Boston Movers Blog

Self packing certainly can save you money over a full-service move, but not if it is at the expense of your valuable, sentimental or special possessions. You can put no price on the loss of those items. Often self-packers and movers will regret irreparable damage to photos, LP collections, artwork, breakables, books and DVD’s.

Often these items are irreplaceable, if not in monetary value, certainly in sentimental value and importance. Breakable items and items of sentimental value need to be given special attention during packing up and during the actual move.

Pack photo albums, CD’s, LP’s and DVD’s vertically, not flat, for the best protection. Gravity and heat work together and warp electronic media and stick photos together.  Books should also be packed standing upright as well, with the books bindings facing outward. This gives the best care to the book’s bindings.
 
When Marathon Moving packs these types of items for you, we  pack and transport treasured items in center position. Boxes in center position are surrounded on all sides and benefit from protective insulation. For moving and packing tips, watch our videos. For help with your move, contact Marathon Moving.

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 absolute greatest regret of self-packers and movers (or those served by poor quality moving firms) is irreparable damage to personal pictures, LP records, and family action motion video stored on DVD. These things are simply irreplaceable and must be given special attention during both your pack-out and physical move. Pack each of these media types vertically (rather than flat). Gravity and heat work together to threaten to warp electronic media and “weld” photos together. This is actually a more important consideration for every-day care than for during your move as warping usually happens slowly over time. This is never an issue for us. We always pack and transport treasured items in center position. Boxes in center position are surrounded on all sides and benefit from protective insulation. You should use this same technique when you personally transport treasured items. Our website is an incredible resource for a full-range of moving tips and reference resources. We encourage you to check them out and also check out our packing instructional videos. Feel free to call us Toll Free at (888) 673-4107 with questions.