Moving Into a Doorman Building: The Etiquette & Logistics

A doorman building is the most organized move you'll ever make — if you play by its book. The doorman isn't an obstacle; he's the person who decides whether your move-day runs on rails or gets sent home. Here's the book.

The non-negotiables

• **Approved COI on file** before the crew arrives — doormen check a list, and "it's coming" isn't on it
• **Service elevator only** — furniture in the passenger elevator is the fastest way to make an enemy of the building
• **Reserved window, hard stops** — 9-to-4 weekdays is standard; running over bumps the next resident's move
• **Loading dock or designated curb** — the doorman knows exactly where trucks go; the crew asks him first

Etiquette that pays off

• Introduce yourself to the doorman *before* move day — the person who controls packages, guests, and elevator grace-minutes for your entire tenancy
• Confirm the move with the front desk 48 hours out (management approves; doormen execute — both need to know)
• A tip for doormen who materially help on move day ($10–20) is customary and remembered; December's building-staff tip season is a separate tradition worth honoring

Why crews love these moves

Padded elevators, loading docks, level entries, no parking hunt — a doorman-to-doorman move is often the fastest category we run, which shows up in the flat quote. The paperwork friction up front buys a frictionless move day.