Boston Movers Blog

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

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.  

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.