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Tips, Advice & Events from local professional movers that specializes in all aspects of transportation / moving services, including office relocations, industrial moves, corporate relocations, trade show displays, and high value electronic equipment.

Browsing category archives: MacDonald Movers News

How to Find a Trusted Moving Company

You have to do tons of research to find a moving company worth its salt. But once you do, the results are pretty satisfying. People often realize the importance of carefully choosing the importance of a good moving company the hard way. Sub-par moving companies will often lose your belongings and will not claim any responsibility for it. Another problem with them is they rarely follow the instructions correctly. They could end up moving your belongings to places that were not specified by you.

Not only do these issues waste time, but they waste money as well. Sure, the company might be charging a low fee for moving your possessions, but at what cost? You will end up with some problem or the other anyway. Therefore, it would be advisable to be patient and careful when choosing a moving company. Consider the tips mentioned below to find the right moving company.

Tips to Find a Trusted Moving Company

Check the Company’s Credentials

If you plan to move from one state to another, make sure that the mover has a Department of Transportation issued number. The number acts as a license to identify hauling cargo or transporting passengers. In case the mover indeed has a license, it should have no problems in showing you the DOT figure on their advertising material and website. Also, ask the mover for a carrier number that they get from the Safety Administration (for motor carriers).

Choose a Local Mover

Enlisting the services of a local moving company can prevent fraud. Oftentimes, people hire movers from far off places who end up tricking them. Do not just scroll through web pages and choose the company, meet them too. It will give a better idea of what you are potentially in for. You can also take it a step further and check the company’s equipment.

Acquire Estimates

One of the best ways to avoid being scammed is to get more than two in-home estimates. In case the estimate is too low, or the company provides it online or over the phone without checking out the job’s scope, it could be a scam.

Check Reviews

Check what others have to say regarding the company on the internet. Enter terms like reviews and complaints with the company’s names in search engines to find people’s opinions regarding the moving company. Also, check if the Better Business Bureau has a report about the company.

Be Careful with Unusually Large Deposits

Moving companies do not need above twenty percent deposits for the move’s estimated cost. The good ones do not even ask for payments until the job is complete. It would be wise to put deposits on your credit card. It will help you to contest charges in case there is a scam.

MacDonald Moving has been helping people move their possessions with ease. We have years of experience under our belt and move stuff in a swift and timely manner.

Tips for Prepping for a Move

Selling your house and moving somewhere else can be quite a daunting task. If you find yourself in a similar situation, there might be tons of questions floating around in your brain. However, your main objective should still be to pay attention to packing and preparing to move.

People often perceive that packing is a task that requires a lot of labor. However, if you do the proper preparation and planning, it can become an enjoyable process. Despite getting stressed, you should be in a celebratory mood when moving.

Tips to Prepare for Your Move

Mentioned below are some helpful tips that will allow you to become organized, focus, and relaxed when you are preparing to shift to another home.

Calculate Moving Costs

Before you begin your preparation, calculating the amount of money you want to spend is imperative, as it helps you to stay on track financially. You should still calculate the expenses if you plan to hire a moving company to do the job. Furthermore, always remember that added costs are a given when moving from one place to another no matter how shrewd you are with your calculations.

Maintain a Notebook

If you want to make the moving process simpler, use a notebook designated only for the shifting process. Use it to create to-do lists, add budget breakdowns, and various other shifting related elements. Sure, mental notes help, but writing things down is even better. It can help you remember your budget or shifting related priorities easily.

Get Some Moving Supplies

Moving supplies come in really handy when prepping for a move. In case the budget is tight, it would be wise to find free packing supplies from wherever you can. Local stores and supermarkets are excellent places where you can get these supplies easily.

Enlist a Moving Company’s Services

If your budget is not tight, you will save tons of labor and stress by hiring professional movers. Moving companies have experienced workers who do all the grunt work and make it look like a walk in the park. Remember to do some research before you choose a moving company.

Prime the New Home

This is perhaps the most important tip when prepping for a move. Before you bring in all the boxes and furniture, it would be ideal for fixing your new place. Make sure that everything is clean, painted, and fixed before arranging the furniture and other heavy items. It will prevent cluttering and give you peace of mind after you settle in.

If you are finding it difficult to prep for your move, Macdonald Moving is there to help. Our Moving professionals will help you shift in no time and remove any shifting related hassle that comes in your way.

office employees carrying moving boxes

Tips For Moving Into A New Office

Moving on a whole can be both exciting and tedious at the same time. The truth is that no one wants to be stressed out with a move. That is why preparation is key to a successful move. Moving to a new office space comes with many of the same factors as moving to a new home. The furniture is large and bulky, some items are difficult to pack, and there are several rooms with items that need to be packed away. Needless to say, moving requires a lot of hard work, but there are some ways to make the process a lot smoother. Here are some useful tips that you could find useful when making your office move.

 

  1. Early Planning is Key
    When doing commercial moving, such as moving to new office space, “winging it” is just not going to cut it. You are setting yourself up for disaster. Start the planning process early, delegating tasks, establishing how it should be done and create a deadline as well. Simply establish how you’ll get everything ready for the move. This should include planning what happens on arrival day after you have made it to your new location. Create a checklist to help guide you and keep you on track.
  2. Appoint a Move Manager
    If you have a medium-sized business and doing long distance moving, you may need some assistance. Dividing up the work could lighten your workload and make the process less stressful. Having a designated move manager will enable a step by step handling of each aspect of the moving process. You will know exactly how things are progressing from start to finish. Get someone who has solid experience in commercial moving.
  3. Do Your Research
    When it comes to finding a moving company to work with, it’s best to do your research before committing to any moving company. Get several different quotes from the local moving companies to get an idea of the best deal since an office move can be pretty costly. Get a minimum of three quotes if you are on a tight budget. Get recommendations and ratings for the moving services that you are interested in, to have an idea of the quality service they provide.
  4. Keep I.T in Mind
    Moving to a new office space requires disconnecting and reconnecting everything tech. This can lead to major complications, and that is why it is important from day one to have your I.T. department create a plan for transferring all technical equipment necessary for the office, from computers to phones.
  5. Know the Building Rules
    If the building you’re moving into is not owned by your company, you should get a complete breakdown of the building rules around relocation space. There may be rules around the time allowed for moving, or a formal request has to be made to use the service elevator. Building management can provide you with this important information.
  1. Get Change of Address Order Taken Care of
    Updating your address in every area that it’s needed is important. Begin by updating your address on documents and place an order for new business cards, envelopes, and letterhead, etc. as soon as you know your new office address. Also, give clients a heads-up as well.

 

You office move don’t have to be a huge headache if you plan well and stay ahead of things. Start early and make sure you choose a reliable local moving company that you can trust to do the job right. Contact Macdonald Moving Services to assist you with your next office move!

woman carrying a moving box in front of a new home

How to Prepare for Your Summer Move

If you’re like many people, moving during the cold winter months is something you’d probably like to avoid. Planning a move is essential to make moving day run as smoothly as possible. Follow these simple steps to ensure your summer move is a simple and successful process.

4 Ways To Prepare For a Summer Move

Book Movers in Advance

Summer is the best time to move which means the moving companies in your area will be very busy. Don’t wait until the last second to book your moving crew, instead, give them a call as soon as you know your moving date. Be sure to include a few details about the size and distance of your move so they’re able to schedule accordingly.

Have a Yard Sale

Two to three weeks before your moving date is the prime time to declutter unwanted belongings. Have a yard sale on a warm and sunny weekend with an “all things must go” sales approach. Whatever doesn’t sell can be donated or given to friends and family. This will make for fewer items to be moved into your new home and fewer boxes to unpack!

Pack Efficiently

Packing should be done before moving day arrives. Double check all of your drawers, closets, and hidden basement corners before the movers arrive. Be sure to pack boxes to the point of being full, but not too heavy to carry. Pack similar items together and label the boxes so you know what room they belong to in the new house. To reduce the risk of inefficient packing, begin the packing process a couple of weeks before the moving day.

Stay Cool and Hydrated

It’s no secret that summer is hot but moving makes it even hotter. Try to find a space that can be kept cool and shaded for yourself and the movers to take a break in. Drinking plenty of water or an electrolyte-filled sports drink will help to replenish the fluids you lose as you sweat too. If you think you’re becoming overheated or dehydrated, don’t be afraid to take a break!

The final thing to remember when you plan your summer move is not to stress too much. The moving process can quickly become overwhelming but being stressed won’t help things get done any quicker! Now that you know how to prepare for your summer move, it’s time to get started! If you have any questions about how to pack or get ready for moving day, give our team of experienced movers a call today.

transportation of valuable item

How To Properly Wrap Furniture For A Move

Moving is always a process that can be stressful and overwhelming and one of the most common issues with moving is that belongings and furniture get damaged during the move. While the easiest solution would be to disassemble the furniture and reassemble once you arrive at your new destination, not all furniture is made that way. For furniture pieces that can’t be taken apart, you will need to cover them to ensure full protection of not only the piece but the walls and floors of your new destination.

5 Tips on Properly Wrapping Furniture For a Move

Cover Furniture With Blankets

When picking up supplies for your move, consider grabbing furniture pads and blankets as these are the best protection for your furniture. While any blanket in your home should work, if it covers the furniture, there are also special moving blankets you can rent or purchase from a moving supply company. When wrapping, start at one end and wrap the entire circumference of the piece, then work on covering the top and bottom of the item. Just like with a holiday gift, you will want to ensure every part of the piece is covered. With larger pieces, you may need to use more than one blanket or pad so rent/purchase accordingly and don’t worry about overbuying as the excess blankets can be used for extra protection when loading the moving truck.

Wrap Furniture Legs

While the most ideal situation, as mentioned earlier, is to simply remove the legs of tables, chairs, and other pieces that have them, not all legs can be disassembled. If you can’t remove them, then be sure to wrap them just as you would the other parts of the furniture. Tightly secure the material by going around each leg with padding or blankets, and then plastic wrap. You will want to do these as they are the most common culprits to getting damaged or hitting walls while being moved.

Secure Covers With Plastic Wrap

Once your furniture is wrapped in blankets or pads, you will want to secure the cover so they don’t fall during transport. The best way to do that is by getting a plastic wrap and covering the entire piece of furniture. Not only will the tightly secure the protection, but it will also prevent dirt and dust from settling on your furniture while it is in the moving truck during interstate or international moves.

Use Cardboard To Cover Corners

While blankets and pads are great for most furniture, you will want to have added protection to pieces that have sharp corners. This includes desks, dressers, and square tables. Once you wrap the furniture in blankets and plastic wrap, you should add cardboard to the corners of items that have these sharp corners. This way, if they make content with walls or anything it is the cardboard being rubbed against the wall and not a sharp corner. If you are worried about extra protection to for the bottom of some of your furniture you can apply the same task with the cardboard to the bottom of the piece. This is usually good for dressers.

Use Bubble Wrap

If you have fragile furniture you want to be careful of or want to go the extra mile in protecting your precious furniture then consider using bubble wrap as the final layer. Once the furniture is covered in plastic wrap, take bubble wrap and go around the entire piece and securing it with tape. Do keep in mind that the bubble wrap could hinder the grip of the furniture when it comes to moving it to and from the truck, so decide which pieces you would want that to apply the bubble wrap too.

If you are looking for professional movers to assist with your next move, whether residential or commercial moving, contact MacDonald Movers today!

 

couple packing moving boxes with their dog

Tips for Successfully Moving with Pets

If you’re an animal lover then you understand that your pets truly are a part of the family. Of course, that means that when you move, the go with you! Moving is a stressful experience for the human members of your family, but your pets are likely even more stressed out then you are. Check out these steps you can take to ensure the moving experience is as easy as possible on both you and your pets.

6 Tips On Moving With Pets

Contact Your Vet

Before moving day arrives you should be sure to consult with your vet. They can give you your pet’s records, as well as refills for any medications they may need. If you’re moving to an unfamiliar area, be sure to ask for new vet recommendations!

Prepare an Overnight Kit

After completing your move you’ll be left with mountains of unpacked boxes and unorganized rooms. To ensure you have access to the essentials your pets need on a day to day basis, pack an overnight kit. Put the kit in a location that is easy to find and try to stick to the routine that your pets are used to.

Keep Your Pets Away from the Action

We recommend keeping your pets away from the chaos on moving day. Ideally, you should leave them at a kennel or with a close friend for the day. If that isn’t an option, try to clear out an area of the house that they can stay in to avoid getting overwhelmed.

Take Your Pet in a Vehicle

To physically move your pet from the old home to the new home you should take them in your personal vehicle. Put them in a kennel first if need be, but don’t allow them to ride in a moving vehicle or another unfamiliar car.

Keep Your Pet Secluded

Rather than showing your pet their new home right after moving, try to keep them secluded until you can make space feel more familiar for them. Set up one room of the new home and then keep your pet in that area until the rest of the home is ready for them.

Update Their Info

Of course, a new home comes with a new address. Take some time to update their tags and microchip information in case they find a way to escape their new home. Above all else, remember that moving is a big event for your pet. Try to find the time to give them the extra attention and patience they want while they adjust to the new space.

food in a shopping cart

Tips to Avoid Wasting Food When You Move

Preparing and packing for a move can quickly become a stressful process. With a never-ending to-do list looming overhead, food waste probably isn’t at the top of your mind. Lucky for you, it is at the top of ours! Follow these simple tips to reduce your food waste during your move and lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

Eat What You Have

First and foremost, make sure you’re eating what you have on hand. Make a list of everything in your kitchen and pantry and try to make meals with those ingredients before you go out shopping for more. This is a great time to check expiration dates and get rid of the expired food too!

Be Mindful of the Food You’re Purchasing Prior to the Move

As moving day approaches, be more mindful of your shopping habits. Only purchase foods that you know you’ll eat before the move. Try to keep track of expiration dates, plan out meals, and avoid unnecessary impulse purchases at the grocery store.

Donations

If you find yourself overrun with pantry items you don’t want to pack and move, donating is the perfect solution! Contact a local food bank to learn more about the donation process. Typically, any non-perishable item that hasn’t expired will be accepted. Not only are you simplifying your moving experience, but you’re also helping those in need! Non-perishable items can be repurchased at a low cost and many people agree that the hassle of packing and moving them simply isn’t worth it.

Eat Perishable Food Items First

Items in your fridge and freezer should be your first priority as you try to eat what you have on hand. These items are perishable and may not survive a long move. Meal planning and using your inventory list is vital to clearing out as many perishable items as possible before the move. Don’t be afraid to try out new recipes and get creative to help use up the items in your fridge and freezer!

The most important thing to remember to reduce food waste during a move is mindfulness. Be mindful of what you have, your timeline to eat it, and what you want to bring along with you to the new location. The further you move the more difficult it will be to transport food without it going bad, so it’s better to use it while you still can!

Be sure to contact MacDonald Moving Services for all of your residential and commercial moving needs in and around the Bridgewater, MA area.

couple moving bed into bedroom

Tips for Moving Your Mattress on Your Own

Large items in your home are daunting to think about as the moving day approaches. Probably one of the largest items in your home is your mattress. Moving a mattress on your own is no simple task, but it isn’t impossible either. Moving your mattress will require some careful protection and planning for transportation to ensure it makes it to your new location safely.

Protect the Mattress

Protecting your mattress for the move is easier than you’d think! First, purchase a plastic mattress cover. Most home improvement and hardware stores have them in stock for a low price. Begin the process by removing all sheets and bedding from the mattress. Then, slip the mattress protector over the mattress. Cover any holes or gaps in the cover with a layer of packing tape to keep possible moisture and debris away from your mattress. During this protection process, keep an eye out for signs of pests or mattress damage. If you find either of these things, the mattress should be replaced rather than moved.

Transporting the Mattress

Transporting the mattress includes a few steps. Of course, you have to get it out of the home and into a moving vehicle. Enlist the help of friends or family to help load the mattress to avoid injury. Moving straps are an easy to use addition that will make moving day go much more smoothly! Even with the help of moving straps, you should find and use as much manpower as you can for the job. You should be able to purchase them at the same place you purchased your mattress protector. A pick-up truck, SUV, or moving truck are all suitable options for transporting your mattress. Pick-up trucks are only suitable for good weather days unless you want to risk the mattress getting damaged. A moving truck is the best option because of their easy to use loading ramps and large space that will more comfortably accommodate a queen or king size mattress. Once you have the mattress loaded, secure it with ropes or straps to immobilize it during the transportation process.

Of course, if moving your mattress on your own seems like too big of a job, you can always enlist the help of professional movers. This reduces the risk of injury and potential damage to your mattress. To learn more about how our moving experts can help you, or to rent one of our moving vehicles, just give us a call!

insurance agreement papers with calculator on top

Should I Purchase Moving Insurance?

Moving into a new home is an exciting time. The time leading up to the move, however, is riddled with stress and questions. One of the questions many people find themselves asking is “do I really need the moving insurance?” looking at moving insurance as just an added cost makes it easy to refuse, but we’re here to explain what makes it so important.

What is Moving Insurance?

Moving insurance is similar to car or renter’s insurance. You purchase it as a protection plan in the event of an unforeseen event that damages some of your items being moved. Even with professional movers, the possibility of damages is never completely gone. Moving insurance will help you to replace the damaged items after your move. Different types of moving insurance cover different potential scenarios so be sure to read the fine print!

Value Protection

Value protection comes in two forms. The first is known as released value protection. This is the most basic form of item protection. It works by offering a certain price per pound for your items. This price is never the actual value of the item, but it does give you a portion of the items value back in the event of a mishap. Next, full value protection offers better coverage for your items. This comes with a higher price tag, but it also comes with a higher pay-off for damaged goods. Your damaged item will either be repaired, replaced, or paid for by the moving company if it becomes damaged.

What is a Valuation?

Valuation is a type of value protection that all moving companies have to offer according to the law. Valuation covers any damages to your goods that are a direct result of the movers or moving equipment. It typically won’t cover things like flood or fire though. Ask multiple moving companies about their valuation policy before choosing one for your move.

Assessing the Value of Your Household Goods

Valuing your household goods prior to a move makes filing a claim much easier. Start by making a list of all valuable items, along with pictures of their condition before the move. Then, look up similar items online to find a rough price estimate. Family heirlooms and other options that don’t have an exact value online should be estimated based on the weight prediction you get from your movers.

At the end of moving day you should be able to walk into your new home and find your belongings safe and sound, but if you don’t, moving insurance is the best way to make sure you’re covered! Contact us today if you are looking for a well-experienced moving company to help with your next move.

father and daughter moving boxes out of a car

Winter Moving Tips Part 2

Moving day can either be a great experience or a stressful one.  Add in the possibility of a blizzard and moving in the winter can become quite the adventure. Just like with our last blog, check out and follow these tips to ensure a successful moving day no matter if you are moving locally, to a new state, or internationally!

  1. Check the Snowplow Schedule

One thing we can all agree on is the annoyance of waking up to find out that the plow truck came through and blocked off all your hard work of shovelling the day prior. This causes more strain if this happens on the day of your move as it will delay your schedule as you have to redo the hard work you had already put in.  If the information is available to you, make sure you check the plow schedule as you plan your move.

  1. Have Old Blankets Ready

New Englanders know that the weather is unpredictable in the winter.  During your move, you will want to keep your household items protected from all of the winter elements by using old blankets to transport them in and out of the moving truck. If your company offers it, check to see if you can keep your items in storage that you will not need right away during the move.

  1. Keep Spare Gloves

Keeping gloves around and using gloves during your move will not only protect your fingers from the cold but protect the moving boxes from any wetness which could run the risk of your items falling through during transport.  Take a tip from your local moving company and stock up on a few extra pairs of gloves to make sure that your, as well as the mover’s you hired, fingers and hands stay warm and dry all day.

  1. Double Pack Fragile Items

Like with most high-valued items, you will want to double pack them but for the winter you will especially want to do this.  Accidents can happen, and they are even more likely when you add ice and snow into the mix where both can happen in New England.  Just in case an accident happens, you don’t want your fragile items to get damaged or break.  Take a little time and double pack these items so that if an accident does happen, your items will be protected. If you need some help with packing, be sure to check out different moving guides for assistance!

  1. Be Flexible

Whether you are interstate moving or local moving, you need to be flexible with your moving schedule.  Weather shifts, schedules get altered, and accidents happen that could alter your moving experience.  Proceed with caution and if you need to take an extra day or two to make sure your move is successful, then plan ahead while making sure to contact the moving company you have hired.

  1. Tip Your Movers Well

You hired a moving company for a reason, to stay out of the harsh weather you could potentially run in to and to ensure your items make it to your destination in one piece. Show them some appreciation for their hard work in less than ideal conditions with a good sized tip. In addition, most moving companies aren’t as busy in the winter, which means less money for the crew.  Tip them well for doing a great job and give them thanks with the addition of a warm cooked snack or items to keep them warm, they will appreciate it!

If you are interested in hiring MacDonald Moving Services for an exceptional moving experience, contact us today!