3 Ways to Move Big Stuff in Rockland Without Wasting a Weekend (or Your Back)

A few months ago, I spotted a mint-condition leather armchair on Facebook Marketplace. The kind of chair you see in a Restoration Hardware catalog—low-slung, solid, with that lived-in tobacco color. The seller was moving out of Nyack and letting it go for a hundred bucks. I clicked “interested” without even thinking.

Then I remembered: I drive a Lacrosse Buick.

What followed was two hours of texting friends, debating whether I could tie it to the roof (I couldn’t), Googling local van rentals, and eventually giving up altogether. The chair was gone by the next morning.

Lesson learned.

Here’s the thing: Rockland is full of great deals, estate sales, and folks looking to offload furniture and gear quickly. But if you don’t have a way to move the big stuff, it doesn’t matter how good the price is. You’re stuck.

So here’s a better way to think about it. These are three proven options to help you move big stuff around Rockland without wrecking your weekend or your lower back.

1. Call in a Friend With a Truck (and Hope They’re Still Talking to You)

Let’s start with the classic. Everyone’s got that one friend, cousin, or neighbor who owns a pickup. And yes, if they’re free, in a good mood, and have nothing going on, they might be willing to help. Key word: might.

But even if you bribe them with pizza or gas money, there’s still the logistics. Can they lift a dresser? Do they have moving blankets or straps? Are they actually available this weekend, or are you just going to end up awkwardly apologizing for texting them again?

We’ve all been there. And while this method technically “works,” it’s not reliable. It’s a favor. And favors, as most of us learn by age 30, come with strings.

2. Rent a U-Haul and Pretend You’re a Professional

I’ve done this more than once. U-Haul’s got a location in West Haverstraw, and for about $19.95 plus mileage and fuel, you can rent a van or small truck for the day. Add a dolly and a friend, and you’re in business—kind of.

What the ads don’t mention is the stress that comes with driving one of those beasts down Main Street in Nyack during lunch traffic. Or the sharp turns in Tappan. Or the stress of parallel parking something the size of a bread truck.

Then there’s lifting. Most of the time, the sellers aren’t helping you get that 7-foot armoire out of their basement. So it’s on you and whoever you roped into coming along.

Add it all up: $75 to $110 for the rental, a few hours of sweat and tension, and hopefully no injuries. Not the worst option—but definitely not fun.

3. Hire Help and Let Someone Else Handle It

This is where most people finally land after trying the first two.

Whether it’s a Facebook Marketplace find in New City, a Craigslist patio set from Stony Point, or that IKEA bookshelf your cousin in Nanuet needs hauled, there are pros who specialize in just this kind of thing.

They’ve got vans. They’ve got dollies. They’ve got moving blankets, bungee cords, and the kind of lifting technique that keeps your walls (and their backs) safe. You book a time, share the pickup and drop-off locations, and they take care of the rest.

Same-day pickups? Totally doable.

Stairs? Not a problem.

Can’t be home to help? You don’t have to be.

And compared to the headache of organizing it yourself, the cost is more than fair. Especially when you factor in what your time is worth—and your spine.

Real-Life Wins

Just last month, I helped my sister in Piermont score a vintage dresser from someone in Valley Cottage. She booked a local delivery pro online in under five minutes. It was at her apartment that afternoon—wrapped, carried, and placed exactly where she wanted it. No stress. No favors. No pulled muscles.

Another time, a neighbor in Blauvelt had a new washer-dryer set delivered from a warehouse in Pearl River. Rather than waiting two weeks for the big-box guys, she got it moved the same day she bought it.

These are the kinds of wins that add up.

Bottom Line

If you’ve got big stuff to move around Rockland, don’t waste your weekend wrestling with it yourself. Whether you’re furnishing your place, helping out a relative, or just snagging a great find online, there are smarter ways to do it.

Skip the back pain. Skip the begging-for-help texts. Get it done.

So the next time you see that perfect mid-century sideboard listed in Orangeburg? You don’t need to scroll past it. You just need a plan.