Moving into a fifth-floor walk-up off First Ave next weekend. Found a used 8k BTU window unit from a guy in Kips Bay leaving the city. Super already said "not my job" about carrying anything above the first floor, which fine, but how do people do this? I'm one person, no car, friends all have "bad backs" the second you mention stairs.

Is TaskRabbit actually reliable for this, or am I tipping a delivery guy extra hoping he doesn't quit halfway? Also, do I need a special strap or just those forearm forklift things from Home Depot? Not trying to find my new AC at the bottom of the stairwell.

Man, this is the same energy as Does anyone actually buy produce at the 24-hour green grocer on 9th Ave, or is it just emergency limes? "Does anyone actually buy produce at the 24-hour green grocer on 9th Ave, or is it just emergency limes?" Some services exist for the one-off only. For an 8k unit, don't overthink the strap thing. Book a TaskRabbit "moving" task, put the exact address, floor, "no elevator, secondhand AC weighs maybe 60-70 lbs" in the notes. Don't book the cheapest delivery-only person, they'll bounce.

Cheap forearm fork straps help if you've got a buddy, but with one paid guy they usually have their own. Tip upfront in the app if you can, not cash after the fact. Also measure the window before you haul it.

Seconding the measure-the-window part. Learned that the hard way when my "free" AC from a Sunnyside co-op was an inch too wide for the bedroom window because the sill had trim. Had to re-list it with the same "you just need to pick it up" lie I fell for.

If you're near First Ave and it's an older building, your windows might be narrow or have storm frames. For fifth-floor, also check whether your super allows AC brackets or just a support arm. Some prewar leases make you put the bracket in and don't allow the saddles. Not to pile on.

Oh man, I'm moving next month into a fourth-floor walk-up in Astoria and I didn't even think about this. I just assumed I'd drag a folding mattress up myself and the AC could wait. Do people really tip TaskRabbit extra in the app and cash? Which one do they prefer? Also, is it weird to ask the person to take the old AC box back down or do I have to flatten it? Sorry if that's a dumb question.

Not a dumb question! Cardboard from a new AC is the real villain! If you use TaskRabbit, they'll usually remove the box for free if you ask before you book, but if it's used and the original packaging is gone, bring your own moving blanket and a roll of stretch wrap. The stretch wrap is the secret! Wrap the unit so the side fins don't snag every single stairwell wall.

Have you tried looking on local Buy Nothing groups? Sometimes a building neighbor with a hand truck will do it for a cold Gatorade and $20, no app required. The super might not carry, but the porter usually knows a guy.

I'd skip the couch-moving straps for one AC, honestly. One short flight of stairs is where straps help; five flights with turns is where you want a hand truck with those little stair-climbing tripod wheels. Most handymen in Manhattan have one and will charge you a flat "one item, fifth floor" rate.

If you're buying from someone leaving the city, ask if their building has a service elevator or a freight entrance. Half the time they do, and the superintendent of that building will let you use it if the guy tips him before the move. Also do not stand under someone carrying an AC up the narrow stairwell. It ends how you think.

Glad I asked. The old building has no service elevator, just a very tight stairwell with brown carpet I already don't trust. The guy selling the AC said he's in a first-floor studio, so at least that side is easy.

@BronxZooBard the stretch wrap tip is actually genius, I would've just raw-dogged the fins. @Gowanus_G measurement first, yes. Just checked the window: 26 inches between the inside stops, 25.5 inch unit. That's fine, right? Or do I need to leave room for foam? Gonna book someone tonight before I start convincing myself it's a two-person job I can do alone.

Wait, so if my new place has the smaller window, is a 5,000 BTU supposed to be lighter? I asked a guy on Marketplace and he said "depends if you have a car or not" which was not helpful.

Does the foam go outside between the unit and the frame? I thought you just put it on the window sash and lower it down. KipsBay_K, if you book someone, can you report back what the final cost is? I'm trying to budget moving costs but everything online is "starting at" and then it's like three times that.

confused_in_nyc: Marketplace guy was not helpful, but he was honest by accident. It depends if there's a storm window! You can't just lower the window on the unit in an old Astoria building with a storm frame, the AC will tip backwards or the window won't close. The foam goes in the accordion openings and sometimes under the bottom sash, but you also want a bracket or a support leg.

5k units are usually 40-55 lbs, so yes less, but still not fun on stairs. KipsBay_K, 26 vs 25.5 is a good half inch, but also check if the window opens straight up and if the sill is flat. A sloped sill is another "free AC" lie.