Green City Movers FAQ

•   How do I book a move with Green City Movers?

 There are several ways to plan and book with Green City Movers:

•   To begin, you can fill out our free online estimate tool and get an insight to what your move might cost.

•   You can also reach our customer care center directly by calling 1(718)-576-3736, to speak with one of our representatives. 

•   You can also speak to one of our representatives about scheduling an in-home estimate. 

If you decide to move with Green City Movers, a move coordinator will be assigned to you and assist you through out your relocation process.

•   Is your company licensed and insured?

Green City Movers is a fully licensed company under the Department of Transportation (DOT#39058). We are bonded and insured with general liability, cargo, auto and workers compensation. If your building requires we add them onto our insurance policy, known as "Additional Insured", please let your moving coordinator know at least a week ahead of the move date. Most buildings do not require this. 

•   What is your pricing structure and what can I expect to pay?

The cost of a move is based on many factors: weight, distance, length of time and the manpower involved. To get started, fill out our free estimate form online and one of our representatives will follow up with you within an hour or less. A non-binding estimate is an approximation of the cost for your move, based on the estimated weight of the shipment and accessorial services requested. A binding estimate is an exact cost for moving services and your final charges will not increase. You will discuss with your move coordinator the best options that suit your needs. 

•   Do you offer packing services?

Hiring full-service movers saves you time, stress, and possibly wasted effort. Our moving services are entrusted to highly trained professionals who can efficiently pack, load, unload and unpack your belongings. Heavy appliances, large furniture and fragile items are difficult to pack and load securely without incurring damage. In the end, hiring movers to pack your belongings may be the more cost-effective solution. You may inquire about this option through our estimate form or by speaking to one of our representatives. If you would like to pack yourself, just consult with one of our move coordinators for packing tips and advice.

•   Do you provide labor-only (no trucks) services?

Moving within the same building or already have a truck? No problem, here at Green City Movers, we provide labor-only crew to assist with pod and truck loading and unloading, as well as internal moves. Just select the labor option when filling out your estimate form or inform your move coordinator. 

•   Do you use temporary day laborers?

Never. We only employ full-time, highly experienced and skilled Green City Moving crewmembers. All of our employees have many years of experience and we consider them the best in the business.

•    Can you provide storage for my belongings?

Sometimes, even a local, small move must include storage. Your Green City Movers representative can help you with many storage options as part of your moving experience. 

•   How and when do I pay for the move?

 Tariff provisions require that all moving charges be paid before your shipment is unloaded at the destination. Payments can be made using cash, certified checks or money order. Other payment options such as a credit card or debit card can be arranged your professional moving provider. Discuss these options with your move coordinator.

•   Do you accept tips?

Tip etiquette is a touchy subject under any circumstances and deciding whether to tip your movers is even more fraught with questions. Although they are being paid to provide a service, they could be worthy of extra recognition for a job well done. So, yes, please tip your movers if you are happy with your move.

Insightful Moving Tips

Pre-Move Preparation – Parking

Reserving parking is key as a distant spot means we have to carry items farther than necessary and this can add significant time and expense. A lot of clients underestimate this, but most of moving is just hauling possessions to/from the truck! If the truck is twice as far away, it will therefore, substantially extend your relocation process. 

Pre-Move Preparation – Reserving Elevators and Loading Docks

Reserve any elevators or loading docks that might be used. You generally do this by contacting the property manager of your building. Weekend and month-end dates are the most popular, sometimes getting fully booked weeks, even months ahead of time. Be sure to give us a heads up if you have limited elevator, dock, parking, etc. reservation window that could make things tight, or if there is a limit on the amount of time a move can take place within your building.

Pre-Move Preparation – Packing and Preparing your Possessions For Their Journey

1. If you decide to pack your belongings yourself, make sure to box up as many items

As possible. Hiring us to make hundreds of trips back and forth with small, loose items is not a good use of our time or, more importantly, your money.

It’s also recommended to use similarly sized and weighted boxes. This makes stacking for hauling to the truck, and packing into the truck much easier and simpler, and therefore faster and cheaper.

2. Remove and box up items from any dresser, desk, file cabinet, wardrobe or armoire. This makes these items easier and safer to move.

3. Disassemble large furniture items beforehand, if possible. Large appliances, such as washers, dryers, stoves, should be disconnected. Our crew can perform these tasks also, but please provide advance notice.

We strongly recommend you disassemble Ikea and other particleboard furniture. This kind of furniture is not meant to be moved in assembled form! We understand disassembly and re-assembly can be a pain, so we’re happy to help with this. If you want to leave particleboard furniture in an assembled state for the move, we will be very careful, and it generally goes just fine, but please be aware that we cannot be held responsible if damage does occur. See our policies page for more detail on our limits of liability.

4. Dense items like books and papers should be packed in small-sized book boxes. A large box with books my risk tearing apart and be difficult to maneuver.

5. Make sure you have plenty of boxes and tape. You’ll probably need twice as much as you realize.  We can also bring you cardboard boxes, tape, etc. if you would like us to pack for you (must be scheduled prior to your move).

6. Labeling a box’s contents makes a mover’s life (and yours!) simpler and helps us take better care of your possessions. It’s especially important to note if a box is fragile or extremely heavy. Also, unpacking will be significantly more streamlined if your boxes designate their new destination by room so we can take it straight there and you don’t have to face a Himalayan mountain range of boxes in your living room.

7. Leave yourself enough time for packing. This usually takes far longer than you expect! We ’ve had many clients still packing when we arrive, and it can really complicate the logistics of loading items into the truck in an optimal manner. We recommend trying to have it all done the night before to give you time flexibility and eliminating additional stress.

8. Pack a survival kit of essentials for your first night at your new home, such as your rental agreement, cleaning supplies, snacks, linen, toothbrush, etc.

9. If at any time you realize you have much more boxes or items than you initially thought, it’s good to let us know so we can judge if it makes sense to add a mover or send a larger truck. Having too small of a crew or truck can add time and therefore cost to your move, especially if we have to make two trips. It is also important to let us know of any unusual circumstances or particularly heavy or valuable pieces during the estimate process, not after we have arrived. This allows us to make special arrangements and make sure we are fully equipped for any situation.

10. Take especially expensive or valuable items yourself, if possible. Be sure to pack and pad fragile items adequately. It’s very important to label fragile boxes “FRAGILE” so our movers are aware. We also recommend you group them in a corner, out of the way of moving traffic. Lampshades and globes must be removed and packed. We strongly recommend you move plants yourself. If possible, pack electronics in their original boxes. Antique clocks you may want to dis-assemble, and pack the various moving parts (chimes, pendulums, etc.) separately. Please pack and pad picture frames adequately as well.

11. We cannot move anything hazardous or explosive! (Including propane tanks, paint cans, turpentine, gasoline, etc.). Nor do we move anything that would have to be hoisted up through a window. But if you need this done we would be happy to recommend some other high-quality moving companies that do offer this service.

Moving Into University Housing

Our lives consist of myriad of experiences. There will be many destinations, departures, arrivals, goals and events that bring us to the various chapters of our lives. Relocating places of residence undoubtedly sets forth a new and exciting chapter because it is filled with fresh beginnings and adventure. Starting university and moving out of your parents home for the first time is one of the most colossal transitions you will make in life. It marks independence and immense opportunities, which allow you to improve your knowledge and progress into adulthood. Any relocation process entails strategic planning and preparations. Especially if it is your first time moving out, it is understandable to feel nervous and not know what to expect. Lets take a look at some of the essential tips that will help set you on the right path.

Universities have different relocation policies that should not be overlooked, check your university's website for the details early on. This will give you enough time to prepare and if you happen to forget something, you can always get it at a later date, as you are not relocating your home, just yourself. 

Make sure to pack according to the dormitory that you will occupy. Some dormitories consist of an entire apartment, where you will get a personal kitchen and bathroom respectively. On the flip side, as in most cases, all you'll get is a small one-room dorm that you will be sharing with another person. In this case, bathroom will be shared with multiple people and all of your toiletries will have to be stored in your dorm. This will leave very little room for personal storage and over packing may easily become a huge inconvenience. 

Most dorms will come with basic amenities, such as a bed, a desk and some shelves. Adequate bedding is essential before moving into your dorm. This includes a couple of mattress covers, pillowcases, sheets and a blanket. Toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush, etc. should be bought prior to moving in. However, on occasion, these may also be purchased within or around the campus, in which case, certain laundry and kitchen items should be bought at this time as well. Make sure to pack a suitcase with comfortable clothing and footwear you will need on day to day basis, including under garments and plenty of sweaters. You may also want to pack going out clothing, as you will certainly attend a few social gatherings in your first year. Invest in a laundry bag, it will keep all of your dirty laundry in one place versus all around you. 

Since you are relocating for higher education purposes, make sure to pack all the stationery items you will need. You may even over pack on these essentials, because you will never have enough pens and pencils, as they will get misplaced or given out to fellow classmates who weren't being as strategic in their packing. 

Lastly, you may want to avoid purchasing expensive items, as most won't survive your first year and you will likely purchase these essentials multiple times throughout your entire stay. Your university will most likely provide a thorough checklist of the items you will need and accommodations that are provided upon your arrival. Follow their guidelines and plan accordingly before buying anything. 

If you are getting an entire apartment with personal bathroom and kitchen, consider hiring professional movers to help you with your belongings. Having an entire apartment to yourself leaves little room on restrictions on what you may bring, therefore enlisting your parents to help you move in may not prove adequate.

Moving Into A New Home Checklist

For the most part, moving into a new home is undoubtedly an exciting time. Whether you are moving out on your own for the first time or expanding your family and need bigger space. Moving into a new home offers new beginnings, a fresh start and a sense of adventure. On the flip side, moving can become quite overwhelming and time consuming, whether you are a first timer or have done this many times before. A swift and stress-free relocation process entails a hefty work list before and after you make the move. Lets take a look at the few essentials everyone should do before moving into their new home. 

So you have just closed on your new home and enthralled with anticipation, awaiting to embark on your new adventure. But before signing the dotted line one important step must be accomplished and that is a thorough inspection walk- through of the house. Often times if an inspection raises a few red flags, the current owner is obligated to fix the issues, this must be done before you have signed the settlement papers. This is why, it is recommended to do the walk-through the day of the closing and not long before, to avoid significant condition changes. This avoids unnecessary additional costs and gives you a peace of mind. 

As soon as you closed on the house, be sure to change all of the locks, you do not know who else has a spare key and don't want to take chances. You can purchase quality locks at low costs and follow the instructions to do it yourself. It is a relatively easy DIY process.

If there is carpeting in the house from previous owners and you decide to keep it, have it steam cleaned. It is imperative to remove the dirt and allergens that gets trapped inside the carpeting. Steam cleaning is a better alternative than shampoo treatments, performing a deeper treatment approach. If you decide to have it removed or replaced, it is essential you have this done before the furniture is moved in, to avoid additional rearranging of the furniture. For a more cost effective option, you can rent a steam cleaner for about half the price and do it yourself. 

Another no brainer is to thoroughly inspect and clean the entire kitchen, carefully inspecting cupboards, cabinets, sink, refrigerator as these are all dwelling spots for common household pests, identify and remove, if applicable.  If there are no visible pests, it doesn't mean that they are not there. The previous owners might have taken care of part of the problem and that's killing off the adults, but the eggs may still be in place, as those are sometimes harder to get to because they will typically be in a more darker and concealed areas. And if the previous owners had this problem, you do not want it to become yours. This routine applies to the rest of the house, respectively. Typically this problem is acknowledged during the house inspection, but may potentially get overlooked.  Pests or no pests, you'll want to clean up after the previous owners before placing your belongings in their places. 

Last but definitely not the least important is to get acquainted with the main control systems of your house, such as the circuit breaker and the boiler room. Of course you get more privacy and space living in a house versus an apartment, but unlike renting, owning comes with a lot of maintenance work. There will be no landlord to call once something breaks, because you are the landlord! That is why its essential you become familiar with your new home on a deeper level. It's a good idea to figure out which fuses control what parts of the house and label them accordingly. Do not wait until you need to replace a light fixture or the power goes out in a specific part of the house. You will also want to know how to turn off your main water valve if you have a plumbing emergency, a case of bad weather or you may be going out of town. Whether your new home came with a boiler or a furnace, try to regularly perform required maintenance and testing. Most accidents attribute to poor maintenance and corrosion. 

When you get settled into your new home, arrange a house warming get together and invite your neighbors. Chances are they lived in the neighborhood for a while and can help you get familiar. Get friendly with the people that you may be living next to for many years to come and make new friends. 

Relocation Essentials Do's and Don't

Successful relocation requires careful planning, budgeting, and strategy. There are a huge number of potential pitfalls if important factors are overlooked. When planning for your move, these important Do's and Dont's will impact how the process will unfold, smoothly or problematic. 

The very first decision you will have to make is undoubtedly hiring professional movers or opting to do it yourself. Unless you are a professional mover, chances are you are not properly equipped or accustomed to performing even half of what the actual process entails. Professional movers know how to pack, how to handle your fragile items and how to arrange the truck and drive it. Therefore, hiring a professional moving company is a colossal initial step towards a smooth relocation. Even a small move across town can be very complicated and doing it yourself will put a lot of strain on your mind and your body.  Ultimately, a DIY move may not be as affordable, potentially costing you more money and adding more stress to an already stressful situation. Now that you've made a conscious decision to hire professional, choosing the right company for you  is just as important. Not all moving companies are the same, although many are legitimate, there are some who take advantage of their clients and choosing the wrong mover can make your relocation into a nightmare.  There are many companies to choose from, ideally you may want to narrow down to your top three to compare prices and services being offered. First and foremost, make sure your top picks are legitimate operating companies who are licensed and insured, otherwise walk away immediately and start your search over. Research your top candidates to insure your items are in good hands and the movers you choose are trustworthy and reliable.  Begin by getting estimates and be wary of very low prices, some companies tend to lure with incentives just to get a contract and then they hit you with hidden fees. Be sure to include everything you will want to move in your estimate, failing to provide the movers with accurate information, will result in additional fees. In the moving industry, as in most, you get what you pay for and opting to go with the "cheapest" company should be avoided. In the end, you may be sacrificing more important things, like getting your precious belongings moved and delivered safely. Now that you've picked your company, make sure to book a few months in advance. Reputable moving companies tend to stay consistently busy, especially during the summer months and on weekends. Avoid booking last minute and risk ending up with unreliable movers. Begin packing your belongings in advance as well to avoid over packing possibly causing damage. Do not pack your heavy items in large boxes, but rather in small, this allows for easier and safer handling. If you are not doing the packing yourself, oversee your movers, some tend to rush and may cause sustainable damage to your items. Pack your valuables, such as jewelry, on your own time and transport them yourself. Small items, such as jewelry can go missing and unnoticed for a long time after the move before you realize they're gone, at which point they're gone for good. Be sure to also pack a survival kit of essentials you will need for the first night at your new home. Going through all the boxes and finding what you need is time consuming, and after a long move day you may want to relax rather than go looking for bed sheets to sleep on or utensils to eat. This way you will recharge and start fresh the next day, because unpacking is a lengthy and just as stressful experience as moving itself. Lastly, if your move went as good as you hoped and you are one satisfied client, be sure to return the gesture and leave your company a positive review. As with any business, reviews can either make or break a company. If the company of your choice has a website you can leave it on there or on an affiliate website, such as Yelp, designed specifically for this purpose.