Boston Movers Blog

Many people opt to pack themselves in order to save money. Before you decide this type of move is the one for you, ask yourself a few questions first.

Make the reservations?
When you move yourself you need to manage the details. Make all of the necessary reservations. If you are packing and moving yourself, be sure to reserve the truck. And, be sure you reserve a truck that can fit all of your stuff.

If friends or family are helping you move and/or pack, be sure you have reserved their time as well.

Do you have what you need to pack?
So several weeks before the actual move, it is time to pack. Do you have your packing boxes and other supplies in order? You need all of the necessary packing tools in order before you begin to pack. Buy moving boxes from a local moving company. In addition to moving boxes, you’ll need packing materials to protect items inside the boxes. You might also purchase packing peanuts.

Be sure you have the right materials to pack fragile items like dishes and glassware. You need packing paper and the right moving boxes. For you other possessions, be sure to have on hand, mattress bags, bubble wrap and packing tape.
 
For packing materials, packing help and videos or assistance with your move, contact Marathon Moving.

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.

There are plenty of people who are moving  to Boston and would like to pack themselves. In theory it sounds like a great idea, but in practice, it is a little more challenging. How exactly do you pack dishes so they don't break during the move?

Dish boxes are double lined for fragile items, plates and glasses. Be sure to add bumps, cushions or packing to the bottom of your dish box before packing. To do this, take the packing paper and roll it lengthwise, be sure to keep it fluffy. Lay the rolls in the box, perpendicular to the inside seam.

Start with the larger platters and plates. Place the plate in the center of the packing material and fold all the paper inside. Place the plate into the box perpendicular to the rolls of cushion in the bottom. Work from one end to the other; be sure you have a nice tight block of plates so they don’t shift.

When you wrap up individual dinner plates, set the dinner plate into the center of the packing  paper and fold over the paper into the center of the plate. Place another plate on top of this and set another plate on top. Do this until you have four plates in a stack for a nice tight bundle of plates. Place these in the box on their side perpendicular to the cushions on the bottom.

Once the bottom tier is complete, roll up another set of cushions, packing or bumps and place them on the top of the plates. Next pack up the lightest items you have for this next level in this box. This should be glasses or other light fragile items.

For more information on how to pack boxes, see the Marathon Moving packing videos.

Marathon Moving Company wants your office move to go as smoothly as possible. If you have decided to pack and prepare the office supplies, equipment, and furniture yourselves, we would like to offer the following packing and  moving tips to help ensure the safe arrival of your whole office set-up.

DO NOT MOVE UNNECESSARY ITEMS
• Before packing, purge unnecessary supplies, files, etc. that you won’t need in your new office.

WHEN PACKING CARTONS

• Moving small plants, deck clocks, pictures and other personal property is generally the responsibility of the employees that own them.
• All moving boxes are to be packed tightly and sealed to prevent damage and disarrangement due to shifting. All cartons need to be labeled clearly with destination and contents.
• All keys are to remain in the possession of the employee who uses or is assigned responsibility for the locked items. Do not leave keys in desks or file cabinets.
• Remove ink and other liquids from drawers and place in packing cartons. Caps must be on tightly to prevent leakage. Desk pen and ink sets must be emptied. For additional protection please place liquids in a plastic bag and seal.
• Glassware and breakable objects should be wrapped with white newsprint or bubble wrap and packed securely in cartons to prevent breakage.
• Small articles such as pencils, pens, scissors, paper clips, erasers, rubber bands, etc. should be placed in sealed envelopes which are then packed in cartons.
• Place letter trays in packing cartons. Multiple tray assemblies should be taken apart before packing.

• These items will be moved on end and certain precautionary measures and preparations are required.
• To prevent the contents of the desk from becoming disarranged, remove all contents and place in moving boxes.
• Please lock drawers if possible.
• Glass desk tops, desk pads and chair mats must bear the same identification label as the desks to which they belong.

• Vertical file cabinets will be moved with contents intact.
• The sliding guide at the back of each drawer should be moved tightly against the files.
• Vertical files over 2 drawers should be packed if there are stairs involved. The bottom 2 drawers can remain full.
• Lateral file cabinets over 2 drawers must be completely emptied when stairs are involved.
• If there are no stairs involved lateral file cabinets can be moved with up to 3 drawers full. For cabinets over 3 drawers the top drawers should be emptied and the bottom drawers left full.
• Please lock your file cabinets if you have the keys. If you don’t have a key, the cylinder lock on the files should be taped open to prevent inadvertent locking.
• More than ordinary attention must be given to the sequential numbering of file cabinets, sectional bookcases, etc. with respect to location and destination.

• Remove all contents and place in moving boxes. Observe the instructions for small articles and liquids.
• Shelves will be removed due to shifting and must bear the same identification label as the cabinet to which they belong.
• Shelf tabs should be removed and placed in an envelope and packed into packing boxes with the contents from the cabinet or bookcase.

• Large pictures and wall mounted bulletin/white boards must be labeled.
• Do not place labels directly on to the artwork.
• Marathon Moving will pad the artwork unless otherwise directed.

• Laptops should be moved by the employee normally responsible for that laptop.
• Back up your P.C. hard drive if applicable. Please take your back up disc with you.
• Remove toner from laser printers and fax machines. Place in tightly sealed bags.
• Label all equipment and accessories. (Do not place label directly on the CRT screen).
• Disconnect all cables. Place your keyboard in your keyboard bag, (provided by Marathon), along with your cables, mouse, mouse pads, speakers, etc. Seal your keyboard bag tightly and place a label on the outside.
• Copiers need to be prepped prior to moving and many lease contracts require that the lease company move the machine. Call your service representative to check your warranty or service contract to make sure moving contractor is authorized.
• If owned and allowed by service contract, all ink and water must be drained from machines.
• Please consult your MIS department or owner’s manual for specific directions with respect to moving your electronic and computer equipment.

Boston Movers