I was hesitant to use a moving service, but I had such a great experience with Marathon Movers that I would definitely use them again in a heartbeat. The movers were extremely polite, friendly, and efficient. Kudos to the whole team!

- Camilla Reteki

When choosing between moving companies, be selective. These are the people who will be packing, moving, shipping, transporting and possibly providing storage for all of your belongings.

Whether you are about to endeavor on a local move, interstate move or international move, you need to be very confident in who you hire.
 
Many moving companies rent trucks and do minimal interviewing when it comes to the actual movers and drivers.

There are many things you can do to be sure your mover is reliable and reputable. You should certainly talk to several moving companies, and  interview many of them.

Get recommendations – everyone knows someone who has moved.

Go online and do a reference and background check – there are review and referrals for almost anything online, it just takes a minute to look.

Better Business Bureau – The BBB ranks businesses, if the moving company is a member that is a good sign.

Call or e-mail the American Moving and Storage Association, moving.org.

Be sure to check the consumer-advocacy sites like movingscam.com.

You should end up with at least three or four movers to call for an in-home estimate. If it is an interstate move, ask if the moving company to give you a written binding estimate or a binding not-to-exceed estimate. Both types of estimates put a guaranteed cap on what you will pay for your move.

For information or estimate, contact Marathon Moving.

Over the course of time in your home, you take care of your home and yard. Then when it is time to move, you find that you have grown attached to the tree, shrub or bush.

When you move, you can take them with you. Digging up plants and moving them to another location can cause some anxiety, but it isn’t as hard as it seems. Of course a local move will be a lot better on your trees and shrubs both in climate and for transport.

For deciduous shrubs and small trees, or “woody plants”, winter is the best time for moving them because the plant is dormant. This means there is limited risk of transplant shock.  Late winter or early spring is the best time to move outdoor landscaping plants and trees.
 
To dig out the root ball, the bigger the better when digging the hole. But a good rule of thumb is 18”. There is no simple rule of thumb for how deep you should dig, but most plant roots live in the upper 12” of soil.

For a local move, it may be easier to transplant and transport these plants. You can move them in your car so you can take extra care. Or, if you plan to send them in the moving van, be sure the moving company is aware so they can save the appropriate room.
 
For interstate moves, you may have to do a bit more research. If you are moving from the Boston Area to a southern state for example, your favorite plant may not like the climate.

Moving is a stressful time for many people, and one way to reduce that stress is to ensure that you have hired a reputable and professional moving company. Unfortunately there are a number of illegitimate entities out there posing as legitimate movers. Here are some ways to avoid those scams.

Don’t forget that anyone can have a website, so don’t be fooled just because the moving company seems to look legitimate on-line. Actually look for a physical address and take a minute to verify that address on Google maps to be sure that the business and the address exists.

Check on the moving companies operating license. You can check them out with the Better Business Bureau or Angie’s list.

Also, references are very important.

The American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) screens moving companies in order to take the guess work out of finding a professional mover. Those moving companies that display the AMSA logo have passed the 7-point screening program and have sworn to uphold a code of ethics.

It is smart to use companies that display the BBB logo, however, some display them w/out authorization. Be sure to verify that the company is authorized to display the BBB logo as well as the AMSA logo.

Most important, get at least 3 written in-home estimates. There are online moving cost calculators, but the only written estimates that count are provided by professional movers in person who visit your home. If someone offers to do an estimate over the phone, be wary, you may be getting scammed.

Avoid moving companies that require large deposits or down payments, or that ask you to pay before you move. In fact, movers are not allowed to require large deposits or pay before move.
 
Click “Moving Company” if you would like more information on your local or interstate move from Marathon Movers.

Moving is hard, but relocating with families is very tough. When you are moving kids to a new neighborhood, it doesn’t matter if it is a local move or an interstate move. But there are definitely ways to make it easier on the kids. You know what they say – if the kids are happy, Mom’s happy and if Mom’s happy then Dad’s happy. And we definitely want happy parents and kids.

Focusing on the kids’ needs is an important part of making this transition smooth. The relocation industry, says that six in ten transferees have dependent children. So here are some things to think about if you are relocating with children.

1. Kids should be involved - As soon as you know you are moving, you should tell your kids. They need as much time as possible. Make it a fun, exciting event, and focus on all the positives, like a new bedroom.
2. Let them know they can still be in touch with their friends - With today’s digital world, it is much easier to stay in touch than before. Help them get email addresses.
3. Let them house hunt with you – They can feel involved and you get to understand what their concerns are. If it is not possible, show them pictures of the new neighborhood and house.
4. Research the sporting and recreation –Let them know that they can continue in their same activities, but also, after they move, this will give them a direct route to friends.
5. Try and move during the school year or before the school year ends - So many families believe that the beginning of the summer is the best time to move, but this ends up being the worst time. They get to their new neighborhood and have no friends for 10 weeks. If they can move during a school year, they have no choice but to make friends fast, and they spend less time missing their old friends.
6. Take them round the schools too - Organize a tour of their new school so that the kids can get excited. They won’t have to imagine the unknown.
7. Stay positive - Because you are moving, you will have many stressful days, decisions, and more to do. But try and remember this as a positive move for your whole family.

Boston Movers

Relocation can be a difficult and stressful time for everyone involved. Between packing, finding hotels, finding a new home, selling your old home and navigating in your new city there are many stressors that can occur during the process.

We have experience with clients who are moving locally to companies who are moving numbers employees overseas. No move is too big or too small.

What we can do, at Marathon Moving, is make the process less stressful, perhaps enjoyable. We offer customized moving solutions to individuals, corporations, and referral customers. Whether you are one person looking to relocate to a new territory, or a large company relocating their entire headquarters to Boston, we can help you.

Let us remove stress one step further.  We have developed relationships and partnerships with area businesses to help you with your local move. We would be happy to refer to you a realtor from within our network, or mortgage consultants or cleaning companies. Or, of course, all three.

Moving Companies in Boston

Whether you are moving due to your job, or simply because you want to, it would be wise to consider hiring a moving company to ensure that all goes well and your possessions arrive safely.   However, there are some details that only you can address. Here are some helpful tips on how to manage the details while you getting ready to move.

Start by making a list of everything that has to be done, and keep it handy for instant reference. Be sure the moving company knows the dates involved so that they can schedule their trucks and employees for loading up and transporting your household goods.

If you have more than one vehicle, ask about auto transport services, because this could save you money on gasoline depending on how far the move is.

If you have dogs or cats, plan ahead for how your pets will be transported. They could simply ride in the car, but if your company is flying you and your family to your new home, then you will need to make arrangements for your pets. Airlines have requirements on what type of crates are approved, so contact them and find out what you need before the move.

Decide if you want to pack boxes yourself, having the movers simply load the boxes onto the truck.  If you want the movers to do all of the packing, be sure to specify this before getting a estimate. Call the moving company to get quotes.

Don't forget to notify all of the utility companies of the date you need them to turn off services. Also, be sure the address change forms have been filed out and given to the post office an the trash pick-up has been cancelled. Moving companies are not responsible for addressing these issues.

If you owe property taxes, you will need to notify the tax assessor’s office that you are moving and make and address change with them. Even if your house is still on the market, it is up to you to make sure all government agencies are away of your new address. When your house goes through closing, you will be released from the involved tax burdens, but until then you are still liable for paying property taxes, even if you are moving.

If there is a chance that you will need storage for some of your possessions, be sure to ask the moving company if they have long or short term storage. You should get estimates on these facilities at the same time that you set up arrangements with your mover, so you have a budget firmly in place with no last minute surprises.  

Moving Companies in Boston

Moving your business can actually be more stressful than moving your home and family. It is hightly likely that during the process of moving your office, it is probable that some aspects of your company will be shut down. Often for periods of time, files, computers, records and phones will be inaccessible.

Make sure you give yourself at least 2 months of preparation. Most people and companies are completely unfamiliar with how to prepare for a corporate move. This can cause much headache and stress.

The most important part of commercial move is to plan everything out in advance. Corporations need to make money; so, if the company is not up and running, the company is not making money. It is very important in a corporate move is to be cost-efficient. One of the ways to do this is to be efficient. The less time spent moving, the more cost-efficient your company will be.

One way to save time is to ensure that you are very familiar with your new office. Know the size of the new rooms. It is important to make sure your desk, chairs, and filing cabinets fit inside your new space. Make a floor plan for each office and space before the move and give a copy to each employee.  Being organized before the move will not only reduce the stress for the employees, but for the movers as well.

Communication is also key, when it comes to a corporate move. Make sure that everyone, including employees and landlords, is aware of the details. Everyone needs to know the moving plan and their responsibilities plan before the move. This makes for fewer questions on the day of move.

Obvious, but often overlooked: be sure the movers know where every piece of equipment and furniture is supposed to go. 

By following a well thought out and organized plan, with every person understanding their role will make for a better, more stress-free corporate move.

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.