Boston Movers Blog

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.

5-8 Weeks prior to your move:

• 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.

3-4 Weeks prior to your move:

• 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

1-2 Weeks prior to your move:

• 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.

4-7 days prior to your move:

• 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.

2-3 days prior to your move:

• 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.

Moving Day:

• 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.

Most folks want to make their move as simple as possible. If you have kids, it may take a bit more work to get the whole crew organized when moving cross country, but it’s still an attainable goal. However, long distance moving with pets is different. After all, they can’t tell you when they’re hungry, scared, or when they need to use the bathroom. But don’t worry—people move with their pets all the time; and if they can do it, so can you! That’s why Marathon has compiled some tips to help you and your pets prepare for moving day.

Decide how you’re going to transport your pet well in advance of your move.

There are actually a couple of different options for getting your furry friend to their new home. Many choose to just take their dog, cat, or caged creature along for the ride in their personal vehicle. Others may opt to fly their pets to their new home. Making an early decision on pet transportation will help you avoid any last-minute hassles around moving day.

Make sure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations prior to any travel.

Having a clean bill of health is the best way to make sure your pet travels safely. You’ll also want to keep a recent copy of your pet’s health certificate handy as some states may require this if you’re stopped along the way.

Pack a bag for your pet, too.

Just like humans, animals need food, water, and stimulation when they’re on the go. For car travel, feed and water any pets well before you leave, and be sure to bring a few rations for the road. For pets that will be flying, it’s also advisable to provide a feeding well in advance of departure. If your pet will be in a carrier, it’s a good idea to leave them with a familiar blanket or toy to help reduce pet anxiety during the trip.

Give your pet a little time to get accustomed to the new surroundings.

Long distance moving with pets may take some preparation, but in the end it’s worth it to have your creature companions arrive safe and sound to your final destination. Once you arrive at your new home, be sure to let your pet scope out their new environment in order to get comfortable. Lastly, have fun together by settling in and exploring your new place!

Making sure your move goes as smoothly as possible is what we at Marathon are all about. We know it can be a bit stressful at times especially if you have extra areas to worry about such as children or pets. Which is why we feel posting these helpful tips can come in handy for those delicate moves. Also feel free to contact us when conducting your move, whether it is locally or internationally.

No ... this is not a blog to address how to “pack” children and pets. But if only, right? Of course we jest. But the fact is, in a relatively short period of time, indeed you will be “packing up” this, your most precious cargo. There are things to consider in advance. Preparing your children: Very young children will not begin to grasp the reality of your household move until their toys are boxed up. It is then that confusion, fear, sadness, and anger set in. Your thinking that what will follow here is predictable advice from Captain Obvious……talk about the upcoming move, discuss the excitement of meeting new friends, etc, etc. Yes, this is fundamentally important. But the single most important thing you can do to prepare your child for the move is…….prepare yourself. Moving is stressful….no ifs, ands, or buts. If you fail to manage your own move-related stress and by doing so subject your children to YOUR anger, worry, and complaint, then how might your child interpret the move as anything other than something negative and something to fear? From the moment your decision to move is finalized, this critically important subject warrants personal reflection and the need to jointly discuss with your spouse. Preparing to move your pets: Although the preparatory list for pets is long, the best advice we can give is to schedule a visit with the best consultant available to you….your Veterinarian. Getting mandatory immunizations and necessary treatments done early is the most humane and loving thing you can do for your pet. Lessen travel stress on your pet by taking your pet out for short trips before the big move using the exact vehicle, carrier, and conditions that will be used on moving day.