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Decluttering for your Boston Move: Furniture Donation Pickup in Boston

Posted on November 24, 2014June 27, 2017 by olympiamoving

Moving is the perfect opportunity to de-clutter your home. Rather than selling or tossing your unwanted furniture and household items, it’s even better to do some good and donate it. We put together a list of organizations that will do a furniture donation pickup in Boston and metro-west.

You’ll read repeatedly that the easiest way to save money on a move is to move less stuff. This is especially relevant for interstate moves. The costs of the move are based on the actual weight of the move, so every pound you cut from your move will result in savings! So before you pack, think about whether you value that item enough to pay to move it.

Also consider whether there is a place in your new home for your old furniture. Make a floorplan to ensure you know the new location of each piece. It’s also recommended to measure your furniture to check whether it will fit through the doorways or stairways of the new home. It’s expensive and frustrating for the crew to go through the effort of relocating a sofa only to discover that it’s not possible to move it into your new house.

A new home is also a great opportunity for a new start. Maybe you’ve read the studies that less stuff equals more happiness and want to simplify. Or perhaps you want a new style for your new house, and some of your furniture and knickknacks just don’t fit with the new decor.

Regardless of your reason for donating before the move, here are our recommendations for where to donate furniture in Boston and metro-west:

The Mass Coalition for the Homeless

This local organization provides furnishings for people who are transitioning out of homelessness into permanent homes. Olympia Moving has worked with this organization in the past as part of their furniture drive. The Mass Coalition will pick up the furniture from most towns around Boston, but their pick up truck can book up months in advance. Fill out this form to request a pick up and click here to see the items most needed at this time.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army accepts donations of appliances, clothing, furniture, and household goods. Click here for a list of items they accept. There are donation drop off areas in almost every Boston-area town, click here to enter your zip code and find the one closes to you. If you’re donating furniture, call 1-800-SA-TRUCK to schedule a pickup.

Household Goods

Household Goods is a local non-profit in Acton that helps people who need help rebuilding their lives, including fire or flood victims, domestic violence victims, veterans, refugees, and others. They accept donations of gently used furniture, kitchenware, linens, and household items. The drop off location is 530 Main Street, Acton on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 9 AM to noon. They do furniture pickups at the same time for essential furniture and appliances only, click here to schedule a pickup.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a locally organized Christian organization that helps the needy and suffering. Clothing donations can be dropped off at one of their thrift stores in metro-west Boston or you can call 1-800-675-2882 to find a nearby drop-off bin. To schedule a furniture pick up, call 1-800-675-2882, between 8:30am – 3:30pm (Monday – Friday).

Boomerangs

These Boston thrift stores raise money to fight aids. They accept furniture, media, houseware, kitchenware, linen, and electronics. You can drop off donations at their thrift stores or click here to schedule a furniture pickup.

Still have leftover furniture? You can also check out this furniture disposal directory from Wayfair.

For more packing tips, be sure to check out:
9 Essential Items You Shouldn’t Bring on Your Move
How to Pack Video Series
Selling Unwanted Items Before Moving

Free Printable Moving Boxes Labels

Posted on November 25, 2013July 29, 2021 by olympiamoving

Nobody likes packing, but the moving process is always much smoother if you keep organized. That’s why Olympia offers free printable moving box labels to their clients, or anyone who’s moving. These pretty labels are sure to brighten your boxes, and may even motivate you to keep packing!

We’ve designed unique, color-coded labels for every room in your home to help the movers easily differentiate the boxes during delivery. Be sure to write descriptions of each box’s contents to aid in locating specific items while unpacking. Believe us, you’ll thank yourself later!

Also included are “fragile” stickers to warn movers of breakable contents like glass, dishes, figurines, and pictures. As a bonus, we also created adorable kids’ moving box labels to help your little ones find their toys as soon as playtime in the new home begins.

All labels can be printed on standard blank Avery or shipping labels using a laser printer, just be mindful that these boxes are meant to used on boxes, as they will be difficult to remove on furniture.

You can also purchase pre-printed moving box labels from us, along with other packing materials.

Moving Box Labels

All labels are 3.33″ x 4″ and are laid out 6 per sheet. We recommend using Avery Shipping Labels for Ink Jet Printers, 3.33 x 4 Inches. However, take care to only use the labels on boxes, as they will be difficult to remove from furniture.

Click on each link to download the respective PDF, or you can download all the moving label PDFs using [this link].

Living Room Moving Box Label
Dining Room Moving Box Label
Kitchen Moving Box Label
Storage Moving Box Label Continue reading →

Smart Packing with Adam of Benezra Boxes

Posted on July 25, 2013 by olympiamoving

When it comes to moving, Adam Benezra, entrepreneur and owner of Benezra Boxes, is an expert. He was a mover for Gentle Giant for four years, but even after a back injury, Adam wasn’t ready to leave the moving industry. Instead, he started his own business.

Says Adam “At the time, recycling was really gaining steam and using used moving boxes wasn’t anything new. I just decided to market it more aggressively and also add my moving knowledge to help give customers free advice.”

Benezra Boxes was born. Fifteen years later Adam still maintains his business in Winchester, MA. Benezra Boxes focuses on picking up and selling used moving boxes. Adam also leverages his industry expertise to offer relocation management services. Customers who utilize Adam’s service can sit back and let Adam plan their move and procure estimates, as well as managing their packing.

When our clients ask us how to get obtain or get rid of used boxes we know to send them to Adam. It’s great to see someone conquer this needed niche in the moving industry.

How did you come up with the idea of Benezra Boxes?

“When I was a kid, I was raised by my aunt and uncle and my aunt started the recycling program in Melrose. And my uncle was always encouraging me to start my own business, they were very supportive.”

Continue reading “Smart Packing with Adam of Benezra Boxes” →

Tips for Packing Clothes for Moving

Posted on September 13, 2012May 18, 2017 by olympiamoving

Packing your wardrobe can be one of the easiest steps of your moving preparation if you do it right.

Moving is a good opportunity to get rid of many of the clothes you never wear. When you’re packing, ask yourself if you’ve worn the article in the past year. If the answer is no, you may want to put it in a separate box for the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

Packing the dresser
If you have a lightweight dresser, such as one made of pine, you can simply leave your clothes inside. Clothes are light, so leaving them in the drawers does not add much weight to the furniture. When the movers arrive they will wrap the dresser in a moving blanket and move the dresser with all the clothes inside. If there are any concerns about the structural integrity of the dresser (pressboard furniture), then the clothing needs to be removed. Any loose items, such as pens, and spare change should be removed from dressers.

Packing the closet
If you have hanging clothes, you can use wardrobe boxes, like the one pictured here, to move your clothes and avoid wrinkling. These boxes act as a cardboard closet, with a bar inside for hangers. You can order wardrobe boxes ahead or ask your moving coordinator to send some with the crew on move day.

Packing in boxes
Start by filling your suitcases with clothes. You’re going to have to move them anyway, so make them useful instead of taking up empty space in the truck. Pack the remainder of your clothes in 4.5 cubic foot boxes.

Ready to move beyond your clothes closet? Visit our Moving Tips & Resources page for a wealth of useful moving and storage info, including videos showing how to pack a number of common household items.

Tips for Packing Electronics

Posted on July 26, 2012June 8, 2017 by olympiamoving

Electronics are often both valuable and fragile. Packing and transporting these items can seem intimidating; however with the proper supplies and methods, you can ensure that televisions, computers, DVD players, and gaming consoles will safely reach their destination.

The first step is to check owner’s manuals to see if there are any special packing or moving instructions. If you lost the manuals, you can often find an online version at the manufacturer’s website.

Next, gather the right materials for packaging these items. Using the original box is ideal, however if you did not save the original packaging, Olympia also sells boxes; including special flat-screen TV boxes. Olympia can also build custom crates to transport larger electronics.

When packing, use static free bags to pack all related wires and cables. Protect your item with bubble wrap or paper and include related manuals, accessories, and remotes in the same box so you won’t lose them later. Careful labeling will help to ensure that you can reconfigure your electronics properly at the new residence.

Boxes containing electronics should be designated as “FRAGILE’ and noted on the top and sides of the relevant containers.

If you are not comfortable to pack your own electronics, Olympia offers complete packing services. Should you require these services, please contact your move coordinator to ensure availability.

Having trouble envisioning yourself packing that fridge or TV? Check out our how-to videos for a step-by-step in packing common household items.

A Quick and Easy Solution for Finding Moving Boxes

Posted on December 1, 2011July 24, 2018 by olympiamoving

So you have contracted a mover and have a scheduled moving date…what next?

Moving Supplies Delivery

If you have not already done so, setup a moving supplies delivery through your moving company. Deliveries are free (provided you are within a certain radius of the office), and obtaining materials from a moving company is usually less expensive than one of the “big box stores”. Most moving companies will also be willing to deliver materials to your residence; even if you are moving yourself.

Ordering Moving Supplies

When ordering materials, consider the following:

1) People always underestimate the number of boxes required to complete their packing. Be conservative in your estimation.
2) Find moving supplies here to help you determine what kinds of boxes you will need. The basic rule of thumb is that heavier items (books, canned goods) should be placed in smaller boxes.
3) Order one role of tape for every 8-10 boxes.
4) Order one “ream” of paper for every 10-15 boxes (the more fragile items you have, the more paper will be required).
5) Ask whether the moving company has any used or recycled packing supplies that they could provide at a discounted rate. This is an environmentally friendly way to save money.

Organize Your Moving Boxes

Once you receive your packing supplies, keep them organized in a specific area to avoid unwanted clutter. Label each box carefully and stack the boxes in tiers against the wall so that the movers have access to all of your goods.

Now that you know where to find moving boxes, let us help you pack them. We have quite a few videos that show you how to pack common household items.

How To Start Packing For a Move

Posted on November 10, 2011February 23, 2022 by olympiamoving

Improper packing is far and away the leading cause of damages during a move. Packing is somewhat of an art form and Olympia Moving spends hundreds of hours training our crews on best practices on an annual basis. Obviously, if you choose to pack yourself, you will need to get up to speed as fast as possible; so the following suggestions should serve as a quick primer.

Tips to Packing For Your Move

1) Leave yourself enough time to organize and pack. Packing and preparing for a move always takes longer than anticipated. If you find that you are running out of time, contact your relocation coordinator and request assistance.

2) Organize your space before initiating the packing process. This will save you a lot of time.

3) Setup a “packing workstation” with a flat surface upon which you can lay your packing paper.

4) Place empty boxes that you are in the process of packing on top of a full carton so that you don’t have to bend down to pack the box. This is both a faster approach and will protect you from back injuries.

Packing Materials

5) The best packing material is plain white newsprint (packing paper), which can be supplied by any moving company. It is the right consistency and, unlike newsprint, will not leave ink stains on the items you are trying to protect.

6) Be generous in your use of paper. Packing paper is not cheap; but it is much less expensive than damaged goods.

7) In the vast majority of cases, paper is preferable to bubble wrap. In addition, paper is considerably less expensive and it more environmentally sound.

Organize Your Packing Items

8) Pack in tiers. If you are packing breakable items, put a “cushion” of crumpled up paper on the bottom of each box. Then individually wrap each item and place it gently and securely in the box. Make sure that everything is packed tightly together and then add another tier of cushioning.

9) Pack “like items” together; such as “pots and pans” or “dishes”. This makes the unpacking process smoother.

10) Label carefully on the top and two adjacent sides of each box. The labels should include your last name, the room that the items came out of, and a few words about the contents of the box. This will help the movers to know where to place the carton in your new residence.

11) Do not leave any extra space in your containers. The strength and integrity of the box is largely determined by what is inside the box. The rule of thumb is that if you gently shake the box and hear any movement, you need to add paper.

12) When taping the box shut, use proper moving tape. Tape securely along each seam of the box and then run your hand over the tape to make sure that it has adhered to the cardboard.

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Selling Unwanted Items Before Moving

Posted on November 3, 2011July 20, 2018 by olympiamoving

One of the biggest challenges for Olympia’s move consultants is to provide an accurate estimate when the client indicates that they are going to sell a significant portion of their goods prior to the move. In this scenario, the best of intentions are often eclipsed by the practical time constraints of preparing for your move. Typically this means that clients end up relocating numerous unwanted items to the new residence. Here are some quick tips to help you avoid moving more than you really need to.

Tips to Getting Rid of Items Before Moving

1) While it is reassuring to see a low number on your estimate, keep in mind that the estimate is based upon the “articles and services” listed. Underestimating the number of items to be transported can translate into an inaccurate quotation. When presenting the items to be relocated to your move consultant, be realistic and as inclusive as possible.

2) Do not assume that items will be quickly and easily disposed of at a yard sale. Leave as much time as possible between the yard sale and your move date.

3) Post items on Ebay and/or Craig’s List.

4) Consider making a donation of furniture, clothing or canned food to the Salvation Army or a local food bank. Not only will you benefit from the applicable tax deduction, but donations like these make a huge difference in our communities.

Be Prepared Before Your Move

Above all, be protective of your time and don’t try to do too much in the limited window leading up to your moving date. The single biggest determinant of a successful relocation is how prepared you are on the day of your move. Failure to be fully packed can lead to significant delays and cost overruns. If you need assistance with packing, please contact your relocation consultant.

Tips on Cleaning Out Belongings Before a Move

Posted on October 27, 2011July 20, 2018 by olympiamoving

Relocating provides a great opportunity to streamline your possessions and eliminate items that have not been used since your last move. Cleaning out your belongings can help give structure to the move process, as well as lighten the load. Especially if you are doing your own preparation, the tendency is always to begin packing immediately in anticipation of your coming move. As is often the case however, a little advance planning and cleaning can save you both time and money.

Tips to Cleaning Out Before a Move

Find Things to Purge: Once you have established a move date, go through your entire residence (including basement and attic spaces) and identify items that you intend to purge or donate.
Save Time and Money: Purging/donating items will not only decrease the overall moving costs, it will also save you time as you prepare for moving day.
Organize Items Not Moving: Set aside a specific area of the house for all items you will not be moving.
Use Salvation Army: Contact the Salvation Army or a local charity in your area to have belongings picked up from your residence well in advance of the move. Many of these organizations have capacity limitations, so do not wait until the last minute to contact them. Aside from the tax benefits of donating unwanted items, you will also reduce the amount of time required to move into your new home.
Donating Canned Goods: Consider donating canned goods to Move for Hunger or a local food pantry. It is often more expensive to move canned goods on a weight-based interstate move than it is to replace these items.

A household recycling bin issued by the local ... — Image via Wikipedia

Additional packing and Moving Preparation Tips

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9 Essential Items You Shouldn’t Bring on Your Move

Posted on September 22, 2011May 3, 2017 by olympiamoving

While we are certainly happy to move boxes of old newspapers from one basement to another for you, this is often not a particularly economical approach. Relocating to a new home is a great opportunity to purge unused and unwanted items. A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t opened a box or used an item since your last move, it may be time to get rid of it.

On Local Moves, which are based upon an hourly rate, additional boxes of books and papers simply add to the total amount of time to complete the job. The addition of 10 – 20 additional boxes typically will not add any significant time or cost to the move.

On Interstate Moves, which are based upon weight, eliminating excess boxes of papers, magazines, or books can have a significant impact upon the final cost of the move. Before you start packing, it is certainly a good idea to sort through what items you want to take and what items you can discard or donate.

In addition to the above, there are several items that Olympia simply cannot transport for legal and/or liability reasons. These include, but are not limited to:

1) Fire extinguishers

2) Any gas in tanks; such as propane or oxygen

3) Aerosol cans

4) Paints, varnishes, solvents, thinners, oils, heating agents

5) Ammonia, bleach and household cleaning agents

6) Auto batteries

7) Lighter fluid

8) Ammunition

9) Any combustible products

For more check our full list of items not to pack.