Common Moving Mistakes to Avoid

May 21st, 2020

Some people move a lot, but if you’re a first-timer, you may need some tips and tricks. RARE Moving wants to make your move go as smoothly as it can.

You DIY your move when you need more help

Using professional movers isn’t cheap, but it’s always worth it to have that help. Doing a move on your own, even if you have friends or family help, will be more time and labor-intensive than hiring people who are professionals. If you have items of significant value, it’s also going to be way riskier. While there are plenty of situations where moving is just fine, it’s a mistake to immediately quash the idea of using a moving company just because you want to save some money or because you think it will easy. Think about and be honest with yourself about what your move will involve and how much willpower you have to do it. A DIY move may be a perfectly acceptable option if you don’t have a ton of items that need to come with you. But if you’ve got a truck’s worth of heavy belongings, do yourself—and your friends—a favor and opt for the pros.

You give yourself too much time

On the flip side of starting too late is the equally damaging mistake of starting too early. Not only does giving yourself too much time unnecessarily prolong the moving process, but it also makes it pretty likely that you’ll pack something you end up needing and then end up having to go through already packed boxes to find it. Plus, who wants to live around moving boxes longer than they have to? Follow the same timeline as described in the previous tip. While it may be tempting to start packing as early as possible, resist the urge and only get going once your move is more imminent.

You don’t get rid of unnecessary items

One of the biggest moving tips is that there’s no better time than during a move to boil down your personal belongings. The less you have to go, the better, plus there’s no use wasting time packing and unpacking the things that you’ll have to get rid of later on. Too often, we get caught up in wanting to make it quick and throw everything into a box instead of doing some organization and getting rid of things. In addition to being a waste of time, bringing along unnecessary items can make your move cost more in labor and fuel. You’ll be better of buying new items for your new space. Leave the old stuff behind!

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RARE Moving & Storage is Boston’s premier moving company. Give us a call or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us!

Moving from an Apartment to a House

April 17th, 2020

Congrats! Moving from an apartment to your own home is an exciting experience for everyone involved. Having space to yourself, and usually MORE space, is a big step in anyone’s life. What you have in your apartment may not be needed in your new home, so before moving, you should be aware of what you are packing and what you may need once you’re settled in. Moving from apartment to apartment is different than from an apartment to a home.

Thoroughly Go Through Each Room

Before you begin to pack up any of your belongings, take a walk through your apartment to see what furniture and pieces you have. Chances are, you’re going to have more than one living area space to furnish once you’re moved in. Plan where you’ll put furniture, wall hangings, and other decorative pieces in the new house. If you want to start completely fresh, that’s fine. Many people sell or donate their furniture that they know won’t be used once moved. 

Sort Through Shared Items

If you have been living in the apartment with a roommate or two, be sure to check with them on items you plan on taking or getting rid of. A lot of the time, homeware items such as coffee makers, utensils, and glassware are bought and split between roommates. Other belongings can get mixed up in each other’s stuff. Make sure you are taking what is yours, so no one comes looking for their special flower vase that they can’t live without!

Pack According to Rooms

When packing up your belongings, sort them into boxes based on where they will go in the new house. Take a house tour in your head and try to picture where you want certain furniture and home accessories. Items you had in a specific room in the apartment space may be going to a completely different type of room in your home. This is also a good time to get rid of smaller items you know you won’t need or use once you move. If you have roommates currently, try to offer them kitchenware and other universally used items if they aren’t needed for you.

Let Your Moving Services Know

Giving your moving team the address to your new place and letting them know it’s a house rather than another apartment is a nice heads up. This way, they’ll know the right way to move your belongings and prepare them for any materials they may need in the process and take different precautions. Some movers may already be aware based on the address, but it can’t hurt to let them know.

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From apartments to houses, RARE Moving & Storage can provide moving services to make your move go as smooth as possible! Give us a call or fill out our contact form to get an estimate or to learn more about what we offer. 

Tips for Moving Safely During COVID-19

April 16th, 2020

For some people, moving is inevitable. Whether your lease is up, your home finally got off the market, or you’re a student who now has to move home, many are in the process of packing up and getting ready to go. During this time where you’re going in and out of your own space to move your belongings elsewhere, it is super important to take necessary precautions to keep you and everyone else safe.

Don’t Use Old Packing Supplies

Many people who move always look to friends and family who may have old boxes, or go around and ask grocery stores for ones they don’t need. During COVID-19, this isn’t a smart move. The virus can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours. For this reason, you are better off buying brand new boxes. It may seem like a hassle and annoying to be spending the extra money, but it will keep you safer in the end.

Double-Check Everything

In most areas, moving is considered an “essential” service, such as RARE. If you had contacted a moving company long before many businesses had to shut down, it does not hurt to call and ask if everything is still squared away for your moving day. Ask if they are still in operation, taking specific precautions, and ask them if you need to do anything specific to help this process go smoothly. Even if you assume they are open and still planning on moving you, call just to make sure. You don’t want to get to your moving day and be stuck with no one to help.

Sanitizing Materials

When moving day comes, be sure to provide sanitizing materials to everyone involved in assisting you with moving. Having hand sanitizer or a sink with soap and water is ideal. Also, be sure to wear a face-covering such as a mask. Chances are, the moving team will have their own masks. Help make everyone involved feel safer!

Delay Your Move if You’re Sick

If moving day comes and you are not feeling your best, postpone your move until you are better. You don’t want to risk getting the movers or anyone else involved in your move sick. Make sure when the time does come to move, you sanitize and clean the surfaces of your space before you leave. Whoever is moving in after you should not have to deal with catching your germs.

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RARE Moving & Storage has been deemed an essential service during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Learn more about our COVID-19 Readiness Program or contact us to schedule a move.