Author Archives: Ed Mezer

Tips and Benefits to Moving in the Fall

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Summer is the most popular time of year to stage a move. Kids are on break from school so you don’t have to worry about uprooting them mid-year, and you can usually count on sunny—albeit hot—weather. However, if you have some flexibility in selecting your moving dates, there are several advantages to the fall season that can actually make it the most ideal time of year to move, especially if you follow a couple tips for making the process smooth and problem-free.

Tips and Benefits to Moving in the Fall

Benefits to moving in the fall

– Fall is the most cost-effective time of year to move. During summer, moving companies are in peak demand, and their prices reflect that. Demand decreases after the summer moving season tapers off in September, and you’ll find it easier to secure moving services at a more reasonable rate. You’ll also have more control over dates and times, since schedules aren’t as full.

– Summer may have more reliably sunny days, but fall’s cooler temperatures make for much more pleasant moving conditions. Move in July and you’ll be soaked with sweat after the first trip from truck to house and back, but move in the fall and you’ll enjoy crisp air and a fresh breeze to keep you cool throughout the day. The process will also be more efficient, since you won’t be exhausted by the heat and dragging your feet before mid-afternoon.

– Because fewer people are moving during the fall, you’ll have more buying power when house-hunting. There may be fewer options, but a smaller market has its advantages. For one thing, a less crowded market is a less competitive market. You won’t feel pressured to make an offer on a home before you’re ready just to avoid losing it to another buyer. You also run less risk of becoming involved in a bidding war, and sellers will be more responsive to negotiations, especially if they had hoped to sell before summer ended.

Tips for moving in the fall

– Fall foliage will make your moving day a beautiful one, but leaves on the ground can be a safety hazard when you’re lugging heavy boxes and furniture up and down the front walkway. Make sure to clear fallen leaves off the lawn and walkways before you give your movers the go-ahead to start unloading your truck. A slip and fall could result in damage to your possessions or, worse, injury to you or your movers.

– If you have kids, the primary downside to moving during the fall is missing the start of the new school year. Plan ahead to make this transition as easy as possible for them. Talk to your children about the move so you can answer any questions and soothe any worries. It will also help to contact the school to ask for information about your children’s new teachers and to request any assignments or material they can work on in the meantime so they are up to speed on the curriculum when they arrive.

– As beautiful as fall is, the weather can be unpredictable during this time of year. Be prepared to postpone moving day if the weather is too inclement—heavy rains will risk damaging your furniture and increase the likelihood of dangerous slips and falls. If the day is only overcast or there’s a light drizzle, have warm layers and rain protection on hand, including ponchos for your valiant moving team!

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

How to stay focus during your move

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How to stay focus during your moveMoving is a complicated process that requires a lot of planning, review of many details and other time-consuming tasks. Along with the process of house-hunting that precedes it, bringing all of your belongings to your new home can start to feel stressful if you don’t take a measured and thoughtful approach that reduces stress and keeps you focus.

How can you maintain peace of mind while moving? Take the following advice into account as you start to plan the big trip:

Make a schedule and stick to it

“How can you keep your responsibilities for the move in focus?”

With so many moving parts involved in a move, it’s easy to let something fall through the cracks. Whether it’s turning on utilities for your new home or booking a packing service to box up your possessions before the movers arrive, there are plenty of needs to consider.

How can you keep your many responsibilities in focus and complete necessary steps in an organized, efficient way? Make a schedule. Use the calendar app on your phone or pen and paper – whichever works best for you – to schedule all the tasks you need to complete in advance of the move.

The major advantage behind this approach is breaking up the work into small, easily managed pieces while ensuring you give yourself enough time to deal with everything involved. Instead of getting overwhelmed, you have the reassurance of knowing there’s a relatively small amount of work to do each day.

Remember the reward that awaits you after your move

While planning a move and making sure it goes off without a hitch is a major exercise both mentally and physically, there’s a major benefit awaiting you at the end of the process: Your new home. When you choose a high-quality professional mover like Pony Express Moving and plan ahead to take care of things like activating your utilities and switching over your internet service, you make your eventual arrival something to look forward to.

You might feel bogged down in all the work that comes with moving or anxious waiting for the big day. Just remember that the reward is worth it – a house that you chose among many other candidates, one that appeals to you and will soon be ready for you and your family to move into. The payoff of living in your new home is certainly worth the wait.

Moving to Boston

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Moving to Boston has long been synonymous with a new beginning in the New World. Of course, the reasons for moving have changed, but for many expats, their impending move to Boston still marks the beginning of a new life.

Moving to Boston

Even if you only have a general idea of US American history, Boston’s significance during the formative years of the USA is unlikely to have escaped your attention. New England’s largest city — and one of the oldest in the entire country — played a pivotal role in many events leading up to the independence from Britain.

Boston’s Historical Past

Of course, the local residents of Boston proudly preserve and display this heritage. History buffs moving to Boston are bound to have a blast exploring the city and its past! Since its founding, a steady stream of people moving to Boston, enticed by the promises of the New World, caused the city to experience significant growth throughout the 1800s.

The two biggest and most influential groups who started settling in Boston in large numbers were Italian and Irish immigrants in the first half of the 19th century. The influence of both these groups is still very tangible today. The Italian and Irish communities settled down in North End and South Boston, respectively. The residents of these neighborhoods still value their home country’s traditions, which is why e.g. South Boston is home to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The City of Neighborhoods

When moving to Boston, you have the choice among a multitude of neighborhoods catering to different tastes. Each of these 23 boroughs has its own distinctive atmosphere and demographic profile, earning Boston the nickname “City of Neighborhoods”. Owing to this great variety, there is no single neighborhood that expats moving to Boston prefer. Nonetheless, below you’ll find a short overview of some of Boston’s vibrant neighborhoods which might make your decision a little easier.

Dorchester: Dorchester is the largest and also the most diverse neighborhood in Boston. Residents from Vietnam, Ireland, Cape Verde, and many other countries live together and make the neighborhood one of the most vibrant in the city. The Franklin Park located here offers walking and biking parks as well as numerous picnic areas.

Beacon Hill: This neighborhood is one of the oldest in Boston. Its architecture is reminiscent  of the old colonial times with brick houses and ornate doors. Its location on top of the hill and its historic landmarks makes it one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Boston.

South End: With its proximity to Downtown and the Back Bay, the South End has become one of the most desirable neighborhoods. It is especially popular with young professionals and the gay community. Nonetheless, due to relatively affordable housing and its over 30 parks, more and more families have started to settle in South End.

West Roxbury: Tree-lined streets and single family houses give West Roxbury a suburban feel. The neighborhood is especially desired amongst families because of its youth programs and because you can get to Downtown in 30 minutes and still have a front yard.

Jamaica Plain: “JP”, as locals call it, is one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in Boston. The ethnic diversity, the green spaces and the good connection to Downtown are some of the many reasons why young professionals and families alike love the area.

If you want to know more about one of Boston’s neighborhoods, the homepage of the City Administration offers a detailed breakdown of all 23 of them.

Skyrocketing Rental Prices

Much to the dismay of anyone interested in moving to Boston and, of course, the local population, extensive gentrification has caused rental prices to skyrocket. Today, people looking for homes in the area of the city face fierce competition on the rental market in one of the most expensive cities in the USA. If Boston’s upscale neighborhoods just outside downtown are the only option for you, prepare yourself for extortionate monthly rents. Proximity to the “T”, Boston’s number one mass transit system, is likely to increase your monthly rent even further.

With educational institutions of worldwide renown in and around Boston — such as Harvard University and MIT — the influx of students is considerable, and many opt for off-campus living. Naturally, this makes finding a home when coming to Boston from abroad quite a tricky task. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to jump on the first available housing that appeals to you rather than taking time to shop around.

Timing Is Everything: Moving to Boston

Boston’s rental market is very seasonal. September first is known as the traditional move-in date of the year, as this is the day when many leases start. Being too early or too late will both have the same result: fierce competition has a chance of dashing your hopes of finding a decent place to live when moving to Boston. Usually, Boston’s apartments go on the market about four to six weeks before the lease date.

Your financial plan or budget for your move to Boston should take into account the fairly hefty sum of money you likely will have to pay right before moving in. Apart from demanding the first and last month’s rent up front, some landlords also require you to pay a security deposit. With the rental prices in Boston the way they are, this will almost definitely amount to a considerable sum, so keep this in mind when planning your move to Boston.

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

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Apartment Move-Out Checklist

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Your apartment has been the center of your life. Over time, it may seem that every nook and cranny of that space has been used, and you’ve made your mark during your time there. But now you’re ready to move on and move into the next space.

Before you can do that, however, you will need to get your old apartment back in shape – not only so you can get your security deposit back in its entirety, but also so you can leave the place in like-new condition for its next tenant. You’ve probably already thought about what you need to do to move your belongings, but you’ll also want to be considerate of your landlord and your apartment’s next occupant.

If you’ve pondered “what to do when moving out of my apartment,” consider some steps that will make things easier on you, your landlord and the next person to call it home. After you pack up all of your belongings, refer to this apartment move-out checklist to make sure you do everything you need to do to get a deposit check back from your landlord and move on to your next place with a fresh start.

Apartment Move-Out Checklist – Download PDF Form

Apartment Move-Out Checklist

Source 

Estimate Packing Time for Your Move

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Estimate Packing Time for Your Move
Why does it seem that the last 10% of packing can seem like 90% of the job? When estimating the time it will take to pack your apartment, condo or home, you always want to err on the side of more time than you think you’ll need. Even if it seems like an outrageous amount, better to plan to have the time available than be caught short on time when you really need it. So how can you estimate how long it will take to pack your belongings? We are glad you asked – because THAT is what this post is about.
From those intent on packing themselves to those who see the wisdom in hiring a professional to pack their belongings, the bottom line is getting your items packed up in a way that allows for safe transport to the new location. As human beings, we are generally optimistic about our ability to accomplish certain tasks. What we often forget is that there are all sorts of little things that add up over the course of the packing process. And if we are not careful to leave a buffer, we can get stuck needing more time than we budgeted.<
Things like running out of packing supplies, the added time to label things properly and pack things well. The time it takes to find used boxes or tape new ones together. The time it takes to move and stack packed items so the boxes are out of the way and still easy to access come moving day.

Three Ways to Estimate Packing Time

Packing Time Method 1

Roughly estimate the “worst case” time scenario you can think of. Then add another 50% to that. Yep, we are serious! It

Packing Time Method 2

Figure out how long it would take to pack ONE average box – start to finish – Include taping the box together, wrapping the contents, packing the box full, taping it shut and labeling the contents on the outside (top AND end). Then, if you are good at mentally calculating volume, walk around your entire home and estimate how many PACKED boxes per room. Do the same for closets, attic/basement, garage, storage, etc. ADD the boxes together and add 20% to the total (just in case). Then, multiply the number of GRAND TOTAL number boxes by the time per box. Take the total time and add 20% more time to it. NOW you have an approximate number of boxes AND the rough time you will need to pack them!

Packing Time Method 3

Unless you have moved several times or are one smart cookie when it comes to estimates like this, it may even take you more time than you calculate.If you can, it makes sense to pay a professional to pack your house for you. Professional packers are both fast and efficient. They pack your belongings with care and understand how to pack for efficient loading of the truck on moving day and for the safety of your belongings while in transit.As soon as you try a whole house packing service, you’ll see what we mean!

For a quote on packing as part of a move with Pony Express Moving Services , request a Free Moving Quote.

What To Expect When Hiring Professional Movers

What To Expect When Hiring Professional MoversReady to move but not sure what to expect when hiring professional movers?

Whether you’re moving between neighborhoods or across states, the process seems chaotic. Even after you hire professional movers, you may feel uneasy about the big day.

Have no fear!

We’re here to help. Moving doesn’t have to be a hassle. Hiring professional movers should take the stress out of your move, not add to it.

Let’s dig into what you should expect when you hire a moving service.

Before Hiring Professional Movers: What You Need To Know

Before hiring professional movers you’ll need to know when you’re going to move. Most movers will ask for a 4-week to a 6-week window of time.

To ease your process, and guarantee your safety while you move, come up with a plan. A great place to start is a checklist of the things you need to do to prepare yourself and your family. This will keep you on track for the weeks leading up to your move.

Whether you are planning a local or long distance move, professional movers are here to provide you with a stress-free move that stays on your schedule.

Before You Move

Your moving day will be here before you know it. After you make your checklist, you’re ready to start packing.

Depending on whether you’ve hired a full-service moving company you may need to pack your items yourself.

Pack your items in boxes beforehand. Tape these boxes closed. Leave them in the room in which you packed them.

Label each box with the name of this room and a few key items.

If you have hired full-service movers, they will handle this packing for you.

What To Expect On The Day Of Your Move

You’ve made your list. You’ve followed it for weeks, anticipating the big day.

Now what?

Your moving service will let you know far in advance when they will arrive at your home. Make sure you leave room in front of your home for the moving truck to park.

Failure to do so could result in an extra “long carry” fee.

Once they show up, you should identify the operator of the truck. Often, he supervises the crew. Consider him your go to guy when you have questions.

Your day should pan out something like the following steps.

The Walk-Through

Your movers will conduct a short walk-through of your home to produce a written inventory of goods. They will assess the condition of every item in your home. Next, they will assign each item an inventory number.

This list helps to ensure everything arrives at your new home in the condition it left your old home. It guards against false damage claims made on previous damage.

You should agree with this assessment. Check that no item is missing from the list.

Request a copy of the written inventory.

Determining Best Practices

Expect for the movers to determine the order in which to load the truck.

Your moving service will determine in which room to start and how to best fit items into the truck.

Set aside anything you don’t want to enter the truck such as flammables, personal items, breakable items or high-value pieces.

Movers Prepare Entrance and Set-Up Ramps

Next, your movers will safeguard your home for the loading process. They’ll use blankets and padding to protect your carpet, stairways, hallways and floors. They’ll mark any hidden stairs within your home.

Your moving team will also safeguard the outside of your home. They’ll mark off any hidden steps or broken sidewalks.

Your moving company will come prepared with all necessary tools like carrying straps, carpet protectors, shrinkwrap, and rope.

Techniques For Loading

Movers will disassemble each piece like dresser mirrors and beds. They’ll wrap every item in padding.

Your moving company loads the truck from floor to roof. This will resemble a puzzle, so don’t worry if you catch a glimpse of your things stacked on top of each other.

To prevent your items from shifting, movers will arrange pieces for the tightest possible fit within the truck. Sometimes this involves taking items from other rooms and placing them together. You will tell your movers exactly where you want your items placed in your new home.

You will tell your movers exactly where you want your items placed in your new home.

If you let your movers know ahead of the time they can usually arrange to take your old or unwanted items off your hands. Professional movers may donate these items to local bay area charities or dispose of them.

Before Heading To Your New Home

Once packed tightly, your items are ready to move to your new home.

Remember that driver we spoke about in the beginning? He’ll present you with a bill that lays out all of the conditions of your move.

This includes your estimate and expected date of delivery. You will need to sign off on this bill.

Your movers are responsible for removing all tools, padding, boxes and anything else they brought into your home. No garbage should be left behind.

Make sure you have a contact number for your movers and that they have clear directions to your new home.

At Your New Home

You’ve made it!

Consider having two people at your new place. One will oversee the inventory checklist, marking off and inspecting all delivered items. The other can assist your movers by letting them know where things go in your new home.

If you find an item damaged during your move after the fact, it’s okay. You can always file a complaint with your movers after they leave.

You’re Ready To Hire A Professional Moving Service!

The excitement of moving to a new home should outweigh the emotional or physical stress.

Knowing what to expect with professional movers eases stress. The more prepared you are beforehand, the faster and smoother the process of moving.

Safety Tips For Moving Furniture

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Moving Furniture

Moving heavy furniture on your own can be a very risky business, especially if you have no clear idea what it takes to achieve a satisfactory level of moving day safety. In order to avoid moving injuries or premature damage to your prized possessions when moving from one home to another, you have to be familiar with the major safety guidelines.

Anyone who dares to disregard the common sense safety tips when moving furniture could end up badly hurt by taking on too much weight at the same time or by handling the furniture moving job the wrong way. The good news is that you don’t have to be like any of those people who are 100% sure that safety when moving house is grossly overrated.

Safety Tips For Moving Furniture

Moving Furniture

The best way to move heavy furniture, which coincides with the easiest way to move furniture as well, is to let a top-rated movers do it for you.

However, if professional moving assistance is just not the right way for you, then the following hand-picked moving day safety tips for moving furniture should keep you injury-free until you reach the protection of your new home.

1. Disassemble your furniture pieces

It’s fair to say that your large furniture pieces – king- and queen-size beds, dressers, wardrobes, cabinets, bookshelves, sectional sofas, armchairs, desks, and tables – will give you the most troubles on Moving day. In fact, furniture is regarded as one of the most difficult items to move to another home due to its oversized dimensions, considerable weight, often awkward shape, and occasional fragility and high value – antique furniture, for example.

Safety is always a big concern when moving heavy furniture by yourself, and that is exactly why the best course of action when you do decide to take some or maybe all of your large and heavy pieces with you is to hire experienced furniture movers who just know what to do.

However, in case you can’t afford professional help or you know you can take control of your house move with a few trusted friends, the next best thing is to disassembly your furniture before you take it out of your home.

It’s important to remember that furniture disassembly is one of the best safety tips for moving furniture. If you wonder why you should do it, here are just a few examples of the difficulties you may face on Moving day:

  • some of your furniture pieces will be just too big to fit through standard door openings and narrow hallways unless they are broken down safely to its main components;
  • some pieces will be too heavy and awkwardly shaped to be carried up or down any number of flight stairs;
  • other furniture pieces you own will be too fragile to be just taken out as they are – especially if they come with breakable glass components and frail ornaments.

So, stay safe and protect your valuable possessions by disassembling your big furniture as far as they can go. Measure your furniture pieces first to see if they will fit through all door openings and hallways. If you don’t know what to do or how to do it, ask a friend who does, or even better – contact professional furniture movers.

2. Identify and eliminate furniture moving dangers

Safety when moving furniture is of paramount importance – disregard the major safety moving tips and you may find yourself in a world of pain.

During the notoriously chaotic move-out and move-in days, damaging your valuable furniture – as bad as it sounds – could turn out to be the lesser of two evils. Unfortunately, personal injuries of all kinds are also a genuine possibility so you must do all in your power to avoid injuries when moving house.

Luckily, some safety tips for moving heavy furniture are easier to follow than others – you only need to use your common sense to make your moving experience pain- and trouble-free. Here’s a very easy piece of safety advice to keep in mind when taking out the furniture out of your house or apartment – just keep the exit paths and outdoor pathways clear of potential dangers. Well, this task may sound easier than it actually is.

  • Take a slow walk along the intended exit path of your furniture and identify any danger zones – areas, places or spots that can be hazardous when heavy items are being carried or wheeled out of the residence. Once you’ve identified the problematic areas, do your best to make them safe.
  • Random obstacles, packed cardboard boxes or any disorganized clutter in your home may easily jeopardize moving day safety. Keep the pathways clear at all times.
  • When you’re moving heavy furniture to the moving vehicle, the outside zones can also lead to bad accidents so you must make sure the outdoor paths are 100% free of dust, mud, snow, and especially ice.
  • You can guarantee safety when moving house by creating more unobstructed space for free movement and all the accompanying unusual moves that come with Moving day.

3. Don’t form a one-man team

One of the best safety tips when moving furniture is to never try to do it all by yourself. The burden of moving house is too great for a single person, let alone handling super heavy and oversized pieces of furniture. Remember that moving house is a team effort – it was never meant to be a solo performance. After all, moving heavy furniture alone can be plain dangerous so if you do try to be a hero on your moving day for one reason or another, the results will probably be disastrous.

Think about what’s best for the wellbeing of your prized furniture on one hand, and what’s best for your own safety, and that of your family. If you can’t seem to afford to hire the services of a professional moving company, then you must make sure you will be able to get sufficient manpower from your circle of friends. Your top priority, of course, is to ask for that invaluable friendly assistance way in advance so that you don’t disrupt unnecessarily your pals’ plans.

Once you have your friends around, coordinate your actions with the helpers so that everyone is on the same page before it’s time to lift and carry heavy pieces of furniture. Don’t forget to always take advantage of the right moving equipment /see Safety moving tip #4/ and to use the proper lifting techniques /see Safety moving advice #5/ to avoid injuries or property damage when you move.

4. Get the right equipment to move heavy furniture

Safety Tips For Moving Furniture

Moving Furniture

Don’t turn your back on the safety tips when moving house! To prevent accidents and injury during a move, get yourself the right type of tools for to move heavy furniture as the latter has the tendency to become heavier, bigger and trickier to transport than initially estimated.

Rent or purchase the following furniture moving equipment to make your move easier and safer than ever:

  • A furniture dolly. Often regarded as a mover’s best friend, a furniture dolly is an L-shaped two-wheeled handcart that still remains unrivaled as far as usefulness, efficiency and safety are concerned. It’s amazing how simple yet effective and indispensable a moving dolly can be for lifting and moving heavy objects during a move. And one thing you can be absolutely sure of is that there will be no shortage of heavy and bulky items to transport on your moving day. Rent a sturdy utility dolly from a local moving company or even consider purchasing one – it’s an investment that should pay off tenfold because even if you never have to leave your new home, you can still use it around your new residence for transporting all types of heavyweight stuff.
  • Furniture slides. You may need to slide a piece of furniture a short distance or all the way across a room – and to do that safely, you will need furniture sliders. A slider is a piece of durable plastic on one side and hard rubber on the other that will help you slide heavy furniture with ease. Just position a slider under each leg or corner of a piece of furniture and marvel the magic of frictionless sliding.
  • Moving straps. Straps can help move heavy furniture by redirecting the weight from a person’s back to a stronger muscle group. Moving straps are almost exclusively used by professional furniture movers so it’s probably best if you stick to using a good quality furniture dolly.

5. Use proper lifting techniques

One of the best safety tips for moving heavy objects – a piece of advice that you must use to stay protected – is to use the proper lifting techniques that are accepted as universal. It’s important to understand that you will be forced to do tons of awkward and uncommon movements which your body has not been accustomed to – bending, pushing, pulling, twisting, and of course, lifting heavy furniture. As a consequence, you or one of your helpers could actually end up with an injury of some sort.

If you’re still not sure how to move heavy furniture by yourself, here are a number of professional moving tips to avoid injury (aka safe lifting techniques):

  • Spare your back by always lifting heavy furniture with your legs. Bend at your knees, keep your back straight and use the unquestionable strength of your lower limbs.
  • Whenever applicable, push heavy furniture pieces (not before having furniture sliders underneath the, of course) instead of pull them.
  • Whenever you have to turn sideways or around while holding big and heavy furniture, do so with your legs, never with your hips.
  • Keep the pieces of furniture that you’re wearing as close to you as possible and in the relative center of your body.
  • Some common moving injuries come as a result of wrong footing, and as you can imagine – tripping over while holding a piece of furniture will have bad consequences. Stay safe by only making slow and smooth movements, and by only making small steps as well.
  • Keep your eyes focused in front of you when moving heavy furniture by yourself.

6. Wear proper clothing and footwear

By know you should know perfectly well that safety when moving house is your top priority. The last safety advice for moving furniture will show you how personal injuries and property damage can really ruin your moving day from something as (seemingly) trivial as what you wear during the day of the move.
Moving house safety tips

Amidst hundreds of genuine worries on Moving day, appropriate clothing and footwear can easily get overlooked. Only, you don’t want to make that mistake because your conscious decision to wear proper clothes and shoes can help you achieve the level of safety you seek.

  • Opt for your most comfortable change of clothes you can find in your dresser. Ideally, the moving day garments will be made of flexible and breathable material that will let you move freely.
  • Don’t choose clothes you will be sorry to see dirty or even ruined – anything can happen during the most demanding day in a household move.
  • Don’t wear baggy clothes as they can get hooked on a piece of furniture, which in turn could lead to nothing good.
  • Your shoes should be of the closed-toe type, with rubber soles that provide excellent friction (anti-slip soles). Footwear with good ankle-support is preferable as well – most often, you will quickly realize that a good pair of sports shoes should be your best choice.
  • Oh, and don’t forget to use high quality work gloves that will improve your grip and protect your hands at the same time.

The best way to move heavy furniture, which coincides with the easiest way to move furniture as well, is to let a top-rated movers do it for you.

Advantages of moving in the spring

The spring season is a time for rebirth and renewal, as the weather gets warmer, flowers bloom and the air feels crisp and clean. Being that it’s a season that signifies change, it only makes sense that it’s also a popular time to move. The changing of the season and the transition from the cold, frostbitten chill of winter to the warming sun and gentle breeze of spring is a perfect way to transition into a new stage of your life. Spring is also advantageous for many other reasons.

Advantages of moving in the spring - Pony Express Moving ServicesAdvantages of moving in the spring

Moving during the spring season has many benefits a lot of people overlook because of how common it is to move during the summer. Because of the longer days and the increase in temperature, as well as cheaper prices for moving companies, it’s becoming more common to moving during the spring:

  • The biggest advantage when you choose to move during the spring is the mild weather which certainly makes the moving process a lot easier than trying to maneuver a moving truck in the snow or having to load it in the sweltering heat. Moving includes a lot of work, and doing this kind of labor in high temperatures or inclement weather makes it difficult–sometimes dangerous. The excellent weather conditions present during spring definitely reduce the stress that we experience physically and mentally while doing moving-related labor.
  • Spring is also a great time to move if you have kids–there are a lot of days off from school during the spring. Long weekends for holidays and an entire week for spring break enable children to make an easy transition to their new school without affecting their grades. It can be very difficult for any child to attend new classes and make new friends–planning your move during spring break will help your child ease into his or her new school.
  • Spring is often one of the best seasons for selling a home. Many people like to buy a new home in the spring so they are settled by the time the summer arrives. Because of this, you are more likely to sell your house quickly and for a great price than you would be during other seasons.

Planning your moving in the spring season

Many people choose to move during the spring because of the abundant availability of movers and moving supplies, which will only become harder to find once the peak summer moving season gets underway. That’s why moving during the spring will save you money – there is less of a demand for movers and it will be much easier to find a company willing to work with you for competitive prices.

  • Secure a moving company as early as possible for your planned moving date, and then begin planning every other aspect of the move around that date. Brainstorm a list of all the things you need to have when organizing the move and keep it somewhere that makes it readily accessible for you at all times.
  • Get a Free Quote Now. Because of the fact that the spring borders on the peak season for moving, be careful when obtaining quotes and watch out for movers that try to take advantage of the urgency of the season by over-charging.
  • Before you start packing, make sure that you take an inventory of all your belongings, and make note of what needs to be packed first. The best things to pack first are all of your cold-weather clothes such as sweaters, jackets and boots. These tend to be the most difficult to pack and since you won’t need them for a while, it will be best to get them out of the way.

Health tips for moving in the spring

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Health tips for moving in the spring

Sometimes due to the shower of buds and blossoms, spring goes hand-in-hand with pollen allergies. Many people suffer from asthma, sneezing, runny noses, coughing and itchy eyes. These symptoms can be troublesome and extremely irritating, making it difficult to focus on moving and physical labor.

The following suggestions can reduce your chances of being adversely affected by spring allergies and will allow you to handle your move with ease:

  • Check the weather and pollen count: Allergies can be intense during the height of the pollen season. Check the local weather and the daily pollen count in your area to prepare for the expected severity of your allergy symptoms. The pollen density tends to be higher from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., so it is best to start your move in the early afternoon. Windy days are the worst for allergy sufferers because pollen spreads easily–if there are high winds forecasted, make sure to take allergy medication to alleviate the symptoms. You can find allergy medicine over-the-counter at any pharmacy or supermarket–just remember to check with your doctor before taking them.
  • Seal your boxes: Make sure to seal all of your boxes tightly to keep pollen out, which can indirectly affect your health. Apply one or two layers of thick packing tape to all of the openings of the box and creases where pollen may enter. Just because your boxes are inside the house, doesn’t mean that they’re safe from being contaminated with pollen. If you leave your windows open during the spring, pollen can easily blow in and cover the surfaces of your home in a light yellow/green dust. It may not be immediately visible to the naked eye, but it can be affecting your health.
  • Take care of yourself and dress appropriately: If you’re moving on a sunny day, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and help you see properly. Also, if your allergies are causing itchy and watery eyes, use eye drops to alleviate the discomfort during the move. Wear light clothes that will not hinder your movement and allow you to move freely as you lift heavy objects and load them onto the moving truck. You should always wear sneakers or boots and never any open-toed shoes, as these can pose a hazard when working with heavy objects. Make sure to dress warmly, as the temperatures are likely to be cooler in the morning during the spring. Layer your outfit so that you can shed as the temperature gets warmer throughout the day. Wear a hat to shield yourself from the sun, and remember to apply sunscreen to exposed areas of skin.

Other tips to remember:

  • If you are moving plants it is better to move them on your own than to keep them in the truck. They are more likely to get jostled around in the moving truck, which can damage or even kill them. Also, they won’t receive any sunlight in the back of the dark moving truck. Once you move into your new home make sure to replace the old dirt with new dirt that contains plenty of fertilizer.
  • As the spring season is notorious for being rainy, it is a smart idea to set up a makeshift canopy between the moving truck and your home if rain is forecast on your moving day to avoid your items getting wet.
  • The end of the spring is closer to the peak moving season of summer than the early part of the spring, so try to schedule your move for early spring– from the end of March through April–to ensure that you get the lowest prices possible.

As stressful as moving can be, there are simple steps you can take to ensure your move goes as seamlessly as possible. A little preparation goes a long way, and in this case, it will save you time and money- something we can all get behind. Contact Us if you need any help moving.

7 Other Things Your Movers Wish You Knew

This entry was posted in Boston Moving Company, Moving Tips and tagged , , on by .

7 Other Things Your Movers Wish You KnewBecause, let’s face it, moving is stressful. And expensive. And did we mention stressful? It’s no wonder most people eventually decide to ditch the DIY approach and hire professionals. But that doesn’t mean the stress goes away. There are plenty of things that could go wrong.

To make the day go as smoothly as possible, you need to know how your movers work best—which includes when you should be there, when you can pitch in, and when you need to get the heck out of the way.

We quizzed some movers on their biggest pet peeves when it comes time for moving day. Here are seven things you need to know.

1. Don’t be afraid to do your homework—in person

“Our industry has a horrible reputation, and we’ve earned it,” says Aaron Steed, “There are good guys and there are bad guys, and it’s really hard to tell at the time of estimate.”

Every company is going to put its best face forward during the estimate process, but when it comes to finding out which companies will move your stuff and make you feel comfortable in the process, Steed recommends stopping by the office. In person.

“Some moving companies are the real deal, and then there are a lot of others where you just have a guy running it out of his apartment,” he says. With other companies, “the trucks have graffiti all over them and the guys look like they just got out of 10 years of solitary.”

Price is only part of the equation. Take some time to consider which movers have your best interest in mind and which are solely looking for a one-time paycheck.

2. Prep the move beforehand

Before you get out the bubble wrap, figure out what needs to happen for the day to go smoothly. Do you need to reserve your building’s elevator? Will the truck be parking on a busy street? If so, save a spot ahead of time. If you’re moving in or out of an apartment complex, make sure you know the rules—designated moving hours can cause major complications.

Don’t forget to inform your movers ahead of time if they’ll be transporting a particularly large or heavy item such as a washer, dryer, or piano. It might require extra help, and time spent looking for a third pair of hands is money wasted, says Mike Dahlman.

3. Get your packing done before moving day

If you’ve elected to do your own packing, make sure it’s finished. That doesn’t mean boxes untaped and scattered throughout the house. That means boxes filled, taped up, and ready to go by the time your movers show up. Ideally, everything will be located in a central room, which speeds up the process and keeps your possessions safe.

Even better: Stack your boxes against the wall, giving your movers “the freedom to move (around) and bring things in,” Dahlman says. “We don’t want to impede the entrance. The guys need to move quickly and easily.”

And yes, you really need to finish taping up your boxes beforehand.

“People don’t like taping their boxes, but if a mover does it, it adds a significant amount of time and money to moving day,” Steed says.

4. Label everything

You don’t need to write down the specific contents of every box, but noting where in your new home it should go is essential.

“It’s easier if the movers know where to put it as opposed to trying to delineate where it goes on move day, when we’re charging our hourly rate,” Steed says.

Also, make sure to keep your movers in the loop. If they don’t know what “Humbert’s room” means, it’s the same as if you hadn’t labeled it at all. And now’s the time to decide what area is your “great room” and which is the “den.”

“We can’t have the movers standing around during negotiations,” Steed says.

5. Tell us what’s valuable

Try as they might, movers aren’t psychics. They don’t know that the blue vase cost you $2,500, or that your grandma gave you that crystal decanter, or the retail value of your crushed velvet couch. Let them know beforehand what items they should keep a careful eye on.

“The best way to deal with damage is to avoid it—by communicating about things that are fragile and meaningful,” Dahlman says.

6. Get out of the way!

You might think you’re helping when you hop in the truck to sort items or help lift the piano, but you’re not. Really. Stop.

“We’re professionals and it’s a skill. We have a plan on how things can be done best,” Dahlman says. “Have respect for that.”

That means getting out of the way and letting them work. You’re better served directing the movers to the right rooms or reassembling furniture in your new home. (Movers prefer that you disassemble and reassemble your own stuff, so if you’ve been hoping they’ll take on the task of putting your Ikea bed back together—you might want to think again.)

Not only can an eager homeowner slow down efforts, but he or she can also be an insurance liability.

“It jeopardizes work safety and our insurance,” Steed says. “We can’t let customers on our truck or carry things with customers.”

7. Tip the movers (and maybe buy lunch)

Yes, you need to tip your movers—between $20 and $50 is standard, according to Steed, but more is always welcome.

“We’re in the service business, and what we do is incredibly hard,” he says.

Want even better service? Try tipping at the beginning of the day, something Steed says is “pretty intelligent.”

If it’s a long day of moving, consider buying lunch as well.

“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach,” Steed says.

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