Boston Movers Blog

We know that moving into a new home and relocating your family can be a very stressful time. Marathon Moving Company wants your move to go as smoothly as possible. If you have decided to pack your own belongings, we would like to offer the following packing tips to help ensure the safe arrival of all your possessions.

6-8 WEEKS PRIOR TO YOUR MOVE

• Clean out basement, attic, garage, and closets.
• Determine items to keep, discard, donate, or sell.
• Make arrangements for a tag sale for approximately 1 month prior to your move (this will allow time to donate or discard unsold items).
• Contact moving companies to obtain quotes for your move.

4-6 WEEKS PRIOR TO YOUR MOVE

• Send furniture, drapes, and carpets for cleaning or repair.
• Research moving companies you are considering with the Massachusetts DTE (licensing board for MA moving companies), through company provided references, and the BBB.
• Do not be afraid to request proofs of insurance from companies you are considering.  Hiring an uninsured mover can leave you with unpaid damage claims, or you can be found liable for property damage and or personal injury claims.
• Select a moving company and confirm your moving date.
• Order packing supplies and arrange for their delivery or pick up.
• Secure elevators, loading docks, or parking permits if necessary.

1 MONTH PRIOR TO YOUR MOVE

• Begin packing seldom used items such as china, holiday decorations and basement or attic storage areas.
• File a change of address form with Post Office.
• Contact charities to arrange pickup of items to be donated.
• Notify utility companies and arrange for transfer of services.
• Notify all banks, insurance companies, brokerage houses, service providers and creditors of address change.

2 WEEKS PRIOR TO YOUR MOVE

• Begin packing all but essential items.
• Finalize closing times with real estate attorney or mortgage company.
• Organize all bills, stocks, insurance policies and bank account statements.
• Make special arrangements for children and pets on moving day.
• If not moving locally, obtain all medical, dental and veterinarian records.

The key to a successful move is organization. You also don’t need any surprises. There are several questions we encounter and some questions we think people should ask. Here are some things to consider when you are planning a move .

How do I find a moving company I can trust?

It is very difficult leaving everything you own in the hands of someone else. So the answer is interview the moving company, talk with them. Check out their background and their philosophy, but mostly, listen to your gut.

Should I hire a moving company or do it myself?

This is really a question only you can answer. It depends on factors such as time, money, and complexity of the move. You need to decide what your first priority is: time, money or a bit of both.

When should I call a moving company?

The earlier the better and the more lead time the better. That way every effort can be made to meet your preferred delivery schedule .

Should I get an estimate?

We will provide a survey of your items to be moved before you move. This way you can have an idea of what the move will cost you and we can determine the amount of van space you need.

Can my items be stored temporarily if I have not found a home in which to move into yet?

If you are unable to take immediate possession of your new home or you have not yet purchased a new home, your belongings can be stored in a Marathon Moving warehouse. Our facilities are clean, secure, and temperature controlled.

Am I protected against loss or damage while my goods are in transit or in storage?

Yes, but the amount of protection you have depends on the liability package that you select. Marathon offers three protection options from which you may choose prior to the start of your move. All options can be explained in full and made available to you up to the loading of your items on our truck.

Boston Movers - Moving from one place to another costs money. People often try to cut down on the expense by cutting corners on moving boxes. Collecting boxes from behind grocery stores, asking the liquor store clerk to hold boxes to the side, or even collecting them from the company supply room may seem like a good cost saving idea, but it may in fact cost you more than it saves. First and foremost in your lost time, and time is money. Too much time gathering boxes may prevent you from having your home completely packed for the move team adding time and stress to your move day. Also a mish mash of odd sized boxes often adds to the time taken to load your truck or carry the boxes to and from your truck, which adds to the cost of your move bill. Many of these free boxes are also open topped, increasing the likelihood of damage.

Marathon moving boxes are specifically manufactured for household moving and the packing supplies used by our company provide the best protection for your items. The boxes are sized to fit across the floor of a standard moving van and to stack 4 or 5 high without crushing. This not only saves time loading your truck but also reduces shifting which might result in damage. The boxes also easily stack for carrying out of and into your home. The easy stacking cuts down on the number of trips and time taken to load or offload your goods, saving you money.

Take a look at all of our moving supplies and put the trust and assurance of moving into Marathon’s hands. We can help you determine how many and of what size you will need. We deliver to your home for free for orders over $100. And if you do not end up using your boxes or packing supplies, your move crew will credit them back to your move bill so no need to worry about over ordering.