Moving Into a Manhattan Walk-Up: What to Plan For
Moving into a walk-up is its own sport. There’s no elevator to reserve, the stairwells are narrow, and the landings turn at awkward angles. A little planning saves your back, your furniture and your security deposit.
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Before moving day
- Get renters insurance in place. Many NYC leases require proof of renters insurance before you get the keys.
- Ask about a certificate of insurance (COI). Many buildings require movers to send a COI, proof of the company’s liability insurance, before they’ll let them work. Your building or management company usually has a form listing the coverage it needs. Get it to your mover early and confirm the building received it at least a day before the move.
- Tell movers it’s a walk-up and which floor. Many movers price stairs separately, and an accurate quote avoids surprises.
- Measure the tight spots. Front door, stair width and the turns at each landing. A sofa that fits the room may not fit the stairs.
Book movers who do walk-ups
HireAHelper lets you compare local movers and book online. Tell them the floor and that there’s no elevator so the quote is accurate, and ask them to send your building’s COI before move day.
Want a full-service NYC mover instead? Piece of Cake Moving & Storage does local and long-distance moves. Use promo code JZNYC for 10% off local moves and 5% off out-of-state moves.
Downsizing into a smaller place? Put the overflow in storage instead of squeezing it up the stairs.
Renters insurance
Two easy options to get a quote before you sign:
Gear that makes stairs easier
Forearm Forklift Moving Straps
Best for: Carrying dressers and boxes up stairs
Lifting straps that let two people carry heavy furniture using their legs and shoulders instead of their hands and backs.
Furniture sliders
Best for: Moving furniture across old hardwood
Slip them under the legs and slide the couch or dresser into place without scratching the floors.
Moving blankets
Best for: Protecting furniture and walls in narrow stairwells
Wrap anything that might bump a wall or banister on the way up. Cheaper than repainting a stairwell.
Mattress bag
Best for: Keeping the mattress clean on the stairs
A plastic bag protects the mattress during the move, and NYC requires mattresses left out for trash pickup to be sealed in a bag anyway.
Buy furniture that fits the stairs
Bed-in-a-box mattresses and flat-pack furniture carry up a walk-up far more easily than full-size pieces. See our guide to mattresses that fit up a walk-up.
For everything else you need on day one, see the full NYC Move-In List.