Moving in NYC Over Labor Day Weekend? Here’s What to Know

For a lot of New Yorkers, Labor Day weekend means getting out of the city, heading to the beach, or squeezing in one last summer trip.

For others, the long weekend means one thing: moving day.

Don’t be surprised if you see moving trucks throughout New York City this Labor Day weekend. A three-day weekend can seem like the perfect opportunity to move—you have an extra day to unpack, get settled, and prepare for the week ahead without taking as much time off work.

But there’s something many people don’t think about until moving day arrives: everyone else may have had the same idea.

At Dumbo Moving & Storage, our crews have been moving New Yorkers throughout the city this Labor Day weekend, and one issue is especially important to keep in mind: service elevators can get busy.

If you’re moving into or out of an apartment building over a holiday weekend, planning ahead can save you a lot of time and stress.

Why Labor Day Weekend Is a Popular Time to Move in NYC

A long weekend gives you something that’s incredibly valuable during a move: time.

Instead of moving on a regular Saturday and spending Sunday rushing to unpack before Monday morning, Labor Day gives many people an additional day to organize their new home.

The timing also lines up with another major NYC moving period. Many apartment leases begin or end around the first of the month, and late summer is traditionally a busy time for moves throughout the city.

Put those together, and Labor Day weekend can mean a lot of New Yorkers—and a lot of moving trucks—on the move at once.

Watch Out for Busy Service Elevators

Here’s one Labor Day moving problem you might not expect: the service elevator.

Many NYC apartment buildings require movers to use a designated service or freight elevator rather than the building’s passenger elevators. Depending on the building, residents may also need to reserve a specific moving window in advance.

During a busy moving weekend, those time slots can fill up quickly.

If multiple residents are moving in or out around the same time, failing to reserve the elevator could mean waiting for access, working around another moving crew, or delaying your move altogether.

Before moving day, check with your building management or superintendent and ask:

• Does the building require a service or freight elevator reservation?
• What hours are moves permitted?
• How long is your reserved moving window?
• Are weekend or holiday moves allowed?
• Does the building require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from your moving company?

Confirm these details for both the building you’re leaving and the building you’re moving into.

It’s a small step that can prevent a major moving-day headache.

Check Holiday Traffic and Street Closures

Labor Day weekend can also change the way traffic moves around New York City.

Holiday travel, parades, street events and temporary road closures can affect routes throughout the five boroughs. A trip that normally seems straightforward may take longer than expected.

If you’re moving over the holiday weekend, check current NYC traffic advisories before your move and give yourself some flexibility.

Experienced NYC movers are used to navigating traffic, tight streets, loading restrictions and the other logistical challenges that come with moving in New York, but planning ahead still makes a difference.

Make Sure Your COI Is Ready

If you're moving into or out of a managed apartment building, your building may require a Certificate of Insurance, commonly called a COI.

A COI provides proof that your moving company carries the insurance coverage required by the building.

Don't wait until the moving truck arrives to find out that you need one.

Ask your building management about its COI requirements ahead of time and provide those requirements to your moving company. This is especially important during a holiday weekend, when management offices may have reduced hours or be closed altogether.

Dumbo Moving & Storage can provide COIs for buildings that require them, helping make the move-in and move-out process easier.

Moving at the Last Minute This Labor Day Weekend?

Sometimes a Labor Day move isn't planned months ahead.

A lease may start unexpectedly. Plans can change. Another mover may cancel. You might simply realize that the long weekend is your best opportunity to get the move done.

Whatever the reason, last-minute moves happen all the time in New York City.

If you need last-minute movers in NYC, don't assume it's too late. Depending on crew availability, Dumbo Moving & Storage can accommodate last-minute and same-day moving requests.

The earlier you call, the better the chances of securing the moving time you need—especially during a busy holiday weekend.

Moving Between Brooklyn, Manhattan or Another NYC Borough?

Every NYC neighborhood presents different moving challenges.

A Brooklyn brownstone may mean several flights of stairs and limited curb space. A Manhattan high-rise may require a freight elevator reservation and strict COI requirements. Other buildings may have designated loading areas or specific hours when movers are allowed inside.

Working with movers who regularly handle moves throughout NYC can make navigating those details much easier.

Dumbo Moving & Storage has been moving New Yorkers since 2006, handling residential and commercial moves throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and beyond.

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

Labor Day weekend can actually be a great time to move in NYC.

You get an extra day to unpack. You may have more flexibility with work. And by Tuesday morning, you can already be settled into your new home.

Just remember that plenty of other New Yorkers may be thinking exactly the same thing.

Reserve your service elevator. Confirm your building's moving requirements. Have your COI ready. Check traffic and street closures. And book your movers as early as possible.

Then you can spend the rest of the long weekend enjoying your new place.

Need Movers This Labor Day Weekend?

Whether you're planning ahead or need help with a last-minute move, Dumbo Moving & Storage can help make your NYC move easier.

From local apartment moves and packing services to same-day, last-minute and long-distance moving, our crews know what it takes to move around New York City.

Get a moving quote from Dumbo Moving & Storage and let us handle the heavy lifting this Labor Day weekend.