Boston Movers Blog

In all of our moves around the Boston area, we compiled a some moving tips, but overtime we have learned from our customers that there are two tips in particular that seemed to make their moving experience much easier. We would like everyone who is moving to know what our customers have learned.
 
Start early. In fact it is never too early to begin packing for your move. As soon as you know that you are moving, you should start organizing and thinking about the move. Moving is a very time consuming process and there are a lot of rooms to pack. If you are not a seasoned mover, most likely you will be surprised at how much time it takes to organize for your move.

Begin packing items you rarely use, like your china cabinet, seasonal clothes or formal living room.

Create “Open First” boxes and pack some suitcases. A big challenge in moving is trying to find what you need in your new home. Solve this by packing a suitcase for each person in your family with the necessary items for about 3 days. Keep these suitcases handy for when you arrive. Also, create an "open first" box for each room. Label these boxes in a different color, so they are easily found among the other boxes. These moving boxes may include items like soap, dish soap, coffee maker and coffee, toilet paper, towels, silverware, and some snacks.  These boxes will make the first overnight in your new home much easier.

For help with your move, or for more tips on moving contact Marathon Moving.

A successful commercial move is essential to your business. You need your move to be efficient and organized from start to finish so your business experiences minimal downtime.

Just considering a moving a business is daunting. Now that you have decided to do it, you need to make other decisions: who is going to pack your office?

In business, time is money. Can you afford to have your staff pack the entire office? Don’t let one of you staff get injured lifting a heavy carton or be unavailable to your customers because they are busy packing. The best way to minimize downtime for your business is to leave the packing to professional movers.

Marathon Moving has extensive experience moving businesses throughout Massachusetts. Take advantage of our packing services. Our crew of professional packers can come in the day or evening prior to your move and pack all non-essential documents, files, and books.

On move day, the movers will then pack the essential documents and label for quick identification at your new office location. Our crews will use proper labeling techniques and can even unpack if you want to truly make the move hassle free.
 
Let the professionals at Marathon Moving handle the packing for your business. Contact Marathon Moving for more information on commercial moves.

Moving is a fun and exciting event, however it can also be time consuming and stressful. When you choose a moving company, the next question is usually, “should we pack ourselves, or pay to be packed?” Packing your home can be a very daunting task that requires a significant commitment of time and energy.

There is a time/cost benefit to having someone else pack for you. Your job is to consider if it is worth the time and stress savings to have Marathon Moving pack up your personal belongings. Moving companies, the good ones at least, are professional packers. So your items will be efficiently and safely packed, that you can rely on. Many Marathon customers choose to use our professional packing services for their most treasured possessions, while others have us pack all of their belongings.

Let us put your mind at ease with our careful and efficient handling of your belongings. A professional pack by Marathon has many benefits. The first of which is the added convenience of access to your belongings right up to the day of your move or the days immediately prior to your move. In addition, your goods will be protected by professional packing methods, and you will have more time to tend to other matters.

Regardless of how you choose to pack up, your move consultant will tailor your service request to meet your needs.
If you are packing yourself, we have provided some helpful tips on our packing tips page and we offer free to home delivery of all your packing supplies.

Moving Companies in Boston

Congratulations, for whatever the reason, you have decided to move. You have sold the house and are ready to get on your way. Now, to pack up and start moving.

There are basically two options – you can do it yourself or hire professionals. What you choose to do depends on your personal situation. Some things to consider are: Who is paying for the move? If it is cash in advance by your company, it’s a no brainer, hire a moving company. However, you’re paying, you have decisions to make.

Consider how much you can spend on the move. It's entirely possible that you have the money to move. If so, hiring a moving company is reasonable. How fast do you need to move? If you move yourself, you have you, your family and your unenthusiastic friends to help. Often this means that packing and loading takes longer than expected - a moving company has professionals that, through experience, are much more efficient than you.

How important is it that the move is done right? A moving company has the experience to make moving efficient. They will pack items more effectively and safely.  If you have particular belongings that are breakable or sentimental, you can wrap them on your own.

Do you have the ability to get it done? Are you effective and efficient when it comes to manual labor? If you can't lift much, you should consider the letting someone else move for you.

So, basically, there are a few pros of moving yourself; they include: it is less expensive and you can sort items yourself and you can “bond” with family and friends.

There are also pros of using a moving company; they include: less work for you, focus on other details of the move, and you will get packed and unpacked faster. The con is that it is more expensive. You need to determine what works best for you and your situation.

Boston Movers

Most people have a lot of trouble when moving. The planning, packing and other activities can really be exhausting; even more so if you’re a senior. Here are some ways seniors can help themselves when moving to their retirement home, or when they are downsizing.
 
1. Plan to give yourself more time than you think you will need to prepare.

It takes you a bit more time to go about tasks, which is good; things won’t be forgotten in the rush. So be sure to start planning for your move early. This will result in fewer problems on the moving day itself. There are always problems for procrastinators, so don’t make it difficult for yourself. 

2. Be sure you’re assertive.

You've spent your entire life being in control, don't stop now. Moving can be challenging, so be sure that you're in control of everything. The best way to do this is to begin the planning process early. Also, ask for help from time to time. Make a list of box inventories so that you can keep better track of your belongings. Knowing what goes where makes it much easier on the other end of the move. Be sure that you hire a trustworthy movers who can address your needs and concerns properly.

3. Rest.
Rest is very important for people at all stages of life, especially when doing stressful tasks. So take a breather every now and then, your body will feel better for it. Also, prepare yourself a good breakfast before you begin your moving business for the day.. Moving is an especially stressful time so it pays to take a break every now to catch your breath.

When all is said and done, the move is complete, and your new home is set up, be sure to throw yourself a Housewarming Party! Gather friends, new neighbors and family and celebrate your new beginning in your new home.

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

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

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.

Moving can be a very stressful process. There are dozens of tasks to accomplish in a short period of time, as well as many important decisions to make. This leads to a high potential for making mistakes. Most moving mistakes turn out to be minor, but there are a few that can have long-term implications. There are two of the worst moving mistakes that you should avoid at all costs. Don't worry we will reveal them to you in this post.

The first biggest mistake is moving without a plan or a moving checklist. Many people facing a move simply jump right into the process without fully planning ahead. Similarly, they try to manage through tasks without having a detailed moving checklist. There have been endless productivity studies demonstrating that having a written plan boosts productivity, and similar logic implies that a moving checklist helps you manage the details of a move. Not having a checklist can have a impact on your whole move. The biggest impacts are loss of time, added stress, and the chance of forgetting critical tasks. The solution however is simple: Use one of the many free, excellent download able checklists as your preliminary moving plan.

The second biggest mistake is providing too little time for proper packing. People tend to drastically underestimate the amount of time required to pack a home, meaning they have too little time to complete their packing. This causes a mad rush just before moving day to get everything accomplished in time for the truck. It becomes a little bit like the scene from Home Alone when the whole family wakes up late. Not giving yourself adequate amount of time for packing can be a recipe for stress and for sloppy packing, potentially resulting in damaged goods at your final destination. To prevent this mad rush allow at least 5 hours per room, and pack the 3 most cluttered rooms first. If they are completed faster than that, you can scale back your schedule. If not, you’ll have enough time to complete all your packing.

Avoiding these two common mistakes during a move can ensure a smooth and successful move to your new destination. Should you have any other questions about moving or packing be sure to contact us today and we'll be happy to assist you in any way possible.