High-end moving/storage company

http://dayandmeyer.com is said to be good.

www.welpakcorp.com They handle this scenario for many of my clients who are undergoing a renovation. They are reliable, honest, careful & the warehouse is spotless.

Cadogan Tate

http://www.cadogantate.com/residential/

I have hired a bunch of movers lately and it seems like there is no way to get a moving crew that is truly high end. I could not find one anyway. Our movers were from Flat Rate, our last bunch were from Shleppers. They all hire the same people back and forth. They all bang stuff up, lie about pricing, slap on additional prices, send too few men and take too long. They generally talk back and pack things poorly. I recognize some have had great experiences with movers but I would argue that that is the luck of the draw with the crew you get for that day, and their moods. I was told there are a few small boutique firms but I could not find them. I paid $2000 for a catastrophe of a move. The say someone offers a true high-end moving experience in this town, they will be very rich. I wish I knew an alternative and I am all ears.

As for storage, they all offer storage. Day and Meyer is a fascinating old company with one of the coolest operations in town. I cannot speak to their movers but suspect it's the same collection of people everyone uses.

Brownstone Brothers. We used them twice within the past 3 years and they were outstanding. They wrapped and moved crystal, English porcelain, silver, large and small pieces of framed original art (paintings, prints, and large format photography), and antiques and collectibles (including a collection of American pottery), all without a single scratch or break. Exquisite job plus they were a pleasure to work with -- both the management and the crews. We also used them to store furniture and other household items in their warehouse for the year we spent in a rental while renovating our coop. We worked with our own insurance agent (for our Chubb policy) to make sure our policy coordinated with theirs, but in the end it didn't matter because not a single piece of glassware, china, or furniture was harmed.

They will come and visit your place and do a price based on your stuff and circumstances and then the price will be exactly what they said it would be. No surprises.

I can't recommend them highly enough.

PS No matter who you hire, make sure you hire a mover whose crews are on the company's payroll (which is the case with Brownstone) and not day workers. For movers who use day workers (which I understand is the case with Flat Rate), if there is a breakage problem or some other kind of claim, the moving company puts the collection for damages responsibility onto the workers, which can be both a mess and also totally unaccountable.

PPS We did not use Brownstone to move our piano. Piano moving is a specialty and the folks at Brownstone were not only fine with our keeping our baby grand separate and out of their hands, they also advised us to hire a specialist, which we did.

They aren't "high end" but I had a really good experience with Moishe's Movers a few years back. I did two moves, keeping a lot of my stuff in storage with them for several months. The crew chief for my first move was so accommodating and meticulous that I specifically requested him and his crew for the second move. I also wrote a letter to the management telling them how pleased I was with the movers. Of course it didn't hurt that I tip movers, generously, "up front" as well as when the job is completed. But that didn't stop one moving company from breaking several items and running out of the house at record speed before I could notice.

NextEra -- you are right. I forgot about Brownstone. They seem to be the sole exception and they seem to be universally adored. For our new move we will absolutely call them. As for Moishe's, well that is about as low-rent as they come. But again, it is a toss up as to the crew they will send. Moishe's is like any other moving company. Anyway -- the answer seems to be Brownstone.

Might I suggest you call one of the museums or the Steinway company to see who they use to move their priceless artifacts and pianos?

Is Brownstone Brothers a lot more expensive? And is it worth using them if you have a few pieces of nice furniture, but no expensive fragile items?

When we first hired Brownstone they were one of three movers from which we got prices and they were competitive with the others. I can't remember who the other two movers were (I know Flat Rate was NOT one of the three because at the time we had heard negative reports on them), but I'd recommend anyone do the same -- call three for prices and insurance info. Good movers will insist on coming to your place and seeing the job before giving you a written price.

As for using Brownstone even if you don't have fragile things -- moving is so terribly stressful, I think that if possible, always go with the best mover you can find, especially if it's not a big price difference, if only to minimize the stress and chaos.

I just looked at the papers. Turns out we got a few estimates. They are all around $2000 and said they would send four men. Brownstone was about $2850 and said they would send six men. I am glad you reminded me about them. After what just happened with Flat Rate and Shleppers I would pay $3000 gladly.

What does it take to be on the higher end of moving? FLMAOZ

We had a perfect experience with All Star Moving and Storage in Brooklyn in April. Great rates and a complete pleasure to work with. The owner owns a horse stable upstate and takes his employees up there to play with the horses from time to time.

They handled my original paintings, which have no value on the market but are real precious to me. Especially after Storm Sandy.

I've always just moved myself. But, I've never had extremely expensive items that I was too worried about. A buddy of mine used Brownstone before, and he said they were ok. "They got the job done". He didn't sound thrilled with them, however.

what is FLMAOZ?

would the the highly ranked movers (like Brownstone) also disassemble big furniture pieces before moving or not?

yes

Aboutready, who did you use to go from Peter Cooper Village out to Williamsburg? Anyone special?

Flat rate was super unprofessional! Scheduled a move, then they bailed out 3 days before the move (They were supposed to pack too which left us with a big headace of packing). www.unpakt.com saved the day

Have used West Side Movers 5 times in last 10 years for moving and storage in Manhattan. Excellent experience each time. And reasonably priced I thought

>what is FLMAOZ?

Feeling Like Monkeys Are Only at the Zoo.

http://www.manafinearts.com/

http://www.divinemoving.com

I used Arthur Werner for my last move, first time I had anything that I considered legitimately fragile. They were professional, on time and didn't scratch a thing, including the freshly painted apartment. Not a single bump against anything. I paid about 20% more than the closest other bid and it was well worth it. I plan to use them again. Have seen them used by others in my building as well, many with some very expensive and fragile furniture.

Re: expensive crystal, glassware, vases...etc. I would never trust anyone but yours truly to move those items...just not worth the risk to me.