Category Archives: Local Moving

Navigating the Hub: Essential Tips for Moving in Boston with Pony Express Moving Services

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Moving to a new city can be an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Boston, with its rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and bustling streets, presents a unique set of considerations for those looking to relocate. In this blog post, we’ll explore essential tips and tricks to make your move in Boston smooth and stress-free, with the help of Pony Express Moving Services.

  1. Plan Ahead: Moving in Boston requires meticulous planning. Start early by creating a comprehensive moving checklist. Consider factors like the time of year, parking regulations, and potential traffic congestion. Pony Express Moving Services can assist you in developing a customized plan tailored to Boston’s specific challenges.
  2. Neighborhood Research: Boston is made up of diverse neighborhoods, each with its own character and charm. Before moving, research your new neighborhood to understand parking restrictions, local regulations, and any unique challenges. Knowing the lay of the land will help Pony Express Moving Services navigate efficiently on moving day.
  3. Parking Permits: Boston is notorious for its limited parking spaces and strict regulations. Obtain the necessary parking permits well in advance to ensure a convenient loading and unloading process on moving day. Pony Express Moving Services can guide you through the permit application process, making sure all necessary paperwork is in order.
  4. Time Your Move: Boston experiences varying traffic conditions throughout the day. Try to schedule your move during off-peak hours to avoid the city’s notorious congestion. Pony Express Moving Services can provide insights into the best times to navigate the city efficiently.
  5. Utilize Professional Packing Services: Opt for Pony Express Moving Services’ professional packing services to ensure your belongings are securely packed and protected during transit. Proper packing is crucial, especially when navigating through Boston’s narrow streets and historic buildings.
  6. Downsize Before the Move: Boston apartments and homes can be on the smaller side. Before the move, declutter and downsize your belongings to ensure a smoother transition. Pony Express Moving Services can assist with packing and disposing of items you no longer need.
  7. Communicate with Your Movers: Open communication is key to a successful move. Discuss your specific needs and concerns with Pony Express Moving Services, and work together to create a moving plan that addresses your unique requirements.

Moving in Boston can be a challenging but rewarding experience with the right preparation and assistance. By following these tips and enlisting the help of Pony Express Moving Services, you’ll be well on your way to a seamless transition into your new Boston home.

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

How to Pack A TV Safely

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There aren’t many items that pose more difficulty during a move than a television. Uniquely shaped, fragile, and costly–TVs aren’t something that can just be packed into any old box and tossed in the back of a truck. That’s why it’s so important to know how to pack a TV prior to moving. Sure, it may cost you a little additional time and money on the front end, but when your 65-inch flat screen arrives at your new place in the exact same condition it left the old one, you’ll be glad you invested in the effort!

Whether you’re preparing for a cross-country move or simply placing your current TV in storage after an upgrade, the following guide will teach you how to pack a TV prior to a move properly:

How to Pack A TV SafelyHow To Pack A TV For Storage or Moving: Materials, Preparation and Packaging

  1. Purchase necessary materials

There are several items necessary to make sure your TV is safe during the moving process, including:

  • Furniture Pad
  • Blanket
  • Mover’s Wrap (i.e., bubble wrap)
  • Box Tape
  • Flat Screen TV Cover
  • Cardboard TV Box
  1. Disconnect all cables and accessories

First, you’ll want to take pictures of the television and entertainment center that you’ll be disassembling for reference later, particularly photos of how the wires from accessories like DVD players and gaming consoles are connected to the back of the TV. The next step is to unplug all the cords from the back of the television and wrap them up into neat coils before placing them, along with the remote(s), in a clear, well-labeled plastic bag.

  1. Remove the TV stand or wall mount

Depending on whether your TV sits on a stand or is wall-mounted, you’ll want to remove it and gently lay it screen-side down on a towel or blanket. At that point, you can disassemble the stand or remove the wall mount, making sure to place all screws and other components in the same plastic bag as the cords and remote.

  1. Clean the TV 

After all the cables and wires have been disconnected and the TV removed from the stand or mount, you can clean the screen with a TV screen solution, used canned air to get rid of the dust in the back vents, and a microfiber cloth on the outside TV casing will do wonders on the dust.

  1. Protect the screen

When discussing how to pack a TV safely, nothing is more important than protecting the screen. Ideally, you should save the original packing material the TV came in, but if not, bubble wrap, a blanket, or a flat screen TV cover–which can be purchased at most local hardware stores–can be wrapped around the screen and secured with tape.

  1. Use the right box

In terms of the box, if you don’t have the original packaging, your best bet is to purchase a TV moving box kit from a home improvement retailer like Home Depot or Lowe’s. These handy all-in-one kits come equipped with foam cushions and double-walled boxes, which can be expanded or contracted to accommodate nearly every size of television.

  • How To Pack TV For Moving Without Box

There are some situations in which a TV box simply can’t be procured prior to a move, and in those instances, you will need to know how to pack a TV for moving without a box. Moving experts recommend that you should first wrap the television in at least three layers of bubble wrap, plus a furniture pad or thick blanket, and then secure it between larger pieces of furniture.

How To Protect A TV During Move: Shipping and Transportation

Many larger televisions simply won’t fit in a car or SUV, and even if you manage to fit your flatscreen in your vehicle, the vibrations in the cramped setting can leave the screen vulnerable to cracking or screen distortions. That’s why it’s advisable to utilize a rental truck–and be sure the TV is placed upright and between two other flat, sturdy objects (a mattress is one great option) to ensure any load shifts in the moving truck do not smash the TV.

Hire an Expert to Move Your TV

As you can probably tell, there’s quite a bit to consider when thinking about how to pack a TV safely. From making sure you have all the necessary supplies and materials to disassembling and cleaning the TV, to packaging and transporting it, it can be a lot to deal with. That’s why so many people turn to professional moving companies to handle the packing and transporting of large, costly items like TVs.

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 Moving in the Spring

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After the harsh and cold winter months comes the spring—a season that represents the start of new beginnings, and also the time of year when the weather is nice and mild. For these reasons and many more, spring is considered as one of the best times of the year for moving. When you consider the fact that movers usually offer lower rates in the springtime when compared to the summer months, it’s no surprise that many people schedule their relocations to fall within these months of the year.

Tips for Moving in the SpringPony Express Moving Services has been a trusted service provider for years, offering local and long-distance moving and storage services for commercial and residential customers. While spring may be the perfect time to schedule your move, relocation is a complex process at any time of the year. For this reason, our helpful experts at Pony Express Moving Services have gathered together this list of tips to help you make your spring move a whole lot easier.

Plan Your Move Early

Although not as busy as the summer season, the spring season is also a busy time. With this, you need to play your move early on by:

  • Finalizing your Move Date: The first and last days of the month are the busiest days so try to avoid scheduling your move during these days. If possible, choose a weekday because you will most likely be able to get a lower rate.
  • Prepare Your To-Do List: Create a checklist of all the move-related tasks that you need to accomplish.
  • Create Your Budget: Get moving cost estimates from moving companies and consider all the expenses that you need to prepare for, including a budget for gas and road stops, and also snacks and drinks for you and your moving team during the move.
  • Create an Inventory of Your Belongings: Create an inventory of all the household items that you will bring with you. This will also help you check to see if anything has been left behind when you unload your items into your new home.

Transfer Your Utilities

Moving into a home without water, electricity, gas, cable TV, or internet service is even worse than it sounds. Before you move to your new home, make the necessary arrangements to transfer your utilities and disconnect the ones installed in your current home.

Monitor the Weather

The weather during the spring season can be unpredictable. Of course, you would want to move when the weather is nice and not when it’s raining. With this, it is recommended to monitor the weather forecasts to have a smooth moving experience. You might also want to prepare furniture covers just in case the weather becomes unpleasant mid-move, to protect your belongings from the rain.

Leave Early

Nobody wants to get stuck in traffic – especially when you have a lot of household items to move. Therefore, you need to plan out your moving time and routes in order to avoid heavy traffic as much as possible. If possible, aim to arrive at your new home early – perhaps even just before sunrise, if possible – to skip getting stuck in traffic, and to finish moving in early. Doing this will also help to give you more time to get settled in at daylight, instead of trying to move in after dark or after it’s gotten too late.

Spring Cleaning Before the Move

Take the time to go through your items and sort according to which ones would you bring with you, which ones would you dispose, and which ones to sell or give to charity. Not only will this allow you to reduce the number of items that you need to pack, but also prevent you from bringing junk to your brand new living space.

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

A February Move

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February is the month of hearts, candy, and tons of red decor everywhere when you walk into a store. However, despite this being the month of celebrating love thanks to Valentine’s Day…there are several people who decide that they are moving during February.

A February MoveIn Boston area, the average daily temperature throughout February has a daily average of being around 41 degrees with a low of 24 degrees. However, keep in mind, we have set record temperatures during this time before with highs being in the upper 60’s, and even posting a negative 3-degree temp at one point in February over the past several years. It can rain, it can snow, it can be sunny, and it can be bitterly cold and windy. Therefore, if you decide to move in February, you need to remember a few things to make this go off without a hitch!

1. Make sure that you double-check all the moving details with us prior to your move. Remember, we can move in almost any type of weather. However, if you were to be dealing with several feet of fresh snow, it may mean having to postpone by a few hours until the roadways have been cleared.

2. Have some old towels on hand to not only cover the floors but to wipe off boxes that are coming into your new home if there is snow or rain falling.

3. To save you a huge bill, go ahead and lower the heat temp in the house. Remember, people are going to be coming and going with loads, there is no need to try to heat up the great outdoors!

4. Make sure that the sidewalks, driveways, and the like are cleared as best as you can. You may want to consider throwing down some sidewalk salt if you can to make this safer for everyone.

5. To help with the cold, why not have a crockpot of hot chocolate or apple cider heating in the kitchen. You will enjoy the warm beverage as the move is taking place, and your movers will appreciate this kindness as well.

6. Pack those winter essentials with you in your car, such as an extra coat, boots, and the like. You would hate to be ready to leave the house for your new home and realize that the winter gear you normally wear was packed and loaded onto the truck!

February can be a great month for many reasons, and it could be that moving into a new home is one of the reasons that you are excited for it to get here!

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

Moving From City of Boston to the Suburbs

It’s no secret that the real estate market is booming across the United States, and much of that interest is in suburban neighborhoods. In fact, a Zillow survey predicted that A Stronger Housing Market Across the Board. Surrounding suburban areas are sure to benefit from this trend, especially as COVID-19 has made remote working and schooling the norm.

If you’re wondering if a switch from the City of Boston hustle to suburban solitude is right for you, here are a few points to consider before jumping into this hot market.

Moving From City of Boston to the SuburbsLarger Homes & Yards vs. More Maintenance

The average square feet of a two-bedroom apartment in Boston is around 1,000 square feet. But moving out to the suburbs of Greater Boston area will double that, with many apartments coming closer to 2,000 square feet!

That makes a big difference, especially for those planning to expand their family. Additionally, these larger homes sit on larger plots of land that provide outdoor space that isn’t feasible in most city neighborhoods.

On the negative side, you have to take care of all that space. More appliances, larger units to fully service a bigger home, a lawn to mow, repainting the previous owner’s pea green kitchen… you and your wallet will have to front the costs to maintain the upkeep. Plus, suburban dwellers are often hit with higher property taxes and homeowner’s association (HOA) fees. That can add significantly to your monthly costs and should be carefully considered before making a move.

Peace & Quiet vs. Missing the City Life

Former city lovers often say they chose to move to get away from all the bustle and noise. Sure, traffic and late-night bar-goers can keep you up at night if you’re in a central location – but is it enough to fully relocate?

For some, the answer is yes. The idea of only hearing birds and crickets is an appealing way to unplug. For others, the sounds of silence could leave them craving the energy of downtown living. Take this into consideration when you’re looking at different neighborhoods, and even spend a few nights in prospective areas to fully understand what your new environment will be like.

Better School Districts vs. Zoning Hurdles

While it is sometimes a misconception that city schools are inadequate compared to suburban counterparts, it has historically been shown that suburban schools receive more funding and benefit heavily from the higher property taxes we talked about earlier. This can mean smaller class sizes, better-maintained facilities, and a more appealing workplace for sought-after teachers.

However, it’s important to note that you may not automatically receive all these benefits when you find your perfect suburban home. School district zoning can be strict and, at times, seemingly random. Your home could be zoned in a district different from your neighbors across the street. If moving for better schools is at the top of your list, pay careful attention to zoning lines before you buy.

Suburban Conveniences vs. A Longer Commute

While cities do offer many appealing activities from restaurants to stores to museums, they are often spread out and require a lot of planning to visit. Suburban shopping centers provide the convenience of popular retailers and eateries all in one spot. Ample parking also eliminates a common city headache.

On the other hand, one location that may not be close is your office. Moving out of city limits could mean you’re suddenly battling rush hour traffic and spending more time in your car than with your family. It’s certainly worth a test drive to see if your new route is one you can realistically handle every day.

Ready to Make a Move?

Once you have fully weighed the pros and cons and are ready to make your move, make your first call Pony Express Moving. From the very first consultation to the last piece of furniture placed in your new home, we’ll provide in-depth care and attention to detail, so your relocation is stress-free.

Our skilled local moving team is a part of the community, living and working here every day. We know the ins and outs to help customers with smooth, easy transitions. Plus, we offer a full range of customizable services that allow you to create the moving plan to fit your budget.

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

The Challenges of Local Moving in 2021

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Boston is a place of diversity, culture, creativity, and plenty of urban vibes. There are multiple reasons as to why many individuals are deciding to move here in recent times. The key is to be prepared ahead of time. With a bit of research and a solid plan, anyone can move there fast and hassle-free. In addition, throughout the rest of the post, we’ll evaluate some of the challenges of local moving in Boston in the upcoming year. With that being said, we’ll make sure you leave here with a few moving tips as well!

Relocating in 2021

The year 2020 has definitely been a challenging year for the entire world. With many adjustments and lifestyle changes month to month, we have had to adapt to the new way of doing things. For example, for a few months, no one really knew what turn the real estate market would take and whether moving, in general, would be possible. With new measures in place, and things gradually becoming the ‘new normal‘, relocating in 2021 is possible.

The Challenges of Local Moving in 2021How do you handle something that is yet to be known? The key is to remain organized and to plan ahead. Being prepared ahead is important.

Local Moving in Boston

In order to ensure that your local moving in Boston is successful and faces the least amount to zero challenges, it’s important to plan ahead and do the necessary research. A well-structured plan serves as a guide throughout the moving experience. It enables you to remain organized and efficient day to day. Writing everything down on paper and making a checklist will help you break down the moving process while being able to visualize the entire situation. Evaluating it all prior will inform you better, hence you will be better prepared.

Moreover, set up a moving timeline as it will help you organize everything from start to finish. While you are doing that, do a bit of research on hiring a moving company. It’s important that you make sure you hire someone experienced so that you can rely on your belongings being delivered safely and securely to your new home. Someone with a reliable experience will know exactly how to proceed. The team will also have the necessary equipment and supplies to handle the move properly.

Professional Assistance

As we mentioned above, hiring a team of professionals to help you face the challenges of local moving in Boston is definitely an excellent solution. It’s important that you get in touch with Pony Express Moving early on to discuss everything from moving terms and fees to how this process will be handled in 2021 with everything going on. In addition, as we don’t really know the turn of events for the next couple of months, it’s important to be prepared to adjust quickly and handle things accordingly. 

Real Estate

Relocating and looking for a new home this year and in 2021 might be a bit different from what we know and are used to. For example, depending on the situation, some house tours might have to be completed virtually due to the Covid circumstances. Due to the inconsistency with a lot of things lately, it’s also important to always communicate with your real estate agent and to always be in the loop with new information coming in and out. All in all, simply being in the know and understanding that you have to go with the flow is already being prepared enough.

Packing Stages

Although we don’t have control over a few aspects of local moving in Boston, there are a few things we can control. Packing is a very repetitive process, therefore in order to simplify it and be efficient throughout, we suggest breaking it down into multiple stages. For example, begin by packing items you don’t need on a daily basis. As the moving day comes closer you can gradually move on the items you use more frequently. In addition, going room by room will help keep you organized while helping you categorize everything properly. Ensure to label each and every box as it will be easier to handle the move.

Boston

Overall, local moving in Boston can be simplified even throughout these tough times. Having a plan and thinking ahead are big aspects with much influence on the move altogether. This is why a checklist is a good way to keep things organized and orderly. Since 2020 has been the way it has, and we don’t know much about the upcoming year, simply stay informed with the latest news and updates, and take the necessary measures as you move along with your move.

Mission Complete

Relocating from point A to point B can definitely be a little overwhelming, especially in these times. With added precautionary measures and different ways of doing things, moving can become quite hectic. However, if you allow yourself enough time prior you will have the luxury to plan well ahead and to stay organized. Breaking down the moving process is something that will help you organize the entire ordeal while being able to focus on each task individually. Going step by step will definitely ease the stress and hassle of the process.

No one really knows what 2021 will be like. Therefore, we cannot foresee certain challenges when it comes to local moving in Boston next year. All we can do is rely on what we know now and what we are used to. Therefore, in order to avoid the basic challenges of moving in general, simply have a plan in mind. Furthermore, remain organized, do the necessary research, and experience this move day by day, step by step.

Save money with Pony Express Moving Services. Lower prices than traditional moving companies and you don’t have to drive! Request a Free Quote Online for Moving in 2021!!!

Our COVID-19 Response

Our COVID-19 ResponseTo our valued customers:

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to disrupt daily life, Pony Express Moving Services wants to assure homeowners and business customers that we are taking steps to help our employees and customers stay safe and healthy.

Open, Fully Staffed, and Ready to Help the Communities We Serve

We know many of you are working from home and self-quarantining.

Pony Express Moving Services is ready to help with service anytime you need us. We’re still operating under our normal hours of operation. We’re carefully monitoring the COVID-19 situation and strictly following government health and safety guidelines to minimize the spread of the virus and protect our customers and employees in every community we serve.

Our Movers are Essential Service Providers

All Pony Express Moving Services movers who visit your home or business will adhere to our high standards of cleanliness, safety, and hygiene before, during, and after every service visit.

In order to ensure maximum effectiveness, we’ve instructed our service technicians to uphold and enhance our already strict cleaning and disinfecting measures to ensure the safest possible work environment. Additionally, we’re following CDC (Centers for Disease Control) guidelines designed to stop the spread of the virus, including:

  • Wearing personal protective equipment
  • Eliminating physical contact, including handshakes. We’ll use only non-contact methods of greeting
  • Maintaining effective social distancing all the time
  • Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at every opportunity
  • Using hand sanitizer
  • Using disinfectant products to ensure touch-points are clean in work-spaces, vehicles, and on equipment
  • Sanitizing shared-use devices such as tablets and clipboards; customers should consider using their own pens to sign paperwork

Customer Service

Our customer service department is fully staffed to assist you with scheduling service calls, answering questions and meeting all your needs. We have implemented the following additional precautions to ensure a safe experience and excellent service.

  • Our customer service representatives and service technicians will ask if anyone is symptomatic of illness.
  • We’ll honor special requests from customers seeking to maintain a safe distance from our service technicians.
  • Pony Express Moving Services personnel are always aware of the risks and symptoms of illness. Any employee feeling potential signs of the virus will stay home and seek a professional medical evaluation.
  • You can count on all of us at Pony Express Moving Services to conduct ourselves with the highest level of professionalism and dependability throughout this health crisis.

Please contact us if you have concerns about specific Pony Express Moving Services safety precautions, procedures, or hours of operation. Please note that the COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly. Accordingly, Pony Express Moving Services must adjust its processes to best serve our communities and ensure the safety of our employees and customers.

Merry Move During the Holidays

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Happy holidays!

Merry Move During the HolidaysWhile others eagerly unpack last year’s ornaments, you’re stuck with the less than holly jolly task of packing up your festive decor. Whether relocating across the country or next door, moving during the holidays is no easy task. Besides all of the seasonal distractions, you’ll now have to deal with planning a relocation as well.

Thankfully, moving doesn’t mean you have to turn into a Grinch this holiday season – not if you’re well-prepared, anyway. To ensure that your upcoming relocation is as merry and bright as possible, we’ve laid out a list of what to consider when moving during “the most wonderful time of the year.”

Timing

‘Tis the season for moving (sort of)! While not actually considered “peak moving season,” the holidays can be an extremely busy time for movers. After all, they are people with holiday commitments too. This means if you’re planning to hire a moving company, it’s important to book a reliable service as soon as possible.

Also, keep in mind that moving on a holiday weekend costs more than moving on a non-holiday. If you’re planning a DIY move, holiday traffic will be a concern, as roads fill up with holiday shoppers and travelers. Bloomberg reports that the busiest brick-and-mortar retail shopping day of the season is “Super Saturday,” aka the Saturday before Christmas Day. Other busy shopping days include Black Friday and, for last minute shoppers, the week before Christmas. The U.S. Department of Transportation states that the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years periods are among the busiest travel times of the year. FYI: Thanksgiving Day happens to be one of the heaviest long-distance travel days for vehicles. Given this information, it’s probably best to avoid moving these days, if you can.

Budget

With all of the gift-buying and travel expenses incurred during the holiday months, it’s already hard enough to stay on a budget this time of year. Add in the moving expenses – from boxes to movers – and you’re probably going to need to start looking for other ways to tighten your belt this season. Don’t fret (yet). If you’re hiring movers, keep in mind that you may be able to save a few bucks by landing a mid-week move. Avoid moving on a holiday weekend when moving companies may be short-staffed.

Packing

If you live for the holiday spirit, then there’s nothing more depressing than an undecorated home during the November and December months. To avoid feeling depressed once you’re in your digs, I suggest packing up your Christmas decor, gift wrap, presents, and holiday wardrobe in separate and clearly labeled boxes. Ask the movers to put them in your main living room when they arrive at your new home. This way you can unpack your holiday treasures as soon as you arrive. While you may not feel like unpacking every single belonging before New Years, you could – at the very least – decorate your new staircase with some festive garland.

Donations

Donating your things may not be the most exciting part of moving, but it’s certainly an appropriate thing to do during the holiday season. Thankfully, charities such as Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity and The Salvation Army will gladly pick up your salvageable items free of charge. You should also save your receipts, as the holidays marks the end of the tax year. These donations could put more dollars in your own pockets – and after an expensive move, that is a good thing!

Weather

Unfortunately, you can’t control the weather on moving day. If you’re relocating to or from colder parts of the country, such as the Northeast and Midwest, be prepared for cold – sometimes frigid – temperatures. From icy roads to white-out blizzards, the holiday season can usher in dangerous winter weather conditions, posing serious challenges for moving. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to ensure your winter move goes as smoothly as possible.

Make sure you have proper moving supplies and winter-ready garments to deal with treacherous conditions. Boots, hats, gloves, shovels, and salt may be necessary. Pack up your belongings in as many waterproof plastic bins as possible. Watch out for slippery sidewalks and stairs. And don’t forget to have your heat and electricity turned on in your new home by the time you arrive.

Family Concerns

If you’re planning to uproot your kids in the middle of the school year, be prepared to help them with this adjustment period. Make sure their important documents and school records are transferred to the new school accordingly. For the most part, this means transcripts; report cards; immunization records; any academic testing the child has undergone; and other various files and records. I suggest contacting the old school for more information on how to securely transfer these documents to the new school. Most schools have a holiday vacation between Christmas Eve and New Years. So hopefully you’ll be able to unpack and help your children adjust to the new place during this time period.

Safety

Unfortunately, home invasions and robberies seem to increase during the holiday season. SafeWise reports (per the FBI) that 400,000 burglaries take place every year in the U.S. during the November and December months. In my opinion, it’s better to be safe than sorry. The last thing you want happening is a break-in this Christmas. To prevent that from happening, make sure you set up a security system either before or right after moving in. Call your security system provider a few weeks prior to the move to schedule a time for them to come out and install the system in your house.

After you’re done packing and planning, kick back and sip some eggnog. You’ll be decking the halls of your new home in no time!

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

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.

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.