Moving can be a stressful experience whether you’re going it alone or with others. Finding a proactive real estate agent is crucial, as they can ensure repairs and cleaning are done before move-in and may even help you secure keys in advance. However, many other aspects of moving require attention beyond just finding a great place and working with an excellent real estate agent.
Many other tasks that go into moving can be time suckers and overwhelming, or they can be done time-savingly and might take less stress out of moving. Like most things in our lives, there might be an app that can save us time and frustration or a service we can use to give someone else the task so we can focus on other things.
1) To decide between hiring movers or going DIY, assess your willingness to handle the process and your available time. Consider the volume of items you have; if it’s substantial, professional movers may be worth the investment. Seek recommendations from friends, family, co-workers, or local real estate agents. If needed, research top-rated moving companies online or try Unpakt, an iOS app that offers instant guaranteed pricing based on your inventory and location, providing transparency in moving costs.
Professional Movers
Moved is a free application that helps plan your move. The app will research options to move in your area, and you can book it and track the progress from start to finish. Moved is available on IOS. It’s like your very own personal assistant for moving. It makes money from referrals, is free to use, and is available all over the United States.
Dolly.com can help you move a few items or can help you do more. You can go online through their website to book services, or you can book it through their IOS or Android app. They can help you disassemble Furniture. Another task Dolly can help with is apartment moves. Get help moving Furniture like beds, dressers, tables, couches, packed boxes, and much more and moving items to a storage unit. They can help pack and unpack items. Dolly can also transport junk removal items and help you transport donated items.
Another service that caters to small moves is Bellhops. Bellhops will do local and long-distance small moves. They provide personalized moving solutions, assisting you with your relocation needs, all tailored to fit your budget and preferences. They also offer mobile apps on both IOS and Android platforms.
Do It Yourself Moving Services
If you are more of a do-it-yourself person, several services are available. You will need to book through their website for most of these options.
Pods: You request a container, and they drop it off, and you load it on your timetable. They can connect you with local movers if you need help unloading the pod. They can also help you ship your car if needed. You can set everything up through Pods.com.
Pack-Rat has the same business model as pods, and they also have folks they can connect you with if you need help unpacking and moving items to your new home. Once it’s loaded, you can either send it to their storage facility or request its transfer to your new home., You can book your service through their website, and they can give a quote on how much it will cost.
U-pack works like other services like PODS and Pack-Rat; however, the big difference is this service can’t connect you with movers to help you unload. It also can be booked through their website.
Getting Organized For Your Move
You have figured out how all your items will get from point A to B, and now you think I must get organized. The more organized you are, the easier it will be to move. Go room to room when packing up your place. What also can help keep you organized is Sortly.
2)Sortly can help you label boxes and catalog your stuff by snapping photos with your phone. You can create custom labels for each box that will also have a scanable QR Code you can scan to tell you what you put in that box. You can even create subfolders on the app. Sortly is available on IOS devices.
Purge, Donate, And Sell
While packing, you realize you have items you want to purge, whether it’s clothing, electronics, or Furniture. There is a place where you can sell items easily or donate them.
3) Thred up will send you a large bag to fill up with clothes items with prepaid shipping items, and you send it back, and they will either sell items or donate items, and you can either collect the cash or you can receive a credit you can use towards a future purchase. They have apps for IOS and Android users.
Another online consignment solution for cleaning out your closet is Poshmark. To use Poshmark, snap a photo, share it with a network of shoppers, and get the cash. Both Thred Up and Poshmark are available on iOS and Android.
Letgo might be the perfect place to sell Furniture and electronics. Other places to sell items are eBay and the Facebook marketplace. Boston eBay and Facebook are also available on iOS and Android. Like many items we sell, it’s important to have good pictures and clear descriptions of your product. Letgo is available on iOS and Android.
Storage Made Easy
4)You might have booked movers or started working on purging items you won’t be taking to your new place, but some items you can’t let go of, thinking storage might be the option till you figure out a solution. Storage has come a long way. Yes, you can drive to the storage unit, drop it off, and lock it up, but there are now on-demand storage options, and some companies offer affordable moving services and on-demand storage. Clutter.com offers affordable moving but also has storage. You can book both local and long-distance transport or one service like storage or moving. They have an app called MakeSpace available on IOS.
Cubiq offers convenient climate-controlled storage with free bin drop-offs and item cataloging. It also handles requests through its mobile apps for items of all sizes, including pianos. While primarily serving Metro Boston, it offers shipping to other locations, making it ideal for seasonal storage like skis and snowboards. Its pricing and item requests are available on iOS and Android.
Need Help Packing Or Unpacking Boxes
5) Maybe you are a professional who doesn’t have time to pack or unpack from your move. You can hire professionals that do just that, all from your phone. Task Rabbit is an application on your phone where you can hire professionals to help you pack or unpack. They also can help with other household tasks you might need. Pricing is transparent, and all professionals have had background checks.
Moving Permits and Utilities
6) Your moving company asked if you pulled moving permits or want them to pull them for you. You might be okay with the moving company charging you extra to pull your moving permits, but if you are trying to move on a budget and time is a factor, then maybe a permit puller or Boston Moving Permit is the right move to save you time.
7) After completing many moving tasks, you may wonder whether to contact your utility companies directly, explore online options, or hire a utility service. Start by consulting your local real estate agent for utility guidance. Then, contact a utility concierge who will research local services, tailor solutions to your needs, and explore promotions. You choose the services you want, and they handle the setup, including scheduling installations if necessary. Alternatively, consider hiring a TaskRabbit professional for utility setup assistance.
Notifying Everyone Your Address Has Changed
8) Most of us pay our bills online, and magazine subscriptions might also be online. However, we all still get that wedding invite, birth announcement, and bank card, which typically come through the mail. It’s nice to go to one place and give everyone notice that your address has changed and been updated. You can either go to updater.com or download their app, which is available for both iOS and Android users. You can also set up forwarding your mail through this site.
Resident Parking Permits and Registering Your Dog and Cat
9) The last two topics I will cover may not pertain to everyone, but if you are moving to Boston, Somerville, or Cambridge, these areas allow residents to park on the street, but they must have a Resident parking permit, and there is no cost to get one. You must register your car in Massachusetts but can apply for or renew your parking permit online. If you live in Brookline and cannot secure off-street parking, Brookline does have a solution for those residents.
10) If you own a cat or dog, you must register your dog and cat with the city of Boston, the City of Somerville, the City of Cambridge, or the town of Brookline, and they all offer you the option to do it online or in person.
These services can streamline moving, make moving into your new home easier, and allow you more time to do other things. Some apps you might find use even after your move. Please contact me if I missed an app or service you would like me to know. Please contact me if you have questions about any of these applications mentioned. I always have time for my clients and the needs my clients have
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