TOWN HALLS

Local town halls are the perfect place to learn everything about your town.  Whether it be the laws that govern the town, who to contact for various problems and concerns, or where to get the form (red tape) for tasks, your town hall is the epicenter for all such activities.  Most town halls now have a great website that may save you a lot of time and effort by answering your questions online.

INTERNET

Nowadays, more and more people are apt to share their opinions online, and do so on a regular basis.  Whether you’re looking for a good Italian restaurant, a good car wash, or the best spa in the new neighborhood, check the reviews and blogs online.  You can also look for people with interests similar to yours on social media sites such as Facebook.

THE LOCALS

Locals in a town that have been around for a long time are the perfect source for the real scoop on things.  Whether it’s the old-timer at the gas station, or the owner of the local diner, or the owner of a small grocery store, word-of-mouth reviews are the most reliable.  People talk about what they’re passionate about, so once you move and are settled in, be friendly and ask the right people the right questions and you will learn everything you need to about a town. 

Moving to a new area can be exciting and fun instead of stressful, its all how you approach it!

Moving from one state to another can be quite a daunting task, and can lead to a lot of stress.  The last thing you should have to worry about is the moving company you have chosen, or are going to choose, to help you move across state lines.  We are all aware of the horror stories about long distance moves, and they are usually caused by the practices of some unethical, rogue moving company.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that your company abide by certain rules.  They are also required to give you a booklet which tells you how to protect yourself.  Below are some of the key points you should be wary.  To read the rest of the booklet, please visit our long distance moving page.
 

1. Movers must give written estimates.
2. Movers may give binding estimates.
3. Non-binding estimates are not always accurate; actual charges may exceed the estimate.
4. If your mover provides you (or someone representing you) with any partially complete document for your signature, you should verify the document is as complete as possible before signing it. Make sure the document contains all relevant shipping information, except the actual shipment weight and any other information necessary to determine the final charges for all services performed.
5. You may request from your mover the availability of guaranteed pickup and delivery dates.
6. Be sure you understand the mover’s responsibility for loss or damage, and request an explanation of the difference between valuation and actual insurance.
7. You have the right to be present each time your shipment is weighed.
8. You may request a re-weigh of your shipment.
9. If you agree to move under a non-binding estimate, you should confirm with your mover—in writing—the method of payment at delivery as cash, certified check, money order, cashier’s check, or credit card.
10. Movers must offer a dispute settlement program as an alternative means of settling loss or damage claims. Ask your mover for details.
11. You should ask the person you speak to whether he or she works for the actual mover or a household goods broker. A household goods broker only arranges for the transportation. A household goods broker must not represent itself as a mover. A household goods broker does not own trucks of its own. The broker is required to find an authorized mover to provide the transportation. You should know that a household goods broker generally has no authority to provide you an estimate on behalf of a specific mover. If a household goods broker provides you an estimate, it may not be binding on the actual mover and you may have to pay the actual charges the mover assesses. A household goods broker is not responsible for loss or damage.
12. You may request complaint information about movers from FMCSA under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). You may be assessed a fee to obtain this information. See 49 CFR Part 7 for the schedule of fees.
13. You should seek moving quotes from at least three different movers. You should not disclose any information to the different movers about their competitors, as it may affect the accuracy of their estimates.

As always, should you be in the market for a reliable, reputable moving company, look no further than Brookline Moving Company!

From our point-of-view as part of the moving industry, it is extremely difficult to make a recommendation to a consumer as to whether they should get insurance or not.  Keep in mind that the moving companies that are licensed and registered with the state do not benefit either way on your decision to purchase insurance, as we are forbidden by law to persuade you in either direction and will not do so for liability reasons.  With that said, we will do our best to explain your options in order for you to make the most informed decision possible. 

FIRST, CHECK EXISITNG POLICIES

First thing you should do as a consumer is to check with your home owner’s policy or renter’s insurance policy to see if your existing policies provide any coverage for moving – this is to ensure that you are not paying a premium for a coverage you may already have.  If you are covered, please describe your exact moving scenario to your agent and get a recommendation from them on whether or not to purchase additional coverage.

ASSESS YOUR EXPOSURE TO RISK

Are you moving to your new home which happens to be around the corner, or are you moving many miles away and storing your items on the trailer for a night or two?  Are there many stairs involved, and is the egress difficult to manage?  Your exposure to risk should play a major role in your decision to get moving insurance.  One thing we would definitely recommend is to check the ratings of the moving companies you’re consider hiring in order to see their history with moves, Brookline Moving Company just so happens to be one of the highest rated companies out there.

INSURANCE OPTIONS

The following very briefly, summarizes the options available to you from all licensed movers that are registered with the Mass Movers Association.  Your mover should offer similar if not the very same coverage options:

Option A: 60 cents per pound per article (costs nothing extra)

Technically known as "basic carrier liability-release value," it's the minimum required by federal law.  This is covered in your base move price, costing you nothing extra. Because of this, it's the most economical option, but your goods are covered for 60 cents per pound per article. This coverage is called "released value" or "Carrier's Liability."

Obviously this won't replace your expensive belongings, so think twice before agreeing to this coverage. If you agree to this, you will be asked to sign a statement of agreement on the Bill of Lading.

Option B: Declared Lump Sum Value (default insurance if nothing is chosen)

Under this option, you declare a lump sum value for your entire shipment, subject to a minimum of $1.25 per pound times the weight of your shipment (you may declare more, but not less). For example, if your shipment weighs 10,000 pounds, the lump sum value would be $12,500 (10,000 * 1.25). That amount will be the Mover's maximum liability to you. Ask the Mover about the charge for this coverage. If there is a claim, the Mover is not obligated to write out a check to you for the entire declared shipment value! Each damaged item will be repaired, replaced, or a cash settlement may be offered, according to its depreciated value, not to exceed the shipment's declared value (in this example the declared value is $12,500). The Mover will apply depreciation to any claim made under this option.  Brookline Moving Company charges $7.00 per $1000 of valuation.

Option C: Full Replacement Value

Full "replacement" value protection is non-depreciated coverage. Not all Movers offer this option. This option provides for the repair or replacement of the item, whichever is less, to restore the piece to its condition immediately before the loss.

This option is based on a minimum declared value of $4.00 per pound (you may declare more but not less). The Mover will not apply depreciation under this option. Example: 4,000 pound shipment @ $4.00 per pound = $16,000 of liability coverage.  Brookline Moving Company charges $12.00 per $1000 of valuation.

There you have it folks, we did our best to summarize the options for you.  Please read the following PDF for more details.  Upon reading this document, you will know as much as any mover about insurance options!

Replenish emergency resources

Did you lose power?  Did you utilize batteries?  If Irene made it painfully obvious that you were not as ready for a natural disaster as you might have thought, you’re not alone.  Something things you should keep handy for such occurrences are:  Flashlights, candles, matches, batteries, battery operated radio, emergency rations, and a fire extinguisher.   For a more comprehensive list, visit the FEMA hurricane site.

Inspect your home’s exterior

Do a quick visual inspection around your house to see if you see any damaged tiles, siding, windows etc.  Storm drains and gutters can get clogged easily by flying debris and leaves, so be sure to get those cleaned.  Damage that is not readily apparent might come back to haunt you in the future, so be thorough.

Look for fallen or distressed trees

If a tree has fallen, see if your home owners insurance will cover it, and if it is small enough, move it yourself.  If the tree is bigger than 4 feet, it might seem like a manageable job, but you’re better off letting the professionals take care of it.  Now might be a good time to take down the distressed tree, because if one storm weakened it, the next might uproot it and cause some serious harm.

Financial Help

If your home or business was seriously damaged, there is help available.  You may contact the SBA which offers Disaster Loans for qualified candidates.  Shelters are available for families whose home is deemed uninhabitable, you may call 2-1-1 for information on the closest shelter to you.

We hope you fared well against the hurricane, and wish you the best of luck in your recovery if you were affected.

I just recently read that 97% of the population owns a smart phone.  97 percent!  I also read that 65% of all statistics are made up.  Ok fine, I just made both of those numbers up, but I think you catch my drift.  A fair amount of the population own really versatile, intelligent phones, and the number of people who do is only going to increase.  It is amazing how far they have come in such a short period of time, it seems like it was only yesterday that I used to watch Zach Morris on Saved By The Bell carry around that brick with an antenna on it!  I just dated myself didn’t I?  Yes, yes I did.

 

 

With the advent of such technology, it is easier and easier to operate your day-to-day life from one single device.  Here are some really productive apps that are available for all major platforms that can aid you not only during your relocation, but in everyday life as well.

 

CALL RECORDING APPS. (Android) (iPhone)

 Lets say you are on the road, or at the grocery store, or chasing your kids around the house while they chase each other while wielding sharp, dangerous objects, you don’t have the time to search for a pen and paper to jot down important information.  With one click during your call, you can choose to record the conversation (silently, which especially useful if you want to use the conversation as ammunition against your significant other) to be replayed at your leisure at a later time.

 

 

FLIGHT STATUS APP (Android) (iPhone)

 This app is really versatile, it is a flight-tracking app for all flights worldwide. Check flight delays, view arrival and departure times, terminal and gate numbers, baggage claim information, and much more. App also features zoom-map styles. Check and track flights by flight number or by route.  You will never have to search for a single airline’s phone number ever again, nor will you have to visit their individual websites.  This app is a one-stop shop for all your flight data.

 

TO-DO LIST ORGANIZER APP (Android) (iPhone)

 Your significant other tells you to pick up bread, and drop off the kids.  Or was it drop off the bread and pick up the kids?  Wait, that doesn’t make any sense…  Life can get pretty hectic sometimes, especially when you are in the middle of picking up your life from one place and moving it to another.  The list of things to do can seem daunting and never-ending, almost to the point where you start to wonder, is it all worth it?  What is my purpose here on Earth?  Ok, um, I am getting side-tracked; I’ll save that for another blog.  Back to the tasks!  This handy app allows you sort, prioritize, and accomplish your tasks with ease.

 

Memo Recorder (Android) (iPhone)

 If you’re driving or are in bed and don’t have access to a pen and paper when you think of a great idea, or a cheesy poem, or a great strategy you have for work, or your fantasy football draft, allow your phone to be your Dictaphone.  With the click of a button, you can record your own voice for however long you want, your only limit being the amount of storage on your phone.  You can now finally hear your own melodious shower-singing and see just how ridiculous everyone’s complaints are about your voice.  Shower singers rejoice! (in song form)

 

 

There you have it, this list is in no way comprehensive, so if you think of something, record yourself saying and send it to me via email!  Again, good luck with your move, and should be be in the market for a good moving company, look no further than Brookline Moving Company for all your relocation needs!

Moving to college is an exciting and life-changing experience for young men and women.  It marks a major milestone in their lives, as it serves as a rite-of-passage – children turning into young adults by leaving the nest and venturing out on their own into the world.

 

Kids nowadays are smarter and more aware of their surroundings than their counterparts of generations past.  However, even though they might think they know it all and can handle it all, good guidance, planning a move, and supervision from their parents during this transition period can and will make everyone’s lives much easier, and more importantly, reduced unneeded stress.

 

Here are some moving tips we have compiled to assist the college student, and the conscientious parent of a college-student-to-be:

 

PACKING MATERIALS

 

Plan ahead and purchase the right containers and packing materials in advance, so you are not scrambling at the last minute.

 

• Boxes – You can either purchase boxes of various sizes from a retail outlet, or if you are on a budget, you can approach local businesses that usually have surpluses and are more than happy to allow you to put them to good use

• Clear containers – Purchasing clear containers for storage makes it easier for students to organize and quickly find items in tightly confines storage spaces in dorm rooms.

• Bubble Wrap – This one is self-explanatory, protect your valuables.

• Packing tape – The last thing you want is an embarrassing scene with your items strewn across a floor due to a box that gives way.

 

SECURE A VEHICLE

 

Having the right vehicle secured for your move-in day will help immensely.  If you can avoid bringing two or three care to the move, it will reduce your parking woes.  Remember, you aren’t the only one moving into the building that day!

 

WHAT TO BRING?

 

• SPACE - Let the space of your dorm determine what to bring, not your emotions.  You might want all your best outfits and backup outfits with you, but it just might not be practical.

• WHO IS BRINGING WHAT? – Talk to your roommate to see who is bringing the TV, the DVD/Blurray player, the stereo, and the fridge/microwave.  In a tight space, the last thing you want is redundancy with large items.

 

LABEL IT

 

Have separate containers for your toiletries, computer items, grooming supplies, utensils, stationery, and documents so that you don’t spend your valuable time looking for things at the last minute.

 

These are just a few tips to help you get some momentum.  As with most things, some things will come up that you might not have thought of, but the more prepared you are, the better off you will be.  If you're in the market for a reliable moving company, be sure to keep Brookline Moving Company in mind.  Good luck!

Kids - Keep them occupied while moving

Being a parent is a full-time job.  You are constantly on the clock and can’t ignore them at any time for fear of them sticking their head in the oven, lighting the cat on fire, or worse, to themselves.  Compound this with the stress of moving and keeping your little tykes busy can be a daunting task – if you let it!  Here are some tips on what you can have them do to keep them involved, occupied, and most importantly, out of your hair!

 

Let them sort their belongings – You might be emotionally attached to their little booties and to their onesies, but let’s be practical, it doesn’t make sense to carry every single thing with you to your new home.  Allow them to sort through their toys, clothes, and other belongings and let them make piles for packing, garbage, and for donation (why not let the less fortunate benefit from old clothes and toys that are still in good shape?).

 

 

Babysit the pets - If you have pets, they’ll need to be watched and taken care of on moving day. You will probably be busy overseeing the entire process, so, if your kids are old enough, they could be in charge of making sure the dog or cat has food and water and doesn’t get in the way.

 

 

DJ Little One – Another thing you can keep them busy with is letting them man the radio/MP3 player etc so they have something to keep them occupied.  Yes you might hear non-stop Justin Bieber and Jonas Brothers for hours, but isn’t it better than having them tug at your pant-legs?  Actually wait a minute…

 

 

Water and Snack patrol – Getting your tots to keep everyone hydrated and fed (you, movers, etc) is a fun and engaging way for them to keep busy, plus the movers will be thankful and the kids will love the praises.

 

Packing – Allow them to pack their own belongings, this can be fun for them if you turn it into a game of some kind.  Get creative!

 

Labeling – If they are old enough, you can hand them a marker and allow them to label boxes.  It can be fun, engaging, and educational, all at once.  However, just be weary of the rogue marker stain that could cause some problems… make sure they are careful!

 

If all this seems way too ambitious for you to attempt to have your children involved with, you could just let them play video games, or, sleep.  Good luck with your love, and be sure to keep Brookline Moving Company in mind when looking for a reliable moving company!

Dejunkification! – Get rid of items between homes

“Hoarding: Buried Alive” is a show on TLC that shows the ugly side of pack rats.  People have anxiety attacks about getting rid of anything and end up creating a mini dump in their living space.  Though these cases on TV are on the extreme end of the spectrum, most of us are guilty about saving things that we don’t really need, things that end up collecting dust till it's moving time again.  These items can range from old clothes, to that 8 year old set of golf clubs, to that TV you’ve been meaning to fix but never get around to.  How about old novels and text books that you swore you’ll organize and buy a shelf for?  At some point, you have to just bite the bullet and realize that you need to dejunkify.  I just coined that phrase by the way; feel free to use it if you’d like – just promise to use Brookline Moving Company for your next move in return.

Here are some tips on some dejunkification:

Yard Sale

A famous saying goes: One man’s trash is another man’s trash also, for a price – or something like that.  Yard sales are a staple of rural American culture.  Summer time brings neon signs in neighborhoods saying "Turn Here for Yard Sale!," or "Yard Sale, today only!"  It is a great way to get rid if old things, and on the flip side, you allow people to feel like they just got a bargain on that bicycle with no handle bars or chain – it’s a win-win for everybody.

Online

A great way to get rid of things such as electronics, old text books, novels, etc, are to sell them online.  With the growing advent of e-commerce and social media platforms, you can spread the word about your items on any number of them: Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist, Ebay, Google+, etc.

Donate

There are many ways to let your belongings serve the less fortunate.  Establishments such as Goodwill, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, Red Cross are just a few of the hundreds out there whose goal is to do just that.

Thrift Stores

Items such as old clothes, if not donated, can be sold to thrift stores that sell vintage clothing.  Sports equipment that doesn’t fit, or isn’t used any more, can be sold to stores such as Play It Again, that specialize in second hand equipment.

Recycle

It is much eaiser to throw items away in the trash, but take some time to sort and drop off items such as plastic items, containers, books, magazines, newspapers so that they can be put to good use.  If not for yourself, think of the children.  Won’t someone please think of the poor children?!

I think this is a good way to get started.  No matter what method you choose, please make sure you don’t end up on TV surrounded by dead cats and newspaper article cut-outs from 1982!

As always, good luck with your move, and should you be in search of a good mover, look no further than Brookline Moving Company!

Ah yes, the age-old tipping question.  There isn’t another topic in the service industry that is as ambiguous, guilt-invoking, and confusing as tipping.  How much?  How do I do it?  Is it appreciated, or is it expected?  Is too little of a tip an insult?  Isn’t it better than nothing?  How much is just right, how much is too much?  Who do you tip?  If it was up to my wife, she would tip everyone, from the toll booth guy to the 7-11 clerks.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the T word, let’s talk a bit about reliable moving companies, movers, and the service industry in general.  Though our opinion may seem biased, consider this: in what industry does a consumer put as much faith and trust as they do into a mover?  A waiter is entrusted with bringing you your food from the kitchen in a timely manner, or a person cutting your hair is entrusted with your appearance, but what other service professional is given the responsibility of handling your furniture, valuables, antiques, and other prized possessions without ever meeting them?  This is why a reputable moving company with a proven track record is incredibly valuable – not many other servicemen work as hard as movers do.

With that said, is tipping your mover required?  The short answer is, absolutely not – not as it for a waiter, or a bell hop.  Your movers are not expecting a tip, but it will most definitely be appreciated.  A simple “tip” – put yourself in their shoes.  Some things to consider:

BULK OF THE MOVE

Moving is back-breaking work in general, that is no secret.  However, consider putting yourself in their shoes; was there a lot of stuff?  Was it heavy?  Would you want to be appreciated for that?  Did they come prepared with the packing materials such as hand-trucks, boxes, tape, etc?

WERE THEY CAREFUL, COURTEOUS?

In this day and age, finding horror stories about moving experiences is not difficult, a simple search engine search and voila, hundreds of stories at your fingertips.  Were your movers courteous, did they handle your belongings with the care, the way you would?

HOW MUCH?

Percentage tips only work in the restaurant industry, but not with moving where the bill can be in the hundreds or more.  If the movers were good, but not great, $10 per person is a fair amount.  Did they move fast, and get it all done in a day, working 8-10 hours or more?  Then $20 per mover is not unheard of.  Again, do what feels comfortable to you.

Lunch/Beverages.  Since moving is such hard work, consider providing the men with water or soda.  Some people substitute tips with buying the movers lunch instead, and some people supplement the tip with lunch.  Both are perfectly acceptable.  Providing beer takes away from the professional relationship and creates liability issues – it is generally frowned upon.

WHO DO I GIVE IT TO, AND HOW?

Tipping in cash is best, because this way the movers feel appreciated and can spend it any which way they’d like, right away.  If you include the tip into the moving bill, then the workers might not see it for weeks, if not longer, and that money will be subject to taxes etc.  Also, tip each man individually, so there is no ambiguity, and each mover will feel appreciated.

Well there you have it.  We hope we provided some insight and clarity into this confusing and touchy topic.  Be sure to do your homework and check online for moving company reviews before selecting a mover.  Good luck with your move!

 

Moving is a stressful and nerve-wracking experience for most people.  The last thing you should have to worry about during this tumultous time is the moving company that you are using, the safety of your precious belongings should never have to be a concern.  We've all heard horror stories about moves that have gone terribly wrong, all due to the incompetence of the company that you use - not all of them are as professional as they should be. So, the big question is, how do you choose the right company, at the right price, to save you sleepless nights and a loss of money?  Below we have provided a checklist (in no particular order) of a few important points to help you select a reputable moving company.

• Massachusetts Moving Companies within the Better Business Bureau with at least a B or better Grade with a few movers testimonials from real people vouching for the local moving companies service offering.

• Massachusetts Movers Association - all the movers there have met the specific criteria, showing that they are licensed, bonded and fully insured to move consumers like yourselves within Massachusetts.  And have adhered to the code of ethics.

• If you move your household from one state to another, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminstration has jurisdiction over the mover, you should contact them directly should you have any questions regarding the move, by calling FMCSA at 888-368-7238

• Check references!  Use multiple sources such as the company's website, Service Magic, Angie's List, the Better Business Bureau, and other sources via a google search.

This should give you a good idea of what to look for in company you choose.  Wether you choose us or another company for your move, we wish you the very best of luck!