Boston Moving Guide

One in four people rate moving as one of life's most stressful experience. Relocating in Boston has its own unique challenges: luxury building restrictions and reservations, fifth floor walk-ups apartment, parking permits, and the infamous September 1st moving day! Trying to find a trusted moving company can also be a challenge. That's why The Boston Proper Group has partnered with Olympia Moving & Storage as their preferred moving company. Keven Doherty, Sales Manager with Olympia Moving & Storage, has been helping Boston families move since 2007. Communication and preperation are the keys to a successful move so he has provided us with the moving guide below to get you on track.

Keven is happy to answer any of your questions about moving and provide a free estimate for your upcoming move. You can also find additional information about moving on Olympia Moving & Storage's resource center.

Choosing a Moving Company

Call 2-3 moving companies: The first step is to reach out to a moving company for a move survey and pricing. Ideally, you should do this about 4 weeks prior to your move date. Ask friends, family, and your real estate agent for recommendations. You can also search online for a quality moving company in your area using a service search website like Angie's List. It's always good to get pricing from 2-3 moving companies so you can compare their pricing and services.

Do Your Homework: Be sure to research the moving companies you're considering. After all, you are entrusting this company with all your belongings! There are many excellent moving companies in the Boston area, but the low barrier to industry entry means there also many bad ones. Verify that the company is licensed, insured, and has a good Better Business Bureau rating. Be sure to check out their website and read reviews from previous customers. Keep in mind that unreputable companies may fake positive reviews and that Yelp will filter reviews, so check out reviews on a variety of websites including Google+, Angie's List, and the Better Business Bureau. When you talk to the company, be sure to ask about their certifications and the hiring and training practices for their crew.

The Moving Survey: Depending on the size of your move, the consultant at the moving company will perform an in-home survey or phone survey to create an inventory of what you're moving. Be sure to take the time to provide the details the consultant needs to give you an accurate estimate. In addition to taking an inventory, the consultant should be noting your building restrictions, where the truck will park, and the distance between the truck and your front door - these are all important factors in planning your move. Don't forget that this is your opportunity to interview the moving company! Ask the consultant as many questions as you want about your move or the company. A good moving company will take the time to give you the thorough answers you need. Providing an accurate estimate requires the time to understand your move - don't trust a company that will give you a rate and quote over the phone without asking detailed questions about your home and belongings!

Review the Estimate: After the survey the company will send you the estimate for your move. Make sure the company is providing an inventory of what's being moved and an itemized quote. Most local moving estimates are based on a rate and the number of hours the service requires. Be sure you're clear on when the chargeable hours begin and end on move day, and whether the price is a flat rate or dependent on the actual number of hours on move day. Ask if their rates vary by date as it is often cheaper to move on a weekday or in the winter. Also, be sure to ask the company what happens if something gets lost or broken during the move. A reputable company will have full value replacement liability protection available.

Book Your Move: Once you select a moving company, book as soon as possible! The most popular moving dates can book up to a month in advance (especially summer, the most busiest season for moving).

Packing

Packing is the most tedious and time consuming part of moving. Fortunately, good moving companies have full or partial packing services available. That's right - you can sit back, relax, and let a company box all your belongings for you! If that's not in your budget, no problem. Just be sure to follow these packing tips:

Everything except furniture must absolutely be packed and sealed in a box when the movers arrive! Otherwise, your move day will end up being much more expensive and time consuming than expected
If you think you're not going to finish packing in time be sure to let your moving company know! They can adjust your services to include some last minute packing.
Moving is the perfect occasion to donate unneeded items. Before packing something, ask yourself if you've used it in the past year, if it it worth the expense of moving, and whether it will fit in your new home.
Try to find some used boxes before buying new ones. Ask friends who recently moved or local businesses (grocery stores in particular) if they have used boxes you can take off their hands. You can also rent plastic crates for moving.
Be sure to wrap fragile items in packing paper, towels, or blankets. Avoid using newspaper; the ink might rub off and stain the item.
Avoid a mess - be sure to pack any liquids seperately and in zip-lock freezer bags.
Most moving companies will not move anything that is flammable or combustible like gas, aerosol, and cleaning products, so make plans to move those items yourself.
For peace of mind, consider packing and moving your most valuable items yourself.
Labeling is essential to a smooth delivery and finding everything after the move. Use Olympia's free printable moving box labels.

Communication

A lot can change in the course of planning a move so it's essential that you stay in touch with your moving company. This will ensure that the company has all the information they need to plan a smooth move and provide accurate estimates for you. Be sure to let them know if there are any changes such as:

You need the company to move significantly more or less things than initially discussed.
You need the company to pack significantly more or less things than initially discussed.
You want to add an extra stop to your move.
Any building requirements at your old or new home such as: elevator reservation times, moving reservation times, any required certificates of insurance.

Moving Day

The big day is here! Here's a few tips to make moving day as smooth as possible.

Make arrangements to ensure that your children and pets are out of the way of the movers (pets are apt to frighten and run away during all the movement and activity).
Have a box of the most important items to put in your car such as phones, chargers, keys, medications, important documents, or a child's favorite toy.
Pack a few boxes of the things that you're going need right away like a few sets of clothes, toiletries, toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, cups, and cultery. Label these clearly "OPEN FIRST!"
Have a plan for delivery to your new home. Put labels on the bedroom doors that correspond with your box labels. Decide in advance where you want the furniture placed, this will save you time and money on move day.
Communicate with your crew. Carefully look over the paperwork and charges with the crew leader. Be sure to do four walkthroughs with the crew leader: one when they arrive to review what needs to be moved, one after everything is loaded to make sure nothing was left behind and no damage occurred, one upon arrival at the new home to review how you want everything placed, and one after delivery to ensure there was no damage.
It is not required to tip your crew, but if you think they did a great job it is much appreciated. Tips can range from $20-100 per crew member depending on the size and complexity of your move or you could buy the crew lunch. Keeping the crew fed & hydrated will keep their energy and spirits high.

Moving Guide Provided by:

Keven Doherty

Sales Manager
Olympia Moving & Storage

Direct: 617.231.1214
Main: 800.222.4744
E-mail Keven
www.OlympiaMoving.com