How an Interstate Move Works - Researching Your Options

image courtesy of ops.fhwa.dot.gov

One of the first and most important things anyone moving across state lines should do is research. As with any large, expensive purchase you want to be as informed as possible about what you'll be spending your money on.

It is a good idea to get quotes from multiple companies so you have a source for comparison. This could include van lines or local, independent companies, shipping containers or all three. Which way you want to go has a lot to do with how you want to go about your move and the price. Large van lines have affiliates all over the country and will most likely be able to combine loads and/or have a back load to decrease both their costs and yours. Most often they will give you a delivery window instead of a hard and fast drop off date. Independent movers will often own their own trucks and will be working on your move exclusively, meaning it will only be your goods on the truck. Shipping container companies, such as ABF, will fit your goods in the same container as other shipments and give you a window of delivery dates that it will arrive by at the facility. None of these are hard and fast rules, but generalizations of the options.

A very important thing to consider when getting interstate moving quotes is the moving company's interstate authority. As we've mentioned before, interstate moving is a federally regulated business. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is a part of the Department of Transportation (DOT), is the regulatory body of interstate moving. Moving companies must apply for operating authority through the FMCSA. Once this is granted, the moving company is given a DOT number. By law, that DOT number should be featured in a moving company's advertising, which includes ads, their website and even craiglist posts.

The federal government provides an invaluable resource for interstate moves in the form of their website, https://www.protectyourmove.gov/. There is a lot of fantastic information on there about what you can expect as a customer, what to watch out for, valuation options, etc. You can also research a moving company by searching the FMCSA database for complaints and violations here.

As licensed interstate movers we are required to hand you two booklets called "Your Rights and Responsibilities When you Move" and "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move." Though we will hand you both when we do an on site estimate, you can also find the information on the government's website.

If you have any other questions about researching an interstate move let us know. We like to help customers be informed about their moves!

New Real Estate Developments in the Area

There's a few new housing developments we've noticed close to us recently that bear mentioning.

image courtesy of http://www.altabrighamsquare.com/brigham-square

First, there's Alta Brigham Square by Wood Residential. Its on the former site of Brigham's Ice Cream headquarters in Arlington. The construction seems to be moving along, though the website still says there's a website coming soon and there's no date available for leasing/move in. They have a Facebook page you can check out here.

image courtesy of http://www.windsorcommunities.com/apartments/boston/vox/

Another one is Vox Two by Windsor Communities. This is the one going up right by Lanes and Games/Alewife Station, on the site where Faces used to be. Their website says units will be available starting May 2013.

image courtesy of http://ccfne.com/?portfolio=70-fawcett-street

The third property, 70 Fawcett St. Cambridge, is still in the early stages of construction. According to a website, the 428 apartment building will be called Atmark and the first of two buildings will be ready the summer of 2013. The developers also state that are "breaking ground in developing Cambridge's next neighborhood district." While we are excited to see the new complex, we hope it stays a least a little industrial as our warehouse is within walking distance and we like it there!

Besides being under construction properties, these three developments have one other thing in common. They're close to us! If you hope or plan to move into any one of these three residences give us a call! Its short to almost non-existent travel time back to our warehouse from both Atmark and Vox Two and only approximately 15 minutes travel back from Alta Brigham Square. Less travel time means a more affordable move. Not, only that, but we have a certificate of insurance should any of the buildings require it and we are familiar with working with new construction.

We'll keep checking in on these buildings as they progress. Based on their websites, they look like they'll be fantastic!

Why You Should Always Heed No Truck Route Signs

image courtesy of lifeasatrucker.com

It can be oh so tempting to ignore those no truck route signs you see on certain roads around Boston. Its definitely not a good idea to test your luck, though. Those signs are there for a reason. Maybe its a low bridge. Maybe its a densely populated area. Maybe the road is too narrow to accommodate trucks. Whatever the reason, stay off that road if you're in a truck! Rental companies will not take to kindly to a call from you when you've gotten stuck under a bridge. Nor, for that matter, will the state police or the drivers in the traffic jam caused by a mistake like this. Also, truck rental insurance coverage, should you have signed up for it, does not cover the box, only the cab.

Check out this slideshow from Boston.com showcasing some really good reminders as to why you should pay attention to no truck route signs. Its ok to giggle a little bit at these, just make sure you never make it on to one of these slideshows!

photo courtesy of boston.com

What is Stretch Wrap?

image courtesy of mcmahonpaperandpackaging.com

If you've ever received an estimate from us before you've seen that we include something called stretch wrap. Stretch wrap is an industrial strength saran wrap that we use to protect your goods during the move. Our movers use it to wrap soft goods like mattresses and couches to keep them clean during transport. Also, the movers use it to adhere moving blankets to your hard furniture like dressers and tables.

We use stretch wrap instead of other materials for a few reasons. We find it works better than tape for adhering moving blankets because there is no sticky residue that might damage your furniture. Also, we find that our movers like it better than mattress bags and other specialty bags because its easier to grip and it fits around the item perfectly, whereas the bags are often loose and slippery. Stretch wrap protects against rain and snow just like a bag would, but because of its grip, the movers like it better in wet weather.

We also have two different sizes of stretch, so we're really able to tailor our approach to your particular goods. And, while the stretch wrap can't be reused, it can be recycled through the City of Cambridge, which we really like.

Overall we feel stretch wrap is the right material for the jobs. If you have any questions about it please ask away!

Moving Out of the Ordinary Goods

Though our focus is mostly on residential moves, we occasionally get asked to handle goods that are a bit outside the normal list of bookcases, beds and TVs. We relish opportunities like this because its always neat doing something different and we love to put our skills to use in unusual ways.

Photograph is our own.

We once were asked by a regular customer of ours to move the above stone statues. Each statue was so heavy (approximately 400 lbs) the movers had to use dollies and four wheelers to get them to the truck.

We also once moved a megalethoscope. Its a bit like a very large viewfiender you might have had as a kid. Photographs are inserted and, with the help of a large lens and a light source, the illusion of perspective and depth is created.

One of our favorite jobs ever was moving Peter L. Stern & Co., Inc. They are antiquarian booksellers with some truly amazing stuff. We moved there shop from one address in Boston to another. We also help them with the Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair every fall.

Another regular customer of ours had us go down to Rhode Island to get a fire escape for him to put on his new house. It was heavy and bit awkward but it fit in our 26' truck!

We've moved a lot of pianos, from spinets to uprights to grands and even some organs, but we got a do a fairly rare piano one time. It was a Mason and Hamilin Butterfly grand piano. Instead of the cover hinging on one side it hinges in the middle and opens like a butterfly.

This is actually a Wurlitzer, not a Mason and Hamilin. Image courtesy of pianoworld.com

A neighbor of ours in Fresh Pond, E Ink, creates the displays for eReaders like the Kindle and the Nook, among other technology. Another neighbor right around the corner, NK Labs, creates the machines that make the screens for E Ink. We've had the pleasure of transporting those machines for NK Labs multiple times. Not only are the machines themselves interesting, but we get to crate them, which is always a unique challenge.

The Bedford Whaling Museum was getting some large display cases from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and were the lucky ones able to pick up the cases and deliver them to New Bedford. Those cases were quite large and heavy, but what a treat! The staff at both museums were very kind and helpful and it was a joy to assist both of them.

If you have a pieces or pieces that falls outside the "normal" spectrum give us a call. We've handled a vast variety of goods. If we haven't moved your exact item before chances are we've moved something like it! Give us a ring at 617.549.9880 or e-mail us at help@intelligentlabor.com to get a quote. We look forward to hearing from you!

Moving Outdoor Goods

Now that the warm weather is in full swing (fingers crossed), people are moving and bringing their outdoor items with them. Here are a few tips on how to prepare these goods for your move.

Image courtesty of chosensites.us

- Charcoal grill
Prior to the movers arrival empty out any soot and charcoal briquets inside. This saves time and helps insure a clean truck and, therefore, clean goods. The same thing goes for any chimineas, fire pits or similar items.

- Gas grill
We are not allowed to transport the gas tank. Removing it from the grill and giving a quick clean will save time.

- Lawn mower
If you have a gas powered lawn mower please make sure it is empty of all fuel. We are not allowed to take any gas on our trucks. The same thing goes for other gas powered items such as snow blowers.

- Swing sets
This really deserves its own post, but here's the quick run down. If you'll be taking care of any disassembly yourself, make sure that its taken apart and ready to go when the movers arrive. WD-40 or some other lubricant will probably be necessary as the screws holding swing sets together often rust a bit due to being outside of all the time. If you're having us take care of the disassembly we'll have all the tools on hand to take care of it.

- Compost bins
If you have a portable compost bin make sure it is empty so its ready for transport. Most compost bins, even if they're portable, will be too heavy to move with the contents inside.

If you have any questions about this or anything else moving related give us a call at 617.864.0620! We're happy to answer any questions you may have.

Deposits

We do not take deposits for most moves. The only time we take a deposit is for an interstate move that originates outside of Massachusetts. For instance, if you live in New York City and are moving to Cambridge, we would require a deposit for your move. Otherwise, we do not take money from a customer before the move has happened.

We operate this way for a couple of reasons. One, we like to show faith in our customers. Probably 95% of the time is faith is well placed and so we continue to go about payments in the same way. There have only been a few times that we've booked a job then had the customer back out at the last minute, leaving us in a lurch. Intelligent Labor and Moving operates on the honor system. No deposit means we ask that if you have to change the date of your move or cancel it all together you give us as much notice as you are able. We don't want to punish customers for something they might not have control over. Two, it simplifies the process. No deposit means more streamlined bookkeeping, less time spent tracking deposits, sending people out to pick them up or waiting for them to show up in the mail, etc. Getting the entire amount at the end of the job also makes it easier on our crew chiefs. No deposits allows both office staff and movers to focus on other, more important tasks, like the actual picking up and putting down of your furniture or responding to e-mails and phone calls in a timely manner.

One time we followed up on a move with a customer to see how she felt it had all gone. She was very pleased with the move but wished we had required a deposit because she would have felt more secure in her booking that way. That's the only time we've ever heard that from a customer, but she can't be the only whose felt that way. We strive to make you, the customer, feel secure in your choice and booking with us. One way we do that is to send an e-mail when you book stating the date and time you are in our calendar. Then, usually two days in advance of your move we send out another confirmation with all of the details - date, time, addresses, inventory, phone numbers - so you can go over the information we have for you and make any necessary changes. We like this system better than deposits for letting a customer know we are thinking about and preparing for their move.

Image courtesy of apartmentwiz.com

Graduation Schedule 2012

image courtesy of librarydoriot.wordpress.com

Its that time of year again. Below is a list of the graduation dates for some of the schools in the Boston area. This list is by no means comprehensive. If you are planning on moving in or around Boston on any of these dates be aware of traffic and possible parking issues. Congratulations to all of the 2012 graduates!

- May
Emerson College                              May 14th
Lesley University                             May 19th
Suffolk University                            May 20th
Boston University                             May 20th
Tufts University                                May 20th
Boston College                                 May 21st
Harvard University                           May 24th

- June
MIT                                                   June 8th
                  

Parking Permits - Changes to Boston and Somerville

Both the City of Boston and the City of Somerville have recently made changes to their procedures for moving van permits.

Boston used to have two offices for moving van permits, one for the signs and one for the paperwork. Now, they have consolidated the process into one office. Getting a permit should now be more streamlined and it only requires one check instead of two. Everything else about the process remains the same.

Somerville previously put up the moving van permit signs for you. Now, however, it is the responsibility of the person or company requesting the permit. They signs must go up 48 hours in advance of the requested date(s).

If you're moving to or from Boston or Somerville keep these changes in mind when its time to request your moving vans. And, of course, if you have any questions about getting through us if you're using Intelligent Labor and Moving for your move, just let us know!

Also, as a random side note, I just found a picture of our truck on this blog. Nice shot!

Navigating Belmont in a Truck

Here's another helpful truck driving post from our owner Ezekiel. 

image courtesy of leftbankofthecharles.com

There's a bridge in Belmont Center, it's an old railroad bridge and it's pretty low. The clearance posting on it is 10'9" I believe. This bridge causes a lot of problems for a lot of truck drivers. On one hand, you can get a 12'6" straight truck through the very center of it, but even if you fit, it's still illegal to pass through it in an inappropriately marked truck. The problem is that getting from Fresh Pond to the other side of that bridge in a truck legally is a pain. It may look like you can take Blanchard St. to Brighton St. and then cut back to Belmont Center, but that involves no truck routes (they're rather loosely enforced, however). The only official way is to take Rte. 16 (Fresh Pond Parkway) to Rte. 2 to Rte. 60 and then go into Belmont. Belmont is bisected by those train tracks and getting from one side of them to the other requires going around, especially in a truck due to that low-clearance bridge. Options for turning a rig around if you head down Concord to that bridge are slim at best as well.

So, if you're planning to move yourself in or out of Belmont be very careful not only of the no truck routes but also that low bridge in Belmont Center. If you're hiring movers keep this information in mind as well. We may quote you a travel time that seems inappropriate to you, but remember that the way you drive in your car is not the same way we would go about things in a truck, so it may take longer. 

The Busy Season Approaches

image is our own!

Moving in the Boston-area (and perhaps everywhere else) is a very seasonal business. Winters are slow and summers its hard to keep up with demand. Part of this has to do with the leasing/university schedule in Boston and part of it is just that its not that pleasant to move when its very cold and possibly snowy out.

Every year, sometime in April, is when we start to get busy. We have hit that point this year. The phones are ringing more, the inbox has a lot more e-mails and we're filling up the calendar.

If you are looking to use a moving company sometime this summer or to move yourself with a rental truck we have some recommendations:

1. When you know you are going to move start planning. Call truck rental places to book a truck if that is your plan. If you're using a moving company call around to get estimates as soon as you know you're moving.
2. Think about moving van permits. On very busy days during the summer moving van permits can become unavailable due to someone else requesting a permit for the same address.
3. Know what days are busiest and if you have any flexibility with your move date. Traditionally, the first and last days of the month are the busiest. The 15th is also usually fairly busy. Weekends are also very popular. If you have a specific day in mind and you know that the landlord's or your schedule doesn't allow for any wiggle room about that make sure you call to make reservations as soon as you are able.
3. The above applies particularly for September 1st. Everyone in the greater Boston-area knows that is the hardest day of the year to try and move, whether you're doing it yourself or using a moving company. That day books up FAST, so keep that in mind when planning.
4. Last minute moves are hard to pull off in the summer, at least for us and most likely for any truck rental places. While during the winter we can often schedule you within a day or two, during the summer we tend to book up at least a week or two in advance, sometimes more. It never hurts to try, though, so if you do have a last minute move or change of plans definitely give us a call or shoot us an e-mail.

Being prepared is the key to any low-stress, happy moving experience of any kind and even more so in the summer. If you have any questions about moving this summer please give us a call (617.864.0620) or e-mail us (help@intelligentlabor.com). You can also check out our excellent, revamped website for tips and information. We'd love to help you move!

An Organization We Love: NuPath

image courtesy of providers.org

Occasionally we do work for a company called NuPath Inc. Their offices are located in Woburn but they have 11 locations around the greater Boston area. They provide day and residential services "for people living with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and acquired brain injury." NuPath is also an active advocate for people with disabilities. We're proud to work with them and so pleased they choose us to help move them when they need it.

If you're interested, check out their Facebook page. They have a lot of upcoming events, including a walk and a book presentation, among other events, for Autism Awareness Month in April.

Website Upgrade!

We've just completed a major overhaul to our company website. We're really proud of how it turned out. Here are just some of the changes:

- More information about moving van permits and how they work
- An expanded link section with links to businesses we work with and organizations we belong to
- Information about how and what we recycle
- A section about how we participate in our community
- An expanded section on our rates, including rush rates, extra charges, insurance, and disposal

Go take a look and tell us what you think! We'd love to hear from you about ease of use, comprehensiveness of information, etc. We think we've now got best site for a moving company in the Boston area!

Moving Expenses and the IRS

image courtesy of forbes.com

Tax season is upon us again!

No one at Intelligent Labor and Moving is a tax professional, but, being movers, we do know that the IRS lets you deduct some moving expenses.

According to the IRS, if you moved this year "due to a change in your job or business location, or because you started a new job or business, you may be able to deduct your reasonable moving expenses but not any expenses for meals." There are two tests you must use to determine if qualify for the deduction:

1. Distance
Is your new job 50 miles or more farther away from your old home than your old job was from your old home? If you've never worked before, is your new job 50 miles or more away from your old home?

2. Time
If you're an employee you must work at least 39 weeks at full-time for the first year following your arrival in the general area of your relocation. If you're self-employed the same applies, as well as needing to work at least 78 during the first 24 months in the general area of your new location.

There are exceptions to each rule. If you're move is due to military service you do not need to meet either requirement. The time requirement can be waived due to death, disability, involuntary separation among other things. If your employer paid for or reimbursed you for your move you do not qualify for this tax deduction.




The IRS provides a more comprehensive guide to moving tax deductions here. Its definitely worth a read if you moved in 2011. And, for a tax guideline its not so bad to read! If you still have questions after reading over the guide it is best to contact a tax professional.

Happy filing!

Moving Company Website Red Flags

image courtesy of thebookdesigner.com

There are a lot of ways to find a moving company. The best way is through a personal referral, but sometimes that's not possible. There's also review sites, but some of those must be taken with a grain of salt. Trade organizations (AMSA, MMA) are also good resources.

Then, there's a good old fashioned internet search. So, you type in your search terms and a whole host of websites pop up in the results. If you go to any of these websites here are some important pieces of information you should be on the look out for .

- Rates
Does the moving company make its rates available on their website? If not, beware. All Massachusetts moving companies need to have a tariff with all of their rates on file with the Department of Public Utilities. If this tariff doesn't appear on the moving company's website you can always check with the DPU, but if they don't bother to post the information themselves, there's a good bet they're not on file or the tariff is out of date.

- Photos
Are there photos of the actual movers and the company's trucks? Or are there stock photos of trucks and warehouses with maybe a Photoshopped logo? A lot of moving companies just starting out can't afford to own their own trucks and that's doesn't mean they are disreputable or unlicensed. However, the company should not set out to deceive you with photos either.

- Licenses, Tariffs, etc.
Check the website to see if the company lists its license number. If the company is Massachusetts based this number will be called a MDTE number. If the company offers interstate moving those license numbers will be called DOT and MC numbers. Both of those numbers can be researched through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (specifically here). It is federally required that all interstate moving companies listed their DOT number on all written/printed material, so this is a very important piece of information

- Trade Organizations
Almost without fail, reputable moving companies belong to their trade organizations. Locally, that's the Massachusetts Movers Association. Nationwide it is the American Moving and Storage Association. There are also more general business organizations like the local Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau. Just because a moving company does not belong to one or even all of these or similar organizations does not make them bad or disreputable, but it should inspire further research.

- Address
Look up the address the company lists as their place of business. Is it shared by many other moving companies? That could be a sign that the entity operates under several business names or d/b/a's, which could have an effect of the way the business(es) are run. If the listed address is just a residential location, that raises other questions.

- Insurance
Is information about the company's insurance listed somewhere on their website? If not, and you're considering hiring them, double check with the company. A good moving company will have insurance on their trucks and for cargo. Workers compensation insurance is not required, but its always a good idea and is often either provided for the workers by the company or the movers provide their own.

- Name
This is more for craiglists postings. If there's an ad with a phone number but no other identifying information (company name, e-mail address, website, etc.) beware. That almost definitely means an unlicensed, uninsured mover.

Piano Moving Seminar

The other day we held a piano moving seminar for our guys at the warehouse. One of our movers has spent many years moving pianos at a previous job so we had him show our other movers how to do everything properly. A lot of our guys have piano moving experience already, but it never hurts to have an expert go over the finer points for clarification.

There's a lot more that goes into a moving a piano than with most other goods. First, they're often very expensive. They also have a lot of delicate parts and they're heavy. There's even special equipment, skid boards, that we use just for pianos (though they do sometimes get used for other heavy weight items).

Check out all the pictures from the seminar. I think everyone learned a lot!

Legs have been removed.

A baby grand properly wrapped and strapped to a skid.

Practicing moving the pianos on dollies.

Laying the piano onto a skid.

Places to Fuel Up with Diesel in the Cambridge Area

Our owner, Ezekiel, was kind enough to write this post about fueling up with diesel in Cambridge. This is great information for all of you who are moving yourselves and/or renting your own trucks.

image courtesy of whitfieldoil.com

There's a bunch of places to get diesel if you're running low while in the Cambridge area. Of course, prices are going to be cheaper at the big pilot stops on the highway, but here are some options if you're in a jam.

The Hess on Massachusetts Ave., westbound outside Porter Sq. (2055 Mass. Ave.), is easily accessible if you're heading westbound. The parking is a bit tight for tractor-trailers, but most straight jobs won't have a problem. They're usually the lowest prices in the area. Access to and from the eastbound lane however, is problematic.

Chico's Sunoco in Fresh Pond is moderately priced (not the best but not too bad) and is open 24 hours. They're located on Rte. 16 in Cambridge between the two Fresh Pond area rotaries. They have a good parking lot that's not too bad for pulling into and out of. Again, trailers might get a bit tight. They can usually fill tanks on both sides at the same time if you park just right. Their windshield washer fluid and squeegees are also usually in good shape, even in the winter.

There's also a Hess with diesel in Allston, right off of  Interstate 90 at the corner of Cambridge St. and North Harvard (219 Cambridge St. Allston). This has the easiest access to the pumps (good for any size truck) and is right by the 90 on ramp.

Why We Blog

image courtesy of financiallysmitten.com

Our main goal in blogging is to get information out to anyone looking for moving tips in general and for information specific to Intelligent Labor and Moving. We do our best to offer timely, educational posts on a variety of moving related topics.

Some Boston moving or Boston mover blogs I've found (using those search terms in Google) are little more than a way to use the latest top search terms to make their names come up first in the results. Its a good marketing strategy for sure, but not usually very on topic. Other blogs I've found using those same search terms have been very helpful and up-to-date. We strive to be the latter. We want people to be able to come to this blog and find information that will be helpful to them, whether they're using us for their Boston/Cambridge/Somerville/Arlington/New York City/etc move or not.

So far our most popular posts have been "What if My Furniture Doesn't Fit?" and "Parking in Towns That Don't Issue Moving Van Permits." We've covered a lot of other useful topics, too, but if there's ever anything that you feel we've missed and would like us to explain, please let us know. We strive to make the process of moving with us as transparent as possible and that's part of why the blog exists. Of course, anyone can also get in touch with us by phone at 617.864.0620 or by e-mail at help@intelligentlabor.com. We're happy to answer any questions you have.

Holiday Closings

image courtesy of freechristmaswallpapers.net

Just a head's up on our 2011 holiday schedule. Here are the days the company will be closed for business so everyone at ILAM can enjoy some egg nogg and well deserved rest:

Dec. 24th
Dec. 25th
Dec. 26th
Jan. 1st

Other than that we're open for business so give us a call or shoot us an e-mail if you need to move around the holidays (because the holidays are busy enough already, right?)

Occupy Boston

Parked at the camp.

Last night a few of us got the call from Occupy Boston that they needed some help getting goods out of Dewey Square before the midnight deadline. Ezekiel, our owner had previously volunteered our services if they should need it and they took us up on it.

We rolled down to Dewey in one of our big trucks and first helped them load up all the goods from the medical tent. Our truck wasn't anywhere close to full, but given the uncertainties inherent in the situation, no one at Occupy had anything else for us to take at that moment.

Loading medical supplies.

After we finished up with that load and we were heading back to the warehouse we got another call from an Occupier asking us to come back and help with some more goods, which we were happy to do. This time we loaded up all the clothing donations and brought them to an Occupier's so they can be sorted and donated appropriately.

We are so glad we were able to help. The people we interacted with last night, from the cops to the Occupy Boston members were wonderful to work with. The Occupiers were really thankful that we were able to help out and we were pleased to do so. Intelligent Labor and Moving is in the business of moving people in and around Boston, not in the business of politics. As a small business though, we appreciate individuals and small groups trying to create change and start a discussion. We like to help where we can, and showing up with a truck to help Occupy Boston was a small way to help and get involved.