Resources to help keep your world moving

For many people, moving in any capacity is nothing but a pain. The arduous tasks of renting a moving truck, packing belongings, wrangling reluctant friends to help, and navigating a bustling city with a vehicle full of furniture are universally dreaded yet unavoidable aspects of moving. However, before breaking out the first box, potential movers have to plan their move, including when they intend to switch homes. Moving apartments in Boston can be a gamble with so many renters and so few rentals available. However, with proper timing, you can score the best apartment deals without competing with the rush from other renters. Why Summer is Prime Time for Boston Apartment Hunting In addition to professionals working in the city, much of Boston is occupied by college students attending nearby universities such as Harvard and Boston University. With so many college students trying to remain close to campus, the renter...

If you are like many homeowners, you probably have more than enough furniture in your home. Where should it all go when you are embarking on a home improvement or restoration project such as replacing or refinishing your floors? Or even a more extensive project such as a full remodeling job? Why You Need Proper Storage During Renovation Leaving furniture in the middle of a renovation zone exposes it to dust, debris, and accidental damage. Even if you cover your items, construction work can cause scratches, dents, and mess that are difficult to fix. Proper storage during renovation helps you: Protect your furniture from dirt and damage Keep your home organised during construction Speed up the renovation process by clearing work areas Best Options for Storing Furniture During Renovation When planning your project, consider these popular options for where to store furniture during renovation. Here are a few tips for...

Your boxes are unpacked, your furniture is in place and your internet connection is ready to go. It’s time to plug in your router and get connected again! But, have you thought about where you’re going to place your router? It turns out, your router placement, in addition to some other factors, makes a difference in Wi-Fi signal strength. The last thing you want is constant buffering while you’re having a binge session of your favorite show, so consider these tips for choosing a router location in your new home. Central is the Best Place to Start To begin your router placement journey, start in a central location. For most people, it’s the living room, dining room or family room. It may even be a centrally located bedroom. Now, determine the center-most corner or wall in that room. That is usually the best place for your router because Wi-Fi signals...

There are several different options for a domestic move, and even different options for a local move versus an interstate move. To help provide you with the most accurate information, we have broken these down by move type. Interstate Moves On an interstate move, there are three different, acceptable forms of payment: The first option is payment using a credit card. At United Van Lines, we offer a web-based e-acceptance option for signing the initial paperwork for your move. If you plan to pay for your move via a credit card, you can submit your payment information via your own, personalized e-acceptance web page that will be provided to you by your move coordinator. Most customers find this to be the easiest payment option because once you submit the payment details, your credit card is automatically charged for the estimated amount once the truck has been loaded. The second option...

Key Takeaways Professional movers must create a detailed moving company inventory list before or during loading. A complete moving shipment inventory ensures all items and their conditions are properly recorded. Both you and your mover should sign each inventory page for documentation and accountability. Keeping your own copy helps protect you in case of loss or damage claims. Understanding the movers inventory process helps ensure a smoother, stress-free relocation. Whether a local move or a long-distance relocation, understanding “moving jargon” or moving industry-specific terms can be confusing and stressful. We asked The Armstrong Company to break down some of the most commonly used terms for a stress-free experience. Does My Mover Have to Provide an Inventory List? Yes. your moving company must prepare an inventory of your shipment either before or when they start loading your belongings. This list, often called a moving shipment inventory, details every item included in...

Our experienced Boston movers and packers see self-packing mistakes every day out on our jobs. In the industry, self-packed boxes are often referred to as “PBO” or packed by the owner. (If your moving company is packing for you, you may hear the term “CP” or carrier packed.) When you choose to pack yourself, you assume a major portion of the responsibility for your move’s success. We asked Armstrong Experts : What are the top 5 self-packing mistakes? Mistake #5 = Not packing an overnight / 1st day box The last thing you want to do on the first night or first day in your new home is be searching for your necessities. Pack an overnight bag with all your medications and personal care items including makeup, toiletries, pajamas, and a change of clothing. Pack an additional box or clear tote with toilet paper, shower gear including towels, cell phone...

How much should you save before moving out of your parent’s house? All of that newfound freedom comes at a cost. We compiled the 7 most important tips to prepare and budget to live on your own. Rent and Security Deposit Before you begin your new home search, determine the max rent you can afford. Typically, you should divide your monthly income (average out your last 6 months of paystubs) by 3 and use that as your max rent budget. For example, if you make $3,000 monthly you should be looking to spend no more than $1,000 per month on rent. Once you have settled on an apartment, you will most likely need to make a down payment of 1st month’s rent, last month’s rent, and a security deposit. In most cases, this will total 3 months of rent. If we are using our max budget rent example above, you...

Change seems like a relatively simple concept, but humans generally try to resist it as much as possible and find plenty of reasons why staying put and playing it safe is the best option. Making a major life change is a very stressful situation, and much of that anxiety is generated by a natural fear of making the wrong decision. It’s almost always easier not to make a big change and stick with what you know, but this doesn’t always work out for the best in the long run. There are a variety of reasons why we are more likely to resist change than embrace it. Breaking it down to the simplest of terms, doing something is more difficult than doing nothing. Some of the reasons people choose not to make a change include not having enough information, lacking courage and the fear of failure. Not Having Enough Information Having...

Moving in Boston? Finding parking for your moving truck can be a stressful experience. But fear not! This guide will walk you through the process of reserving a spot, whether you prefer to apply online or in person. Before You Apply A standard Boston moving permit reserves two parking spaces for one day from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. You can only apply online if your moving date is at least two weeks away, and no more than a month away. Otherwise, you must come in person at least three days before your move. You may also want to check if your desired spot requires a separate Boston parking permit in addition to the moving permit. Parking Permit Costs & How to Apply Online Parking Permit Costs: Non-metered spaces: $69 for a one-day permit that includes two signs. Metered spaces: Add $40 to the non-metered price for a total of $109....

Armstrong Relocation & Companies ("Armstrong"), an industry-leading provider of moving, relocation and supply chain solutions and United Van Lines' largest U.S. hauler, has acquired Humboldt Storage & Moving ("Humboldt"), a Boston-based, United Van Lines agency. Coupled with its recent acquisition of MacDonald's Moving Services in Greater Boston, Armstrong now operates as one of the largest moving companies in Boston and the Northeast. "Humboldt has been a highly-regarded company throughout the industry for many years and our family has had tremendous respect for the business they have operated," said Todd Watson, CEO of Armstrong Relocation & Companies. We look forward to building on that success by leveraging our collective strengths in the marketplace." Howard Goldman, Humboldt CEO and third-generation owner said, "I am excited to transfer 118 years of family ownership of The Humboldt Companies from the Goldman family to the Armstrong family." Goldman added, "It's comforting to know that our family legacy, Humboldt team, and valued customers are in great hands and...