The Upper West Side mixes three kinds of homes that move very differently: brownstones on the side streets, prewar elevator buildings on West End Avenue and Riverside Drive, and walk-ups above stores on Broadway and Amsterdam. Knowing which one you are moving from, and into, changes how long the job takes and how the crew works.
Brownstones: stoops, parlor floors and narrow stairs
A brownstone apartment often means a stoop to the front door, then a narrow staircase with a tight turn at each landing. Long sofas and box springs are the usual problems. Measure the turn, not just the door. Pieces that will not make the turn can often be taken apart; we take apart beds, tables and other large furniture and put them back together in your new place.
- Clear the stoop and the hallway the night before.
- Protect banisters and any original woodwork you care about; tell the crew which spots matter.
- Ask the landlord if the front door can stay propped open during loading.
Prewar elevator buildings
Prewar buildings often have small elevators and a service entrance on the side street. Ask the super which entrance and which elevator movers must use, the allowed hours, and whether the building needs a certificate of insurance (COI). Send us the building’s COI sample and we send the certificate it asks for.
Getting the truck there
The Henry Hudson Parkway is closed to commercial vehicles from 59th Street north to the Westchester line, according to NYC DOT: parkway restrictions for commercial vehicles. Moving trucks reach the Upper West Side on the avenues and the city’s truck routes. New York City has close to 1,000 miles of designated truck routes (NYC DOT: trucks and commercial vehicles (truck routes)), and the crew plans the way in before the move day.
Walk-ups above stores
Walk-ups on the avenues usually mean several flights and a narrow entry next to a shop. Smaller boxes are easier on stairs. A full bookcase in one large box is hard to carry safely up four floors; split books into small boxes.
Moving within the neighborhood
A lot of Upper West Side moves are only a few blocks, from a walk-up to an elevator building or from a rental to a co-op. Short moves still need the same building paperwork: the certificate of insurance, the elevator reservation and the allowed hours. The distance is short; the rules are the same.
Packing for small elevators and narrow stairs
Pack in boxes you can carry with both arms close to your body. Wrap mirrors and art separately and mark them. Keep lamps, shades and plants for the end of the load so they ride on top and come off first.
What to put in your estimate request
Mention the building type on both ends, brownstone, prewar elevator or walk-up, the floor numbers, and the three largest pieces. Photos of the staircase help most. The estimate is free and in writing.
Before moving day
- Confirm elevator or entrance rules in both buildings in writing.
- Change your address with USPS; at a Post Office you can use PS Form 3575 from the free Mover’s Guide packet (USPS: change your address).
- Make a list of the pieces that might not fit and send photos with your estimate request.
Questions we hear
Will my sofa fit up a brownstone staircase?
Measure the tightest turn on the stairs and the doorways. If it is close, send photos; many sofas fit once legs or cushions come off, and some furniture can be taken apart.
Can moving trucks drive on the Henry Hudson Parkway?
No. NYC DOT lists the Henry Hudson Parkway north of 59th Street as closed to commercial vehicles.
Does a prewar building need a COI for a move?
Many do. Ask the super or managing agent for the sample certificate and send it to your mover before the move.
How do I book?
Call (646) 588-1374 or fill in the quote form on our home page for a free written estimate.
Free written estimate: call (646) 588-1374 or use the quote form on our home page. Family business since 1999 · U.S. DOT No. 967970 (MC-432549) · NYSDOT 34875 · NJPM 000930 · Company facts
More moving guides
- Moving on the Upper East Side: Co-op Rules, Freight Elevators and Getting the Truck to the Door
- Midtown and Hell’s Kitchen High-Rise Moves: Loading Docks, Time Slots and the Congestion Zone
- Harlem and Washington Heights Walk-Up Moves: Stairs, Hills and Planning the Day
- Moving in Lower Manhattan and the Financial District: Narrow Streets, Security Desks and Building Rules