Your approach will depend on your situation. If you’re just moving around the block, you may be wondering if you should invest in a professional mover or if you can just rent a moving truck and incentivize your friends with enough beer and pizza to get the job done. Relocating to the East Coast from across the country? You may want to consider a Boston storage unit while you figure out the logistics of exactly where and when you’re going to move, relocating for a job and you’re working on a tight schedule. Or, if you’re leaving the Hub entirely and making a long-distance move (to somewhere with warmer weather and worse sports teams, perhaps), you might just be feeling overwhelmed about how to pack your entire life up into boxes. In that case, a portable moving container may be just what you need to handle your move in stages.
Just read on to figure out what kind of Boston moving service is the best fit for your situation. (If you’re concerned about moving during the coronavirus pandemic, see these safety tips.)
Full-service with a Boston MOVER
Thanks to the hordes of residents moving in and around the city each year, Boston boasts plenty of full-service moving companies that can get the job done without your having to lift a finger. Ask your Boston-based friends who they’ve had a good experience with and check out online reviews to narrow down the list.
Typically, professional movers will work with you over the phone or come out to your home to quote a price, with larger and long-distance moves usually requiring an in-home appointment. Be prepared to answer questions, as all these factors can impact the price:
Your current and future address How much stuff you have If stairs are involved or if you have an elevator (try to reserve this for moving day, if you can) If you need help with packing or furniture disassembly and assembly When you need to move and what day of the week How much flexibility you have in your schedule If you have available parking
Be sure you get a written quote and ask about potential upcharges and how they handle schedule changes and refunds if you have to cancel. As you might guess, hiring a Boston moving company to handle your change of residence is in most cases the most expensive option. If the convenience wins you over, though, make sure to secure a mover well ahead of time. For those partaking in Boston’s traditional September 1 mass moving day, you’ll want to lock one down four to eight weeks in advance.
Full-Service Mover Pros:
Save your time for other things you enjoy more than moving Avoid heavy lifting and potential back strains No need to navigate a hefty truck around Boston’s winding streets
Full-Service Mover Cons:
You’ll pay a premium for the convenience Some Boston movers charge extra fees, so you need to shop around wisely Scheduling can be too rigid to handle date changes Your most valuable (and fragile) belongings will be in the hands of someone else Self-Moving and DIY Options
If the dollar signs associated with a full-service move have you clutching your wallet, fear not. There are many ways to get the job done without breaking the bank in the process.
@uhaul via FacebookRental Trucks
Ready to take the wheel and rent your own truck? You may want to do a dry run before move-in day. Like any city, Boston’s streets can become incredibly congested during rush hour, and unlike many cities, the roads don’t always lead where you would think — there’s no clear grid system in place, one-ways are ubiquitous, and there are more than a few quaint cobblestone alleyways. And please, heed this warning: Do not take your moving truck on Storrow Drive. Every year too-tall trucks fall victim to the 10-foot clearance under the main parkway’s bridges. Needless to say, having the roof of your box truck shaved off is jarring for you and your breakables.
Then there’s the parking to consider, a potentially thorny issue for anyone moving in Boston. If you’re renting and want to guarantee the truck has a spot to park, we recommend you reserve a parking spot ahead of time. While a moving truck permit isn’t legally required, you won’t want to gamble on not finding a spot you can fit into or getting ticketed for double parking on a day already fraught with stress. (Check out this 2019 heat map to see the neighborhoods with the most Boston moving permits reserved.) For those relocating to a more suburban area of Boston, you may be lucky enough to have a driveway or parking lot you can take advantage of — just check with your realtor or apartment building management.
Rental Truck Pros
Big savings compared to hiring a full-service Boston mover Doing everything yourself provides more hands-on control Easier to schedule your move
Rental Truck Cons
Maneuvering an unwieldy truck around Boston’s streets — and “getting Storrowed” Potential parking challenges Late returns can result in steep fees You have to pick up and drop off the truck Can be a very high-stress experience Portable Container Moving and Storage Service
If you want to move at your own pace rather than all at once, renting a portable container may be the way to go. Instead of hauling a cumbersome caboose through Boston’s charming yet generally congested streets, a portable unit lets you pack up slowly in your driveway, then sit back and let someone else whisk the container to your new home. With PODS standard service, for instance, the container is delivered to you, and then once it’s loaded, PODS will pick it up and take it to your new address, or keep it at a secure PODS Storage Center until you’re ready.
PODS Portable Container Pros
Leave the truck driving to the professionals Built-in storage options Contact-free moving service Flexible scheduling to handle last-minute changes Set your own pace moving Option to hire hourly labor to help with loading and unloading Available for both local and long-distance moves
PODS Portable Container Cons
Will usually cost more than renting a truck Could be more work than full-service moving Boutique City Moving Service
With all the perks that living in Boston brings, one drawback, especially for renters, may be that you don’t have a space to leave a portable storage unit or park a rental truck. If that’s the case, using PODS City Service accommodates this city concern seamlessly. Available in select ZIP codes, the service caters to those living in the most urban Boston areas.
As with the standard PODS service, a driver will take care of the pick-up and driving, but your container doesn’t leave the truck during loading and unloading. The driver stays with the container to guard against tickets and help protect your belongings during the loading process, then transports your container to your new pad — or a PODS Storage Center if you can’t move into your new place right away.
Here’s how PODS City Service works:
A PODS driver brings your container at your scheduled time and stays for loading, helping to defend against tickets, thieves, and any other threats to your belongings. While your container remains on the truck, a heavy-duty, hydraulic lift carries you, your helpers, and your belongings to and from your container. You load and unload at ground level – no carrying heavy items up and down a ramp. When your container is loaded and ready to go, your PODS driver can take it to a secure PODS Storage Center and keep it there as long as you need, or you can have it delivered to your new place.
PODS City Service Pros
Leave the truck driving to others Built-in storage option if you need it Option to hire hourly labor to help with loading and unloading No ramp needed – load at ground level
PODS City Service Cons
Usually costs more than renting a truck May take more effort than full-service moving Available only in select locations – call to check Boston Storage Units
If you’re not moving out of your old place and into your new one on the same day — which is especially typical for those relocating for a job, students leaving Boston for the summer, or anyone downsizing — you may need a temporary storage service. There are plenty of options and sizes for Boston storage units and storage facilities, including a self-storage unit or a portable storage container. Self-storage involves renting your own truck to haul your things to and from the facility and driving it through Boston’s infamous traffic yourself. By contrast, a portable container service can save you some serious effort by having the unit dropped off at your door so you can load and unload at your leisure.
Want to know more about PODS moving and storage options? Visit our Boston Moving Solutions page to learn more or get a quote online, or call (855) 706-4758. Our moving specialists will be happy to answer your questions and get you a detailed quote on the spot.
The post Moving in Boston: A Guide to Moving Services in the Boston Area appeared first on Containing the Chaos.
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