francisco to Manhattan and it cost me less than when I moved from that Manhattan apartment
to my current apartment -- just 8 blocks away!"

The longer advance notice to the moving company=the best price.
In your situation, just have a moving date in place and if you need to change it, shouldn't be that much of a $ difference. (Two months before the move will do.)

You should give them a week's notice, less if it's not at the beginning or end of the month. You can call them movers in at any time to get a written estimate. Then you just call the one you've selected to set the date.

They all charge by the hour/per man and the rates vary considerably. Some charge higher rates during the prime weeks of the month (1st and last weeks). They usually need at least 3 men: 2 for the move and 1 managing the truck to avoid parking tickets and watch over your stuff as it is being loaded/unloaded.

I had a good overall experience with Moving Man as well. To keep it simple:

Pros - at least 25% cheaper than other reputable options we looked into, they were good guys to deal with (very professional), they didn't damage anything

Cons - they were about an hour late getting to my apartment in the morning - weather was lousy though, underestimated the initial cost of the move and had to charge me an extra 150 at the end (still 100's cheaper than the other options though)

Kevin: That's the important part: now (for bigmoviebuff: moving in 2 months) is the time to call and set appointments for the moving companies to send their reps to see what bigmoviebuff is moving.
OZ was good for the move (gave a firm price).
However, don't put anything in their "Storage". Their "storage facilities" are dumpy buildings.
If you can, buy moving boxes at Home Depot and pack your small things yourself (you can also buy bubble-wrap at Home Depot) Oz supplied the tape for free.

thanks for the tip on Moving Man. They gave me an estimate about 20% lower than Big John.
What I am surprised to find is that their liability on your stuff is crap - .30 per pound per item.

Do most people purchase insurance on the big ticket items like a tv?

had a great experience with Moving Man.
Their estimate was about 20% lower than Big John and came in about $30 below estimate.
They were quick and very efficient.
Highly recommend them.

I'm curious if anyone has experience with temporary moves? We're looking to renovate and will need to move everything into storage.

Are there any movers that are more specialized than others? And what about the storage centers - do any of them offer moving services?

And of course then there is the move back - do you get any break in pricing for a move-out/storage/move-in arrangement?

I've been recommending Excellent Quality movers. They're out of Red Hook. Nice guys, work very efficiently. Most of my friends ended up using them as well.

gutter:
Can only advise you: do NOT use "OZ"!

Is this in New York City or Brooklyn?

Uh, huntersburg:
Brooklyn is in New York City.

http://www.divinemoving.com

Not recent, but I used Moishes once. They were supposed to move my stuff to storage. After they had my stuff in the truck, they jacked up the price. I had them unload to an independent storage facility.

Recently, I used Shea Movers to move a 2-BR apt w/in Manhattan. We had a ton of stuff (3 beds, dr table w/ 8 chairs, sofa, 3 armchairs, lots of furniture and maybe 100 boxes). It was about $1,800 with no packing. One broken plate. Guys were amazing.

used moishes in a previous move and they were good - came for a quote and complete bait and switch; used oz instead - they were fabulous

I have used FlatRate twice. Not the cheapest but they were amazingly helpful, professional and fast.

I agree with Truth's recommendation and her assessment of some of the others.