Tips for Moving Your Mattress on Your Own

April 10, 2019

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!

5 Reasons to Hire a Professional Mover

March 27, 2019

It’s no secret that moving is expensive. When costs are already high, it can be tempting to skip out on a professional mover and try to do the grunt work yourself. While this is a fine option for some, many don’t realize all of the benefits that come along with hiring a professional mover!

5 Reasons To Hire Professional Movers

1. Peace of Mind

A professional mover comes with peace of mind for your beloved belongings. They are experienced with all types of items and locations, so they know what the safest ways to move your items are. Enlisting the help of friends or family may be cheaper, but it will also leave you feeling anxious every time they pick up something important.

2. Reliability

Professional movers literally help you move for a living. That means that when they’re supposed to show up on moving day, they actually will! No more waiting around for unreliable friends to come to help you load up a moving truck. Instead, you can book the movers weeks in advance and know that they’re reliable and accountable.

3. Fast & Efficient

Professional movers make moving day go much more efficiently. You will be in your new space in a fraction of the time that you would be without the help of professionals. Just because they’re fast doesn’t mean they don’t care either! The speed simply comes from lots of experience and expert efficiency.

4. Safety

The safety of your belongings shouldn’t be your only concern when it comes to moving on your own. Lifting heavy boxes, mattresses, and other items make it extremely easy for someone to get injured. Professional movers are taught what the safest way to lift and move is to help avoid injury on the job. After all, why risk injuring yourself when you don’t have to?

5. Less Hassle

Movers take the nonsense out of moving day. All you have to do is have your items packed and ready to go when they arrive and they’ll take care of the rest. Moving on your own will create a more stressful environment that leaves you too exhausted to even enjoy the new home! Larger or more fragile items can even be packed and padded by the movers rather than staying on your constantly growing to-do list.

No matter what your reasons are for wanting to hire a professional mover, there’s no doubt that it will be beneficial when moving day arrives! If you are ready to move, be sure to contact MacDonald Moving Services to assist you.

Should I Purchase Moving Insurance?

March 13, 2019

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.

Winter Moving Tips Part 2

February 28, 2019

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

How Far in Advance Do I Hire a Mover?

February 22, 2019

Planning the logistics of a move is something that many people are unsure of. Once you know that your moving, planning should be in full swing. Part of that preparation involving hiring a moving company to help you get from point A to Point B. But when is the right time to hire them? The answer to that question depends on how far you’re moving.

Local Moves

Local moves should be booked a month to two months in advance. Moves in the summer require notice closer to two months because it’s the busiest moving season. Other seasons can be booked 2 to 4 weeks prior to your moving date. Be sure to book far enough from your moving date to get the moving company you want! Speak to friends and family in the area to find out their recommendations for local movers.

Long Distance Moves

Long distance moves refer to moves within the same state but in a different city or moves to a different state completely. Since the transport takes longer, you should try to book your movers 10 to 12 weeks prior to the moving date. During off seasons, 6 to 8 weeks may be sufficient. There are fewer moving companies that will be willing to help with a long distance move so be prepared to do some searching before you find the right fit!

International Moves

International moves are the most difficult type of move. If you’re moving to a bordering country, book your mover four months in advance. For overseas moves, however, you’ll need to book at least 6 months in advance. The further you’re moving the more notice the movers will need to prepare. Finding an international mover is likely to be a challenge, but online reviews and recommendations are very helpful during the process.

Rather you’re moving across the street or across the globe, you have to find a mover you can trust. Discuss things like insurance, experience, and company policies before choosing your mover. The types of items that you need to be moved can also limit your choices of movers. The more time you give yourself to find and book a mover the better! The last thing you need is more stress added by trying to find a mover at the last second. If you’d like to find out how your move could fit into our schedule, give us a call today!

Winter Moving Tips Part 1

January 15, 2019

Moving can be stressful, especially if you realize that you’ll need to move in the winter. Like with any type of plans, bad weather conditions can cause delays. Lucky for you, commercial moving companies aren’t as busy during the winter, so if you know of a company that is readily available make sure to give them a call. Use these tips below to ensure a successful winter move!

Confirm Your Moving Details

With moving companies normally having their slow season in the winter, you will have an easier time finding a company that is flexible enough to work with you on which day you would prefer for your moving day. Regardless, you’ll want to be sure to check in with your local moving company to confirm all of the details of your move and make sure everything goes smoothly and according to the schedule you both have agreed upon.

Check the Weather

New England is infamous for the unpredictable weather patterns we get during the winter months. For this reason, you will want to check the weather prior to your move day. This is critical for interstate moves, as you definitely don’t want to be moving valued items in a blizzard. Even for local moves, snowfall will not make for a great moving situation. Make sure to communicate with your moving company if you see inclement weather and get a game plan together! If anything, you can see if the moving company you hired offers storage services to hold items while you move in the snow.

Cover Your Floors

The winter is usually filled with snow, sleet, rain, and slush that can post a threat of ruining the hardwood floors or stain rugs and carpets of your new home. You can pick up some cheap rolls of plastic sheeting at your local hardware store and make sure that your floors are protected from the elements as you move boxes from the moving truck.

Turn the Heat Off

Your door is going to be open and closed all day throughout the move, so there is really no point in running the heat. Your furnace will be running all day and all that heat will just be escaping out the front door while you move. Save yourself some money by having the heat off during the move. For a solution to have some heat in your home during the move, try looking into mini space heaters to cover important rooms of the house.

Keep Pets Away For The Day

While we love our furry friends, having to worry if you will step on them while you are carrying around boxes is not an ideal moving experience. Do you really want to trip over the dog while you’re lugging that 800lb piano out the door? In addition to worrying about tripping on them, they could be a distraction if you have dogs and they are barking constantly due to the movers and excitement about being in a new home. Your best bet is to find a local kennel to store your beloved animal for the day.

Clear All Walking Paths

Throughout the moving day, you will be going back and forth from the moving truck carrying heavy items and boxes. With winter, there is a higher chance of ice being present on the ground which runs the risk of you or the movers slipping or falling on the ice with your items in hand. To avoid this, take the time and clear the sidewalks and driveway to ensure a safe trip from the truck to your new destination.

If you are interested in moving this winter, make sure that MacDonald Moving Services is your moving company of choice by contacting us today!

Costs and Fees Associated with Moving

January 9, 2019

Moving to a new space is an exciting step, but unfortunately, it’s a costly one too. Knowing the costs and fees associated with a move before you choose your new home is vital to staying within budget. Let’s take a closer look at the potential costs of finding and moving into a new space so that you can begin the journey!

Home Costs

Of course, your new home will come with costs. These costs will vary depending on if you plan to rent or buy. For renters, you should expect to pay first months rent and a security deposit up front on any property. Some properties may also require a utility deposit or community fees. Buying a home can come in a wide range of costs. Speak with your real estate agent to ensure you’re staying within budget even after closing costs, repairs, and other fees. Don’t forget you’ll have to pay the realtor at the end of the process too!

Moving Logistics

Moving logistics refers to the actual moving process. Getting you and your belongings into the new home isn’t a simple process but planning accordingly can at least help make it more affordable. You should price moving companies, moving trucks, moving insurance, and packing supplies far before your actual moving date. Further moves typically come with higher costs. When pricing a moving company be sure to remember you’re looking for the best total value, not just the lowest cost.

Time of Year

The time of year that you’re planning to move is one of the biggest factors in the overall cost. Summer is the peak moving season which means movers, trucks, and supplies are all in high demand. That high demand comes along with a much higher price tag than you’d find in the off-seasons of fall or winter. You can save some money by booking your movers as far in advance as possible for your summer move. The costs and fees associated with your move all go towards your total budget. It’s easy to get focused on the big figures, like first months rent and a deposit, but don’t forget to add up the smaller costs too! Each of those small price tags will put you over budget quicker than you realize if you aren’t careful. Always remember to prepare for a few unexpected fees and costs along the way too!

If you are interested in learning about our moving costs for either local, interstate, or international moves, contact us today!

3 Benefits to Moving in the Fall

October 3, 2018

Most families are in a rush to move well before summer ends. However, some people move to their new home in the fall. This happens for a number of reasons; either they waited to move until fall, or simply couldn’t cope with the competitive summer market.

When it comes to those who waited until the weather got cooler and the kids’ school year started, you’re probably wondering why they made such a decision in the first place. The truth lies in the benefits of moving during the fall; here are the perks of local moving till September.

You Can Leverage Buying Power

One of the biggest benefits of residential moving in the fall is that you can leverage buying power over sellers. The reason is that they expect to complete the sale by the time summer ends. It’s true that options will be limited because most people chose summer for house hunting, but this small market will prove to be much less competitive.

For starters, there’s no pressure about losing a home to another buyer so you won’t impulsively make offers to sellers before you’ve thoroughly considered buying the home. In addition, there are also fewer chances that you’ll be caught in a war, bidding against other buyers.

In addition, sellers will be more accommodating and flexible compared to how rigid they are in the summer. Here, the ball is in your court and you can negotiate with the seller on the price, allowing you a price much lower than what you’d find in the summer.

Residential Moving Will Be Less Tiring

The stifling heat in July can make long distance moving very tiring. On the other hand, residential moving in the fall will be much easier since there’s already a cold breeze that can keep you energized throughout the day and you won’t be completely exhausted during the afternoon.

Pleasant weather conditions mean that your kids will be in a much better mood while moving too so you don’t have to waste time tending to fussy kids. If you’re hiring a moving service, you’ll benefit from efficient workers who are quick on their feet because of the cool weather. Also, let’s not forget that you’re benefitting from avoiding the heat because it reduces risks of heatstroke and migraines.

Residential Moving in the Fall is Much Cheaper

Since everyone’s in a hurry to move in the summer, many services such as pickup and moving, get much more expensive to reflect the rise in demand. In the fall, prices drop back to normal, maybe even lower and you can take advantage of this.

Aside from being able to hire a moving service at an affordable rate, you can also control things like timings and days to pick what’s more convenient for you. After all, the company will adjust their schedule to accommodate you.

These benefits make it a much better option for you to wait until fall to move to your new home. Not only will you meet pleasant weather but also you’ll get moving services at affordable prices and can get better prices on the housing market. If you are interested in moving this fall with a quality and trusted moving company, contact MacDonald Moving Services today!

6 Tips for Moving in the Fall

September 20, 2018

Whether you’re interstate moving to your new home in the summer or in the fall, it’s always a hassle. Nonetheless, seasonal requirements make it important that you take precautionary measures while local moving in the fall. Here are six tips for moving in the fall.

Cut Down On Items

For starters, you should consider lessening the packing load by throwing away or donating things you don’t need. You can sort through all your things to see what you’ll eventually throw out next season, and donate them. Moving out is also a great opportunity to donate any warm clothes that your family may have grown out of before the season arrives.

Pack for Fall

Since you’re already moving for fall, it’s a great chance to look through the garage for items you’ll need in colder temperatures. You can pack away all the summer items that you won’t need until next year and keep all the outdoor furniture in storage to avoid bringing it home right away. You can pack specific crockery, clothes that you need in the fall, and keep them organized so they’re right where you need them; not buried under mountains of other stuff. When packing you will also want to keep in mind to have certain boxes for different rooms to help with organization. Here are some videos to help with packing!

Prep Your Home Before You Arrive

You’ll need to make sure that your home is in perfect and inhabitable condition before you’re at the doorstep with all your furniture. Aside from making necessary repairs months ahead, you should do a check one week prior to moving, to see whether there’s electricity, water, and heating; you don’t want to arrive at a home that’s cold and dark.

Cover All The Boxes

Fall means rain and if any of your furniture or boxes get wet, there’s a risk of damage and mold, not the best way to start your time at your new house. Luckily, you can avoid these problems by using plastics to cover cardboard boxes. For bigger things like furniture, you can use umbrellas or hold up larger sheets of plastic over them to keep them from getting wet.

Run Leftover Errands

When moving to a new home, you have an excuse to run any leftover errands that you’ve been putting off since months. This applies especially when you’re moving in the fall since the colder and wetter weather is approaching and it’ll put you in lazy mode. Hence, you can choose to get your car serviced and buy some necessary items that aren’t available near your new home, before moving.

Keep It Clean

We know that you’re excited to be residential moving to your new home, but let’s not forget that you haven’t necessarily moved out either i.e. you still have to collect that security deposit. Therefore, you want to avoid any unnecessary stains, damage, and dents. The wet fall weather means that mud, leaves, and dirt come inside very easily. You can avoid this by laying down plastic at the entrance when you’re moving out, as well as when you arrive at your new home. In addition, make sure to keep your cleaning supplies at hand in case you need to clean up quickly.

You can implement these tips while long distance moving to your new home in the fall. Try these out the next time you move so that you move comfortably and without much trouble. If you are interested in any of our moving or storage services, contact us today!

5 Things To Know About Moving In The Summer

July 27, 2018

It is common knowledge that the summer season is the most popular time to move, as well as being the busiest season of the year for professional moving companies. Whether the move is local or people are moving out of state, more people use the extra time in the summer to complete this big task. Most would advise you to stay away from summer moving as it could be hard to find a moving company as well as the humid climate. However, dealing with sunlight is a lot better than dealing with icy/snowy conditions and cold weather. With this in mind, we have come up with seven tips to know and use when moving in the summer.

Plan As Far Ahead As You Can

In general, no matter when you are moving you will want to plan for the said move as far in advance as possible. That way you are not slowed down by any surprises and know exactly how everything will be executed. This goes especially so for the summer as it is the busy season for moving. If you are planning to move in July you will want to start researching companies and begin planning probably sometime around May. A good rule of thumb is to book movers if you are using them, at least six weeks prior to the move.

Plan To Move On the Least Busy Day of The Week

Since summer is the busiest season for moving you will want to plan the actual day of the move on the least-busiest day of the week. That way you are not dealing with heavy amounts of traffic and your move can be done as smooth as possible. Try to aim for a weekday in the middle of the month, as most people are on vacation during the middle of the summer months. In addition to this, you will want to plan your move with extra time in mind. Unexpected occurrences happen all the time and it is best to leave extra time for it just in case. Some instances include truck breakdowns, unexpected traffic, and possible personal issues arising to delay the move.

Know What Not To Put In The Moving Truck

While throwing all your belongings in boxes and then into a moving truck for your move is an easy and preferred method. You will want to make sure you know which items are heat sensitive which could get damaged in the heat of the moving truck. You will want to separate these items from your other belongings and put them in a box properly labeled letting the movers know you will be taking this box as it needs to be in an air-conditioned vehicle. Some items that fall under this category include CDs, videos, cassette tapes, candles, and leather upholstered furniture that is wrapped in plastic wrap. If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot carry these items, you may want to see if the moving company you hired has any storage services to protect these items while you move.

Air Conditioning

Your biggest threat during a summer move is the heat and humidity. The doors will be open when you are loading your belongings from your old home into the moving truck. As well as when you are unloading the truck into your new destination. To ensure everyone is comfortable try to put on some fans and if the utilities are on, set up the air conditioner so that there is no discomfort during the move.

Plan For Kids

If you have a family then you will want to make sure that they are taken care of during the move so that they do not get in the way. If you have little ones that cannot help with the move, make sure they are set up with a safe and climate controlled room for them to stay, play, and nap while you are doing the move. If they can assist you, make sure they feel apart of the move by assigning them special projects that are not too hard for them and that makes them feel like they are contributing. Having them pack and clear out their rooms and play areas is a great start as they will know how they want their toys and belongings handled.