Blog

1. Flat Rates and Hourly Rates Don’t Cover Unpredictable Parking Fines

HandyVan operates light commercial vans under 10,000 lbs GVWR, not large box trucks. This lets us offer flexible, affordable service for moves and art deliveries — but it also means we frequently load directly at the curb. Our pricing is designed to be simple and fair. To keep it that way, we do not build parking violations into our base rates. If we absorbed all parking tickets across all jobs, we would have to raise prices significantly, even for clients whose moves or art installations involve zero tickets. A single Manhattan parking ticket can cost $65–$185, and restricted-zone citations can be higher. For a boutique operator that specializes in careful handling and art-related work, a few unexpected tickets in a week can easily erase the margin of several projects. To keep your costs low, we charge only when a ticket truly occurs — never as a hidden automatic fee.

2. Even With Commercial Plates, Legal Parking in Manhattan Is Extremely Limited

Whether we’re delivering artwork to a gallery or installing pieces in a SoHo loft, curb space in Manhattan is extremely limited. Even with commercial plates, we face:

• blocks with no loading zones
• entrances with “No Standing Anytime” directly at the door
• loading bays reserved for contractors or building staff
• strict enforcement in SoHo, Tribeca, FiDi, Chelsea, Midtown, and the Village
• buildings that cannot legally block their entrance
• time-sensitive service windows for delivery or installation

During art installations, timing matters — we’re expected to arrive when planned, so searching endlessly for curb space isn’t always possible. We always choose the safest, most compliant option available — but for many art installations and residential deliveries, a legal spot simply does not exist.

3. Large Moving Companies Can Absorb Tickets — Small Independent Operators Cannot

Big corporate moving companies can absorb violations because:

• they run $3,000–$5,000+ moves
• they spread ticket costs across thousands of jobs
• they have entire accounting departments handling fines

HandyVan NYC is different:

• small, specialized operator
• many jobs involve art delivery and installation, not huge move volumes
• our average project cost is $400–$700
• we don’t pad prices with hidden surcharges

To keep our rates fair and competitive, we don’t bury ticket costs inside the price. Clients pay only for their specific service, and only for a ticket if one happens.

What We Do on Our Side to Avoid Tickets

We work extremely hard to prevent violations. Our team:

• chooses the safest legal spot available
• monitors the van during loading
• uses hazard lights and commercial plates properly
• coordinates with doormen and building staff
• avoids peak ticketing hours when possible
• pre-plans the loading order to minimize curb time
• stays aware of block-by-block rule changes

Whether we’re moving a sofa or installing a framed artwork, avoiding tickets is a priority for us.

4. Most Tickets Are Avoidable — and Customers Can Help Prevent Them

About 85% our small moves and art deliveries result in zero tickets. When customers prepare in advance, the chances drop even further.

Helpful ways customers can reduce ticket risk:

• reserving curb space ahead of time
• using cones or markers for active loading
• asking building management to hold a driveway
• having someone briefly sit in the van (totally legal)
• scheduling art installations during off-peak hours
• notifying doormen/security in advance
• avoiding hyper-enforced zones at peak ticketing times

This teamwork is especially useful for deliveries and pickups in highly congested Downtown and Midtown areas of Manhattan, where parking options are extremely limited.

What Customers Often Don’t Know About NYC Parking

Even lifelong New Yorkers are surprised by how chaotic curb rules are. Most people don’t realize:

• Many blocks have zero legal spots for commercial vans.
• Traffic agents can issue a ticket in under 60 seconds.
• Some buildings cannot block their entrance even during a move.
• Curb rules change mid-block or mid-day.
• SoHo, Tribeca, and Midtown can see dozens of tickets per hour.
• Art deliveries and installations often run on coordinated schedules with no flexibility to circle for long periods.

These realities make occasional unavoidable tickets a built-in part of NYC logistics.

5. We Don’t Want Tickets Either — Our Incentives Are the Same as Yours

For moves, art deliveries, or installations, our incentives align perfectly with yours: we want to avoid tickets completely. We never park carelessly or take unnecessary risks. We always choose the best possible option for safety, legality, and efficiency.