Sometime during a move, you may need a storage facility. Temporary relocation, international moves or perhaps you haven’t found a place to live yet in your new town, whatever the reason you may need a storage facility.

Marathon Moving offers storage solutions to meet almost any storage needs that you or your business might have in a fully-licensed, insured, and bonded warehouse.

For any move occurring between September 15th and December15th 2011, Marathon is offering one month free storage. This is for any size shipment and for any length. So if you have storage needs that are a month or less, it’s free. All you have to do is mention the website-only promotion. This offer excludes labor and handling charges.

For a local or long distance move, contact Marathon Moving.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

There are many things that are required when you own a home, but that you don’t need once you move to an apartment or condo. For sentimental items, heirlooms, or items you just can’t get rid of yet, think about storage facilities. You can always attend to those items another time.  

So you have decided to move and you will need storage.  Your choice of a mover has now become more difficult, because they will not simply be transferring you goods from one location to the next but will need to store them for you.  The first thing you should look for is a moving company that maintains its own storage facility. This allows for singular care custody and control of your goods.  Second, you should make sure the company is licensed, bonded and insured to provide warehousing.  A warehouse license, bond, and insurance is separate from those issued for moving and often governed by a separate department.  Once you have determined that the companies you are considering are properly licensed and insured for both moving and storage, it is time to determine which one will be the best fit for you.

The first question is what type of storage do you need.  Do you need short term or long term storage.   If you are looking for short term storage, does the company charge by the day or by the month?  If you are looking for long term storage, does the company offer prepay discounts?  Will you need to access the items and if so what is the charge for you to do so?  Now that you have a company that provides the type of storage and access you need, it is time to look at the facility.  It is highly recommended you visit the storage facility where your goods will be stored.  You should look for a facility that is clean and well maintained.  This does not always guarantee the company provides strong inventory control and protection, but a company with messy and dilapidated building is always going to have poor inventory control and protection for your goods.  All items in the storage facility should be stored in a safe place and be well labeled.  The facility should not have loose or unmarked items lying about.  The facility also needs to be secure.  It should have proper locks, an alarm, and a sprinkler system, as well as a preventive pest control program.  The company should be able to provide you documentation that it has these and maintains them.  An unmonitored security system offers no protection for your goods.  It also should have a full time warehouseman.  Facilities without a full time warehouseman are often remote and theft, leaky roofs, or busted pipes can go undetected for a long period of time.

With these simple tips in mind you can find the perfect storage facility, such as Marathon Moving Company. Our facilities are clean, secure, and temperature controlled. Our warehouse is maintained by a full-time warehouse staff and are pest and smoke-free. Our residential storage facility is perfect whether you need to clean out your home before it goes on the market, downsize and store items for a later move, or store an entire house while you look for another or travel. We also offer a commercial storage option, perfect for storing records, reduce on-site storage, store furniture while undergoing construction, downsize and store items for later, or assistance with shipping and receiving. Marathon Moving offers storage solutions to meet almost any storage needs that you or your business might have in a fully-licensed, insured, and bonded warehouse. Be sure to contact us today to learn more about our moving services and storage facilities.

People make mistakes, and everyone will make some mistakes in the act of moving their household goods. It is our professional goal to help you limit mistakes so that your move is as smooth and seamless as possible. We’ve been moving Boston for over ten years and just when we’ve seen it all, someone will challenge us with something new. So consider these five simple tips to protect you from surprises down the road.

1. Do Not Over-Pack. Some individuals lack the ability to de-clutter their life, and they hang onto belongings they no longer need. People move goods that are still in the same box from the previous move. Parents keep toys - even though their kids moved out years ago. Now really, are you ever going to wear any of that 70’s wardrobe that is still hanging around? Getting rid of stuff is a cleansing experience and helps make better use of limited space in the home.

2. If you are moving interstate/international or into storage, then you need to Get a Receipt for your goods! It is vital that you receive an official inventory describing the details of all your property before shipping. Once you get your copy of the inventory, keep it in a safe place and have it handy for delivery day. Your mover should again provide you a copy on delivery, but if not you will have yours and be able to be certain all your goods arrive. Also having your original copy from loading day will prevent any alterations to item conditions after your items were loaded to hide mover damage.

3. Read the Moving Contract Carefully. As with any contact you sign make sure you read it carefully. If you have questions, you should ask. Your crew leader should be able to answer any questions regarding your bill of lading. Unscrupulous movers hope you WILL NOT read their contract because it’s written to protect THEM. We write ours to protect YOU. Are you protected from an Act of God? Our contract does while most of our competitors contracts do not. Are antiques and fine art excluded from protection? Not on our bill of lading but they are on most of our competitors. Why is this? Many of our competitors try to minimize exposure to reduce insurance costs. Our company on the other hand has a low incident rate with our carrier and is able to turn the savings into extra protection for you.

4. Get educated on moving insurance. Of course we are fully insured, but there are moving insurance options and this is a subject you need to have addressed by an informed person so you can understand your coverage and risks.

5. Do not procrastinate. Waiting until the last minute to prepare for your move will cost you money and grief. It is as simple as that. Call us Toll Free at (877) 424-1976 as soon as you know a move is definitely part of your future. We guarantee to save you time and money by doing that. It’s what professional movers do.

Storage warehouses are commonly assumed to be synonymous with storage facilities. There is a clear and marked distinction between the two. Marathon moving storage service utilizes warehouse as opposed to simple storage space. This means quite simply that there is a huge difference between us and the majority of our competitors. We'll explain just exactly why that is.

Let's start with Storage Facilities. These are the storage sites that you see as you drive about town. Simple locked closets with zero climate control. They may or may not be secured behind gates and they may or may not have an active security system. Even if there is an active security system, often times those systems go unmonitored. Let's contrast this service to the Storage Warehouse concept that we manage and operate on your behalf.

A storage warehouse is a commercial building that is used for storage of both personal and commercial goods and is most often located in industrial areas. Right away you can conclude one major advantage of this scenario over storage facilities......security. Industrial areas will have contract security forces and are simply too difficult and risky for the common criminal to target. But that is just the first of many advantages.

Warehouses employ forklifts and cranes. So whether your are storing goods in pre-transit or post-transit mode, your goods can be packed or palletized at the source and avoid the need to unload and stuff into a temporary storage facility. Our warehouses are climate-controlled facilities which of course serve the long-term preservation of vulnerable items such as art work and electronic media (records, CD's, etc). Our warehouses are staffed on a continual basis, so security and customer assistance is available to you at all times.

Whether your temporary or long-term storage requirement is for personal or commercial goods, Marathon Moving's warehouse and staff can meet your every need. Call to discuss more.