Five Rules for Hiring Movers in Boston
In our many years as some of the best Boston Movers, we’ve seen it all. The good, bad, ugly, and everything in between. With uniquely narrow streets and a lease schedule that often doesn’t offer much flexibility, Boston can be a difficult town in which to move. However, if you follow these simple rules, whichever Boston Movers you choose, your move should be as easy as possible.
1. Parking is Important!
Boston Movers working in the tight confines of the Hub’s narrow streets will need a safe and legal space to park. Luckily, the city of Boston makes this process fairly easy (you can read our guide to Boston moving permits here). Although if you’re moving in the North End, it can be a little trickier.
Luckily, most Boston moving companies and movers and packers in Boston offer to acquire permits for a small fee. This way you don’t have to worry about posting them in time for them to be valid — the movers will do it for you.
Permits are always helpful in neighborhoods like the North End, Beacon Hill, or Jamaica Plain. That’s where narrow streets can make it very difficult for a big truck to stay in one spot for the entire move. Paying for parking permits is always a good idea. And they often make your move much cheaper in the long run (since it will go so much faster!)
Moving in the wintertime can be especially difficult in Boston. (Photo by John B. Heywood [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)
2. Book your Move During an Off-Peak Time!
Try to book your move on a weekday, as most MA moving companies will have more flexibility then, as compared to the weekends. Not only will movers be more likely to have weekdays open for booking, they will also be able to offer a better rate for your move.
Also do your best to avoid the very beginning of the month, the very end of the month, holidays, major local events, and other peak times. You can read more about the best times to book your move here.
3. Beware of large furniture that won’t fit up your stairs
We see this all the time in older Boston neighborhoods like the North End and Beacon Hill, but it’s also common on the North Shore and South Shore in older beach towns like Marblehead or Falmouth. Old houses will narrow doorways and small windows were not built for modern, larger furniture.
When moving in Boston, it’s important to be sure your furniture will fit into your new place. (Photo by Justin Cormack [CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
One surefire way to avoid this kind of complication is to get yourself a split box spring, as many older homes can’t accommodate a full or queen box spring. Make sure to tell your movers about any potential problem items before they arrive on moving day.
4. Pack Your Stuff!
Unless you hire movers who have explicitly told you that their services include packing, do not assume boxes and packing paper will be arriving when the truck shows up. Packing your belongings is your responsibility, and if you forego this task, or wait until the last minute, you can cost yourself a fortune on moving day.
Think about it — one (or even two) boxes of books or dishes is easy enough for a mover to carry from your house to the truck. But if each book is carried individually, that means more trips, and a much higher risk of something being damaged. It seems obvious, but not everyone realizes this.
The more organized you are, the better your move will go. Another way to prepare for a smooth move is to dismantle beds and other furniture prior to the movers’ arrival. However, any reputable mover will disassemble and re-assemble your beds for you during the move. It’s just a way to save some time and money on moving day.
5. Purge!
If you’re moving to a smaller place, donating some furniture can be a great way to get rid of clutter. The great thing about donating your furniture before a move? Some people will come pick up your stuff free! You can’t find any movers cheaper than that. And, at the same time, you’ll be helping out someone in need. You can read a list of great places to donate your extra stuff here.
Ready to book the best Boston Movers out there? Get a quote today!
