Moving Into Your First Apartment After College

February 26, 2018

From College to the Real World

Moving on from college life to your first job and apartment is a big transition loaded with tough decisions to make. Use our tips to help make this transition smoother and guide you along the way!

Decide What You’re Taking With You

Between your belongings in your dorm room and childhood bedroom, decide what you’ll be taking with you and what will stay behind. Be sure you have a list or mental note of which items are coming with you so you can be aware of space and which items you’ll need to purchase.

Looking for an Apartment

If you haven’t already found an apartment, it is best to start looking three months before you plan on moving in. Maintain an understanding of your priorities for your new apartment whether they are location, laundry options, size, or another feature. If you’ll be living with roommates, be sure to communicate these preferences so everyone is on the same page.

Shopping for Your First Apartment

Shopping for your first apartment can be overwhelming, especially if you need a lot of items but the key to doing this effectively is to be prepared and plan ahead. Hold off on shopping until you know where you’ll be living so you can properly plan with the space you have. Always purchase your most important furniture items first, such as a mattress and bed frame, so you are able to plan the rest of your bedroom around these items.

Hire the Right Moving Company

Choosing the right moving company can ease a lot of the difficulty of the moving process. Do your research, looking into the various options in your area and reading their online reviews. You can also contact each prospective moving company you’re considering and request a free estimate on your job. MacDonald Moving in Bridgewater MA offers a range of services including helping you move into your first apartment. With decades of experience, we’ve helped countless recent college graduates move into the next chapter of their lives but don’t just take our word for it, check out our testimonial section to see what we’re talking about!

A Guide to Moving Across the Country

February 15, 2018

Moving to a New State?

If you have a big cross-country move coming up, it is imperative to prepare to the best of your ability so the move will go smoothly, leaving you with the fewest amount of tasks to complete in the final hours as possible. Follow along for some tips on how to minimize the stress of a cross-country move and get ahead of the stress!

Make a List

When you decide you are moving, immediately begin making a list of the things you’ll need to do, buy, and plan for throughout your moving process. You can go through it down the line and organize it into more specific, action-based lists but by starting a list early on, you will be more organized and prepared for what awaits.

Do Your Research

Not only will you want to research moving companies to find the best fit for you, you will also want to be sure to do plenty of research on your new city or town. If you have children, be sure to include them in this research and get them excited about the upcoming move! Learn more about your new home, the school systems, and attractions you’ll be close to.

Find the Right Moving Company

By choosing the right moving company to meet your needs, you will eliminate the stress that comes with the physical action of moving your belongings and thereby reduce the overall pressure of the move. Thinking of any needs you may have during your move (long distance, valuable items, etc.) will make it easier to pick a moving company that specializes in the services you need. If you are moving across the country, you should choose a moving company that has the experience and skills needed to conduct successful cross-country moves.

Moving with MacDonald Services

At MacDonald Moving Services, we cover a range of moving and storage needs including local moves, interstate moves, global relocation, commercial storage, and much more. Our employees have experience in all kinds of moving jobs and are well prepared to handle your cross-country move! Contact us today and we’ll get back to you with an estimate on moving you to your new home!

How to Safely Move Items to a Trade Show or Exhibit

January 30, 2018

Traveling to a Trade Show

If you are traveling to a trade show and need to get your valuables there in pristine shape, be sure you take the necessary steps to do so. Use our blog for tips on how to safely transport your materials so they are ready for display.

Planning Your Trade Show Trip

A crucial aspect of attending and selling anything at a trade show is to prepare well. Being organized in your preparation will make the entire process much easier. If you are new to trade shows, you will surely learn a lot right off the bat. Frequent exhibitors typically have one or more moving company who they rely on to get their items where they need to be, alleviating a great deal of the work. As soon as you commit to attending and selling at a trade show, you should begin tackling the logistics it will require for both and your belongings to get there on time.

Do Your Research

In order to find the best fit for you, do some research about companies who provide a moving service that will work for you. Try to find prices for this service as well so you can consider this factor when comparing companies later on. For the moving companies that stand out to you, request a price estimate to get an even better idea of what you can expect to pay for shipping your goods. Be sure you are looking for experienced, reliable movers who will not only get the job done but who you trust to get your items there just as they were when you left them. When you have a few viable options, weigh the pros and cons of each to come to a decision.

Trade Show & Exhibit Moving in Massachusetts

MacDonald Moving Services has been helping exhibitioners move their materials to and from trade shows for decades. Our professionals are trained to handle such moves with precision, ensuring your items are kept in mint condition throughout the moving process. Contact us today for a free estimate to move your items whether it’s just down the road or across the globe!

How To Safely Move Valuable Items to A New Place

January 18, 2018

Moving Sensible Items

If you have a large item you need to be moved, you’ve come to the right place. With decades of experience moving sensitive items of all sizes, MacDonald Moving Services has the skill and insight to help you get your item safely to its next home. Continue reading for all the industry secrets and keep our tips in mind when you need to move an item of value in your possession.

Consider the Size of Your Object

If your object is above average in size, it is crucial to know exactly how big your item is. Whether you’ll be transporting the item yourself or will be contracting a company for assistance, knowing the precise measurements will be necessary. Take the measurements of the item in question and also measure the vehicle that you will be transporting the item in to be sure it will fit.

How Valuable Is Your Item?

Knowing the value of the item in question should be a priority. If your item is worth more than one thousand dollars, you should certainly invest in professional help to move it to ensure it is done correctly and safely. The risk of damage to your item is always possible so be sure you know the value of the item in the case anything happens to it so you can get reimbursed.

How Far Is Your Item Going?

If your item is being delivered to a new home and you will no longer be in possession of it, you should certainly invest in a company to safely transport it for you. If you’re shipping your item a considerable distance, there’s no need for you to transport the item yourself. Take the distance into account along with the previously mentioned factors to decide what plan makes the most sense for you.

Choose a Trusted Moving Professional to Handle the Job

By trusting a moving company who is experienced in handling valuable items, you can rest assured knowing your item is in good hands. At MacDonald Moving Services, we’ve been handling high-value item transportation for decades, helping our customers to get their sensitive items where they need to go. Contact us today for a free estimate on moving your item!

What You Need to Know About Commercial/Industrial Storage

December 30, 2017

Storing items you don’t currently need for your business or industrial property is the best way to keep your belongings in tip-top shape while maximizing your business space. Use our guide for advice on how to best store the items that aren’t in use this season!

Evaluate Your Inventory

Go through your belongings and figure out what you need to put into storage that is no longer useful this season. You will want to get the most accurate idea of how much space you’ll need in order to get pricing estimates later down the road.

Figure Out Your Budget

Before you begin to look for prospective storage facilities, figure out how much you are willing or able to spend on this expense. This step will make it easier to choose a storage facility in the next step of your search.

Find the Right Storage Facility

Do your research into storage facilities relatively close to your office or industrial building to make the transportation as easy as possible. Once you find a few names of companies that may be a good fit, find out more about each company to be sure they are a good match. Look into what types of items their facility is built to hold to ensure they can handle your items with care and experience.

Choose A Temperature-Controlled Location

Even if the items you need to store are not particularly sensitive, it is best to choose a temperature-controlled environment to ensure your items will be returned just as they were when you last saw them.

Commercial & Industrial Storage in Bridgewater MA

MacDonald Moving Services has decades of experiences storing commercial and industrial goods for companies around New England. Our Bridgewater MA facility is secure and climate-controlled so you can rest assured knowing your items will be safe under our watch. Contact us today for an estimate on storing your items!

How to Best Prepare for An Employee Relocation

December 19, 2017

It is becoming increasingly more popular for companies to relocate employees to a different office in another state or country. Even though it can be a daunting task to relocate, if your company offers you an opportunity it is likely quite a compliment, as they are looking to bring your skills to a new office in need of your work. Use our blog post to get a better idea of how to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Make a Checklist

Moving both your life and your job can be an overwhelming process for both you and your company. As soon as you begin even thinking about this possibility, start making lists of all the tasks you need to accomplish throughout the process. This will help you stay organized through the various stages of the move.

Negotiating a Relocation Package

Because employee relocations are a drastic change for anyone, they typically are accompanied with enticing packages to encourage the employee to make the move. If your company is not offering you additional benefits or a raise, you are likely not getting the deal you should be offered. Decide what it would take to get you to accept the job and present these findings to your superiors in order to get the most out of this difficult situation.

Get a Jump on Housing Options

As soon as you begin to consider relocating for a new position, start looking at properties that you may be interested in purchasing or renting. The housing market is often somewhat unpredictable and uncontrollable so in order to have a few good options, start looking as soon as you can.

Find the Right Moving Company

The last thing you should have to worry about is the process of physically moving your belongings. Find a trusted moving company to take this work off your hands and make the process as easy as possible. MacDonald Moving Services has decades of experience handling state-to-state and international employee relocation jobs so we know how to get the job done and how to do it right. Contact us today for a free estimate on your employee relocation!

Have An Upcoming Move? Use Our Guide for How to Pack Clothes

November 16, 2017

Many people think of clothes as one of the easiest items to pack, particularly compared to more delicate items such as glass and plants. Packing your clothing can be an easy task but to do it effectively and to use a minimal amount of space is a bit trickier. Use our guide to learn just how you can get all your clothing in a small space.

Casual Clothing

Clothing such as t-shirts and jeans that can be packed without worry of wrinkling should be set aside into one pile. First, prepare the boxes you’ll be using by lining them with packing paper. Roll your clothing to decrease its surface area and maximize the room you have in each box. For the unavoidable gaps left between some clothing items, stuff crumpled paper between to keep each box balanced. After you fill one box, seal it with packing tape and be sure to label it accordingly. For an even more prepared packing job, divide your clothes into piles sorted by the seasons in which you wear them. This will make unpacking quick and easy as well as allow you to find the items you need with ease.

Hanging Clothing

For the items you need to remain on hangers, we recommend using wardrobe cartons to safely and easily transport your clothing items without wrinkling anything. Hang your items on the bar once they have been packed in the wardrobe cartons. It is essential to not overpack these cartons or you may end up damaging and wrinkling your clothes. After each box is packed, seal and label the boxes accordingly to make for a faster move-in process.

Miscellaneous Clothing Items

There are plenty of clothing items that don’t easily fit into one of the previous categories that you will still need to pack. Depending on how many hats you own, dedicate an appropriately-sized box for your collection. Use the same process as packing casual clothing. As for packing shoes, some people choose to use their original boxes to transport them to the new home but this doesn’t work for many people. Consider wrapping each shoe individually first, then in pairs to make sure they are both supported and kept together. Be sure to avoid packing heavy items on top of your shoes to avoid damages.

If you need help moving whether it is locally, nationally, or globally, contact MacDonald Moving Services today for a free quote!

How to Make Your Children Excited About Moving

October 27, 2017

Moving can be a difficult event for many children and as a parent, it can leave you feeling helpless. Use some of our tips to make your children more comfortable during your upcoming move and help them get excited about some of the upcoming changes.

Introduce Them to Their New Town

Use whatever resources you have to learn more about your new home. Do some research on your town and the surrounding area and find some fun things your children will enjoy in their new hometown. If possible, take a drive and visit some of the places your child will be interested in. Share these places, facts, and other features with your children to reassure them that their new home will bring some exciting adventures!

Plan Out Their New Room

One of the fun things about moving is the excitement of getting a new bedroom. Get them excited for the big move by planning out their new bedroom from choosing the room itself to decorations, themes, new bedding, or other features they’ll enjoy.

Have a Going Away Party

Invite the neighborhood, your friends and family to come say goodbye to your home. Even if you are moving locally, throwing a party to celebrate with cake, food, and friends will get your children more excited about the new house.

Learn More About Their New School

Moving to a new school can be one of the most difficult things for children to adjust to. Try to change their anxious feelings into excitement by learning more about the school and sharing information they will enjoy. Find sports teams, clubs, or other programs that will spark the interest of your children that they may not have at their current school.

Having a smooth moving process will make moving easier for everyone in your family. MacDonald Moving Services located in Bridgewater, MA will alleviate most of your moving concerns so you can focus on the emotional aspects of your move. Contact us today for a free estimate on your local or international move!

How to Make Your Pets Comfortable During a Move

October 16, 2017

Moving to a new home and area has difficulties for each member of your family, including your beloved pets. Use our guide to keep them safe, make the move easier on each of your pets and help them make the transition to a new home!

Identification Tags

Make sure your pets are equipped with identification tags so you are prepared in the small chance they were to wander off. Though you may not have time to get new ID tags with your updated address before the move, make sure your cell phone number is listed on their tags just in case.

Comfortable Pet Carriers

If you have a smaller pet that will need to be transported in a pet carrier, do your best to make their carrier as comfortable as possible. Place a couple of toys, a blanket, or other items they like in the carrier with them to make them feel more at home. If possible, place the carrier next to someone in the car so your pet feels more at ease.

Make Pet-Stops

If you are driving for more than an hour, you will likely make pit stops along the way for yourself but it is important to consider your pet’s needs as well as your own. Take your pet out for bathroom breaks and allow them to walk around or be carried, showing them some affection when possible along the way.

Moving to a new home will be taxing on everyone in your family and if you have children, it can be easy to focus on their safety and helping them adjust and overlooking your pets but it is important to not forget your pets are likely feeling similarly nervous and uneasy about this move. Need help moving your pets and furniture? MacDonald Moving Services, Inc. based in Bridgewater, MA provides professional, comprehensive moving services to families across the country. Contact us today for a free quote on moving your family!

Preparing for An International Move

September 27, 2017

Preparing to move to a different country can be a daunting task regardless of where you are moving. As with any move, there are several factors to consider but global moves need even more attention to detail. There are countless things to be excited about when moving to a new country so it is easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of it all and forget logistics. Use our guide to assist you during the international moving process and stay organized!

Do Your Research– For most Americans, moving to a new country will mean being exposed to a new, foreign culture that they aren’t familiar with. Prior to your move, do your research about the people and culture you will soon be surrounded by to get a better feel for your new home to adjust to your new environment and adhere to cultural norms.
Begin the Visa Process Early– Moving to a new country typically requires you to file paperwork to tell both countries you will be moving. If you are moving for a job, often times your employer will guide you through this process but either way, be sure to look into the process and make sure this is taken care of far in advance.
Health Insurance– Most basic health insurance plans do not cover you if you are abroad so be sure to contact your insurer to inform them of your upcoming travel and ask what your options for coverage are.
Call Your Banks– If you do not inform your banks that you are moving to another country, they will likely put a hold on your account thinking your airport snack or first dinner in your new home is a fraudulent charge. Getting stuck with frozen bank accounts will add unnecessary stress to your move so be sure to take a few minutes to call your bank before traveling.
Choose the Right Moving Company– If you’re making a big move, you will surely need help getting your belongings to your new home. By choosing a company experienced in international moves, you will alleviate much of the stress of moving to a new place. Choose a moving company who will handle your belongings with door-to-door service so you can focus on the mental aspects of the move while leaving the physical to trusted professionals.

MacDonald Moving Services, Inc. based in Bridgewater, MA has handled hundreds of international moves since our founding. Contact us today for a free estimate on your international move!