Boston, MA, February, 2012…Humboldt Storage and Moving, the oldest moving company in Boston, United Van Lines agent and experts in stress-free moving have been moving individuals, families and their most valuable possessions and antiques for well over a century.

With a division dedicated to moving such items, the moving company is one of the most sought after companies in the country for these services. Because of that area of expertise, the Boston moving company has come up with a few basic tips to help consumers decide how to move antiques and what to look for when actually moving them.

Appraisal: A consumer should always have any antique or valuable items appraised before moving. While moving companies do provide certain basic coverage for items in their care, it’s important to have a full and correct valuation of any items that are classified as antique.

Moving company procedures: Ask the representative from the moving company about their procedures. Ask about their experience in moving such items and make sure they have a plan for each valuable item they are moving. If necessary, does the company have the ability to build custom crates for antiques and fine art?

At destination: Inquire about what happens to valuable items at destination. A reputable moving company should take care of uncrating each item at the new home and place those items where the customer has designated. These valuable pieces should be in the care of the moving company until they are in their proper place.

“Getting a proper appraisal and finding a moving company that has a lot of experience moving antiques and valuables are the two top priorities when moving items that have value to a family,” states James Sullivan, president of Humboldt Storage and Moving. “With both monetary and sentimental value being the driving factors in a move like this, it’s crucial to have the right provider handling these items.”

For more tips on how to move antiques, log on to the Moving company blog for a short video: http://www.movingcompanyblog.com/?p=892

About Humboldt Storage and Moving:

Boston moving company Humboldt Storage and Moving, founded in1905 is Greater Boston’s oldest moving company and largest United Van Lines agent. The company’s philosophy is “Relax. And get moving.” Moving is cited as one of the more stressful occasions in people’s lives and the entire Humboldt team goes to great lengths to ensure all customers feel at ease through the entire moving process. For more information about Humboldt’s expertise and moving services contact them at (781) 821-8777. For additional information visit http://www.humboldt.com/

Boston, MA, January, 2012…Humboldt Storage and Moving, the oldest moving company in Boston, United Van Lines agent and experts in stress-free moving have been moving individuals, families and others for well over 100 years.

One of the most important steps, Humboldt reminds families, is that finding a reputable and trustworthy moving company is essential to a successful move. The Boston Moving company has a number of tips about what to ask a moving company and how to start thinking about an estimate.

Ask the right questions:

Some questions that every moving company should be asked include: Are they bonded and insured? What is their DOT number? These are legal requirements that every moving company should have. What Quality or civic organizations are they affiliated with? (American Moving & Storage Associations ProMover and the BBB are such examples).

The next important question to ask is whether the company’s crew and employees have been background checked and drug tested. These are important questions to ask when it is these people who will be handling a family’s most valuable household belongings.

Every company should be asked to provide references to past similar moves. And lastly, to avoid the chance of any moving scams, it is important to ask how long the company has been in business.

Looking at an Estimate:

When looking at an estimate, there are other important questions to ask a moving company. First, it is important to ask if the estimate is bound, meaning the price cannot change unless new services are added. If an estimate is not bound, the price could go up or down based on the weight of the shipment and the services on moving day.

The next question is whether full valuation is included on the estimate. Valuation is similar to insurance during the move, though not technically insurance. All movers are obligated to provide $.60 per pound valuation at no cost, but it is always recommended that a shipper gets full valuation to insure protection against damage or loss. Some movers include full valuation and others don’t – this is an important question to ask.

Finally, it is important that the customer asks what the delivery timing will be. When moving interstate, most companies will give a window of dates for delivery. It is important, therefore, to take this into account and understand that a consumer could be charged additional temporary storage fees and other charges should they not be able to accept the shipment.

“Ultimately, it comes down to finding a moving company that you can trust,” explains James Sullivan, president of Humboldt Storage and Moving. “Moving is stressful and you want to make sure that the people that are handling your most valuable possessions are trustworthy and capable.”

For more tips on what to ask a moving company, log on to the Moving company blog for a short video: http://www.movingcompanyblog.com/?p=884 

About Humboldt Storage and Moving:

Boston moving company Humboldt Storage and Moving, founded in1905 is Greater Boston’s oldest moving company and largest United Van Lines agent. The company’s philosophy is “Relax. And get moving.” Moving is cited as one of the more stressful occasions in people’s lives and the entire Humboldt team goes to great lengths to ensure all customers feel at ease through the entire moving process. For more information about Humboldt’s expertise and moving services contact them at (781) 821-8777. For additional information visit http://www.humboldt.com/

Boston, MA, January 2012…Humboldt Storage and Moving, the oldest moving company in Boston, United Van Lines agent and experts in stress-free moving help explain relocation packages as well as what people can expect to find during a corporate move.

Humboldt Storage and Moving has assisted countless individuals moving because of employment situations and have also assisted many in international moving due to work-related circumstances. The Boston moving company has come up with a number of useful and educational tips to assist consumers and corporate employees with the issue of corporate relocation:

Relocation packages have changed in recent years. A difficult job market means companies are less likely to pay for the full move of their employers. Five years ago, companies were more likely to take care of all moving fees. Now however, what moving companies such as Humboldt are noticing is a tendency toward lump sums. A company will give a specific amount of money to go toward the moving process and the employee is then left to find a mover on their own and manage their own move process.

Relocation Policies are common in larger companies. These should state what the company will pay for, what the employee is responsible for, and what kind of assistance the company will offer. Smaller start-up companies and small tech companies, however, often have less formal relocation policies. Finding out your company’s relocation policy is a crucial first step in the moving process and is the best case scenario for the employee.

Receiving a lump sum is becoming more common. Humboldt urges employees in this situation to do their homework. Movingscam.com is a great resource for individuals looking to avoid a negative moving experience. Finding a reputable moving company is crucial to success. Talk to friends and family members who have moved and most importantly, do ample research.

“Managing a move and getting accustomed to either a new job or new location can be stressful if not handled properly, “states James Sullivan, president of Humboldt Storage and Moving. “ We’ve also seen the responsibility shift to the individual moving to manage the entire process so due process and proper planning can help alleviate some stress associated with relocating.”

More tips can be found in this educational video:  http://www.movingcompanyblog.com/?p=881

About Humboldt Storage and Moving:

Boston moving company Humboldt Storage and Moving, founded in1905 is Greater Boston’s oldest moving company and largest United Van Lines agent. The company’s philosophy is “Relax. And get moving.” Moving is cited as one of the more stressful occasions in people’s lives and the entire Humboldt team goes to great lengths to ensure all customers feel at ease through the entire moving process. For more information about Humboldt’s expertise and moving services contact them at (781) 821-8777. For additional information visit http://www.humboldt.com/

Boston, MA, January, 2012…Humboldt Storage and Moving, the oldest moving company in Boston, United Van Lines agent and experts in stress-free moving have noticed that downsizing has become a growing trend in recent years.

Millions of Americans move each year. In fact, in 2010, 37.5 million people moved according to the census bureau. The National Association of Home Builders has cited in recent years that many builders are constructing smaller, lower-priced homes, indicating just how wide-spread this phenomenon is. It is a trend that will clearly continue.

The Boston moving company has come up with a number of tips to help ease the burden of downsizing:

• •Get the Family Together: Downsizing can be a difficult process, especially in the beginning. The first step is to get the family together. This can sometimes mean extended family as well. The goal is to get a dialogue started. From impulsive buys to priceless family treasures, a lot of household items and possessions accumulate over the years and it takes a family conversation to move the process along.
• •Get expert help if needed: There are companies that can assist with the moving process. Humboldt as well as other moving companies can help to some extent. A moving company can help a family get things organized or help them look for local auctioneers or places to donate items. But, if a family finds that they need more help than that, there are professionals out there who will help with every step of the process such as move managers. They would go through the house with a family room by room, assessing the situation from every angle.

For more information, the experts at Humboldt have put together this video to discuss the ins and outs of downsizing and what a family needs to be preparing for: http://www.movingcompanyblog.com/?p=877

“Downsizing can be a stressful time and it can be a joyous time as well,” states James Sullivan, President of Humboldt Storage and Moving, “The more urgent the move, the more stress a person will experience and it pays to get family involved and be patient through the process.”  

About Humboldt Storage and Moving:

Boston moving company Humboldt Storage and Moving, founded in1905 is Greater Boston’s oldest moving company and largest United Van Lines agent. The company’s philosophy is “Relax. And get moving.” Moving is cited as one of the more stressful occasions in people’s lives and the entire Humboldt team goes to great lengths to ensure all customers feel at ease through the entire moving process. For more information about Humboldt’s expertise and moving services contact them at (781) 821-8777. For additional information visit http://www.humboldt.com/

Boston, MA, December, 2011…Humboldt Storage and Moving, the oldest moving company in Boston, United Van Lines agent and experts in stress-free moving is based just outside of Boston and knows all about moving in all types of weather conditions. From warm sunny days to relocations that take place in snowstorms, Humboldt has moved customers in every possible weather scenario.

The Boston Moving company has come up with a number of tips to help people relocating during the winter months.

The more planning the better: While the busy moving season is in the summer months, planning for a winter move is even more critical. Delays because of weather, hazardous roads and even flight delays can get in the way of a stress-free move. The first thing a family needs to do when they are faced with a move is call the moving company.

Prepare for delays: It’s always good to keep several items in the car in the event of delays. Those items should include a shovel and blankets, food and beverages in the event of a road delay. Other items to consider are any pet supplies, medications for family members and video games or books to keep children occupied.

Prepare both homes for a move: Many make the mistake of not taking proper precautions at both moving sites. Walkways and driveways should be cleared of snow and ice and items such as lawn furniture and items on patios and decks should be accessible or placed in a garage before moving day.

“Since we are a moving company in Boston, we are not only used to winter weather but know how to move a family in such conditions,” states James Sullivan, president of Humboldt Storage and Moving. “A move that is low in stress can be achieved in the winter months if families just take a few precautions and plan far in advance.”

More tips and a short video on how to move in the winter can be found here: http://www.movingcompanyblog.com/?p=873

About Humboldt Storage and Moving:

Boston moving company Humboldt Storage and Moving, founded in1905 is Greater Boston’s oldest moving company and largest United Van Lines agent. The company’s philosophy is “Relax. And get moving.” Moving is cited as one of the more stressful occasions in people’s lives and the entire Humboldt team goes to great lengths to ensure all customers feel at ease through the entire moving process. For more information about Humboldt’s expertise and moving services contact them at (781) 821-8777. For additional information visit http://www.humboldt.com/

The Boston-area moving company has come up with several tips to help ease the stress of packing and moving household technology items.

One of the first rules to follow when preparing your technology for transport is to power down the items 24 hours in advance. Allowing proper time for the internal components to cool will minimize any risk of damage.

When packing items such as flat screen televisions, the best and most affordable way to pack them is using the original box. If that is not available, many moving companies will offer a special corrugated box for transporting. If extra care is needed, consider having the moving company build a special crate for these delicate items. Many moving companies will offer these special services for valuable household goods. It’s also best to have those crated items unpacked by professional movers to ensure they remain in good condition.

If there are home computers and they contain valuable and irreplaceable data, consider moving them in the car to ensure they stay safe. Moving computers can be done by the moving company but personal computers can also be subject to rough road conditions in a moving van. Also, it is recommended that any personal technology such as tablets including I-Pads and Kindles remain with the person.

Technology such as video game consoles for the kids can be safely packed in the moving van. These consoles are made to withstand a little bumping around and in most cases, it will not hurt the components if they get moved around during transportation.

Moving can be stressful but by taking the proper precautions with personal technology and items that can contain personal data, these can be one less thing to worry about during a move and cause less stress in the long run.

About Humboldt Storage and Moving:

Boston moving company Humboldt Storage and Moving, founded in1905 is Greater Boston’s oldest moving company and largest United Van Lines agent. The company’s philosophy is “Relax. And get moving.” Moving is cited as one of the more stressful occasions in people’s lives and the entire Humboldt team goes to great lengths to ensure all customers feel at ease through the entire moving process. For more information about Humboldt’s expertise and moving services contact them at (781) 821-8777. For additional information visit http://www.humboldt.com/

Boston, Mass – Humboldt Storage and Moving, the oldest moving company in Boston, United Van Lines agent and experts in stress-free moving has moved countless families and children locally and across the country. Moving with children can be a stressful experience due to a whole host of reasons and Humboldt has come up with a number of educational tips to help families who are moving with children;

Manage expectations: Be honest, clear and concise with kids and let them know what to look forward to during the moving process. Take time to answer their questions to quell fears and anxiety. Build up the adventure aspect of the experience of traveling in a moving van or an airplane (for interstate moves). Toy trucks and airplanes can help get messages across to young children. Convey that the disorder associated with a move is temporary and that life will return to normal very shortly.

Give kids a task: Children enjoy getting involved; moving is no different. Take a little time to find ways for your kids to become part of the transition process by letting them pack up important belongings in special boxes or let them choose how they are going to lay out their new room. Simple procedures help them feel involved and give them comfort. Specific boxes for a child’s belongings helps them know important items  like toys and stuffed animals will be waiting for them in their new home.

Have a proper send-off: Take time to help children say goodbye. Creating an address book for kids to keep in touch with their friends after they depart helps them stay connected and visiting favorite places one last time gives them a sense of closure. Each are easy ways of assisting children during a transition.  

Get informed: Kids like familiarity and whether you are moving to a new street or a new state, taking time to help your children learn about their new neighborhood is a paramount step to a successful transition. Maps or illustrations can helps kids visualize their new environment and taking a moment to visit a new neighborhood and teachers can better create familiarity come moving day. It is also possible to go online to learn about a new community; what sports teams, schools and community programs are available.

More tips on moving with kids and a short video can be seen here; http://www.movingcompanyblog.com/?p=835

“Moving can be an uncertain and stressful time for children. Parents can create a positive experience with an upbeat attitude and a few easy methods to create reassurance and familiarity,” said James Sullivan, president of Humboldt Storage and Moving.  “Humboldt has helped provide numerous families with children return to regular schedules quickly to help children better adjust to their new environments.”

About Humboldt Storage and Moving:

Boston moving company Humboldt Storage and Moving, founded in1905 is Greater Boston’s oldest moving company and largest United Van Lines agent. The company’s philosophy is “Relax. And get moving.” Moving is cited as one of the more stressful occasions in people’s lives and the entire Humboldt team goes to great lengths to ensure all customers feel at ease through the entire moving process. The team at Humboldt Storage and Moving are specialists in assisting with sensitive down-sizing for senior relocations, coordinating highly technical biotech/lab and hospital moves, fine art moving and storage, time-sensitive office moving and relocations, as well as traditional residential relocations, local moving, long-distance moving, international moving and shipping, and packing services. For more information about Humboldt’s expertise and moving services contact them at (781) 821-8777. For additional information visit http://www.humboldt.com/

Boston, MA, November, 2011…Humboldt Storage and Moving, the oldest moving company in Boston, United Van Lines agent and experts in stress-free moving move families and businesspeople at all times of the year. One of the more stressful times is during the holiday season.

The Boston-area moving company has come up with a number of tips to help ease the stress of moving during the holidays and more can be found here; http://www.movingcompanyblog.com/?p=832

Plan Ahead: Sometimes a move does need to happen quickly but if at all possible, plan as far ahead as you can. As many people take extra days off during the holidays, scheduling your move might be more challenging. The best advice after you know you are going to move is to call the moving company first.

Easily Locate Holiday Items: If you are planning to move into a new home and celebrate the holidays there, you’ll want to make sure you know where those items are. Items you might need are holiday decorations, kitchenware and utensils, a Christmas tree and others holiday items.

Plan for Weather: Especially in the northeast, weather can snarl travel plans and get in the way of a relaxing and stress-free move. No matter if you are driving or flying, make sure you leave plenty of time taking into consideration delays because of bad weather. Additionally, if it snows prior to moving day insure clear paths have been salted and shoveled to provide adequate access for the moving crews.

Be Festive: Yes, moving is stressful but by staying positive and making sure you and your family enjoy the holidays, you can also ensure that you’ll have less stress around the holidays and your move. If you have family traditions, don’t let the move get in the way of continuing those traditions.

“The holidays are already stressful for many and when you throw in a move, that can complicate matters,” says James Sullivan, president of Humboldt Storage and Moving. “We recommend preparing as much in advance as possible, staying calm and making sure you still enjoy the holiday season.”

About Humboldt Storage and Moving:

Boston moving company Humboldt Storage and Moving, founded in1905 is Greater Boston’s oldest moving company and largest United Van Lines agent. The company’s philosophy is “Relax. And get moving.” Moving is cited as one of the more stressful occasions in people’s lives and the entire Humboldt team goes to great lengths to ensure all customers feel at ease through the entire moving process. For more information about Humboldt’s expertise and moving services contact them at (781) 821-8777. For additional information visit http://www.humboldt.com/

Boston, MA, November, 2011…Humboldt Storage and Moving, the oldest moving company in Boston, United Van Lines agent and experts in stress-free moving has announced that Michael McKenney of Marshfield has been awarded the title of Driver of the year for United Van Lines Household Goods Regional Fleet.

McKenney was judged with over 5,000 other van operators from around the county and is one of only three that were given this award regionally. For this recognition he will receive a check for $500, a ring and leather jacket and an engraved plaque to display his award.

“People come to us at one of the more stressful times in their lives and van operators like Michael are pros at not only keeping people at ease during their moving experience but are fully aware of all safety issues involved in a move,” states James Sullivan, president of Humboldt Storage and Moving. “We are once again, proud of Michael and his dedication to his role here.”

To earn Driver of the Year, McKenney and others were judged on performance including customer service, safety performance, operational commitment as well as claims statistics and overall quality of service delivery. McKenny scored perfect 100% on customer satisfaction, had a 100% safety rating and a 0% claims ratio, the only driver in the United Fleet to do so. He received his award during the United Van Lines conference recently in Orlando Florida. Humboldt was able to fly Michael’s wife and 7 of his 9 kids down to watch the ceremony.

“Mike McKenney represents the best of the best in United Van Line’s fleet,” stated  Steve Dawkins, Executive Vice President, Household Goods for United Van Lines. “His quality and safety scores are outstanding, and he treats his customers and their possessions with care and respect. It is Mike and others like him who have made United America’s No. 1 Mover. We are pleased to recognize his efforts with this prestigious award.”

McKenney, a 20-plus year veteran of the Boston moving company also recently received the National Safe Driving and Excellent Performance Award from United Van Lines this past summer. For this award, he was judged on a number of criteria including operating his moving van for a minimum of 40,000 miles during 2010.

About Humboldt Storage and Moving:

Boston moving company Humboldt Storage and Moving, founded in1905 is Greater Boston’s oldest moving company and largest United Van Lines agent. The company’s philosophy is “Relax. And get moving.” Moving is cited as one of the more stressful occasions in people’s lives and the entire Humboldt team goes to great lengths to ensure all customers feel at ease through the entire moving process. For more information about Humboldt’s expertise and moving services contact them at (781) 821-8777. For additional information visit http://www.humboldt.com/

Boston, MA, November, 2011…Humboldt Storage and Moving, greater Boston’s oldest moving company, United Van Lines agent and experts in low-stress moving has announced that James Sullivan, president of the Boston-area moving company has been elected to the Boston board of directors of the Massachusetts chapter of the March of Dimes.

The Saugus resident has been volunteering for the organization for a number of years, most recently serving as the chapter’s revenue chairperson for the March of Babies event. In that role, Sullivan was charged with cultivating additional corporate sponsors as well as individual donors.

Sullivan’s company, Humboldt Storage and Moving has been donating in-kind services as well as providing financial support for the March for Babies events held in Massachusetts each spring on Mother’s Day weekend. Humboldt has generated over $40,000 in support for the event during that past three years and has provided crucial moving and storage services for all Walk for Babies events in the Bay State.

“We are honored to have Jill Sullivan on the board to help us at a local level,” said Ed Doherty, State Director for the Massachusetts March of Dimes Chapter. “His passion for the cause and commitment to helping our babies will be a huge driving factor in the success of our organization next year. We are grateful for the time and support he is able to lend us.”

Humboldt has also rallied support from staff and others as they have also participated in the Walk for Babies each year as a fundraising team in Boston. Under Sullivan’s direction they will continue this tradition as well as continue their corporate support with In-kind and financial support.

About Humboldt Storage and Moving:

Boston moving company Humboldt Storage and Moving, founded in1905 is Greater Boston’s oldest moving company and largest United Van Lines agent. The company’s philosophy is “Relax. And get moving.” Moving is cited as one of the more stressful occasions in people’s lives and the entire Humboldt team goes to great lengths to ensure all customers feel at ease through the entire moving process. For more information about Humboldt’s expertise and moving services contact them at (781) 821-8777. For additional information visit http://www.humboldt.com/

About March of Dimes:

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.