As you plan a move, there is some stress involved and a lot of things to do. You thought the only thing you had left to do after you move is unpack right? Wrong. Depending on how far you have moved, and if you have a family, there are still some things to. But the light at the end of the tunnel really is daylight rather than an oncoming train.

Here are a few things that need to be done after your move in order to really feel like you can relax.

• Set up your utilities. It is football season, so if you are a football fan, this was probably first on your list of things to do.
• Be sure you have created a “moving file" and keep on your documents and receipts from your move in here. Be extra sure you have your Bill of Lading, paid in full receipt, and any receipts from any hotel stays. You will need all of this information when you prepare your tax returns, as well as for your company if you moved for a job.
• Of course, if you have children you need to register them from school. If you haven’t done so, you should contact their previous school and get their transcripts.
• Register to vote.
• You need to register your car and get new plates if you have made an interstate move. Also, you’ll need a new driver’s license. Be sure you have lots of time and loads of patience for this task. (There are RMV offices in Natick, Watertown, and Newton)
• Be sure that your mail is being forwarded and that your new address is registered.
• Of course, you have probably found a doctor and a dentist, if not, do so. You don’t want to be scrambling when you or your kids are sick or when a tooth gets knocked out while skiing this winter.
• Contact your insurance company. Be sure that your home and auto and any recreational vehicles are covered or get new policies if they are needed.
• You have just moved, and you all need some friends. Go meet the neighbors. If you have kids, the sooner they, and you, know some of your neighbors the happier they will be. Put them on your bikes and go knock on some doors. You’ll be surprised at how happy your neighbors will be to meet you.

Your move should be seamless, and you transition smooth, for everyone in your family, even your pets. Pets need special attention and consideration when moving. For a stress free move for your pets, you need to do some preplanning. The following information outlines the points to consider when relocating with your pet.

Before you move you should check with the City Clerk's office in your new community for local pet ordinances. "Leash Laws" are common, licensing may be necessary, and the number of pets per household may be limited.

Be sure to get your pets health records from your veterinarian. This will let your new vet take better care of your pet. During the move, any pet that can wear a collar should wear one.

Movers, buses and trains are not permitted to move pets. So you can either hire a pet transport company, or you can do it yourself. If your pet needs special handling, you should consider having a professional pet service move your pet and take care of everything for you. At Marathon Moving, we can recommend a reputable service.

Remember that your pet is going to need time to get used to your new house. Using your pet's favorite food bowl, bedding and toys will help your pet start to feel at home. Ask your former vet for references, and once you are settled, locate a veterinarian.

Moving Companies in Boston

Often, when moving, you feel pressed for time. Because of this, the search for the moving company is hasty. However, this is where you should invest some time.

Many will simply go through the Yellow Pages or do a brief search on the Internet and hire the first company that gives them a good sales pitch. Others simply go with a "name brand" and don't give it a second thought.

Now, there is nothing wrong with hiring a well known moving company to move you. But do a little research before you sign on the dotted line. But here is a better way to hire a mover, and this way you can feel more relaxed about your possessions, you move and the fee.

The first step is to find the three best moving companies located in your area. Find moving companies that have been in business for 8 to 10 years. It's preferable to hire a company with a lot of experience. Even possibly visit their offices, check out their trucks and storage facility. Make sure their trucks are permanently marked with the company's name.

Next, be sure the moving company you’re considering is an accredited member of a trade body or a moving association. If they do belong to one of these organizations you can rest assured that they need to adhere to certain standards and guidelines.

Ask the moving company to provide referrals of satisfied customers. You can use this question as part of your screening process.If they don't seem keen about letting you talk to people they've moved, that’s a red flag.
Find out about their insurance options and get their quote in writing. Read the small print. Never hire a moving company that does not have adequate insurance.

But get a minimum of two to three quotes before you make your decision. And be sure you understand the value of those quotes. What are you getting for you money. A moving company is not a purchase you want to make on price alone!

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

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 a safe arrival of all your possessions.

• Use professional packing materials as these will save you time and ensure the safety of your goods.
• Make certain all cartons are taped securely, top and bottom. Use carton sealing tape and not masking tape or duct tape.
• Label all fragile boxes and stack them separately from your other cartons.
• Label all cartons. Cartons should be labeled for contents and destination on two sides of the box to make it easy for your movers to identify where each carton should go.
• Tightly secure the lids to any containers that contain liquids.
• Leave clothes and light linens in bureau drawers. Your movers will be able to move your bureaus full. Any breakables such as perfume bottles or costume jewelry should be removed and packed into a carton.
• Small, 2 drawer file cabinets can be moved full. Four drawer filing cabinets should have the bottom two drawers full. All lateral style cabinets must be completely emptied.
• Empty desk drawers. Desks often need to be turned on their side to get through doorways and loose items may fall out and be lost.
• Make a list of all items you will need for a few days prior to and immediately following your move. These items should be separated and labeled “DO NOT MOVE”. These items should include: soap, towels, toothpaste, toilet paper, cereals, bowls, plates and utensils, cups, sheets, blankets, and immediately needed clothes.
• Pack heavy items in small cartons, i.e. books, records and canned goods, etc.
• Fill all cartons to the top as half-filled cartons tend to crush. Do not, overfill cartons because rounded top cartons are hard to stack.
• Pack all items snugly into cartons using unprinted newspaper for fragile items. Use crushed paper to fill any gaps in cartons to prevent items from shifting

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Are you moving internationally? At Marathon Moving, we pride ourselves on helping you with a stress free move. Being prepared for your move is the number one way to reduce the stress. The easiest way to prepare is to have a convenient checklist. The following is a checklist to help you prepare for your international move:

8 Weeks or more weeks prior to your move:

• Is your company relocating you for work? If so you should verify what expenses and responsibilities are theirs and which are yours.
• Are you permanently relocating or will you be coming back after a year or two? If you are planning on moving back, you may find it less expensive to store most your items and rent a furnished apartment abroad until you return.
• Track the expenses you do pay for, many moving expenses are tax deductible. You should contact your company’s tax department or your accountant to verify which expenses can be deducted.
• Create a valued inventory for all your possessions being shipped. You will need this for insuring your shipment and for declaration purposes with customs. Download an excel worksheet for your valued inventory from our website. Don’t forget to keep a valued inventory for what is to be donated to charitable organizations. You should keep the list of donated items and their value for your tax records.
• Make sure your passports are valid and have at least 12 months remaining before they expire.
• Check whether any permits are required, e.g. for residency, work, vehicles or firearms.

• Are you moving to a country where vaccinations are required? Check to see which vaccinations are required and contact your physician and/or children’s pediatrician to arrange for them.
• Organize all your personal documents and keep photocopies in a safety deposit box or fire proof file box.
• Notify your lawyer, bank, doctor, dentist, insurance company, building management, schools and theDepartment of Social Security of your move. Obtain copies of your personal records from the above and keep with your other personal documents.
• Cancel subscriptions to clubs, online memberships magazines and journals.
• Keep copies of receipts or invoices for all new purchases (for customs import formalities).
• Begin to organize items to ship by clearing out your loft, attic, garage and shed of all items to be donated or disposed of.
• Contact the Chamber of Commerce, tourism bureaus or go online and subscribe to the local paper in your new community to familiarize yourself with your new location, local government, community and social news and activities.

• Discuss your insurance needs with your move consultant and complete your insurance valuation form.
• Go to www.usps.com and complete a change of address form.
• Schedule final account readings for gas, water, electricity, telephone and cable TV. Keep phone and utilities connected at your current home on moving day. You should also provide your mover with a cell phone number and email address at which you can be reached while your goods are in transit.
• Cancel all rental agreements.
• Start to use up stocks of food and drink.
• Confirm your travel documents and tickets are correct.
• Arrange special transportation for your pets and plants.
• Arrange to close accounts at your local bank and open accounts in your new location

• If you’re moving out of or into a building with elevators or loading docks, contact the building management to schedule use.
• Confirm your moving date with your move consultant.
• Clean any garden tools, bicycles, outdoor equipment etc. All of these items will need to be clean in order to insure no moths or insects are in your shipment.
• Arrange care for children and pets on moving day.
• Close accounts with any regular deliveries such as your newspaper.
• Empty lockers at school and work.
• Drain fuel from power equipment (motor mowers etc).
• Give away perishable food.
• Take pets to the vet for any necessary immunizations and get copies of your pet’s veterinary records.
• Obtain parking permits for moving van if necessary.

• Separate all personal items which will be traveling with you, e.g. keys, documents, passports, tickets, certificates, money, clothing, etc.
• Disconnect, clean and dry any electrical appliances that you wish to ship.
• If you are splitting air and ocean freight, identify the air freight items and clearly label.

• Defrost your fridge and freezer if shipping.
• Pack a box of personal items that will be needed immediately at your new home. Have this box loaded last or carry it with you.
• Contact your Marathon Moving consultant to confirm the arrival time of the moving van, as well as to notify your mover of any last minute details or changes.

• On moving day, relax and let Marathon Moving do the work!
• Remain on hand in case the packers/loaders have any questions.
• Be sure to check all rooms, cupboards and walls to make sure nothing is left behind.
• Record all utility meter readings (gas, electric, water).
• Remember to review, sign and get a copy of the inventory of goods moved.

Maybe you are an empty nester, or perhaps your goal is to live lighter, be closer to the city or just have a change of scenery; regardless, moving from a house to an apartment is a big change. Apartments have limited space which means you can't necessarily keep all of your possessions with you. But how do you decide what to take and what to put into storage or get rid of altogether? Apartment living is a different lifestyle than living in a house. The following is a list of some things to consider leaving behind in your move to your new apartment.

1. Furniture removal should be your first consideration. What will fit, what won’t. What are your favorite pieces? Measure your favorites, the items you can’t live without to be sure they fit into your new space.
2. If have two cars, you may not necessarily be able to bring both with you when you move. Apartments with one parking space are rare, let alone two. And if your apartment is in the city, most likely you are closer to public transportation. You may not need a car at all.
3. You won't need the lawnmower or rake. You may have a window box or some plants in your apartment, but no need for gardening tools.
4.  Outdoor spaces in apartments are usually small balconies or patios. You may be able to get rid of or dramatically reduce your amount of patio furniture.
5. Washing and drying machines. Most likely the apartment building will have its own laundry facility.
6. Tools and toolbox. Other than a small amount of tools that you may not want to get rid of, there is a maintenance staff on hand, so you can leave the tools too.