Residential

Let’s Face It, Moving Is Never Easy, And It’s More Stressful When You’re Moving Years’ Worth of Belongings.

Our residential moving services will give you peace of mind during this hectic and disruptive time. We will send a team of experienced New York City movers, employed and trained by Big John himself, to do the job. These career professionals abide by moving industry standards and Big John’s personal requirements to deliver high-quality moves. They will wrap, pack, and move your belongings as if they were their own. And we never use subcontractors.

NYC Residential Moving Built for the City Itself

NYC residential moves come with obstacles most moving companies never encounter. Walk-up apartments, narrow prewar stairwells, no-parking rules, building COI requirements, and strict elevator reservation windows can all make moving day stressful.

A true residential mover plans around these details before the truck pulls up – not after a surprise at the curb.

Big John’s Moving has operated independently in New York City since 1977. Our personally trained crews have decades of hands-on insight into what makes NYC apartment moves actually work. Founder John Healey’s Navy-precision oversight still sets the standard for how every move is planned, staffed, and handled.

We Offer A Low Fixed Price For Travel Time To Minimize Costs And To Help You Budget For Your Move.

We provide packing services (full or partial) to save you the time and hassle of doing the job yourself. And we also offer private storage at our modern, secure, climate-controlled facility with over one million cubic feet of space. Your local moving crew will tag each item and carefully check it against an inventory list to make sure everything is accounted for.

Your Full-Service NYC Residential Moving Menu

Big John’s provides local NYC residential moves within the five boroughs and the tri-state area, as well as long-distance moves across the country. We also offer full packing, partial packing, unpacking, and climate-controlled storage.

Every service is handled by the same Big John’s team, not a network of subcontractors.

We also handle specialty moving for items that need extra care, including fine art, antiques, pianos, fragile furniture, and other high-value belongings. These pieces should never be treated like standard boxes stacked in a truck bay. They need careful wrapping, steady handling, and movers who understand how to protect delicate materials.

Clients who need long-distance moving assistance will receive one month of free storage at Little John’s Storage. This provides extra flexibility for cross-country transitions, especially when move-out and move-in dates don’t line up perfectly.

How Big John’s Handles NYC’s Trickiest Moving Challenges

Most NYC co-ops, condos, and rental buildings require a Certificate of Insurance before moving day. In many cases, the building must be named as the “certificate holder” and “additional insured.” In doorman buildings and buildings with supers, staff may stop a move outright if the paperwork is missing or incorrect.

Big John’s handles COI paperwork as part of our standard residential moving service. Over the decades, we have submitted thousands of COIs to NYC buildings; we understand how important it is to get the details right.

For walk-ups, narrow stairwells, and buildings without service elevators, crew experience is a must. With more than two decades of crew tenure behind them, Big John’s moving experts bring steady hands and careful planning to every job. That means fewer bumps and scratches and faster service overall.

Street parking permits, elevator reservation windows, weekend-only move rules, and loading-zone restrictions all shape your moving plan. The Big John’s team plans the logistics in advance, so your move doesn’t stall at the curb.

Meet Your Crew: Personally Hired, Trained & Never Subcontracted

Every member of Big John’s crew is personally hired and trained by founder John Healey. We don’t use subcontractors, and we don’t bring in day-labor gig workers from staffing apps.

Many crew members have been with Big John’s for 20 or more years, which is rare in a moving industry where annual turnover often exceeds 40%.

That level of consistency makes a difference. Because Big John’s hires, trains, and manages its own movers, the crew that arrives at your home works under the same standards that have guided the company since 1977.

Honest Pricing, Transparent Estimates & No Hidden Fees

Residential moving costs in NYC vary widely. A small studio with elevator access is very different from a large apartment in a walk-up building. Distance, packing, storage, stairs, furniture size, building rules, truck access, and timing will all affect your final price.

In New York City, moving costs can range from a few hundred dollars for small loads to more than $4,000 for larger homes. Many one-bedroom apartment moves fall around $800 to $1,500, depending on access and scope. Hourly mover rates in NYC usually range from $60 to $150 per mover, though actual pricing depends on the moving company, crew size, and services included.

Big John’s provides clear, transparent estimates, so customers understand the real numbers before the big day. We offer free on-premise estimates, many of which are handled by Big John himself. They give us a clear picture of your home and move type, including furniture, access points, stairs, elevators, and packing needs.

We also offer a low fixed price for travel time to help control costs and make your move easier to budget. Senior citizens and military families can also receive dedicated discounts.

Because Big John’s is independently owned, our pricing reflects the real work involved in your move. We aren’t part of a national franchise system with royalties built into every estimate. We believe customers deserve clear pricing with no hidden fees.

40+ Years of Trust: Licensed, Insured & NYC-Proven

Big John’s Moving has served New York City since 1977. We’re one of the few remaining independent, family-founded movers in NYC, and our company’s history predates many of the franchise-era movers that now dominate local ads.

That history carries weight. You’re asking a company to handle your furniture, family photos, heirlooms, clothing, books, electronics, and the pieces that make a house or apartment feel like home. Like every other New Yorker, you need to know who you’re trusting with your belongings.

Big John’s is licensed and insured. And we use a modern fleet of green, energy-efficient vans, trucks, and trailers. We also operate an Energy Star-certified, climate-controlled storage facility through Little John’s Storage.

Founder John Healey still reviews quotes and supervises standards on significant moves. His name on the truck is more than a marketing line; it’s part of the quality-control structure that has guided the company for more than 45 years.

NYC Residential Moving by Borough & Neighborhood

Big John’s serves residential moving customers across all five boroughs.

That includes Manhattan neighborhoods such as the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Chelsea, SoHo, the East Village, and the Lower East Side, along with Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. We also handle inter-borough moves and tri-state moves.

Each borough has its challenges.

In Manhattan, the move often starts with the building rules, freight elevator times, COI paperwork, and doorman coordination. Curbside access can also be problematic, especially on busy blocks with strict loading limits.

Brooklyn differs; there are lots of brownstones with stoops, narrow stairways, and older layouts where every turn matters.

Queens access can change block by block, from elevator buildings to attached homes to busy residential streets with limited parking. In the Bronx and Staten Island, crews may be working in an apartment building, a multi-level home, or something in between.

After decades of NYC operations, our crews have become familiar with the loading constraints of many major co-op and condo buildings, including those with tight loading docks and strict elevator rules.

Many multi-generational NYC clients return to Big John’s for second and third moves, from studio apartments to larger family homes, because our team remembers the building quirks from the last visit.

FAQs

How much does a residential mover cost in NYC on average?

Residential moving costs in NYC can range from a few hundred dollars for a small move to $4,000 for a large move. One-bedroom apartments typically run around $800 to $1,500, depending on stairs, elevators, distance, building rules, and packing service needs.

For the most accurate number, request a free estimate from Big John’s. We’ll review the details of your move, so you know what to expect.

How far in advance should I book my NYC residential move?

For most NYC moves, book 4 to 8 weeks ahead. If you are moving during a peak summer weekend, book 8 to 12 weeks ahead if possible.

Booking early gives you more control over move dates, elevator reservations, COI paperwork, and crew availability.

Do Big John’s movers pack my belongings, or do I need to pack them myself?

Big John’s offers full packing, partial packing, and unpacking services. We can pack your entire home or focus on fragile, heavy, or time-consuming areas, like kitchens, artwork, electronics, books, and closets.

You can also pack yourself and buy moving supplies from our store if you want to handle part of the job on your own.

How long does a studio, 1-bedroom, or 2-bedroom NYC apartment move typically take?

Move times depend on the building, stairs, elevators, distance, furniture, and packing needs. A studio move may take a few hours. A one-bedroom apartment often takes a half day. A two-bedroom apartment may take most of the day, especially when there are walk-ups, long carries, or strict building move-in/move-out windows.

Big John’s staff will go over these details with you during the estimate, so you have a clearer idea of the expected timeline.

Is Big John’s Moving licensed and insured, and will it provide a COI to my building?

Yes. Big John’s Moving is licensed and insured, and we provide Certificates of Insurance for NYC buildings that require them.

Many co-ops, condos, and rental buildings will not allow movers inside without a COI on file. Big John’s takes care of this paperwork during the residential moving process.

Do residential movers in NYC handle walk-up apartments?

Yes. Big John’s handles walk-up apartment moves throughout NYC.

Walk-ups require experienced local movers who know how to protect furniture, walls, floors, railings, and doorframes. Our crews are used to narrow stairwells, tight turns, prewar buildings, and apartments without service elevators.

What’s the best time of year or week to move in NYC?

Winter, especially January and February, offers the lowest moving rates and the most flexible scheduling. Summer, especially June through August, is the busiest season. Prices during this season can run 20% to 40% higher than in other seasons.

Mid-month dates also tend to be less expensive than month-end dates. You may also have more scheduling options on weekdays than on weekends, depending on your building’s rules.

How much should I tip my NYC movers?

Tipping is optional, but it’s always appreciated. In NYC, the typical convention is $6 to $12 per mover per hour or roughly 15% to 25% of the total bill.

Many customers tip $20 to $40 per mover for a half-day move and $40 to $60 per mover for a full-day move. You can adjust your tip based on the difficulty of the move, the weather, service quality, and your budget.

If you need an NYC moving company with decades of experience, personally trained crews, clear pricing, and no subcontractors, Big John’s is ready to help.

Or we can come to you.

Schedule an appointment for an onsite estimator or call us at 212-734-3300.