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5 Things to Do to Find the Most Affordable Moving Companies in NYC

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Finding a moving company in NYC can be an overwhelming process. There are just so many options for movers, much like everything else in the city. How do you narrow down your options and pick an affordable but reputable moving company?

moving boxes with happy dog

We’ve put together a short list of tips to help you find the most affordable moving companies in NYC.

1. Ask Around

The best place to start looking for movers is by asking around for personal recommendations. Asking friends, family, or colleagues for input on movers will help you narrow down your options. You’ll also get first-hand information about what it’s like to work with that company. Check to see what they liked (and didn’t) about working with their mover.

Ultimately, those with recommendations have already done the hard work of researching and moving. Don’t reinvent the wheel if you don’t have to!

2. Read Reviews

Most affordable doesn’t mean cheapest. If you’re only looking around for the lowest bottom line, you’re taking a bit of a risk. Experienced and reputable movers may not have the smallest price tag, but you’ll be able to trust them with all of your precious belongings.

closeup computer online reviews

Much as asking people you know for recommendations helps get an idea of what the mover is like, the same goes for reading online reviews. As you start narrowing down your list, check online sites like Google Maps and Yelp for reviews left by others. Even if you have a personal referral from a friend, it doesn’t hurt to see what others are saying. There’s a chance they got lucky with a mover that doesn’t typically leave their customers as happy.

3. Plan Strategically

The principles of supply and demand show up in the moving business and can affect how much it will cost you. When demand is high, prices go up. If you have the ability, try to plan your move at a lower period.

Prices are highest in the summer months. The weather is better, the days are longer, and it’s the in-between period for school seasons making the move easier on kids. That makes summer a more competitive time to move and not only will you pay more, but you’ll also have to be flexible on your days and times to accommodate busy moving schedules.

Winter is a more attractive time to move, financially speaking. Short days and the complexity of rain and snow means most people wouldn’t choose to move in the winter months unless they had to. Movers are less busy and prices are lower.

Mid-spring and mid-fall are good middle grounds for planning your move. The weather isn’t too harsh and the demand isn’t as high. No matter the time of year, however, prices are always higher on weekends and holidays. If you can take a day or two off work mid-week to accommodate your move, you’ll save some cash.

4. Eliminate the Frauds

As we mentioned, it’s not enough to just go for the lowest price. If you do, it may end up costing you more in the end. Damaged or lost items are costly to replace. You may also find that movers with a price too good to be true have a reason for that. Don’t put yourself in a position where your things are loaded into a moving truck and you’re being asked for more money than discussed because of hidden fees.

mover shaking hands with man

Take your shortlist and put in some effort to ensure they’re reputable businesses. That means checking their online presence, calling their office number to ensure they answer with the business name, asking for professional email addresses, and reviewing their record at the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Do your due diligence and avoid scammers.

5. Get Some Help

If you’re looking to make your move more affordable, try enlisting some help. The more work you do up front the less work there is for your movers which may mean a lower price tag.

Get help from friends or family to take care of some of the busy work and get everything set and organized for when your movers arrive. You’ll pay less if you have less, so consider taking some time to downsize, as well. Donating, selling, gifting, and otherwise purging your belongings means your movers will have less work to do on the day.

About the author

Unpakt Team