Everthing you need to know about moving
Estimates, pricing and payment
Damage protection and insurance
Scheduling a move
Packing and materials
Estimates, actual costs, & payment for your move
How much will my move cost?
We price your move based on the number of hours needed to complete your move. Hourly rates depend on the size of crew needed (see below). You also pay for 1 hour travel time (again, see below) plus the actual time it takes to complete your move, including: packing, loading, transporting, drop-offs/pick-ups, unloading, unpacking and any packing materials.
Built into the price is valuation coverage of $0.30 per pound per article. Some Manor customers choose to purchase additional peace of mind in the form of moving insurance, which is paid directly to the insurance company. Moving insurance is discussed further down this page.
Under certain circumstances, Manor Moving & Storage can provide you with a guaranteed price for your move. This price guarantee will be based on a detailed inventory list which you provide. The inventory list must be complete and accurate in order for us to guarantee costs and provide you with a guaranteed price or “flat rate”.
How many movers will be needed on my move?
The crew size we send on your move is determined by the inventory of items that will be moved. We usually recommend at least three movers. One will stay with the truck to assist with loading and unloading, “guard” your items from passersby and avoid parking tickets whenever possible. The other two crewmembers move your items to/from the truck. The size of your specific crew is optimized to make your move as efficient as possible, without compromising on quality or safety.
Why is travel time charged to and from your base?
This is common practice for every moving company in New York City. Every move in NYC is charged one hour to cover travel expenses (30 min from base to customer, and 30 min from customer back to base). Please understand that this practice is regulated by the NY Dept. of Transportation and by law is capped at one hour. There are many valid reasons for this charge, including: 1. We compensate the moving crew from the time they start the truck to the time they sign off; 2. There are fuel and preparation-related expenses prior to arriving at your location; 3.) New York traffic is famous for being unpredictable; it can often take well over 30 minutes to arrive at a customer’s location (traffic jams, weather-related closures, etc). However, regardless of how long it takes for us to reach your location; you are only charged for 30 minutes each way.
What is your tipping policy?
It is customary to tip movers between 15%-20% in New York. Tipping is completely voluntary. We have a strict policy against soliciting customers for tips and we take any tip complaints very seriously. However, it is important to note that tips are a significant part of the income for your hard-working moving crew and as such, they are tremendously appreciated!
Do I need an in-home estimate?
For very large or complex moves, we will send one of our experienced relocation consultants to your home. Our highly trained expert will assess the details of your move (inventory and other factors) and provide you with a binding quote for your complete move.
Who pays for parking tickets?
As you already know, the parking situation in New York City is tough. As movers, we have two options: 1.) Look for a legal truck parking space. Please note this is very difficult in NYC and would require extra time, time which adds to the cost of your move. 2.) Safely double park. Obviously, if we double park there is a chance we will get ticketed. The ticket cost will be added to the move total and charged to the customer. While not an ideal solution, this practice is standard for every moving company in New York. To limit these incidents, we do our best to have at least one mover with the truck at all times – not only to watch over the items being loaded onto it – but also so the truck can be moved prior to being ticketed.
How and when do I reserve and pay for my move?
Manor requires a $50 deposit in order to reserve your moving date and crew. We do this to ensure that we have the correct equipment and necessary staff available on the day of the move. Your $50 deposit will be deducted from the total cost of the move. Please note that your deposit is non refundable. Complete payment for the move will be handled by the crew supervisor at the end of your move.
Do you accept credit cards?
We accept all major credit cards including MasterCard, Visa and American Express. Customers who would like to pay by credit card must be pre-approved prior to the day of the move. Please coordinate with your Relocation Consultant.
Do you offer a “flat rate”?
Yes, we do! If you’d like an all-inclusive, guaranteed price for your move, be sure that you provide us with an itemized, highly accurate inventory list of all your belongings, including all furniture, cartons, etc . Please ask your relocation consultant about our guaranteed rate.
How can I keep my costs down during the move?
The best way to save money on your move is to pack as much as you can yourself, before the move date. We will gladly - and carefully - pack your things, but packing done by you would be more cost-efficient.
Damage protection and insurance
Am I protected against damages during the move?
The first line of defense against damage to your belongings is the way the items are packed. At Manor, our experts make sure EVERYTHING is protected by either carefully boxing each item or padding it with a protective layer of blankets. This is one important area of service where our years of experience are critical.
Our experience is also important in the way your items are loaded, transported and unloaded. Our experienced movers know the best way to load and, more importantly, position your items in our trucks to greatly reduce the chance of damage during transport.
While we do everything we can to prevent damage during the moving process, we also are serious about providing adequate compensation if damages do occur. Even though we have one of the lowest damage ratios in the industry, movers are only human and every once in a while damages occur. By law, every moving company has to offer what’s called “valuation coverage” which is currently $0.30 per pound, per article. This coverage rarely satisfactorily in compensating you for damages. While Manor always tries to fix or compensate our customers for damages, we recommend purchasing a moving insurance policy via movinginsurance.com – especially for your extremely valuable or fragile items. Insurance policies can be purchased for individual items or for the whole inventory of your move.
What should I do if some of my belongings are damaged during the move?
If the damages are noticed during the move, the crew supervisor will open a claim request on your behalf. If you notice damage after our moving crew has left, you can easily open a claim on our website. Either way, Manor is committed to resolving any and all claims within 14 business days from notification of any damage.
Scheduling your move
When is the best time to move?
Because the busiest part of any given month is usually between the 26th and the 4th of the following month, we encourage customers to book their moves well in advance to ensure we have sufficient crew availability.
Why is there a 2 hour window for moving during the afternoon?
Each of our moving crews typically handle two moves per working day – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances, the morning move takes longer than planned. This is why the afternoon move is usually scheduled within a 2 hour window. Rest assured the majority of our afternoon moves do start on time at the beginning of the 2 hour window.
What information does Manor need to know if I live in a doorman building?
Most doormen building in New York have restrictions about moving in or out. Many also restrict moving to between 9AM-5PM, weekdays only. They also require a “certificate of insurance” be shown which is proof that the mover is insured for damages to the building in addition to Workers’ Compensation coverage in case the moving crew is injured on the premises. Before calling Manor Moving, please check with the building management where you live for specific building restrictions.
Packing and materials
What needs to be boxed?
To keep your smaller items as safe and secure as possible during the move, they will need to be boxed. This also includes such things as TV’s, paintings, lamps and even mattresses. To protect your furniture, Manor’s moving experts use special plastic covers in combination with a protective layer of thick blankets.
Where can I buy moving boxes?
We offer a wide range of additional high quality, double-corrugated moving boxes should you require additional containers. Be sure to ask your Manor relocation consultant about our free Same Day Delivery service.
If you already have boxes from a previous move or would like to supply your own boxes, please be sure the boxes are designated for moving household items and are double-corrugated. Any less may expose your items to damage or loss.
What other materials will I need?
If you are planning on packing items yourself (the best way to save money on your move!), along with moving boxes, you will also need packing tape and packing paper (or bubble wrap).
If we will be doing all or some of the packing for you, our crew will have all the materials necessary. Other than moving boxes, we do not charge for packing material, including tape and wrapping paper.
What is “crating” and when do you recommend it?
Crating means either building a custom wooden crate for a heavy or especially fragile item, or shaping a custom cardboard box (and bubble wrap) when a fragile item of yours does not fit into a standard moving box . To better protect your items, we typically crate heavy, large or fragile items (like large standing mirrors, glass top tables and oversized TV’s).
Why do you need to pack my mattresses?
Because of their large shape and unique material, mattresses and box springs are more prone to scratches and soiling during the move. Many moves involve tight corners, small elevators, and low doorways that can dirty or damage typical mattresses and box springs. Because of our extensive experience in moving these items, Manor recommends using at least a mattress cover to make sure your mattress is not damaged in transit.
How will you move my Plasma or LCD TV?
Very carefully! In fact, if you happen to have the TV’s original box, we will use it. If you don’t, no problem, we will use either our special flat-screen TV wood crate for 36-inch screen and larger, or will protect your TV with special, heavy moving blankets and bubble wrap.
Will my furnishings remain clean?
Of course! In fact, we typically wrap furniture with a heavy duty plastic cover or sofa cover before we layer it with protective blankets. Our special moving blankets are cleaned each week to make sure they don’t accidentally stain or soil any of your items.
Will Manor help me unpack?
Absolutely. How much of your items we unpack is entirely up to you. At a minimum, we will unpack (or un-crate) any of your heavy furniture and place it in exactly the right location.
Can I keep my clothes in drawers?
That’s not a good idea and we don’t recommend doing it. While chests and dressers do a great job of storing clothes, they are not designed to transport them and safely protect the contents inside. Please use wardrobe or linen boxes designed for this purpose instead.
Can you move my jewelry and other valuables?
We do not move money, valuable papers or jewelry. We highly recommend that you transport these specific items yourself.
Can you move my house plants?
Absolutely. We typically use a box with an open top to safely transport plants.
If I want to donate or simply get rid of some of my items, can Manor help?
We can certainly get rid of any of your unwanted items and/or schedule an extra stop at a charitable donation location. Just ask your relocation consultant about any additional charges that might apply.