Commercial Moving for New York City Tips

Commercial moves in New York City are a constant logistical nightmare for local businesses. However, parking and building permits remain among some of the most difficult aspects of office moving for them. In general, it is advised to let an experienced commercial moving company handle these details. Sher-Del Transfer has had to manage New York’s in-depth parking and building regulations for decades. Here are a few tips that we’ve learned.

Apply for Moving Truck Permits

Standard trucks often require “No Parking” permits for commercial moving projects. However, the exact type of necessary authorization depends on the type of vehicle and NYC boroughs they’ll be used in. For example, NYC’s department of transportation has recently begun cracking down on larger trucks crossing bridges in Queens and Brooklyn, which come impact an office relocation and lead to unnecessary penalties. In contrast, Manhattan is very strict about allotted hours for standing commercial vehicles and where they’re able to park. Meanwhile, Queens and Brooklyn tend to be more flexible about these matters.

Make sure to apply for moving truck permits to understand the moving truck regulations for your office’s new and current location. They protect you from fines and other legal actions for your move and detail how a moving truck should operate in the area.

Certificate of Insurance

Most buildings in New York City require entities, such as independent movers or businesses, to have a certificate of insurance for the relocation. This protects themselves from liability if the property is damaged during the move. Typically, this certificate should include general liability, automobile liability, and workers’ compensation, among many other details.

Without these documents, movers and relocating businesses may be denied access to the building. This could lead to delays from building management such as rescheduling or denied access to certain parts of the building. Furthermore, a business could be financially held responsible for any damage.

Make sure that any commercial moving company you hire does have the necessary insurance to complete the job.

Freight Elevator Reservations and Loading Dock Clearance

Freight elevators are very convenient yet limited for commercial tenants. In order to make sure everyone has fair access to them, building managers usually require reservations days or weeks in advance. This makes it easier for specific tenants to move their items in and out of space. In addition, freight elevators usually require an operator on staff who can advise how to properly use it. Multiple parties attempting to use a freight elevator makes it difficult for everyone and could lead to accidents.

Loading docks also share the same fate and require advanced reservations. With limited space, buildings need to maximize the area as much as possible. Your local building manager will be the best person to coordinate a space reservation with. Depending on the loading dock, they may have certain requirements for truck size, available times, and street access. Make sure to check all of these details as you’re reserving a spot.

With Sher-Del Transfer, you do not have to worry about these issues and the others we haven’t even mentioned. As experienced movers, we are more than capable of managing these details effectively while you focus on your business. Please request a quote today.

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Commercial Movers in Manhattan Could be Busy Soon

As experienced commercial movers in Manhattan like Sher-Del Transfer know, office relocation rates within the borough can vary. According to new reports, we could see a wave of new Manhattan-based commercial leases soon. Data from Colliers, office lease deals in Manhattan increased by 20% in August, compared to July. In a May CBRE survey, 72% of the 184 companies who responded stated they have achieved their office attendance marks.

Why This is Happening

With this data, it’s safe to infer that additional commercial leasing projects will be coming to Manhattan. This is largely due to the recent return to office movement, which has continued to gain momentum as the country continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Manhattan and the New York City area are not the only places seeing this trend. NBC Universal, Ford, and many other businesses have announced four-day minimum in office days for their employees, on a national level.  The D.C. metro office specifically appears to be seeing a boom as well.

Why You Should Hire a Third-Party Mover

With the amount of corporate office leases likely to be signed, businesses need commercial movers in Manhattan with experience in the borough. Regardless of where a business is relocating to in New York City, it is generally better for an outside vendor to manage the move. A third-party mover, such as Sher-Del Transfer, understands the vast majority of building guidelines within Manhattan. We also understand how to perfectly time your move in order to get your space set up and not disrupt your business. As most people who have visited Manhattan know, the area is always incredibly busy and packed with traffic. Sher-Del Transfer has spent decades navigating this issue for thousands of businesses. With new offices coming to Manhattan soon, we know how to transfer them smoothly.

Please reach out for a quote today.

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Commercial Movers in Manhattan Tips: Organizing Equipment

As commercial movers in Manhattan, among other boroughs in New York City, Sher-Del Transfer has in-depth experience in planning office relocations. Organization of equipment has always remained one of the common pitfalls for relocating companies. Luckily, there are many proven practices for systematizing your office materials to streamline the move. Here are just a few of them.

  1. Create an Inventory list

During an office move, it is very easy to lose track of furniture, documents, and other important items. In order to avoid this mistake, create a detailed inventory list using spreadsheets and other digital tools. Categorize your property based on department, function, and size as well. This will give you a detailed overview of everything that needs to be moved and where each item should be within your new office space.

  1. Enforce a Label and Tagging System

Depending on how many items you have, it can be difficult to organize your inventory even with a database. To minimize this problem, create a labeling and tagging system based on your inventory list. Color-coded tags, associated with a specific department or room, are typically the easiest way to accomplish this task. Barcodes and QR systems can be useful as well for larger projects.

  1. Secure your Technology

One of the biggest problems that commercial movers in Manhattan, among other NYC areas, see are a lack of proper care for technology during office relocations. IT equipment can easily be damaged by one wrong move, costing your business thousands of dollars. Furthermore, improper disassembling of computer equipment, servers, and other items can cause significant delays in your relocation. Businesses can remedy this problem by hiring professionals to break down their equipment and getting specialty containers to keep their technology safe.

Of course, these are only a few considerations for organization during an office move. That’s why it’s important to hire a moving partner. As experienced commercial movers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and other busy New York areas, Sher-Del Transfer can help.

Please reach out to request a quote today.

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Commercial Moving in Manhattan Tips

Commercial Moving in Manhattan can be a complex task for businesses. However, it does not have to be. From hiring a seasoned office relocation company, such as Sher-Del Transfer, to planning your move month in advance, there are plenty of ways to make it easier. We have some quick tips to make your next corporate move to Manhattan simple and easy.

  1. Check for Permits and Parking

As New Yorkers know, Manhattan streets are often incredibly congested, with very few places to park. In order to secure parking for a commercial moving vehicle, be sure to check your street’s loading zone rules. In addition, moving permits will be necessary as New York City guidelines require them.

Investigate specific permits for certain commercial trucks you plan to use and zoning rules for your office’s neighborhood. Failure to do so could result in unnecessary fines and potential delays for your relocation.

  1. Confirm Building Access & Certificates of Insurance (COIs)

Most Manhattan offices have strict hours for businesses to move in and out of their location. Confirm with your building supervisor about their relocation times so you don’t run afoul of your current location’s guidelines. Otherwise, you risk moving your office during the wrong hours and risk potential issues from building management.

Manhattan’s commercial spaces usually require reservations for freight elevators well in advance. Without usage of these elevators, your commercial move will be incredibly more difficult. Understanding their schedule is one of the key details to successfully relocating your location. With the reserved time, a commercial mover can properly use freight elevators for your relocation.

  1. Move Off-Peak to Save Time & Money

Manhattan crowds can make commercial moving very difficult, as workers attempt to navigate them and safely carry your equipment. Depending on the time of the year, you may even have to factor in increased traffic due to tourism. Consider moving during off-peak times to make your relocation easier. Less crowd to move around means less time that your move will take.

  1. Protect Sensitive Equipment from Summer or Winter Extremes

While we all enjoy sunny days and clear skies, this type of weather is not always guaranteed, especially in Manhattan. Depending on the time of year, there may be extreme cold or heat. Rain, winds, and other weather events could also possibly occur on the day of your relocation.

These climate conditions could damage your equipment and force you to spend extra money on new models. Instead of leaving it to chance, make sure to account for the weather and properly safeguard your property. Any technology which can be harmed by water should be placed in waterproof containers. Any easily breakable equipment should be carefully wrapped in protective materials that safeguard them from fall damage. Make sure that you have the necessary items to protect your equipment during your move.

  1. Organize & Label by Department

The size and scope of your organization will depend on your office space. However, you should organize and label your items regardless of how big your company is. A commercial move should also make getting back to work easy for staff members. However, that can’t happen if they’re busy trying to find their stuff. Organize and label your equipment by department so that your employees can easily unpack their items. Otherwise, you risk interrupting your business with unnecessary unpacking.

There is a lot more that goes into moving a company from point A to point B. That’s why it’s important to hire a commercial moving partner. Sher-Del Transfer is well equipped to assist with any relocation needs and can properly plan your move. Find out more by contacting us.

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Defining “Broom Swept” for Commercial Leases

Across New York City, commercial offices buildings can vary on guidelines, however many of them often require offices to be “broom swept” for exiting tenants. While Sher-Del Transfer is full of commercial-moving experts who understand this term, often relocating businesses do not. So, what exactly does it mean for an office space to be broom swept upon a lease’s ending? Well, we’re here to teach you.

The term “broom swept” or broom clean commonly used by landlords to refers to an office space’s condition once a lease is up. Often buried in a lease agreement, it requires tenants to remove inventory, furniture, and equipment, among other items from the space. If specified in the rental agreement, tenants may also be required to repair any damage, under a restore premises clause.

Usual Requirements Include:

  • Removal of trash, boxes, and packing materials.
  • Removing any desks, chairs, shelving, or machinery.
  • Detaching signage and branding signs
  • Cleaning of surfaces including floors and walls

Any landlord-owned fixtures or improvements that are legally required to remain, once a business moves out of the space. The space itself does not need to be deep cleaned (unless specified) but should be left in a condition for a new company to move in without much hassle.

The broom swept obligations often cause disputes between tenants and landlords. For instance, tenants commonly leave behind old furniture and run afoul of clauses requiring complete removal of equipment. In addition, the standard of cleanliness for vary based on landlord, leading to further potential issues.

These instances mark the importance of lease clarifications for tenants. Occupants should review their rental agreements when planning a relocation, in order to guarantee compliance with the building’s specific removal guidelines. Failure to do so could result in unnecessary costs and delays for a move.

Of course, businesses often do not understand the exact language regarding leasing requirements and how to execute their guidelines. This is where a commercial moving partner comes in. As experts, commercial movers understand the jargon of rental agreements and how to ensure our clients comply with them.

To learn more about exiting guidelines and plan your next office move, contact Sher-Del Transfer.

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Office Moving in the Summer

Relocating your business can be time-consuming and exhausting. However, office moving in the summer can have its own special headaches. Luckily, Sher-Del Transfer has a quick list of tips to make your relocation this summer as easy as possible.

1. Book Early

Commercial leasing deals are always being completed throughout New York City, but the office moving in the summer tends to see an exceptional rise due to good weather conditions and closing lease cycles. In fact, according to a 2024 article by Bisnow, June and July usually have the highest rates of leasing dealings in Manhattan.

With building managers and real estate representatives likely managing dozens of potential deals to move into their buildings, it’s best to plan your office relocation at least 4-6 weeks in advance. This includes hiring movers, reserving freight elevators, parking permits and other items. Whether you’re in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island or the Bronx, businesses need to plan any relocation as early as possible to secure availability from both the buildings they are leaving and relocating to and avoid additional costs.

2. Move During Off-Peak Hours

If you’ve visited New York City before, you’ve likely been subject to thick crowds of people and intense traffic. Add the seasonal heat, and moving in the summer can become a nightmare. Moving during less busy hours can provide companies with more flexibility than available during peak hours. Desks, chairs, and other office equipment are all easier to move when the streets are empty and fewer people are entering the building.

Furthermore, traffic could slow down vendors working on your move and potentially lead to higher rates. Moving during off-peak hours allows for any transition to be smoother and more streamlined.

3. Check Building Rules and Permits

New York City commercial buildings generally when strict rules revolving around when a tenant can move out of a building and how they do so. Commercial moving vehicles require a special parking permit which costs $35 and must be requested at 48 hours before moving day. Also, the New York City Administrative Code has certain guidelines for how a tenant should engage with a rented space.

However, not every commercial space in New York follows the same guidelines. Some building owners forbid any physical relocation during a particular time, such as weekends, while others do not. Other buildings owners may require movers to only use certain pathways to avoid disrupting over guests.

Ensure that you’re up to date about any relocation guidelines that your current building might have. Make sure you know specifically when movers can operate, what elevators or stairs they can use, and whether commercial moving trucks can park in the area.

4. Label & Organize Items

We’ve all had movement that we’ve lost something important and couldn’t find it. It’s annoying for our personal items but it can be devastating for office equipment subjected to the summer heat.

Organizing and labeling any materials that may be damaged by heat is necessary to ensure that they are properly managed. Otherwise, an outside vendor will not know how to provide cooling packaging for items, and they could be harmed. Avoid this mistake and label anything that the summer heat could damage. Your office can be moved in one piece and intact with just a little bit of organization

 

These quick tips are some of the many concerns for New York businesses when office moving in the summer. Luckily, Sher-Del Transfer is here to think of them for you. If you’re interested in relocating your office in the coming months, please request a quote and one of our representatives will get right back to you.

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