FAQ

Ask us anything! Honest & quick answers on your moving & storage questions

We have comprised an expansive list of moving and storage frequently asked questions so you are well informed during your moving experience.

General:

Piece of Cake is the most trusted and loved moving and storage company in New York delivering reliability, results, safety, competitive pricing and comprehensive customer service that sets us apart from our competitors.

The city’s only on-demand mover, offering 24/7 moving on 365 days of the year, including holidays, to fit your needs.

We are a fully licensed and insured company, that is BBB accredited and complies with the regulations of NYDOT and US DOT requirements and standards.

The best day of a week to move is definitely Sunday – with less traffic & better parking situations – in always “difficult for parking” NYC.

If your building is a doorman building that does not allow moves on weekends, Tuesday and Wednesday would be days of a week to aim for – since less people, as per our stats, move on these dates.

We recommend getting touch with us 2-4 weeks before your move, depending on your move complexity and size.

Yes, we can move you cross country, to and from any point in the US – as seamlessly as we move people within NYC, which is our base.
With our international partners we can pack & accommodate your international moving needs with the same attention to detail and communication we apply to a local move.
While weather can affect NYC traffic and streets – and generally can add few more obstacles to a move (like snow or heavy rain) – our movers are trained & equipped to move in any kind of weather. So if the forecast is showing snow or heavy rain on your move day, don’t worry, we’ll come prepared with shovels and plastic covers!
We recommend moving in the morning if you and your building’s schedule allow that – our earliest regular time slot starts 7-9AM. The sooner we start, the sooner you’ll be all set enjoying your new home!

Pricing:

In order to completely eliminate surprise factor on your move day (as per stats that’s the No 1 reason New Yorkers are hesitant to move), our quotes are calculated in a guaranteed pricing system – that means it’s not an estimate by the hour that is bound by delays and will never be accurate – and this quote is not based on weight, which can easily be abused by unscrupulous movers.

We calculate your guaranteed price based on the list of items, based on the accessibility of the truck and based on the distance between the locations.

We calculate your moving price based on the following factors;

  • Average volume of the item/inventory list provided by the client and the items that are being moved
  • The distance between the locations
  • Any special moving requirements
  • Accessibility of the truck
  • Date and time of the move
Depending on the size of your move, your moving crew will consist of 2/3/4 or 5 man crew! For a one-two bedroom apartment a 3 man crew is the most common, whereas we send crews with more members upon request

As a part of our standard service we will always provide boxes for your hanging clothes, TVs, mirrors and picture frames – and leave you to box up your personal belongings that can be easily fitted in a regular size box. We can also upgrade your moving package to include packers & packing supplies as a part of your moving service, so you don’t have to lift a finger!

Unless you have booked our full packinging service, our standard service will provide free boxes on moving day for your hanging clothes, boxes for TVs, mirrors and picture frames and we will leave you to box up your personal belongings that can be easily fitted in a regular size box. Other other boxes and packing supplies can be provided if we upgrade your moving package to include packers & packing supplies, so you don’t have to lift a finger!
The number of flights of stairs will always be noted on your contract with us and included in the one all inclusive price you have confirmed with our moving consultants.
The moving industry is not taxable in the state of New York. Packing supplies are taxable as per standard NY state tax rate.

READ NEXT: Is moving a tax deductible expense?

We find our estimates to be exact and do not lead to any, even the smallest, price changes on a move day in over 91% moves. We also tolerate up to 5% discrepancy in regards to your inventory list, so if you end up having 5,6 boxes over the estimated number, we’ll take care of it, keeping your quote the same. Don’t just take our word for it, but check out reviews on our social platforms!

We accept credit/debit card payments through our online payment form – as well as certified checks or cash as a method of payment.

To reserve a crew we require a $50 deposit (online payment form), which goes towards the total of your moving cost. The remaining balance is due one business day before the move.
To schedule your moving date and reserve a crew we require a $50 deposit (online payment form), which goes towards the total of your moving cost.
While tipping is completely up to clients discretion, if you are fully satisfied with your moving crew performances, we recommend tipping in the amount of 15-20% of a move total.
A tip is not included in your moving quote – while tipping is completely up to clients discretion, if you are fully satisfied with your moving crew performances, we recommend tipping in the amount of 15-20% of a move total.
If you, for any reason, need to cancel your reservation, give us a 48 hours notice, so we can keep our trucks busy, and your $50 deposit will be fully refunded to you within 2-4 business days of giving us notice.
Terms and conditions are emailed to you for a review before you schedule your move and included in your booking confirmation! Click here to read more now!
We accept credit/debit card payments through our online payment form – as well as certified checks or cash as a method of payment.

Protection & Insurance:

By default as required by Department of Transportation, your belongings will be covered with free BASIC coverage of $0.60 cents per pound per article (item). However, you ARE able to additionally insure your items, by going through a 3rd party insurance company, and choosing the level of liability & deductible levels. We recommend moving insurance.com.
We will prepare & send your Certificate of Insurance before the move, upon your reservation with us. Our moving consultants will walk you through process, and make it simple – COIs will be sent to you and your building’s management, as an email attachment.
We will protect upholstered furniture with plastic, before applying moving blankets.
You dressers and generally all the furniture pieces should be empty before your move, in order to secure safe and and proper transport of a same. If you upgraded your moving quote with us and requested full packing service – please leave this part of the job to our moving crew!
No you can not ship your jewelry or important documents. We will not move these items for you, and will not be held liable if you pack these items in boxes without our prior knowledge. We advise you to separately pack and keep your documents and jewelry and store them securely while your home is open during your move, and to transport these items with you to the next location.
Check our detailed How to Guides on our resources page, but a few guidelines for self packing of your belongings are:

  • keep same/similar items in a same box;
  • keep items from certain dresser/furniture piece in a same box;
  • use small boxes for books and CDs
  • use medium sized boxes for fragile items and electronics
  • use large boxes for linens and clothes from dressers
  • once packed box weights should not be over 50lb. If you are able to lift a box yourself, that box is good to go!
We advise you to separately pack & keep your documents and jewelry – other than that you can leave everything for our crew to handle! We will appreciate any directions you might have – also feel free to communicate to crew any special requests when it comes to packing of your belongings!
We do not move plants due to agricultural regulations, but if you agree that we can put the plant in a big commercial bin and move it as it is, understanding falling of plant leaves might occur depending on nature/type of the plants we are moving.
We will not move pets, firearms, drugs, chemicals and plants.

During & After the move:

Yes, you do! Make sure you communicate with your foreman/or call our call center if you need to make any adjustments to the inventory list covered by your moving quote – before the pick up stage of your move is completed.
As soon as you know your inventory will be larger, call our call center with a reference number and we will be able to update your quote to reflect requested changes.

However, keep in mind, that last moment requests that add significant volume to your already scheduled move, should be communicate before arrival of your moving crew so we can come prepared & plan our schedule accordingly.

If there are last moment items you decide to take with you, call our call center with a reference number and we will be able to update your quote to reflect requested changes.

However, keep in mind, that last moment requests that add significant volume to your already scheduled move, should be communicate before arrival of your moving crew so we can come prepared & plan our schedule accordingly.

We operate and own a large commercial fleet of moving trucks, and can accommodate any size move.

Sizes of our trucks are:

  • 16ft (studio/one bed apartment)
  • 20ft (two bed apartment)
  • 26ft (three + bed apartment & house)
  • 48ft ( long distance moves)

No matter the size of your move we will bring as many trucks as needed to complete your move efficiently & securely.

Our 7AM-10PM/7 days a week call center at (212) 651 7273 and ask to speak with customer success team.

Additionally, we will always reach out to you after your move to hear about your experience and check in if there’s anything else we could do!

Piece of Cake Moving & Storage does not offer TV or AC mounting, or any wall mounting services. We recommend that you hire professionals who specialize in these services prior to your move day.
Parking in NYC is unpredictable but as professional movers we know how to deal with it.

No, you are not responsible for any parking tickets our team might get while working on your move.

Our moving crew will come with the contract & your moving quote details/inventory list on hand. Before we start packing/protecting your belongings, the moving team foreman will ask you to show him around your apartment and if there any items that you are leaving behind!
One-time furniture set up in your home is a part of our service & we’ll gladly help arrange items we are moving in your new home.
Our moving crew will usually do not take any breaks for lunch during your move – however, if your move is larger move and requires 6+ hours of work, if there’s any breaks to be made our foreman will communicate that with you.

Reminder: your moving quote is not dependent on the duration of your move.

For local moves, food & beverages should be packed last and with care (make sure lids are closed).

For moves into a storage & Long Distance moves, food is not allowed.

Local Moves:

We serve all five boroughs, as well as all NY-NJ-CT area.
We are able to move you across East Coast within the same day (if requested) and we often have trucks on Boston-NYC; Philly-NYC; DC-NYC routes!
Depending on the size of your move, your moving crew will consist of 2/3/4 or 5 man crew! For a one-two bedroom apartment a 3 man crew is the most common, whereas we send crew with more members upon request
You or someone on your behalf (please provide name & contact before the move if this is a case) need to be there to meet the foreman, and go over the move details.

We recommend you or your representative staying with your crew through the whole move, until it’s completion.

We will not be taking care of your parking permits in NJ area – but if it is your first time getting a parking permit, we are more than happy to help giving you the right directions.

In NYC parking permits are difficult to get and rarely obtainable – but, we know our way around in our city!

Long Distance:

  • On the morning of your move, you will receive text/call timing confirmation of your move from our dispatch office
  • Foreman of your moving crew will get in touch 15-30 minutes before arrival
  • Our customer success team will get in touch via phone call upon completion of your move, before moving leaves the location.
You or someone on your behalf (please provide name & contact before the move if this is a case) need to be there to meet the foreman and go over the move details at your drop off location.

We recommend you or your representative staying with your crew through the whole move, until it’s completion.

We can provide both consolidated and straight delivery options:

Consolidated would involve packing & pick up by one of our NYC crews, and usage of our materials, protection, etc. The items would be consolidated in a 53′ tractor-trailer for cross country transportation, and delivered by the long distance carrier we work with (windows 1-10 business days for FL, SC, GA; 1-14 business days for cross country moves).

Straight delivery would involve us loading up o your items and delving with the same truck & crew at requested date (usually this would mean 24-48 hours delivery window)

We do our best to make every delivery window we promise and obligate to our customers.

If due to unexpected traffic/road delays your delivery happens outside your scheduled delivery window, our customer success team will work with you post-move on finding the reasonable and satisfactory solution.

We can provide both consolidated and straight delivery options:

Consolidated would involve packing & pick up by one of our NYC crews, and usage of our materials, protection, etc. The items would be consolidated in a 53′ tractor-trailer for cross country transportation, and delivered by the long distance carrier we work with (windows 1-10 business days for FL, SC, GA; 1-14 business days for cross country moves).

Straight delivery would involve us loading up o your items and delving with the same truck & crew at requested date (usually this would mean 24-48 hours delivery window)

Your delivery window is calculated from the date you’re available to receive your items and represents the time/date window in which we guarantee we would deliver your items.