Things Movers Won’t Move Part 2

July 9, 2019

In our last blog, we talked about a few items that movers tend not to take during a move whether a local or long distance move. We are back with the second part to our series with five additional common items that movers typically tend to not take.

5 Items Moving Companies Won’t Take

Flammable Items

With the rising temperatures the inside of moving trucks tend to have, it is safer for moving companies to not take any flammable items. This will prevent any catastrophic accidents from happening that could harm your other belongings during transit. Your best bet is to either use or dispose of any kerosene, charcoal, lighter fluid, paint removers and any other flammable items before the day of your move.

Corrosives

Just like with flammable items, moving companies tend to not move corrosive items as well for the same safety reasons. They want to ensure nothing happens to your belongings during transit so limiting potentially harmful items in the truck as possible is the way to go. Any items such as muriatic acid, nitric acid, and batteries with acid in them are items movers won’t move. If you do have batteries to move just make sure they are the non-spillable gel type batteries.

Valuables

When it comes to items movers will take, valuables are an item that definitely can be boxed up and put on the truck but probably shouldn’t. Whether it is cash, important documents, jewelry, certificates, etc they shouldn’t be transported in the moving van. Consider taking these items with you in your own personal vehicle to prevent them from being lost during the move, as it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Power Equipment

If you have items that require fuel to be used in order to operate, you will want to make sure the tank is empty before the movers arrive. Items such as motorcycles, lawn mowers, weed eaters, etc should all have an empty tank to prevent anything bad from happening during the transport of these items in the move.

Special Items

There are some special items that some moving companies may not take based on the services they provide, if they need a certificate to move certain items, etc. These items include grand pianos, pool tables, and hot tables.

Things Movers Won’t Move Part 1

June 24, 2019

While hiring a moving company to handle your local or long distance move is your best bet for a successful and stress-free move, you need to be aware of what they will or will not take. The ideal situation is that they will pack up everything you own and have it shipped to your new location but the reality is that there are certain items a company will not take. By finding out what movers won’t take, you can prepare these items by disposing of them if they need to be or have them boxed up properly on your own for you to move during the actual move.

5 Items Movers Won’t Move

Plants

If you are moving interstate or internationally, the moving company will probably not take your plants in the moving truck. This is because it is illegal to transport plants more than 150 miles without a special license. The reasoning behind this is because pests such as the emerald ash borer can be on your plants and during a move can get into other items of your home. Once you get to your new location these pests can infiltrate your new home as they will now be on the plant and the boxes it was next to.

Hazardous Materials

With most moving companies, the transport of hazardous materials is something they will not move during a move for safety reasons. When booking your moving company be sure to discuss with them what they deem is hazardous so you know what not to put with the items that will be packed up for the move. Some items that are deemed hazardous include:

Paint
Aerosol Cans
Paint Thinner
Batteries
Fire Extinguishers

If you can’t dispose of it in a regular trash can then consider that item as hazardous as moving companies will probably not move them. If you do have hazardous materials with you then be sure to use them up or find ways of disposing of them properly before your move.

Perishable Food

This one is more of a given as its common sense that movers and even yourself wouldn’t move anything that will spoil. No matter the expiration, the temperatures during the actual transport could effect perishable food items to spoil sooner than later. It is best to consume these food items or dispose of them before you move so there is one less thing to worry about for your move.

Explosives

If you have any ammunition, black powder, primers, propellants, or anything that could explode then you can bet a mover won’t be able to move them. With temperature changes in the moving truck let alone these items just being dangerous in general, don’t expect a moving company to take them in the moving truck the day of your move.

Pets

When it comes to pets, the best thing to do is to have your pet’s belongings in a box to go in the moving truck. Then you will want to take your pet and overnight bag for your pet, so they are comfortable in the new house, and take them both with you in your own personal vehicle.

If you need assistance moving then be sure to contact MacDonald Moving Services for more information!

4 Tips To Move Your Wine Collection

June 18, 2019

When it comes to moving, you want to make sure all of your belongings reach your new home without damage. This is especially so with fragile and high-value items that you want to be transported. The best way to do this is by hiring a moving company to assist you with your move as they know the best methods on how to move items. If you love wine and have a personal collection then this is a scenario when you would need to hire a specialist to help move these special pieces. A wine collection needs special handling and if you would like to have your collection follow you to your new home in one piece then try these tips to help you out. Whether you are moving locally or to a different state, let

4 Steps To Moving Your Wine Collection

Size It Up

The first step is to get a decent estimate of the size of your wine collection so you can see if you will need to either transport it through the air or on the ground. No matter which method you end up choosing, you will need to factor in the number of cases that will be shipped along with the distance they will be traveling. You will want to do this as air-shipping is usually less expensive compared to the ground moving with wine collections.

Choose a Method

Whether you either choose ground or air transport, you will want to go with a moving company that specializes in wine transportation. This is because there is a number of different factors during a move that could affect the wine. Temperature changes can spoil wine and vibrations can stir sediments on red wine that could alter the taste of the wine. The heat will essentially “cook” the wine while cooler temperatures could force the cork to pop out if the bottle freezes. This is why going with a specialist will ensure that your wine will be properly transported and kept safe until it reaches your new home.

Take Pictures

Before you start the process of moving your wine, including packing, be sure to take pictures. Take pictures of every bottle and label and be sure to document everything that you have. This way, in the event something gets damage you can know exactly what it was so you can look for a replacement.

Hire A Specialist

As mentioned earlier, your best bet is to hire a company that specializes in wine moving. This is because they have the knowledge and experience of how to properly handle these types of items for moves. When you are looking for a wine mover, be sure to look for the following:

Knowledgeable Staff – As with any specialist service, you want to make sure those that will be handling your fragile items have the proper knowledge on how to care for them.
Proper Packing – The specialists you intend to hire should know how to properly package each bottle of wine for safe traveling. They will carefully take your wine from your racks to insulated and protective boxes that come with custom-shaped interiors to hold the necks securely. If you choose ground transport, your movers will then properly wrap up the boxes to prevent any damages during the drive.
Climate-Controlled Transport – As mentioned above with how temperature changes can affect wine, you will want to make sure your mover of choice has climate-controlled or refrigerated trucks to transport your wine.

If you are looking for a moving company to move your wine or other types of move be sure to contact MacDonald Moving Services today!

How to Prepare for Your Summer Move

June 10, 2019

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.

How To Properly Wrap Furniture For A Move

May 30, 2019

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!

Tips for Successfully Moving with Pets

May 3, 2019

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.

Tips to Avoid Wasting Food When You Move

April 23, 2019

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.

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.