FAQ Corner: Genuine Answers to Your Moving Queries

At 1/2 Price Movers, we believe in clarity at every step of your move. Below, we've compiled a list of answers to all your essential moving questions. Dive deeper if you're planning a move!

Call: (718) 689-0556

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

How long have you been in business?

We have proudly served the Tri-State Area — New York City, New Jersey, and Long Island — since 1968. With over 55 years of experience, 1/2 Price Movers is one of the most trusted and established moving companies in the region.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. 1/2 Price Movers is fully licensed and insured, complying with all New York State and New Jersey regulations for professional movers. You can move with confidence knowing your belongings and liability are fully protected.

Do you subcontract moves or use brokers?

Never. Every move is handled 100% by our own professional crew — no subcontractors, no brokers, no surprises. When you book 1/2 Price Movers, our trained team handles your move from pickup to delivery.

How far in advance should I schedule my move?

The earlier, the better. For larger moves we recommend booking at least one month in advance. For smaller moves we can often accommodate short notice, and same-day service is available depending on crew availability.

Do you offer same-day or emergency moving services?

Yes. We offer same-day and emergency moving services when availability permits. Call our office directly for the fastest response to urgent moving requests.

Can I book last-minute movers in NYC?

Absolutely. Depending on crew availability, we regularly accommodate last-minute moves throughout NYC and the Tri-State Area. Contact us as early in the day as possible for same-day requests.

Pricing & Estimates

How much does a move cost?

We are an affordable, competitive flat-rate moving company. Every move is different, and we provide a guaranteed flat rate based on your specific inventory, origin, destination, and move details. Request your free quote at myhalfpricemovers.com or call (718) 689-0556.

Can I get a free moving quote?

Yes. All estimates are completely free with no obligation. You can call us, submit our online quote form, or schedule a virtual video call with a moving specialist who will walk you through the entire pricing process.

Do you provide flat-rate or hourly pricing?

We provide guaranteed flat-rate pricing based on your inventory, distance, and move details. Your quoted price is your final price — we do not charge by the hour or add overtime fees.

Are there any additional fees?

As long as your inventory and move details remain unchanged from your original quote, there are no additional fees. Your flat rate is exactly what you pay on moving day.

Do I need to pay a deposit?

Yes. A deposit is required to secure your moving date. The deposit is applied toward your total moving cost. Contact our office for current deposit requirements.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept the following payment methods:

Cash, Credit and Debit Cards, Zelle

How can I reduce my moving costs?

You can lower your moving cost by:

Providing an accurate and complete inventory when requesting your quote
Being fully packed and prepared before movers arrive
Obtaining free boxes from local supermarkets, liquor stores, or bookstores
Booking on weekdays or during the off-peak season (October through April)

Can I pack food or liquids?

We recommend against packing food unless it is stored in a sealed cooler. Liquids should be transported carefully — preferably by you personally — to avoid leaks and damage to other belongings during the move.

Packing & Preparation

Do you provide packing services?

Many apartment buildings, co-ops, condos, office buildings, and storage facilities in NYC require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before allowing a move to proceed. Contact your building management office early — ideally at least 1–2 weeks before your move date — to confirm their specific requirements.

What items cannot be moved?

For safety and legal reasons, we cannot transport the following hazardous materials:

Gasoline, propane tanks, and other fuels
Fireworks, ammunition, and explosives
Paint thinners and chemicals
Oxygen tanks and flammable or combustible materials

We also strongly recommend customers personally transport:

Cash, jewelry, and irreplaceable valuables
Important documents and medications
Firearms

How should I prepare for moving day?

To ensure the smoothest possible move:

Pack, seal, and label all boxes before movers arrive
Disconnect and prepare appliances (unplug refrigerators, washers, etc.)
Clear all walkways, hallways, and access points
Reserve elevators if required by your building
Keep children and pets safely away from moving areas
Set aside valuables, medications, important documents, and personal items you plan to carry yourself

How should I pack fragile items?

For breakable and fragile items:

Use sturdy, appropriately-sized boxes
Wrap each item individually with bubble wrap or packing paper
Fill empty spaces inside boxes to prevent shifting during transport
Clearly mark boxes as FRAGILE
Indicate which side should remain upright

Professional packing is strongly recommended for fine china, glassware, artwork, and collectibles.

What building requirements should I know before moving in NYC?

Many NYC buildings require advance coordination including:

Advance move notice to building management
Elevator reservation with designated moving hours
Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming the building
Loading zone permits
Move-in and move-out fees paid directly to building management

Customers are responsible for confirming their building’s specific requirements in advance. We assist with COI submissions.

Protection & Insurance

Do I need a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?

Yes. We offer professional packing services for an additional hourly charge. Our packers bring all required materials and can pack your entire home or specific rooms. Unpacking at your destination is also available.

Can you provide a COI?

Yes. Simply provide us with your building’s COI requirements and we will submit the request directly to our insurance provider. This is provided at no additional charge as part of our service.

What happens if something gets damaged?

While our crews take every precaution to protect your belongings, accidents can occasionally occur. All damage claims are handled according to the terms of your moving agreement and the valuation coverage option you selected at booking.

How long do I have to file a damage claim?

We recommend reporting any damage within one week of your move. Contact our main office as soon as you notice an issue so we can begin the claims process promptly.

Are you insured for interstate moves between New York and New Jersey?

Yes. 1/2 Price Movers holds all required federal (FMCSA) and state licenses for interstate moves between New York and New Jersey, ensuring your belongings are fully covered on cross-state relocations.

Services

Do you provide local and long-distance moving services?

We primarily service the Tri-State Area — all five NYC boroughs, Long Island, and New Jersey — and surrounding regions. We do not currently offer international moving services.

Do you offer international moving services?

No. We do not currently offer international moving. Our service area is the Tri-State Area: New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey.

Do you provide commercial or office moving services?

Yes. We regularly perform office and commercial relocations throughout the Tri-State Area. We schedule around business hours to minimize operational downtime.

Can you move business equipment and office furniture?

Yes. We safely move desks, filing cabinets, modular workstations, conference room furniture, servers, and all standard commercial office inventory.

Can you move pianos and other heavy specialty items?

Yes. We have a dedicated piano moving team trained to handle upright pianos, baby grands, and grand pianos of all sizes. We also move oversized furniture, safes, artwork, and other specialty items.

Do you provide storage services?

Not at this time. We do not offer storage services. If storage is part of your relocation plan, we recommend researching local self-storage facilities and we can coordinate move timing around your storage access.

Can you move large, fragile, or valuable items?

Yes. We regularly move large furniture, fine art, antiques, valuable collectibles, and other high-care items. Professional packing and specialty wrapping is available for all high-value belongings.

Do you offer full-service moving?

Yes. Our full-service option covers every aspect of your move: professional packing, furniture disassembly, loading, transportation, unloading, furniture reassembly, and unpacking. You simply direct us — we handle everything else.

Do you provide residential moving services?

Absolutely. Residential moving is our specialty and the core of our business. Whether you are moving a studio apartment, a family home, or a luxury residence, our crews deliver the same professional standard on every job.

NYC-Specific & During/After the Move

Do you provide moving services throughout all of NYC?

Yes. We serve all five New York City boroughs:

Manhattan
Brooklyn
Queens
The Bronx
Staten Island

We also serve Long Island and New Jersey from multiple locations.

Do I need to reserve an elevator for my move?

That depends on your building’s policies. Many NYC co-ops, condos, and rental buildings require elevator reservations and restrict moving to specific hours. Contact your building management office as soon as your move date is confirmed to avoid delays on moving day.

Can you help with moves between New York and New Jersey?

Absolutely. We operate multiple locations throughout New York and New Jersey and handle NY-NJ cross-state moves regularly. All major bridge and tunnel corridors are within our standard service area.

What time will the movers arrive on moving day?

Your arrival window is confirmed the day before your move. We schedule around building restrictions, elevator reservations, and any special requests whenever possible. Our team will call you to confirm your exact arrival time.

Can I reschedule or cancel my move?

Yes. Our scheduling policy is:

One date change is allowed at no charge
Additional date changes are subject to a $35 service fee

Please contact our office as early as possible if you need to reschedule.

Will movers disassemble and reassemble my furniture?

Yes. Basic furniture disassembly and reassembly are included in every move at no extra charge. Our crews bring the necessary tools for standard furniture pieces. Complex or specialty furniture may involve an additional charge.

Who should I contact if I have issues after the move?

Please call our main office directly and one of our customer service representatives will assist you promptly. We stand behind our work and will work to resolve any concern as quickly as possible.

Can movers take extra items on moving day?

Yes. Additional items can be added on the day of your move and will be priced accordingly based on the extra inventory. Let your crew leader know when they arrive and they will adjust accordingly.