Author Archives: Ed Mezer

Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Your Stuff Into a Storage Unit

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Storing items during a move can be a balancing act. You’ve got the movers on one hand and the storage facility on the other. Everything has to come together just right or you’ll run into big—and potentially costly—issues. Here’s a look at the top five mistakes people make when moving things into a storage unit and tips on how to do it right.

Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Your Stuff Into a Storage UnitNot Knowing What the Movers Will Bring on Moving Day.

Before renting a storage unit, get a firm answer from the moving company about what type of vehicle the movers will be using. Many companies use moving trucks, while others use everything from a trailer pulled by a pickup truck to an 18-wheeler. Verify the vehicle type then get the dimensions—width, length, height, and weight at maximum capacity.

Not Finding Out Whether the Moving Truck Will Fit.

Now that you know what type of moving vehicle that’ll be used, you need to ensure that it can get into the storage facility and to your unit.

If you’ve ever been to a storage facility, you’ve probably noticed some areas can be a little tight. Storage facilities make money renting out space, so they understandably maximize the number of buildings and units. This can result in tight turns and becomes challenging to navigate, especially for 18-wheelers.

If you find out on moving day that the vehicle won’t fit in the facility, it usually means two things—both of them bad. First, a shuttle truck may have to be used, which costs more money. Second, the movers will be forced to touch everything twice, doubling the chances of something going awry.

When considering your storage options, ask about clearance heights and widths for getting into the facility and to your unit. You’ll also want to find out how trucks access the property and whether there are any load maximums. Use the truck dimensions provided by the movers to figure out whether you’ll have enough space.

Not Giving the Movers Unloading Directions.

Professional movers are the expert unloaders, but you’re the boss on moving day. It’s best to let them know how you want things arranged in the unit before unloading begins.

It’s especially important to speak up if you want to move around and look for certain items later on. This takes some thought and planning before the unit starts getting filled. Aisles will need to be created and boxes will need to be arranged so that all labels are visible. You should direct the movers whether you want furniture to be stacked.

Not Securing Enough Space for Your Stuff.

It can be tricky figuring out how much storage space you need. If your belongings already are organized and boxed up, this is easier to determine. But when in doubt, get advice from the facility. If you cut it too close and your belongings won’t fit, you’ll have two options:

1. Check with the facility about renting a second, smaller unit for the overflow.

2. Return the overflow items to the moving truck and take them to a family member’s garage or friend’s attic.

If you’re not sure everything will fit into your storage unit, line up one of the two options above in advance. Having a backup plan will reduce stress and minimize cost, particularly if the movers are working by the hour.

Visiting the Storage Facility When Everyone Else Is There.

Typically, people move their things into or visit their storage units on the weekends or after work on weekdays. This might be the only time that fits into your schedule, but if you’re paying movers by the hour, you could cut down on the cost by moving during work hours on a weekday when fewer people are around.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.

Packing for College Dorm Room Life

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With colleges and universities across the New England getting their school year underway, we thought it may be helpful to share our own experiences with what you’ll need for your first or fourth year at college and how best to pack for the fall semester. After all, with more and more Americans going to college than ever before, many are the first in their families to go and thus there’s often a learning curve when it comes to dorm life, such as knowing when to use a professional storage unit. To help you avoid some of the mistakes we’ve seen over the years when it comes to packing for a tiny dorm, here are four tips to consider for your move to college or university.

Packing for College Dorm Room Life

Packing for College Dorm Room Life Tips

1. Think Small

One of the hardest things for any first-year college student to adjust to is dorm life and having to share an already small dorm room with another person. If possible, get the measurements for your room in advance so that when you’re in dialogue with your future roommate and planning on who will bring what, you know just how much space you have to work with and don’t end up with more stuff than you have room for. Often packing for college, much like writing a paper, takes several drafts with each one removing any remaining items that you just won’t need.

2. Establish the Essentials

Communicating with future roommates has gotten so easy that especially congenial students can spend much of August just planning on how to best pack for their new room. But when communication is so easy, it’s often tempting to skip establishing what particular items you simply must have and the ones you really want to have. If possible, communicate with your new roommate that you wish to discuss the essentials right off the bat so as you continue to get to know one another and get a better sense of what our room will look like with a roommate in it is the best way to avoid missing the essentials. And yes, packing an essentials box applies for dorm life as well.

3. Go Easy With the Electronics

We get it. Going to college can represent long nights of playing video games with friends on a giant forty-two inch flat screen, but good luck fitting a television that size into a dorm room–that’s something that may have to wait for off-campus life. Knowing how to pack your electronics is as important as deciding which ones you’re going to bring if you simply have too much for the space of a dorm room. Be sure to pack any manuals you may need as well, even if it means a video game or two may get left behind.

4. Organization is Everything

While it’s easy to go overboard when shopping for college as each year more unnecessary products come out that distract students from less glamorous items like organizational tools. From milk crates and closet organizers to plastic hooks and bins, these items not only serve as handy packing containers, but also as potential shelves in the form of stacked milk crates. Of course, you can also hit up IKEA for a more sleek cupboard or shelving unit while also grabbing a few milk crates as those are packing materials that can be used again and again.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.

The Ultimate Guide to Plan Your Move

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Moving can feel daunting — you have to contact multiple moving companies, schedule several estimates to find the best mover, and manage the packing and migration of everything you own. That said, you can make your move a lot easier with a few simple tricks that organize and help you prep your move ahead of the big day. Read on, or download our printable checklist to get started.

Plan your move week by week

The Ultimate Guide to Plan Your Move - Ponny Express Moving Company Boston

8 weeks before moving day: Schedule your movers

If you’re moving across state lines, chances are you’ll be working with a van line, which contract with local movers to transport your possessions from one place to another.

Even if you’re moving within a state, or within a city, van lines are a good place to start looking for a local moving company — it guarantees that they have at one point registered with the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the van line has vetted them

That said, you’ll still want to do a quick background check of a local mover before scheduling an in-home estimate to make sure they don’t have any red flags. Thankfully, the DOT makes it easy. You can use the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) search tool to see what complaints a company has had in the last five years, and their safe driving track-record.

To-do:

  • Find local agents associated with top van lines
  • Schedule at least three in-home estimates and ask:
    • How and when the pickup and delivery of your goods will occur
    • For contact information for before, during, and after the move
    • What happens if an item is damaged during the move
    • If the mover has a dispute settlement program
  • Compare the whole package — prices and services — before deciding on a mover

6 weeks before moving day: Start downsizing

Moving gives you the opportunity see which belongings you want to bring to your new home, and which you want to leave behind. You’ll want to know the measurements for each room in your new home so you can plan out how — and whether — your existing furniture will fit. If you’re traveling long-distance, you might also consider leaving some of your furniture behind and buying replacements at your destination. Moving estimates take into account weight and volume, so it might be less expensive to sell and replace your furniture than to take it with you — and it’s a good opportunity to upgrade to a new TV or mattress.

You’ll also want to be circumspect about what consumables you bring into your home. Since you’ll need to pack and move any extra supplies, hold off on the Costco-sized package of paper towels. Similarly, start using up your frozen food and pantry items so you won’t have to figure out how to transport ice cream or haul soup cans to your new home.

To-do:

  • Measure out your new space
  • Determine what furniture you want to keep
  • Sell or donate goods
  • Start emptying the pantry
  • Plan meals to use up perishable items

4 weeks before moving day: Create an inventory and start packing

Now that you’re in the middle of sorting through which belongings you want to pack and which ones you want to sell or donate, you’re ready to start building your inventory list. Having a complete list of all of your books, DVDs, and dishes will not only help you track whether all of your boxes have made it through the move (and which ones might be missing), but will also come in handy if you ever need to submit a homeowners insurance claim for damaged or lost goods.

As you prepare to pack up all of your smaller items, you might want to make use of a packing calculator to estimate how many boxes you need. We like Home Depot’s moving calculator — which asks specifics about the types of rooms you’re trying to pack up.

To-do:

  • Estimate the number of boxes you need
  • Assess whether you want any specialty boxes:
    • Wardrobe boxes
    • Dishware boxes
    • Picture frame boxes
    • TV boxes
  • Don’t forget to grab:
    • Tape
    • Permanent markers
    • Packing paper
    • Bubble wrap
    • Sandwich bags

2 weeks before moving day: Finalize the paperwork

As you get closer to your move-out date, you’ll want to note where your incoming bills and mail are coming from, and update your address with each company. Additionally, you can update your address with the United States Post Office (USPS) to help catch any mail that slipped through your updating efforts.

It can take up to two weeks to process a change of address form through USPS, so you’ll want to give them a heads-up ahead of your actual move-out date. Once filled out, they’ll forward your mail from your old address to your new one for six months — where hopefully you’ll have notified all of your companies, or you can renew the mail-forwarding service for another six months.

This is also a good time to start canceling or transferring your subscriptions — whether a meal delivery service or magazine subscription — and figuring out what steps you need to take to set up utilities at your new place while closing down those at your old one.

To-do:

  • Notify jobs, subscriptions, and billing companies of your new address
  • Fill out a change of address form at the post office
  • Transfer prescriptions to a new pharmacy
  • Transfer or set up service with local utilities:
    • Electricity
    • Water
    • Sewage
    • Trash
    • Internet

1 week before moving day: Finish packing

Even when hiring movers, your actual moving day will be quite busy, so it’s good to make sure your house is as move-ready ahead of time as possible. Try to have everything packed except for your daily necessities and what supplies you’ll need as soon as you get to your new home. Setting aside a specifically-marked “open first” box means you won’t have to open several boxes just to find towels or silverware for your first days in the new home.

Now’s also a good time to finish up last steps in disassembling or cleaning any major appliances you’re taking with you. Research the best way to move each appliance whether it’s your lawnmower (involving removing hazardous liquid and securing the blades) or your refrigerator (which needs to air-dry for at least 24 hours after you’ve defrosted and cleaned it). If there’s any furniture which can be disassembled ahead of moving day, you can save time by doing it now, and placing the smaller parts into labeled zip-lock bags.

If you’re moving into an apartment, you’ll also want to call ahead to see if you can reserve an elevator to help you move. Some buildings require a reservation in order to use an elevator (even if you are moving onto the 30th floor). If you have a reservation, you also won’t have to compete with other residents to use the elevator — making your move in as quick and stair-free as possible.

To-do:

  • Pack an “open first” box with a days-worth of essentials
  • Photograph assembled electronics before packing
  • Disassemble furniture
  • Prepare appliances for moving
  • Confirm what your movers will and won’t move
  • Set aside cleaning supplies for moving day
  • If necessary, reserve an elevator or acquire a parking permit in your building

The day of your move

Moving day will be busy, as you’ll be finishing some last-minute packing, answering questions and directing the movers, and cleaning up your home. Make sure to keep your “open first” box separate from the rest of your possessions, as well as any important documents, records, valuables, and moving paperwork. If you’re driving to your new location, you’ll want to keep these with you, or explain to your movers how you want your antique furniture handled.

This is also your time to follow the movers as they do their own inventory of your household goods. They’ll note exactly what is going onto the truck, as well as the condition of your furniture and possessions. It’s important to be on the same page, so that if damages occur during transit, you have a written record of what dings were already present in your furniture, and which need to be reimbursed by your moving company’s protection policy.

To-do:

  • Be present and available the whole day to help the movers
  • Accompany the movers as they inventory your belongings
  • Take pictures of any existing damage
  • Carefully read all documents before signing them
  • Keep the bill of lading until your goods are delivered, the charges are paid, and any claims are settled

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.

Summer Moving Tips

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Summer Moving TipsAsk any expert and they will tell you that summer is the most popular time of year to move. Moving is strenuous at the best of times, but doing so during the summer adds it’s own set of challenges. When moving in summer you’ll need to give a little bit of extra thought to logistics and how to keep cool. Here are some tips to make your move in the summer a breeze.

Plan Ahead for Summer Moving

Summer is the prime time for moving. It’s the busiest time of the year for movers, so you’ll need to plan well in advance. The best moving companies fill up their schedule quickly and don’t have to provide competitive pricing because the demand is high. If you can, start looking for moving companies at least six to eight weeks before the date on which you wish to move. To avoid rushing around in the blazing heat, pack up your belongings several days before your move and be as organized as possible.

Do thorough research

Don’t make the mistake of researching only one or two movers and trusting them to give you the best price. They are there to make money and you might get ripped off. Talk to several different companies, get quotes from all of them, compare their rates and make a short list of the ones offering the lowest prices.

Beat the Heat

When possible, it’s a good idea to book your moving company to arrive early in the morning while it is still relatively cool. Remember to stay hydrated, especially if you’re doing strenuous activity, and wear light clothing, so you don’t overheat. Heat stroke is a real danger when moving in the summer.

Move on the least busy days

The beginning and end of the month and weekends are always packed because that’s when most people move. Memorial Day weekend and the last weekend of July are especially busy. Moving companies are not willing to lower their rates on these days. But business is usually slow on weekdays since most people have to work. If you move on these days, you will usually get a better price.
If you have to move on a particular day like Friday or Saturday or the first or last day of the month, chances are, if you book last minute it won’t be easy process to find a moving company. This means that latecomers are forced to pay steeply hiked-up prices.

Take Care of Your Belongings

Certain items won’t fare very well in a hot moving truck and should be taken with you in the car, or packed extremely carefully. These items include candles which can melt in the heat and get wax all over your other items and music items, such as instruments, vinyl records, which could warp or get damaged under high temperatures.

Don’t let the challenges of moving in summer scare you; as long as you keep on top of things and plan ahead, it won’t be a nightmare.

Save money with Pony Express Summer Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.

Load a Moving Truck Like the Pros

Load a Moving Truck Like the Pros - Pony Express Moving Services

Want to know how to load a moving truck the professional way?

Yes, there are an infinite number of ways to pack a moving truck. Much of it is common sense. But the purpose of this blog post is to provide some serious step-by-step guidelines to load a moving truck properly. The information you need to know is segmented into three parts: general guidelines for packing furniture and the equipment you’ll need; packing specific furniture pieces; and step-by-step packing the truck.

General Guidelines

  • Safety first! Any moving truck you rent will have a ramp and you need to make sure it’s fully engaged, clean of debris and dry, and covered with non-stick matting if necessary
  • During the loading process, ensure the weight of all items is distributed evenly from front to back and side to side
  • The truck should be loaded in layers, each self-contained and independently secured. The goal of any layer is to avoid hitting or rubbing into an adjacent layer
  • All furniture should have blanket pads draped over exposed surfaces. The majority of damage done to items is by them rubbing against each other during transport. For added protection, use Plastic wrap in addition to blankets for fragile or hard to move items
  • If your truck is too big for your items, ensure each piece of furniture is strapped independently to the back or side wall of the truck with blanket pads protecting exposed surface areas.

Packing specific furniture pieces

The following items have been singled out as the common household pieces that require special attention.

  • Aquariums should be emptied with pads placed inside and out and then stretch wrapped. Place them on top of a box
  • Bed frames should be strapped toward the back of the truck
  • Chairs should have legs individually wrapped or bubble taped before wrapping the entire chair
  • Couches should be loaded on top of a blanket pad, on the floor of a truck, with the feet faced toward the side wall and the back faces out to protect incoming items
  • Drawers should be loaded faced toward the side wall to ensure they do not fall out during transport. All loose drawers should be secured with rubber bands
  • Grandfather clocks. Remove weights from inside the clock. Wrap and label pendulums. Wrap the clock in plastic or blanket pads
  • Hide-A-Beds should be secured using a strap so the metal insert doesn’t prop open during transport
  • Metal should not be loaded close to furniture as it has the potential to tear through plastic wrap during transport
  • Mirrors and glass should be wrapped and put between the mattress and box spring and strapped in
  • Wooden furniture should be wrapped well with plastic wrap, paying close attention to the edges and sides. This is especially important for cherry oak wood!
  • Rugs should be rolled up and taped
  • TV’s should be wrapped and faced against a box and strapped. Flat screen TVs should never sit sideways or on their backs.

How to load a moving truck

  • Your boxes will be your first layer, stacked high against the back wall of the truck to maximize space. Load the heaviest boxes on the bottom. Stack vertically with the lightest, most fragile on top
  • Lay a blanket pad on the floor and load mattresses and box springs next. Stand them vertically. Loose glass pieces should be placed in between (as per above). Strap to the side wall. This, with your boxes is the first layer
  • Next, lay another blanket pad on the floor and load couches vertically with feet toward the side wall, pillows removed. Secure each couch by straps to the side wall. Pillows can fill the empty space. Furniture pieces, such as dressers can be placed in between with blanket pads draped over.
  • The next layer is more furniture, covered in pads and/or plastic and secured to the side wall when complete
  • Appliances and wardrobe boxes are loaded last and will be the first items off the truck.

Ensure you close the back of the truck properly, replace the ramp securely and push safety pins into place. Happy Moving!

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.

Spring Moving Benefits

Spring Moving Benefits - Pony Express Moving ServicesSpring forward and fall back may be a daylight savings time expression, but I like to think it applies quite nicely to moving. Of the tens of millions of people who move in North America each year, many have no choice as to when they move. Real estate, family, and work all join in to play a role in dictating the timeliness of a move. However, for those of you who are at liberty to make this transition as stress-free as possible, consider the luxury of this: spring forward so you are settled to enjoy the fabulous summer weather and a well-deserved vacation, then fall back into relaxing routine in the autumn. Sounds good?

Here are Pony Express Moving Services ‘s best reasons why a Spring moving makes great sense:

  1. Weather can greatly impact the success of a move. In springtime most regions of the country experience fairweather days. Hefting heavy boxes on hot days, or wintery cold ones, is not fun!
  2. Availability of moving companies is likely to be better. The summer time is traditionally thought to be a great time to move, which means moving companies may be busier, right? Get a head start and book early!
  3. Kids are still in school so if you need their help, spring break could be an ideal time to move. On the other hand, if you want the kids otherwise preoccupied, school days are ideal. Spring is a win-win!
  4. Settle in to your new home in time for summer entertaining and holidays. Why give up your down time during the summer to facilitate a move when you can take care of the hard work first? Your housewarming party can be out on your new deck! And you won’t miss out on holiday time.
  5. New beginnings are irresistible and that’s what spring’s all about. Need I say more?

 

Save money with Pony Express Spring Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.

Reasons To Hire A Professional Mover

Moving to a new home is both emotionally and physically stressful. The decision to either hire a professional mover or do it yourself is always a debate. Should you hire a group of professionals to do your moving for you?

Let’s take a look at their advantages:

1. Packing: Leave it to the professional mover

Packing alone accounts for approximately one quarter of your moving expense. Yes, that’s a significant number. Let’s do a quick cost benefit analysis: if you pack your stuff yourself, you may actually end up spending more.

First, you will probably use more cartons or boxes than required. Second, your fragile belongings may get damaged due to insufficient packing, so you end up incurring heavy costs. On the other hand, professional movers are trained to pack efficiently and do it quicker. What could take you weeks may take them only a few days.

Reasons to Hire A Professional Mover2. Know-how of the locality

Professional moving companies are very thorough in running local area checks. Understanding the routes and the neighborhood is essential so that your belongings can be safely dispatched and transported.

3. Your belongings are safe and insured

Let’s face it. Your hired help are professionals who are more experienced than you are. The safety of your belongings is of paramount concern to them. Your personal belongings are insured. This will provide you peace of mind. These professionals use heavy-duty wrap for all furniture and plastic covers to avoid damage and to seal your stuff from dirt and dust.

4. Use of the right equipment

A do-it-yourself approach is fine. Unfortunately, a borrowed truck from a buddy does not come with the right equipment to move your stuff safely – another reason you’d want to hire professional help. They come with the right gadgets that make moving simpler.

Your professional mover will use hoisting straps, two wheel, four wheel or appliance dollies, ramps and custom built trucks with air ride cushions to transport your belongings in a safe and secure manner. So whether it is moving an L-shaped couch out of your door or dismantling your furniture, your hired band of help will figure it all out for you.

5. Straight forward estimates

Ideally, there are no hidden costs when you hire professional movers. Their charges are estimates of the distance or the kind of service or storage you opt for. Since this is a local move, the distance cost will be relatively lower. These movers will discuss moving and service cost prior to when the moving begins.

6. Friendly customer service

Being trained professionals, these movers, in addition to providing you with the necessary services, also possess an impeccable customer service rating. Easy to approach, they provide suggestions and solutions to your moving problems. So if you want things done differently or require their opinion, feel free to voice it out.

7. Flexible storage facilities

Let’s say that you need to reach your final destination later than planned. Your professional movers will provide you with storage facilities with overnight, short-term or long-term storage options. Additional charges are applied, of course, but your belongings are in a safe vault under protection from theft, loss or damage.

The advantages of hiring a professional moving company may outweigh the do-it-yourself approach. It is also less stressful and poses a lesser health hazard. So put your reservations aside, and hire a professional mover for the job.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.

Moving With Children Tips

Because of the stresses, long list of responsibilities and fatigue that we, as parents, go through when planning for and going through a move, it can be easy to overlook what our children might be going through. Here is a list of important things to consider to make this important transition as stress-free as possible for your school-aged children.

Moving With Children Tips - Pony Express Moving ServicesSocial / Emotional Considerations

Any kind of change can be particularly scary to children, and it is normal for school-aged children to magnify in their minds anything that is even slightly fear-producing.

Therefore, children are often impacted even more than their parents by a move — even though they may not express or overtly show their level of stress or worries on the outside.

Some of the worries and emotions your children could experience during a move include the following:

  • A sense of insecurity and fear about making new friends, or being accepted or liked at the new school.
  • Academic worries related to switching teachers and schools, and encountering new curricula and standards.
  • A sense of loss over leaving current friends, teachers and even their current home and neighborhood.
  • Additional apprehension should the move be associated with life-changing events such as divorce, change-of-job for a parent, financial changes in the family, etc.

More often than adults, children will mask their fears, concerns, anxiety or even depression, sometimes because they themselves are not aware of their underlying emotions or do not want to burden their parents.

So what can you do as a parent to help ensure that your children go through the move with as little stress as possible?

  • Be aware of just how much the move could be affecting your children and encourage them to talk about their feelings and concerns. Do this in a calm, nurturing environment. Maybe plan a “special” dinner with their favorite foods and lead a family discussion Share with them one of your concerns or worries. But then tell them how you worked this out. This will give you the opportunity to draw out their feelings and then help them through their concerns. They will often be tremendously relieved.
  • Make the move fun and give them a sense of control by allowing them to do some planning with you. For example, you can go online together to check out the location of the library closest to your new home, or the closest bicycle shop or specialty stores they like, or the nearby Y or Parks with classes or sports they may want to enroll in. Then make a point of putting on your moving calendar a time that you can go over with your children (if you are moving to someone in close enough proximity) to look over the new places. If you let your children feel that they are a part of the moving process, they will also feel more a sense of excitement over the experience.Take them to the new house or show them pictures of the new house and invite them to participate in the decorating process. Ask them what color paint they would most like for their new bedroom. Offer to buy them a new comforter, and together make some exciting plans for what the new house, and their new bedroom, will look like.
  • Create additional moments of family bonding during the time of the move. As tired as the grown-ups might be, try to sneak in a family game night just before or after the move, go out to the movies, turn the moving boxes into a fort, or turn the packing process into some sort of game. It’s good for them to associate the moving process with something happy and celebratory.

Practical Considerations

Be sure that you have done all the preparatory work necessary to ensure that your children make as seamless a transition into their new schools as possible. If appropriate, find out the summer reading or summer homework for the new school. Speak to your children’s current teachers to determine if there is any information that would be important to impart to your children’s new teachers about their strengths, needs or preferences. Speak with the new school and, if possible, the new teachers to ascertain if your children will need to do any catch-up work so that they are on par with the other children. If necessary, provide them with whatever tutoring or help they need, so that they can be optimally successful and happy at the new school.

Do everything you can to ensure that your children will be able to make friends quickly. Look into enrolling them in local after school classes or leagues. If you attend a house of worship, look into classes and groups your children might enjoy. Try to meet the parents of your children’s new classmates and set up after school playdates.

It is critical to plan ahead for the big day of the move. Here are more tips to plan for your move.

Here are some other things to consider:

  • It is best to have your children stay with a grandparent, family member or trusted good friend on the actual day if someone is local. This will keep them safe and happily engaged.
  • If this is not possible, hire a sitter to spend the day with you, looking after their safety and tending to their needs.
  • Prepare ahead of time ample food and drink. The food should be as non-perishable as possible and easy to eat. Include in your ice chest some of your children’s favorite foods and treats to keep them positive.
  • Prepare ahead of time toys, games and books to keep your children entertained during the long moving process.
  • Your children are going to want to take a nap or relax during the process. It’s a good idea to leave a blanket, pillow, or other comfort items (perhaps their favorite stuffed animals) that they have access to during the day.
  • It is critical to have with you a box of items that you might need in a hurry. Make sure that this box remains in a safe area during the move (the bathtub is a great place to keep important items that stay with you and don’t go on the moving truck). These items should include medicine, Band-Aids, your children’s favorite books, toiletries, and other personal items.
  • Given that the front door of your old and new homes will be open during the move, make certain that your children are kept safe and remain inside the home.
  • Children will often want to play with the moving dollies and cartons that are in the home during the move. Moving boxes can be a great source of fun for children, but they can be hazardous with little children if your little one gets inside. And attempts to speed race on a dolly can also prove treacherous. Be sure to monitor your children’s usage of moving equipment during a move.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.

Tips for Making A Winter Move Smooth

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It’s officially cold here in the Boston area. Moving seems like it’s not that fun this time of year, but actually, there are certain advantages. For one, prime moving season happens between May and September – which means that it’s easier to get movers on the times and dates that you want, and finding a place may be easier or cheaper. Of course, there are problems, too. A little caution, foresight, and flexibility will get you through! And Pony Express Moving’s guide to cold-weather moving will help.

Tips for Making A Winter Move Smooth

Take the weather into account

As your moving day comes near, make sure to check weather reports to make sure that you’re prepared. Of course, Boston weather is notoriously changeable and often unpredictable, so you’ll want to keep that in mind. Remember to keep your cold-weather supplies easily available. You may need your snowblower, coats, gloves, and scrapers. And lots of towels.

If there’s going to be lots of snow, plan your moving route to include main streets that are likely to be shoveled and salted. If the weather is going to be bad, avoiding busy streets might be the way to go. Clear your sidewalks and driveways so that moving your belongings is less dangerous. At your new place, make sure all the utilities are working before you move in. Do this a few days in advance so you can deal with any problems before moving day. Make sure your car is also ready.

Take care of your people and pets for winter move

Some sites recommend turning off your heat during a move; we don’t, as we think a couple of hours aren’t going to be that much of a hit on your utility bill, and Boston is no fun in icy temps. Still, it will be colder in your house because need doors will be propped open. It might be nice to provide warming alternatives for you and your helpers – a warm bathroom with a space heater, for example, or a carafe full of hot coffee in the kitchen (don’t forget cups!).

If you have small children and pets, do your best to keep them away from the chaos of moving. This will expedite the moving process and lower your stress levels – as well as theirs. Arrange care for your pets and kids in advance. Consider boarding your pets, so they don’t get underfoot or lost during the moving process. If you wish your kids to be part of the moving experience, let them pack and move their toys at the end of the move. This lets them feel part of the crew, but keeps them away while the big stuff is being done.



Take care of your things during winter move

Take shorter days into account, and get started early. Know what kind of action is likely to be happening on your street – will trucks come out to shovel the snow while you’re moving? Are there parking restrictions in place due to snow or season?

Snow, ice, and dirt may very well get into your car, your old home, and your new home. Make sure towels are available to wipe down furniture and boxes. Put mats or tarps down on your floors to soak up snow and water. Cover your boxes and furniture with blankets or sheets as you move them outside to minimize moisture and damage due to inclement weather conditions.

Be extra careful with fragile items and electronics. Electronics don’t like the cold, so know where you’re placing them and take care to keep them with you in a warm car. Fragile items can be packed with additional cushioning to avoid breakage. Remember that moving trucks may sit out overnight, so if your items can be damaged by cold you’ll want to make alternative arrangements.

Seriously, hire movers. Professionals know how to deal with this kind of weather. Listen to them. They have plenty of experience in moving, and they know what works.

Consider Pony Express Moving for all your winter move needs!

Part of our job at Pony Express Moving is to advise you on how to make hassle-free moves, and we’re good at it.

 We’ve been moving people in Boston for more than 18 winters now, and we know what we’re doing. The winter move of a two-bedroom apartment that may take you all day can be done by our professionals in just five hours!

If you’re moving in the winter, you’ll have to be careful and work out as many elements in advance as possible. You’ll also have to be flexible! Pony Express Moving can help – get an free estimate today.

Winter Moving Tips

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Winter is here and many people prefer to stay huddled up under the covers when it’s cold outside. This means that a move during the middle of the winter can seem like a nightmare. However, in some cases, you have to move when you have to move, so you might not have much choice.

Luckily, moving during the winter can actually be a good thing in some ways. Since so many more families choose to move during the summer, your moving company might not be as busy as it is during other times of the year. The truth is that many people choose to move when it’s warmer outside; plus, some families prefer to move during the summer, when their kids are out of school. This means that you may be able to enjoy more flexible scheduling, more personalized attention and even lower rates for services. However, there are a few things that you should know when packing up and moving during the winter time. You might even find that it’s not as bad as you thought it would be at all.

Winter Moving Tips

Get Started Early With Winter Moving

Since it gets dark so much earlier in the winter, you might be lacking in daylight hours during your move. To take the most advantage of the daytime hours, get started with packing early in the day so that you can call it a night fairly early, before it gets too dark. This will allow you to stay safer, since you won’t have to worry about taking loads outside when it’s slippery and dark. Plus, the temperatures are sure to be more comfortable during the daytime hours as well.

Keep Your Walkways Free of Snow and Ice

The last thing that you want to worry about is slipping and falling while carrying a box full of your best China. Even if you tend to slack off on it the rest of the time, it is imperative for you to keep your walkways free of snow and ice. Walking on slippery walkways is dangerous enough as it is, and it becomes even more dangerous when you’re carrying heavy boxes. Along with keeping the walkways free and clear at your old home while you’re packing, consider hiring someone to scrape at your new home so that you won’t arrive to dangerous conditions.

Dress in Layers during Winter Moving

While you’re packing and transporting items from your home to the moving truck, consider wearing layers of clothing. You’ll want to stay warm, but you probably won’t want to wear a big and bulky coat when you’ve got so much work to do. Dressing in layers will help you stay warm without being as bulky. Plus, you can take off a layer or two if you get hot while you’re packing.

Make Sure Your Car is Ready

You don’t just have to worry about the moving truck; you presumably also have to worry about your car making the trip to your new destination. Make sure that it’s ready for the trip by checking the tread and air pressure in the tires and scraping away any ice and snow so that you have better visibility. Stock your car with an emergency kit and plenty of blankets so that you and your loved ones will be safe in the event of an emergency.

Keep Your Winter Supplies in the Car

You might need your various winter supplies, such as your windshield scraper or your mittens, so don’t pack them away in boxes. Instead, consider tossing all of your winter supplies into one storage container or laundry basket and keeping them in your car. Keep them in a place where they can be easily accessed if you need them.

Keep an Eye on the Weather – Winter Moving

In the weeks and days before your move, keep an eye on the weather reports. You’ll want to know about any incoming winter storms that you might have to worry about. You may need to be flexible about changing your plans if there is particularly bad weather coming your way; in particularly bad weather, it could be dangerous to continue your move as planned.

Keep Something Warm to Drink

You, your family members and your moving crew will probably be craving something nice and warm to drink while packing, moving and unpacking in the winter weather. Consider packing your coffee maker and supplies last so that you can make coffee, or use your slow cooker to keep a batch of hot cocoa or apple cider on hand. You can always use disposable coffee cups if you have already packed all of your mugs away.

Hire a Professional for Winter Moving

Hiring a professional to assist you with moving is always a smart plan, but it can be especially smart when you’re moving during the winter months. If you have never driven a moving truck before, driving one might turn out to be more challenging than you think. This is especially true if you’re going to be driving in snowy and icy conditions. A professional mover, however, will be better able to drive the truck in the winter weather conditions while staying safe and keeping your packed possessions safe as well.

Take Precautions in the House

You will probably be tracking ice and snow in and out of your old house and your new one while moving. Consider investing in carpet remnants to throw down in a path through each house. If you have extra cardboard boxes lying around, you can also bust them open and lay them flat on the floor. This will help keep some of the melted mess under control and will provide some traction for you, your family and your moving crew.

Protect Your Possessions – Winter Moving

The winter weather can lead to damage to your possessions if you aren’t careful. Snow can cover your boxes and melt, causing them to be soaking wet. Extreme temperatures can damage more items than you probably think. For example, even your plates and glasses can crack when they are exposed to extreme temperatures, and the last thing that you probably want to arrive to your new home with are a bunch of broken or otherwise damaged items.

The idea of moving during the cold winter months can be a pretty miserable one. However, if you and your family need to relocate now, you might not have much choice. Luckily, you can help your winter move go a lot more smoothly if you follow these helpful wintertime moving tips. In no time, you’ll be able to snuggle up in the warmth and coziness of your new home.

Save money with Pony Express Winter Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Free moving quotes.