Category Archives: Boston Moving Company

Four Moving Tips You Should Remember

You’ve just rented or bought your new place and are ready to start the next chapter of your life. You can see the finish line, and it’s almost there! Now you just have to cross it. With so many different aspects involved with moving, it’s easy to forget about something here or there. These bits of advice will help ensure that your moving day is a smooth one, void of any unnecessary last-minute headaches and heartbreaks.

1. Removing heavy and fragile items from dressers

four-moving-tips-you-should-rememberIt’s the day before the move, and you still haven’t finished packing. Putting away the dishes are taking way longer than you expected. But at long last, you think that you’ve finally finished packing up your whole house. You breathe a sigh of relief, as you pour yourself a glass of celebratory wine. You walk around your place one last time, and notice a dresser in the corner, full of stuff. You are too tired to care, and figure that it can be moved as is.

What you didn’t realize is that your dresser doesn’t like change. Its frame and legs are not used to moving around, especially with drawers full of odds and ends. The move finishes and there is only one casualty- that poor dresser, along with all the broken items inside. Now that late night judgment call is all you can think about. Items need to be replaced or repaired, and that time you saved last night, is coming back to haunt you.

This is a frustrating moment that could have easily been avoided. If it is a lightweight dresser, remove everything before the move. It is simply not worth the risk. For sturdier dressers, it is usually fine to leave items like clothing inside, while fragile items should always be removed.

2. Make sure there is a parking spot available for the moving truck at BOTH locations.

four-moving-tips-you-should-remember-parkingIt’s the morning of the move, and the moving company calls you to say they’re on the way. They ask you where they can park their big truck, and that’s when panic sets in. You dash outside, only to find cars lining the streets as far as the eye can see. The closest parking spot is 2 blocks away, and you sheepishly inform the movers of the situation. They let you know that this move will now need to go late into the night, and cost triple the amount that you had anticipated.

Reserving a parking spot at both locations is essential for an efficient move. The onus is on the customer to provide parking for the moving truck. Any parking tickets incurred are also the responsibility of the customer, so by securing parking spaces at both locations, you will not have to incur any additional fees/fines. It will make for a shorter and easier move.

3. Reserving elevators

The movers have arrived, and they enter your apartment. They lift and carry your couch to the hallway. One of the movers presses the button for the elevator, and then waits 2 minutes for one to come. The doors open, and there are 6 people and a dog crammed together, with no chance of even getting a lamp in there.

If you live in an apartment building or high-rise condo, you will need to reserve an elevator, and coordinate the times with your moving company. Buildings usually equip and protect the service elevator with padding/blankets before the start of the move, and most places will not even allow you to move without reserving one. Many buildings also require a “Certificate Of Insurance” from the moving company. This COI usually needs to be received before the day of the move. To obtain a copy, it’s as easy as requesting one from the moving company via email or fax.

4. Label boxes, according to each room

You did it! The move is complete, the movers have left, and now you’re alone in your new place with all your possessions. But then you look around the house, and there are boxes everywhere. You open the first box in the living room, and see that it’s full of dishes. You go to the kitchen, and find out that those boxes are full of blankets and clothing. As tired as you are, you realize that this move isn’t close to being done.

To help alleviate this problem, there is a simple process that can be done while packing – labeling each box as it is packed. By doing this, your movers will be able to place the labelled boxes in their desired room. The last thing you want to do on moving day is to spend unnecessary hours dedicated to finding items all over the house, and then having to place them where they belong. A simple label on each box will make it that much easier to set your new place up and have it feeling like home in no time. The movers will also be able to figure out the safest way to stack the boxes on the moving truck. Writing “fragile” on boxes of delicate items will also let the movers know how to stack the boxes, thereby preventing your 100lb weights from resting on top of your antique china set.

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.

 

Tips for Moving in the Fall

You'll get the best moving day rates (and weather) in fall.

You’ll get the best moving day rates (and weather) in fall.

The fall is one of the best times to make your move. Aside from avoiding the sweltering heat while lifting heavy boxes and organizing your belongings, the summer season is also the busiest time to move – making it more expensive. While the fall season isn’t as frugal as winter, you can avoid snowy conditions and inclement weather. Here are five tips for making your fall move frugal and effortless.

1. Choose transportation. With the busiest moving season in your rear view, you’re likely going to save on moving service rates. Moving truck rates are all about supply and demand. With less people moving in the chillier seasons, your odds of negotiating a lower rate are much higher. Keep in mind most people move toward the end of the month, so if you can, try to avoid this time period. Call several providers to get rates and play around with the dates.

Depending on how much stuff you have and what you want to take from your old place, you may not need a moving truck at all. If this is the case, you’ll have to strategically pack everything in your car, but before you do this, make sure to go in for a service. Get your oil changed, and have the mechanic check your wiper fluid, antifreeze and other important aspects of your engine. You don’t want to be halfway to your new place and break down on the side of the road.

2. Pack wisely. Randomly throwing items into boxes is a mistake you will quickly regret once you reach your new place. Plan ahead by storing similar items in containers and labeling the boxes. This way, when you finally get ready for unloading boxes at your new home, you can take the pots and pans straight to the kitchen instead of piling everything in the living room.

You should also consider filling a box with essentials to keep in the car with you. For example, you might want to set aside an extra set of warm clothes, toilet paper, a toothbrush and some snacks. You’re going to be exhausted by the time you have everything moved in, so having a few important items like this on hand will give you a moment to relax instead of tiredly digging through containers for various essentials.

3. Think ahead. Moving everything into your new place will be a hectic time, so make sure you think ahead. With cold temperatures a daily occurrence now, set up your utilities in advance. It would be extremely frustrating to arrive at your new home and freeze the whole night because you can’t turn on the heater. It would also be hard to see if you don’t have any electricity. Plus, by setting up all of your utilities ahead of time, you’ll be more likely to do your research to ensure you’re getting the best deals and packages.

4. Clear pathways. Autumn is full of beautiful multicolored leaves that are enjoyable during a brisk walk around the neighborhood but cumbersome when trying to move boxes. Set your broom near the door on moving day. Before anyone starts walking boxes to the car or truck, sweep aside leaves and other debris that have fallen across the sidewalk. This is particularly important if it has rained recently. Leaves can quickly become slick and hazardous for people trying to carry heavy objects.

5. Dress appropriately. The weather is starting to become considerably cooler, so set out an outfit that will be comfortable for moving boxes all day. Shorts are probably a little too airy for this time of year, but a sweatshirt might make you sweaty. Go with a happy medium by donning layers. Find something that will keep you warm, but is still light enough for hard work.

Smart Ways To Avoid Moving Scams

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Avoid Moving Scams

The process of moving house can be a complicated affair where your money, time and nerves will be tested to their limits – at least in the majority of relocation cases, that is. Proper organization is crucial to the success of your upcoming residential move, and as a rule – the fewer moving and packing mistakes you make, the higher the chances are of having a smooth move.

In an ideal world, the quality of the professional moving services you choose to use will be nothing short of outstanding – all the way from the initial contact with the mover to the problem-free delivery of your items to the new house or apartment. After all, you’re paying big money to have your household items taken proper care of: packed, carried to the moving vehicle, loaded, transported, taken inside the home, and unpacked/installed, if applicable.Smart Ways To Avoid Moving Scams

Regrettably, we don’t live in an ideal world and it is possible that you could get in touch with a dishonest moving company, especially if you haven’t done your homework right. Needless to say, becoming a victim of moving fraud is one of the worst things, or maybe even the worst case moving scenario that could happen to you. Which is exactly why you must steer away from troubles and long lasting headaches by understanding how to protect yourself from moving fraud.

We offer you this fraud prevention checklist: proven smart ways to avoid moving scams, but first, you’d better learn how moving fraud works in general.

What is a moving scam?

A moving scam is a broad term for fraudulent activities by a moving company which uses unlawful tactics to get more money from their customers in a dishonest way. It’s all about the money, of course, and the better you understand the different types of moving scams, the more protected you will stay from possible moving company scams that would really hurt your moving budget.

Types of moving scams and how to prevent themFind below the 5 most common moving scams used by so-called rogue movers and most importantly – what to do to avoid being scammed when moving house:

(1) False moving reviews and fake credentials

While looking for a top rated mover for your move, remember that only because somebody says they are the best doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the best.

Dishonest moving companies know just how important the initial research is when people are looking for a good mover (part of the recommended homework), so they tend to make their own employees leave highly positive reviews about the company itself. The goal is, naturally, to deceive more customers that they are a top rated moving company when, in reality, they are anything but that.

What can you do in such cases?

  • Ask friends, family members and neighbors if they can recommend a mover they have used in the past. Such word-of-mouth advice is the most reliable form of references you can get.
  • Access several different online moving review websites you can trust and read what former customers had to say about the mover you’re considering as your partner. Take extremely positive reviews with a grain of salt.
  • Is the moving company you’ve selected a proud member of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB)?

(2) Low-ball estimates

Speaking of the most common moving frauds, unrealistically low price estimates can be a sign that something is not quite right. Fraudulent movers often use this tactical move to hook unsuspected customers with promises that are seldom delivered. Rogue moving companies tend to give estimates over the phone which end up being way off the mark, and more often than not – simply too good to be true. As you can already guess, the final price you will be asked to pay will have nothing to do with the initial low-ball estimate you received.

Keep in mind that sometimes deceptive low-ball estimates can be issued after an in-house survey as well. If a moving company estimator visits your home, performs a quick walk-through of the rooms and quotes you an uncharacteristically low price with nothing but a careless glance over the things you have for moving and without asking you any essential questions, then that suspicious behavior can be a sign that you need to find yourself another moving company altogether.

What should you do to prevent that from happening?

  • Never say YES to a mover who refuses to perform an on-site inspection of the household goods in your home.
  • Always request estimates from at least 3-4 different moving companies so that you have a good comparison base.
  • Ask the mover why their estimate is so much lower than the ones of their competitors. If no satisfactory explanation is provided, then find yourself another relocation partner.

(3) Goods held hostage

Have you prepared the ransom money for your household goods yet?

Arguably, the worst case scenario when dealing with dishonest movers is to have your goods held hostage by a rouge mover until you are forced to pay ransom money to have your belongings back. Things could get even worse if some or most of your goods are expensive or valuable items – then, the unscrupulous movers could just disappear without a trace and you wouldn’t even see your prized possessions anymore.

Note that both those moving company frauds are illegal and there are specific steps you should take if you become a victim of such a moving scam /see below for details/.

  • How to protect yourself from moving scams like that? Prevention is the best protection, of course. Do your homework, research your movers well and daylight robberies like the scenario described above should never happen.
  • To fight serious moving fraud like having your goods held hostage or stolen, the first step is to notify the police. Call 911 if it’s an emergency.
  • Then, contact the U.S. Department of Transportation on their hotline at 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238) to lodge a complaint directly or use their website to file a Household Goods Consumer Complaint .

(4) Large deposits

Remember that reputable moving companies will not demand cash or large deposits in advance. In most cases, you pay the mover the agreed sum upon delivery of your items. So, be extremely cautious if a mover wants your money before they have safely delivered your items to your new home – that demand along may be a sign of fraudulent activity.

Having said that, during the height of the moving season, some respectable movers may demand a deposit in order to reserve the moving date for your move. Once you know you can trust the move, there’s not need to panic. Still, standard booking fees should not exceed 10%-15% of the final moving price and the company has no right to demand that you pay that deposit cash.

How to protect yourself when moving?

  • Do not give any money to movers in advance.
  • If you know you can trust the company and you are asked for a deposit to reserve the date you want, always use a credit card to pay the 10% deposit so that you can dispute the payment later, if necessary.

(5) Incomplete or blank documents

Be careful where you place your signature when your mover hands you papers to sign.

While getting ready to move house, sometimes things tend to get (a bit) chaotic, especially with the arrival of Moving day. Dishonest movers know this fact well and use it to their advantage. For example, who has time to read all the moving documentation when there are so many much more important things to do and think about?

A typical moving company scam is to hand incomplete or even blank documents to their customers and request their signature. Don’t ever agree to do that! The major problem here is that you will have absolutely no control over what additional conditions, mostly prices, are added to that piece of document. And, with your signature already at the bottom, it simply means that you have read and agreed to all of clauses when, in reality, you have no idea what’s happening.

Documentation fraud is a common moving scam that a rogue mover will not hesitate to use. What can you do to stay on the safe side?

  • As said above, under no circumstances should you sign incomplete or blank documents no matter how trustworthy your mover looks.
  • You should have everything in writing – your moving contract, your estimate with all the extra fees, your inventory sheet and any additional documents that accompany the move. Each document should be complete and properly signed and stamped.
  • Request your moving contract in advance and read it carefully. Read the fine print as well. You should understand well all clauses before you decide to sign it. Ask for clarifications if you fail to understand certain conditions or have trouble figuring out how some prices were formed.
  • Pay special attention to the extra services and their rates. Make sure you understand what exactly it is that you’re paying for.
  • Review your detailed inventory sheet with care and make sure all your belongings are listed there. Be aware that you won’t be able to file a claim for a lost item if that item was not present in that inventory checklist in the first place.

Spot the red flags to recognize a rogue mover

The moving fraud prevention guide above should give you enough information to protect yourself from being scammed and protect your move from becoming a disaster. Still, the best possible protection is prevention so it’s important that you learn how to spot a fraudulent mover before they get a hold of your prized household goods.

How do you recognize a rogue mover so that you stay away from them?

It looks like something has gone wrong on Moving day. Did you do your homework right?

  • When you contact the moving company, they don’t answer the phone by the company name but simply say standard non-personal phrases such as “Movers” or “Moving company”.
  • The moving company fails to offer in-house survey of your household goods and when you request such an on-site inspection, they refuse to do it. Instead, they offer to give you an estimate online or over the phone without seeing the things you have for transportation. Not surprisingly, the estimate you receive from such a mover will most likely be exceptionally low in order to lure you in.
  • The mover refuses to issue you a written estimate, either binding or non-binding, of the moving costs you are about to incur.
  • When you try to access the mover’s website for more information, it turns out that they don’t even have one. If they do, no specific information (company name, physical address, no licensing information (U.S. DOT number), no insurance information, etc.) will be available there.
  • You can’t find any information about the company’s local offices, warehouses, or their fleet of moving trucks.
  • The mover demands a large deposit of money before they have done any work at all.
  • The moving company provides with moving documents that seem incomplete or even blank. Never place your signature on blank documents!
  • One of the most obvious scams by moving companies is to arrive on Moving day not with their own company-owned and clearly marked moving vehicles but with a rental truck.
  • On moving day, the company asks you to sign a new moving estimate because something has happened to the original one. If they claim that you have more items than they originally estimated, have them give you a revised estimate that both you and they sign before they start loading your stuff into the truck.

Learn more about the red flags of moving fraud by visiting the official website of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Want to learn more about how to protect yourself from moving fraud?

  • Protect your move ( Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA))
  • “Your rights and responsibilities when you move” (download for free the official booklet of the U.S. Department of Transportation).

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Moving in the summer

We know the many virtues of summer as the perfect time to move. Not only is the weather gorgeous, but it’s less likely to impede your progress by turning into rain or snow. Students and many workers also have the added bonus of more flexible schedules. Summer is also when there are simply more houses available, and July especially is considered a boom time for the real estate industry.

Moving in the summer

But just as there are many benefits to a summer move, there are certain challenges inherent to the season. It’s important to recognize these obstacles and prepare for a quick and less costly move.

“Hot weather can make moving a genuine hassle.”

1. The weather
You may not have to contend with ice during the summer, but all that sunshine and warm weather can still have a negative effect. Higher temperatures can make moving feel all the more intense, and it’s easy to lose your nerve when you’re covered in sweat. It’s a problem that’s going to be especially pronounced over the next few years. According to the Weather Network, summer 2016 will feature record-breaking highs across the U.S., with less precipitation expected throughout the North East. All of that means warmer, dryer air, and that can be difficult to look forward to during an extended moving process.

2. Heat-related damage
It’s not just people that have to contend with warm weather. Many personal objects can also warp or break down due to the heat in your vehicle or moving truck. According to the Council on Library and Information Resources, both CDs and DVDs are quite sensitive to temperature variations. Most of these items must be stored around 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and it doesn’t take long in 100-plus-degree temperatures to ruin these for good. It’s also important to consider light exposure. If discs aren’t properly packed away, ambient sunlight can warp or destroy them. Like the heat, it doesn’t take much light to damage an entire collection.

3. Busy moving services
Because there are so many benefits to moving in summer, a number of people take advantage and relocate before the fall. In fact, according to figures from the Realtor.com Network, between 11 and 13 percent of moves take place in summertime. All of those moves result in a greater demand, and that often means less flexible moving dates and tighter schedules all around. Even the best services aren’t immune to the summer surge, and you should enter any summer move expecting some delays. If you plan ahead properly, though, you can help mitigate some of these issues.

A truly cool partner
No matter what challenges summer may present, you can still overcome most of them if you hire the right moving service. Pony Express Moving Services has years of experience planning and implementing summer moves (not to mention fall, winter and spring). They understand the logistics involved in this time of year and account for heat and temperature. Pony Express Moving Services is a partner during the moving process, and they make moving like your own little vacation.

Moving Terms Definitions

Moving is hard enough without all of the confusing industry moving terms that can be thrown around dictionary

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Here are some common moving terms defined to make your search for the perfect mover a little bit easier.

COI – A COI, or a certificate of insurance, is used to give proof of insurance to commercial and residential buildings in case damages to the property occur during a move. *Always make sure your moving company is properly insured to protect yourself from personal loss.

Access – Access refers to how the crews will be entering/exiting the property at origin and/or destination. Long walks, narrow stairs, and parking are all things to consider when telling a surveyor about your move in order to give you the most accurate estimate.

Shuttle – A shuttle might be used to transport your goods if the planned truck is unable to make a normal pickup or delivery because of geographical or urban planning (think: low bridges, narrow roads) constraints. The shuttle is the smaller truck used to complete the pickup or delivery. There are separate charges for this service, depending on the size and location of the shipment.

Binding Estimate – If your mover gives you a binding estimate they are guaranteeing the total cost of the move based on the quantity of items and services shown on the estimate. This type of estimate means that you will pay the agreed upon amount regardless of the difference between the estimate and the actual cost of your move.

Non-Binding Estimate – Non-binding estimates charge you based on the actual cost of your move, regardless of the initial estimated cost. This means you could end up paying less or more based on the actual amount of work necessary to complete your move.

Bill of Lading – If you hear the term bill of lading don’t get nervous! The bill of lading is an important part of your move that is actually a service agreement detailing terms and conditions of your move and the receipt for your goods. All moving jobs have a bill of lading attached making it easier to review services agreed upon.

PBO / PBC – here’s an easy one! PBO / PBC just means that the items were packed by owner (you, the customer) or packed by crew. No sweat.

OA/DA – Everyone loves a good abbreviation but they aren’t much fun when you’re stressed! Don’t worry if a salesperson mentions an OA or DA during your conversation. These abbreviations refer to the origin agent (the company at the origin of your move who will service the first half of the move) and destination agent (the company at the destination address responsible for completing the move.) If the company you’re getting estimates from is part of a van-line then the agent on the other end of your move will also be a part of the van-line and you can rest assured that your goods will be handled in the best way possible.

Class 1 Move – A Class 1 move, also known as crate and freight, have your belongings move from one dock to another in shipments. Crate and freight may be a better option for those with smaller moves and can be handled by preferred agents outside of a company’s regular van-line network due to travel restrictions during peak season.

Hoist – In the case of large or heavy items that need to be handled in or out of homes through windows, you may need to use a hoist. Hoists are auxiliary services offered by movers using specialized equipment, such as a hoisting crane and a moving platform.

Valuation – The amount of cash value assigned to the items in a shipment is called valuation in the moving world. When purchasing valuation, the customer will pay a certain amount of money for their items to be covered at the assessed value in the event of damage. There is a required $0.60 per pound minimum for all moves, but for an additional charge you may purchase other levels of valuation options.

Full Value Protection – Full value protection is a valuation option where the moving company is liable to repair or replace any lost or damage items at their full value minus any deductible amount on the valuation option.
Have more questions about moving terms, or want to book your move? Call us today at 617-983-8700 and we’ll get you started or request an estimate online.

Long Distance Moving and Family Life

Long Distance Moving

long distance moving

Long distance moving

Sometimes, circumstances dictate when the whole family can move together.  Maybe your spouse transferred jobs, but you haven’t yet sold the house or you want the kids to finish the school year before the moving company moves everything to your new home.  Maybe you are embarking on a long-distance romance until you decide where you both can reside together.  Today with technology, living apart doesn’t have to intervene with your relationship or family life.  Of course, you’ll miss the proximity you once shared, but you will survive by making these temporary accommodations.

Plan Frequent Visits

Depending on how far apart you’re living from your spouse or family, try to schedule frequent visits at either location.  Seeing each other happy in familiar and new settings will comfort you and also excite you about the future when the movers will bring your belongings and help you settle into your new surroundings with your loved ones.  The anticipation for in-person visits will guide you through the difficult and lonely times.

Keep Communication Lines Open

Staying connected is vital when you’re living apart.  Schedule a definite time during the day when you talk on the phone, Skype or FaceTime with one another, so you’re up-to-date on daily happenings and when you need a friendly face to wish you a goodnight.  Social media channels offer the chance to share daily life and milestones as well as how you’re feeling.  Use e-mail to communicate about issues regarding your house sale, potential neighborhoods to live in and when, finally, to contact the moving company.

Stay Busy

If you keep busy by participating in activities or joining clubs in your new neighborhood, you’ll feel less lonely and will meet new friends, learning about your new locale.  When loved ones join you, and the movers transport you all to your new home, you’ll be able to introduce them around the neighborhood like you’ve lived there forever.

Establish Rules

Before the separation occurs, go over any rules to keep during your time apart.  Whether it’s how to maintain the household, staying faithful to your partner or how much money to spend on what and when, you must discuss.  If you share children, it’s even more tantamount to establish rules, follow routines and keep discipline consistent.  Remember that until the moving company reunites you that the parent who’s the primary caretaker now must make decisions about daily life with the kids and their partner must respect and understand this.  Moving decisions may also fall into that person’s lap, too.

Understand Each Other

During this transition period and temporary separation, emotions will be hard to harness and will cause occasional misunderstandings.  The best thing you can do is express understanding and reassurance, talking about anything that’s bothering you.  Clearing the air and not allowing concerns and fears to fester will strengthen your relationships.  Some children will need constant reassurance that the situation will improve, won’t last forever and that your family is a strong, loving one.  Once the waiting period is over, contact Pony Express for all your long distance moving needs.  Being reunited will feel so good!

Moving Your Elderly Parent

Moving Elderly Parent

Moving Elderly Parent

Maybe you saw it coming or it hit you like a ton of bricks – your parent is growing old and role reversal is beginning.  The time has come when your parent needs to move out of their “forever” home and start their next life chapter by either moving in with you or into a retirement community.  In order to make this challenging time easier, you must assist them with decisions like hiring a moving company and offer them support when they’re adjusting to their new lifestyle.  Transitions can be tricky, but here’s how to smooth them over.

Support Them Emotionally

Giving up the home where they lived most of their adult life, with memories permeating every corner, can be traumatic.  Your parent chose this home to build a happy life, carefully selecting the right furnishings and creating a welcoming family haven.  Leaving this place may be the right solution, but that doesn’t make it any easier.  Listen to their concerns and let them vent their frustration and sadness.  Even though moving may be ideal, they fear loss of control over their circumstances, says A Place for Mom .

Where Will They Live?

Where will the movers deliver your parent’s possessions? Figure out what your parent needs along with your close relatives and decide what’s best for your parent – moving in with you or to a retirement community or other facility.  Ask them what they’d be most comfortable doing and who in the family can handle the responsibility.

Discuss Changes With Family

When decisions have been made and moving services arranged, talk with the family about how the move affects everyone.  Then you can discuss what house rules need revision and what new routines must be implemented.  Ensure family members including your Moving Elderly Parent are aware of the changes, who is responsible for what, how it will work and that everyone is on board.  Work out any kinks before the move occurs.

What to Keep vs. What to Give Away

One of the hardest parts about downsizing, especially when sentimental objects are involved, is deciding what to keep and what to dispose of or give away.  You parent may need a sensitive hand to hold while sorting through the furniture and possessions they collected through the years.  If they decide that some items are too precious to get rid of, but they do not have the space to store them in their new home, investigate what storage options we offer through FlatRate Moving.

What Do They Need?

In considering what your parent needs to stay happy and healthy, many factors arise.  Will they require supervision during the day or are they self-sufficient? Will they need to be driven to daily activities or doctors’ appointments or do they still drive well?  Will they have enough companionship in the area? Are activities they enjoy readily available and local? Are their favorite stores in the neighborhood? How can you help them acclimate to their surroundings?

Modify Your Home

Another consideration to make is how your house will accommodate your parent if they move in.  You may need to modify your living space, so that they’re comfortable and free from dangers like falling or climbing stairs.  What are their privacy needs, says Caring.com, and do you need to remodel an attic or another room for them?  Will your finances cover the extra expenses or will they be able to contribute to your home expenses and their personal care?  Before you contact the moving company, decisions must be finalized to benefit Moving Elderly Parent.

How to Move During Major Holidays

Move During Major HolidaysHow to Move During Major Holidays

When you decide to move, you never know when your actual moving day will be.  If you’re selling a home, it could be snatched up by a buyer within a month or take over a year to find the right person.  Unexpectedly, you could end up moving around a major holiday or celebratory event like a birthday or graduation.  This complicates things if you wish to celebrate, and the moving company is scheduled to arrive during the festivities.  No disappointment necessary – you can celebrate and move simultaneously without missing the fanfare by following these moving tips.

Talk to Your Moving Company

Check with your moving company regarding moving rates during major holidays and holiday weekends to ensure it doesn’t cost more than anticipated.  If you absolutely must move around that time, you can budget for more money.  Also, make sure that movers are available at that time.  Packing in advance or hiring movers to pack for you will relieve extra pressure.

Traffic Report

Ask your municipality about changes and delays in traffic patterns due to previously scheduled parades and other holiday events.  Finding out at the last minute that a road is closed could interrupt the route chosen for moving.  Inform your movers of possible snags in transporting your furniture which they may or may not realize and let them know your concerns.

Hire a Sitter

If you have younger children who are disappointed in missing out on holiday festivities because of the move, find a sitter.  A sitter could take your little ones to a Halloween Trunk-n-Treat or the fireworks.  It will enable you to move into your new place and keep them amused.  Although they will miss their parents in the beginning, they’ll return with happy holiday stories to share.

Look for Holiday Activities

Before you move to your new town, find out what holiday activities they offer residents or what nearby festive events are happening.  Although you may cherish your typical holiday traditions, here’s your chance to create new ones, make new memories and meet new neighbors.

Host a Themed Housewarming or Holiday Party

How much fun would it be to host a holiday-themed housewarming party or in celebration of family milestones like an anniversary?  In fact, with a ready-made theme, a joint housewarming/holiday party will be memorable, highly anticipated and easy to plan.  If you need assistance from friends and family, ask them to bring a paintbrush to help paint, food for a potluck party or wear comfortable clothes for an unpacking party.

Don’t Stress Over Decorations

Yes, decorations are part of the magic of the holidays, whether it’s for Christmas, Independence Day or a special birthday, but is it the most important ingredient? Absolutely not! Adding to your stress by worrying that you didn’t hang graduation balloons on the mailbox after you just moved is unnecessary.   Furthermore, don’t beat yourself up that your furniture isn’t perfectly arranged or a trash can temporarily lurks in the living room.  With time, your home will assume its welcoming aura.

Postpone the Party

Maybe moving wiped you out so much that you just cannot fathom celebrating.  A holiday or birthday celebrated on a different day does not diminish the fun or its importance.  Postpone the party until after your moving boxes are empty and your energy returns.  Then you can party hearty and celebrate in style in your new home. Remember, moving is hard work and all you need for a perfect holiday is your favorite people.

Moving into a House with a Pool

house with a poolBuying a home with a pool brings the luxury of a resort or club right to your own backyard.  Imagine sunning yourself by the side of the pool, then taking a quick dip to cool off – it’s a vacation every day.  While the fantasy of owning a pool appears ideal, the reality is that owning a pool requires a lot of work.  More than you probably anticipated when the moving company started unloading boxes into your new home.  If you never owned a pool before, read below for pool maintenance pointers.

Daily Pool Care

Some daily pool maintenance is self-explanatory like putting pool toys away and sweeping around the pool’s exterior.  Other jobs like skimming the pool should be done often, says How Stuff Works, to keep it clean, and strainer baskets should be emptied, too.  Jobs like vacuuming the pool, brushing the walls, checking the water, PH and chlorine levels as well as looking for leaks should be done on a weekly basis.  Add baking soda into your pool to maintain the sparkle.

Safety and Security

If you don’t already have fencing around your pool or the fence needs repairs or replacing, you must install a proper fence with a locking gate immediately in case any animals or small children wander into your backyard and visit the pool area.  Go over pool rules with your children and any guests you host, children and adults alike, so there’s less chance of an unfortunate accident happening and everyone is aware of your expectations like no food while in the pool, for example.  Either way, you must remember that your homeowner’s insurance fees will rise with the addition of a pool to your property.  Energy bills will also increase, so be aware of this fact.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Consistent upkeep of your pool will increase your enjoyment, so monitor your pool for cracks, check the pool filter, test the water for proper levels and keep bugs away from your pool area by planting lemongrass which contains citronella, for instance, suggests Trulia.  Trulia also recommends putting tennis balls in the pool which will absorb oil from things like sunscreen. Once pool season is over if you live in a cooler climate, you will need to winterize your pool by tending to the following issues, says How Stuff Works, including “disconnect[ing] the heater, pump and chemical feeders,” cleaning the entire pool and then “superchlorinating” it.  If you complete all these tasks and remember to cover the pool, your pool is ready to close.  When the long winter is over, give yourself a few days to prepare the pool for the next season because everything that you unplugged must be restarted, and the cycle begins again.

Hiring a Pool Person

If the thought of all this work beyond checking pool levels and removing debris from in and around the pool overwhelms you more than all the work that the moving company performed for you, hire a pool person and/or company to open your pool and provide periodic maintenance.  Although the expense may be greater than if you tended to the maintenance yourself, you may not have the time or expertise to follow through with it.  Companies specializing in pool maintenance will know right away if your pool is in good shape or needs repairs or a chemical adjustment to the water.

Moving Myths

Naysayers will tell you that hiring a moving company and moving in general are bad ideas.  It’s too expensive; too much work and you should just stay put instead of striving for better.  However, we all harbor dreams of living in exciting cities and beautiful homes that not only suit our needs but offer us comfort and peace at the end of hard days.  Tales once told about unpleasant moving experiences spiral into horrific moving epidemics.  Don’t let the mythmakers deter you from planning your move! Listen up while we debunk common moving myths.

Moving Myths

Any Box Will Do

Most people will suggest you visit your local grocery or liquor store for used moving boxes.  However, this is not always foolproof.  Boxes should be sturdy with flaps free from damage and uniform in size so that they’ll “be easy to stack on a dolly,” says Realtor.  If you choose to use boxes not provided by your moving company, you risk packing prized possessions in a box that won’t stay intact when movers pick it up, causing possible loss or damage.

You Don’t Need Special Packing Supplies

Although it’s easier to pick up any old pen found in your junk drawer or mug on your desk, not every pen makes its mark.  A permanent marker used to label moving boxes will last longer with more clarity.  Use packing tape that will secure boxes – not peel off seconds after you tape it.

Move on a Friday

Rumor has it that it’s best to move on a Friday since you’ll have the whole weekend to commit to unpacking, says Realtor.  Of course, that’s true, but you’re not the only one with the same idea.  Movers are busiest on weekends and in warmer weather making moving dates hard to find and pin down.  Prices could also be higher.

It Doesn’t Matter Which Mover You Hire

Although you may think it doesn’t matter which moving company you hire, it means the difference between high prices, hidden charges and loss/damage/theft or safely receiving your belongings at a reasonable cost.  Compare prices and moving services each company provides and rely on word-of-mouth.  At  Pony Express Moving Services, we will work with your budget and offer you a variety of services.

Movers Wait to be Paid

Called “the biggest myth about moving of all”, movers cannot wait to receive payment until moving day is over.  The majority of movers require a deposit to hold the day, secure supplies and a crew.  Then payment is due for transporting and unloading your items upon receipt.

Don’t Worry – Moving Insurance Covers EVERYTHING

Who cares if the movers break your fine china? The moving insurance included in your contract will cover everything you own even if it wasn’t on the inventory list, right? Wrong! Insurance in your moving contract only covers part of lost or broken items.  If you wish to sign up for more protection for something valuable, you will have to get extra insurance.  Read the fine print in any case.

Hidden Charges Always Pop Up

You’re not even worried about moving expenses when you first begin scheduling your move.  Then the bill appears, you review it, and cannot understand why hidden costs were added to the final total.  Ask your moving company representative before you sign the agreement about which costs you are responsible for or choose us at Pony Express Moving Services .  We will discuss the cost and figure out how it works with your budget.