Furniture Movers: Key Takeaways

Hiring professional furniture movers saves time, reduces stress, and protects your home and belongings from damage
The moving process covers several steps: consultation, receiving a custom quote, booking a date, packing, loading, transporting your items, and unloading them at your new destination
Quotes are usually hourly or flat-rate, and you may choose the type that best suits your needs and preferences
Furniture moves in NYC are more complex due to walk-ups, heavy traffic, tight spaces, and building rules

Moving heavy furniture by yourself might seem like a money-saving solution. Until you end up with a scratched dresser, or even worse, a strained back.

Why not call furniture movers instead?

We’ll share:

The benefits of hiring furniture movers
What the moving process includes
Why NYC poses unique relocation challenges
How to choose a moving company for your furniture

Don’t do your own heavy lifting. Call Imperial Movers

Why Hire Professional Furniture Movers?

Furniture movers do more than transport your bed, sofa, or dresser to a new address. They:

Save Time

With years of experience, pros know how to approach every step of the process, from disassembling furniture to packing and loading trucks. What might take you a full day, they can do in a few hours.

Reduce Stress

45% of the Americans rank relocation among life’s most stressful events. When hiring experts:

You don’t have to worry about logistics, timing, or tools.
You don’t have to strain your body, risking injury.
You can focus on other important areas of the move, such as an address change and prepping your new space.

Ensure an Organized Move

Based on your furniture and location, a good moving company ensures all building requirements are met, keeping things on schedule and eliminating confusion and delays.

Protect Your Furniture and Your Home

Pros use specialized moving equipment and techniques in tight and difficult-to-navigate spaces. The goal? To move your furniture without a single scratch and protect your home from dents, scuffed floors, or damaged door frames.

The Furniture Moving Process With a Moving Company

Working with pros follows several steps.

1. Initial Consultation

You meet with the company to discuss the details of your move:

The type and quantity of furniture
Any specialty items you want to transport: fish tanks, pianos, mirrors, glass-top tables, antiques, or art
The origin and destination addresses
Building access conditions such as if there are stairs, elevators, and tight corners

2. Receiving a Quote

Based on the information you provide, the moving company will send you a quote. The cost typically includes:

Labor
Truck
Fuel
Insurance
Wrapping materials

Different companies use different pricing models and usually offer hourly and flat rates.

Hourly pricing is based on the total time used by the crew for your move.
The rate typically includes travel time, loading, unloading, and setup.
This model is a good option for smaller moves like a studio or one-bedroom or relocations within the same building or neighborhood.
Keep in mind that delays due to heavy traffic or using stairs can affect the final cost.
Flat-rate pricing provides one fixed cost for the entire move by considering the items you’re moving and the distance.
Flat rates are preferred for larger moves or longer distances.
Verify if the price includes disassembly, materials, or Certificate of Insurance (COI) fees to avoid surprise add-ons.

3. Scheduling the Move

If you are comfortable with the pricing, it’s time to book your move.

Choose a mid-month, mid-week date: The beginning and end of the month are considered peak periods as most leases start or end. Mid-week slots like Tuesdays through Thursdays are less sought after, and you can benefit from lower rates.
Avoid holidays and major city events: Heavy traffic and street closures in cities like New York can delay your move and increase your price if you have opted for hourly rates.
Select a morning time slot: Starting early gives you time to troubleshoot unexpected delays and settle in before evening.
Book two to four weeks in advance: Peak periods (May to September) are characterized by high demand, and slots fill up fast. Booking early will ensure your move goes as planned, especially if you’ve committed to vacating your current space on a certain date.

4. Moving Plan by the Company

Once you schedule your move, the company maps out a custom plan. It ensures a smooth, organized relocation and includes:

Reviewing building requirements such as COI, move-in/move-out time restrictions, and elevator reservations.
Parking and access logistics, including truck access to loading zones, street parking permits or restrictions, and use of loading docks.
Inventory breakdown, focusing on fragile or specialty items and labeling rooms and furniture for efficient delivery.
Identifying furniture that needs to be taken apart, including required tools and manpower.

5. Disassembling and Packing (If You’ve Signed for These Services)

If you have chosen full-service moving, your crew will:

Disassemble large furniture like bed frames or sectional sofas.
Pack all pieces with stretch wrap or furniture blankets.
Label small components like screws, bolts, and connectors so they don’t get lost.

6. Loading

The next step is loading your furniture. Depending on the items and building features, the crew might use:

Furniture dollies and sliders for heavy or awkwardly shaped items
Straps and harnesses to carry items downstairs or over thresholds
Protective runners and corner guards to keep your flooring and walls

7. Transportation

Movers then load and secure your furniture inside the truck so that it doesn’t shift and get damaged.

This is key regardless of whether you’re moving a few blocks in Manhattan or to another borough.

8. Unloading and Unpacking

Upon arrival at your new address, and depending on the services you selected, the crew members:

Unload your furniture in the correct rooms based on the labels they have used.
Reassemble items they disassembled earlier.
Remove any packaging materials.

A custom image explaining the process of hiring furniture movers

Moving companies have a structured process to ensure an efficient relocation

Furniture Movers in NYC: What To Expect Locally

Furniture moves in New York City follow the same basic process as anywhere else. However, the work of the movers is more demanding due to the city’s unique environment:

Walk-up buildings without elevators, where moving requires both strength and strategy.
Tight hallways and doorways, where moving larger furniture is possible only with proper equipment and maneuvering techniques.
Strict building regulations requiring precise scheduling and document preparation.
Traffic challenges and restrictions, which can impact timing and increase moving costs.

How To Choose Furniture Movers

To select the right company and avoid unpleasant surprises:

Confirm the movers are registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and have insurance.
Review online customer reviews to get an idea of their reputation.
Look for clear pricing models with information about the cost and what it includes.
Check if movers offer the services you need, for example, packing, disassembly, and storage.
Monitor whether they are helpful and professional during the estimate process.

A custom image listing tips about how to hire furniture movers

Customer reviews can reveal a lot about the process of a moving company

Looking for Furniture Movers? Imperial Has You Covered

With 11 years in business, Imperial Movers provides residential and commercial moving services across all 50 states.

We serve approximately 10,000 customers per year, ensuring an efficient and pleasant experience.

In addition to furniture moves, we offer:

“Moving furniture in New York City isn’t just about hauling sofas and chairs,” says Ed, Mover at Imperial Movers. “60% of our moves involve buildings with strict time windows and complex access, so we need to build a strategy to ensure a smooth process. Our team handles the entire logistics for you so you can focus on settling into your new space.”

Call us today, and we’ll help you start your new life or set up your office, bringing your comfortable furniture and treasured items to your new address.

Moving furniture in NYC can be tricky. Imperial Movers can help

Furniture Movers: FAQs

What should I do to prepare my furniture before the movers arrive?

To prepare your furniture:

Clear off surfaces.
Remove personal items from drawers.
Set valuable and fragile items aside.

Do I need to be present during the move?

While some companies prefer that you’re present to answer questions or do a final walkthrough, others suffice with remote instructions if you’ve arranged building access in advance.

Can movers move my furniture into storage?

Many moving companies, including Imperial Movers, offer short- and long-term storage options and can move your home or office furniture items directly into a climate-controlled and secure facility. Talk to our team, and we’ll arrange a free pick-up.

Is tipping the movers expected?

While not required, tipping shows you appreciate your crew’s efforts. Read more on how much to tip movers in our detailed guide.

Do I need to empty my drawers for movers?

Yes, it’s recommended that you empty drawers before you move. Leaving items inside can add weight, complicate the process, and increase the risk of damage.

Will movers move dressers with clothes in them?

It depends. If you’re moving a short distance and your dresser is lightweight, movers may allow you to leave soft clothing inside. However, most companies prefer moving furniture with empty drawers, especially if it’s heavy and large.

Need to move a bulky couch or awkward wardrobe? Call Imperial Movers

Need Furniture Movers? Here’s What to Know Before You Book