Hey everyone. We're moving from out of state to a fifth-floor walk-up in Washington Heights next month (yes, no elevator). A couple of moving companies have quoted us and one said they charge an extra $75 per flight after the second floor. Is that normal here, or did they see us coming? We have a regular sofa, mattress, desk. Someone at work said I should just slip the super a tip to let us use a freight elevator, but I don't even see one in the building. Do I need to get a smaller sofa? Trying not to be the clueless transplant, but I clearly am.

Not the clueless one yet, it's fine. Per-flight charges are pretty standard for walk-ups, especially if you're calling bigger moving companies with advertised rates. But you can do better. Call small local outfits that do walk-ups all the time and ask for a flat rate including the flights. In Washington Heights, look for people from the neighborhood, not a national van line. The fifth floor is real but movers do it all day; they'll take the sofa up on its end if the stairs aren't spiral. Measure your door and the hallway turn. Don't try to bribe a super for a freight elevator that doesn't exist, and if there is one, it's probably not a secret. A couch that comes apart or an IKEA-style sofa will massively reduce your stress. You might pay extra but it shouldn't be a mortgage.

Agree with EastHarlem_E. Per-flight is common but the number can be slippery. Ask for an on-site estimate or video walkthrough and get it in writing. Fifth-floor walk-ups in old WaHi buildings can have narrow banisters, so the desk might be fine and the sofa is the only real maybe. If the couch is real big, don't pay $300 just to watch them get it stuck on floor three. Also make sure you deal with street parking: if you're bringing a truck, check whether your block has alternate side or if you need a street permit, because a double-parked mover with a ticket becomes your problem. Not a dealbreaker, just book a local crew and don't do the first Saturday of the month if you can avoid it. Free advice: pizza/gatorade won't make a fifth floor easier, cash tip will. Is it a prewar building?

Thanks both, that makes me feel less like an idiot. We called a local crew out of Inwood that a friend used and got a flat rate, and they came yesterday for a small self-storage run before the big move. They confirmed per flight can be a thing but said our sofa should go up if they take the legs off and stand it on the arms at the landing. The banister is definitely narrow but not spiral. Gowanus_G, it is prewar—1930s, I think. Should I be worried about the stairs holding the weight or just my legs? Also do you tip per mover, a percentage, or both? I want to do it right.

Prewar stairs have held way more than your sofa, don't worry about the building, just your thighs. Tip per mover with cash, not a percentage, and for a five-floor walk-up on a hot day I'd go a bit above the usual. If they're really hauling and nothing gets banged up, slip each guy a thank-you; don't do the 'buy them lunch instead of cash' move unless you also tip. Gatorade is a nice extra if it's summer. Glad the local crew worked out. On moving day, leave one person on the truck and one in the apartment, and keep water cold. You'll be fine.