Tag: olympia moving & Storage

Olympia Moving and Storage Reviews: Client Satisfaction 2014

Posted on by olympiamoving

Olympia Moving Client Satisfaction_resizedThe 2014 Olympia Moving and Storage reviews are in! Our clients’ feedback is the key to our constant improvement. Every day we receive comments and praise from the families we move. However, we needed a tool to consistently track our clients’ satisfaction. That’s why every client receives a client satisfaction survey. We have been carefully tracking these reviews since 2012.

Results of Olympia Moving and Storage Reviews: The 2014 Client Satisfaction Report

The Olympia Moving and Storage 2014 Client Satisfaction Report is now complete. Click here to view the summary of Olympia Moving and Storage’s 2014 Reviews.

Highlights from the 2014 report:

  • 97% of clients were satisfied with their sales representative
  • 94% of clients were satisfied with the Olympia office coordination staff
  • 97% of clients were satisfied with the local moving crew
  • 93% of clients would recommend Olympia or use us for their next move

Our client satisfaction scores eclipse the moving and storage industry standard because of the high level of training and experience of our crews and our staff’s commitment to communication and accountability. Every employee at Olympia Moving & Storage takes pride in our clients’ moving experiences and are constantly referencing these scores and striving to improve them.

About the Olympia Moving and Storage Client Satisfaction Survey

The survey is sent automatically through our move tracking system after the move, so there is no chance for our staff to dictate who receives the survey or skew the results. We also believe in transparency. That why we make our complete client satisfaction scores publicly available.

The survey questions are based on the factors that are the strongest influencers of a family’s satisfaction with their move. They are also the factors that help us evaluate our staff and determine if process changes are necessary.

Using Client Feedback to Improve Olympia Moving & Storage

We are committed to using our clients’ feedback to improve our business. Every month we distribute the summary of the survey results company-wide as well as the results for each individual. The leadership reviews the results with their team members. We also use the scores to spot potential problem areas. For example, in 2014, trends in our satisfaction survey results influenced additional hires in the customer service department and changes in our interstate communication process.

However, our clients are more than just a number. They are also given the opportunity to leave their comments on the survey. We received hundreds of Olympia Moving and Storage reviews, which we add to this page monthly to help future clients make their decision. When our clients submit their comments, they are in their coordinator’s inbox within seconds. This allows the coordinator to immediately follow up with their client to resolve loose ends or customer service issues. The comments are also shared with the team and guide the leadership in pinpointing the areas where we excel, and the areas that need improvement.

The team at Olympia Moving and Storage is looking forward to earning even better Olympia Moving and Storage reviews in 2015. You can view our client satisfaction report as it is updated throughout the year to see how we’re doing. Or click here to request a free estimate and join our thousands of happy Olympia Moving and Storage customers.

Other helpful articles:

Holiday Giving: Olympia Moving & Storage Donates to Toy Drive, Food Drive & 5K

Posted on by olympiamoving

Happy holidays from Olympia Moving & Storage! December is the season of giving, and Olympia Moving & Storage is continuing their tradition of giving back to the communities in which we live & work. This month we had several opportunities to participate in great events and causes.

Home for Little Wanderer’s Big Wishes Gift Drive with Coldwell Banker

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage sponsored this gift drive to benefit children being served by the Home for Little Wanderers. CBRB offered their offices as drop-off locations for the drive. Olympia donated the trucks and labor to transport all the donations from CBRB offices across the state to The Home’s toy room. The crew, Nandor, Josh, and Glenn, even got in the spirit by wearing Santa’s elf hats to the delivery! Check out pictures from the delivery event below:

Jolly Jaunt 5K to Benefit Special Olympics Massachusetts

Boston Jolly JauntThe Jolly Jaunt 5K was just one of the many Special Olympics events we donate logistics assistance to. This is Olympia’s second year sponsoring the holiday-themed 5K around the Boston Common. The event raised almost $140,000 for athletes with intellectual disabilities!

Lauren, Manager of Strategic Development Initiatives at Special Olympics Massachusetts, had this to say about our donated assistance:

“Thank you so much for all of your help over this past few months! Everything went so well on Saturday, and it was greatly due to all of your and Olympia’s help. If you speak with Ben who was on site with us with the truck and helped us unload today, can you thank him for me on behalf of Special Olympics MA as a whole. Not only was he always willing to jump in and help, but he was beyond professional!”

St. Irene’s Parish Food Drive for the Greater Merrimack Velley Food Bank

Olympia Moving Food DriveFor many years, Clark & Reid (Olympia’s executive relocation brand) has been donating boxes for St. Irene’s Parish’s food drive in Carlisle, MA.

This year, the Parish secured a pound for pound food match with Walmart. As a result, St. Irene’s received 2 tons of food this Thanksgiving, the most donations ever. As a result, Olympia/Clark & Reid donated 160 boxes to the drive, 60% more boxes versus previous years.

Congrats to St. Irene’s Parish for a successful food drive, which will benefit the Greater Merrimack Valley Food Bank.

Read more about Olympia’s recent community & charity involvement:
Olympia bring Moving Truck to Touch-a-Truck Newton
Olympia Moving Pulls a Plane for Special Olympics Virginia
Olympia Moving at Special Olympics MA Summer Games

Happy Holidays! Holiday Playlist Mix from Olympia Moving & Storage!

Posted on by olympiamoving

Happy Holidays Olympia Moving & StorageHappy Holidays from Olympia Moving & Storage! We have a lot to be thankful for this year. Here are just a few of the things we accomplished in 2014:

We’re looking forward to a quick break over the holidays before getting to work to make 2015 the best year in Olympia’s history!

Olympia’s staff compiled this holiday playlist mix as a thank you to all our clients, referral sources, and business partners for a great year! You can take a listen here on Spotify.

Holiday Playlist 2014 by Olympia Moving & Storage

Holiday Playlist 2014 Tracks

Looking for more music? Be sure to check out our Songs for Moving Playlist

Estimating the Number of Boxes For Moving

Posted on by olympiamoving

Estimating number of boxes for movingOur moving consultants are all experts in estimating the weight, volume, and costs for a move, but even they will agree that estimating the number of boxes for moving can be tricky. Truthfully, the number of boxes you need to purchase to start packing is completely variable and unique to every relocation. Some homes are sparse, some families are pack rats, and even the types of boxes needed are unique to what you own.

Therefore, the most accurate way to determine how many boxes you need will always be to have a professional moving consultant do an in-home survey and produce a cube sheet. The cube sheet will include the number and types of boxes you will need to start packing, and that list will be completely customized to your items.

However, sometimes you just need a rule of thumb to purchase boxes and start packing. Here are some averages and generalizations we use for estimating the number of boxes needed for a move:

Before you get started, click here to learn more about the types of boxes sold for packing for a move.

 

Average number of boxes needed to pack an apartment or condo:

ROOM 1.5 cu. ft. small box 3.1 cu. ft. medium box 4.5 cu. ft. large box 5.1 cu. ft. dishpack box Wardrobe Boxes
Kitchen 2 5 4 4 0
Living Room 2 3 2 1 0
Dining Room 0 1 0 2 0
Master Bedroom 1 5 5 0 4
Bedroom #2 1 3 3 0 2
Bathroom 2 0 2 0 0
TOTAL 8 17 16 7 6

How many boxes to move a one bedroom apartment? Approximately 45 boxes. About 54 boxes are required for a two bedroom apartment.

Average number of boxes needed for a single family home move:

ROOM 1.5 cu. ft. small box 3.1 cu. ft. medium box 4.5 cu. ft. large box 5.1 cu. ft. dishpack box Wardrobe Boxes
Kitchen 4 6 4 6 0
Living Room 4 4 4 2 0
Dining Room 0 2 0 4 0
Master Bedroom 3 6 8 0 6
Bedroom #2 2 5 5 0 2
Bedroom #3 2 5 5 0 2
Bathroom #1 2 0 2 0 0
Bathroom #2 2 0 0 0 0
TOTAL 19 28
 28 12 10

How many boxes to move a house? Approximately 100, depending on the number of bedrooms, and of course the volume of belongings.

These estimates only take into account an average home set-up.  Think about which things you tend to have more of than the average household, then add boxes based on that.

  • Don’t forget about adding boxes to pack hall closets, basements, attics, garages, and sheds.
  • If you have many books, papers, or records, add more 1.5 boxes.
  • For more knick-knacks, small appliances, and miscellaneous, add more 3.1 boxes.
  • For more clothes, blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals, add 4.5 boxes.
  • For additional kitchenware, add 5.1 boxes.

Paper and Tape

  • Tape: purchase 1 roll of tapes for every 10 boxes
  • Packing Paper: purchase 25 lbs of packing paper for every 2 dishpack boxes, this is enough to cover those dishpacks and additional fragiles in the other boxes

Other tips and rules of thumb for estimating boxes:

  • Don’t forget your mirrors and artwork!  Add 1 mirror carton for every 2 large frames in your home.
  • Do you have bookcases?  Add 6 additional 1.5 boxes for every bookcase in your home.
  • For closets with hanging clothes, a wardrobe box will hold 2 feet worth of hanging items, so just measure the width of your closet to determine how many wardrobe boxes you need.
  • Moving.com has a handy packing materials calculator that is also a good guideline for estimating boxes.

Ready to purchase boxes? If you’re packing for a Boston, Washington D.C., Austin, or Philadelphia move you can request a free box delivery by filling out this form.

Need more packing help? Be sure to check out:
Packing Resource Center
Free Printable Moving Box Labels
9 Items You Shouldn’t Bring When Moving

Decluttering for your Washington DC Move: Furniture Donation Pickup in Washington DC

Posted on by olympiamoving

Furniture Donation PickupIf you are trying to declutter your home prior to a Washington, DC move, consider donating your old furniture instead of selling or trashing it. Not only is it better for the environment, but it is a chance to do some good. Donating furniture is easy with our list of organizations that offer furniture donation pickup in Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.

There are plenty of good reasons to donate furniture prior to your move, including:

  • Saving money: the less items you have to move, the more inexpensive your move will be
  • Streamline the move: some of your furniture may not fit through the doorways or stairways of your new home, get rid of those items before move day to reduce stress
  • Redecorating: a new home is the perfect opportunity to get rid of the old to make way for a new home decor aesthetic
  • Simplifying: some studies show that less stuff equals greater happiness

These Washington DC area organizations make it easy with furniture donation pickup. If you live in the greater Boston area, don’t miss our list of organizations that will pickup furniture donations in Boston.

Charity-Net in support of Special Olympics Virginia

As proud supporters of Special Olympics Virginia, we recommend using Charity-Net to schedule a pickup of your gently used clothes, housewares, media, and furniture. Your items will go to Savers and Value Village Thrift Stores, and a portion of their sales will support the athletic programs and competitions for athletes with intellectual disabilities. You can book your pickup online. Just enter your zip code, and you’ll be presented with a list of possible pickup dates.

A Wider Circle

This non-profit provides basic need items, education, and long-term support for those in need. They accept furniture, linens, baby items, and professional attire. All your donations will be used by someone in need within days! Fill out this form to schedule a pick up or you can drop off at their office in Silver Spring.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia

Habitat for Humanity builds homes for people in need. Your donations got to their ReStores which raise money for the organization. They are in need of furniture, housewares, appliances, building supplies, and more. Fill out this online form to schedule a weekday pickup from your curb, driveway, or garage. You can also drop items at their Alexandria or Chantilly store Monday – Saturday.

Alive! (ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically)

This non-profit is a collaboration of religious congregations in Alexandria, VA to provide a safety net for the needy in Alexandria. If you live in Alexandria, they will send a volunteer to pick up your furniture on Saturday mornings. Call 703-837-9300 x3 to schedule the pickup. Alive! also accepts housewares.

Support Our Veterans

This organization sells your donations and uses the funds for programs for veterans. Use their online form to schedule a pickup of your furniture, housewares, clothes, and more. Then just leave your items on your porch by 8 AM on your schedule pickup day.

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

Decluttering for your Boston Move: Furniture Donation Pickup in Boston

Posted on by olympiamoving

Furniture Donation PickupMoving 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

Olympia Moving & Storage Adds Second Boston Area Storage Facility

Posted on by olympiamoving
New Olympia Moving & Storage facility in Canton, MA
New Olympia Moving & Storage facility in Canton, MA

Olympia Moving & Storage, a Boston moving and storage company headquartered in Watertown, MA, has seen double-digit growth each of the past four years. As a result, we have exceeded the capacity of our full-service warehouse in Watertown, MA and are proud to announce the opening of Olympia’s second Boston area storage facility in Canton, MA.

The Canton storage location is a 50,000 sq. ft., state-of-the-art warehouse. Olympia Moving & Storage acquired this facility more than a year ago and has been working diligently to ensure that the Canton facility met the high standards of the Watertown location, including: 24-hour security systems, temperature control, a dedicated warehouse staff, and immaculate condition.

Not only will the Canton warehouse allow Olympia Moving & Storage to serve more clients, but it will allow us to better serve our South Shore and interstate clientele. The Canton location will make storing with Olympia more convenient for our clients in the surrounding towns of Medfield, Dedham, Norwood, Milton, Randolph, Weymouth and Hingham. This new facility is also optimized for tractor trailer access.

No matter the location, we are confident that Olympia Moving & Storage can provide the best full-service storage experience. Click here to learn more about our storage services.

Why is a Moving Company In-Home Survey Important?

Posted on by olympiamoving

After you’ve done your research and selected a few moving companies you want to pursue, the next step is to call the company to schedule a moving company in-home survey appointment. We’ll review what an in-home survey appointment is, and why it’s important to have one before you select a moving company.

What should I expect during the in-home survey?

During the in-home survey, a representative from the moving company will visit your home. Together you will do a walk through of the property so the representative can take an inventory of what needs to be moved. The inventory is the key to estimating your moving costs, click here to learn more about inventories.

After the survey, you and the representative will discuss which services are required, the move plan, pricing, and any of your questions. The in-home survey usually takes about 25-45 minutes depending on the size of your property and how many questions you have.

What is the purpose of an in-home survey?

Every move is unique, but the factors of every move are the same: what needs to be moved, what are the specifications of the locations of the move, and what do you need from your mover. These are the basics that the moving company needs to plan the move and provide you with an estimated price. Without this information, the company has no idea how many crew members and trucks to send, what equipment to bring, how long the move will take, and which services you need. The best and most accurate way to obtain this information is to meet with you in your home.

How does an in-home survey benefit me?

Most importantly, an in-home survey is the best way to get the most accurate estimate of costs, bar none. The in-home survey is also your opportunity to interview and get to know the moving company. It’s also the perfect time to ask the moving company all your questions and better understand the moving process. Many of our clients say that the in-home survey experience is the reason they choose Olympia!

What should I be evaluating during the in-home survey?

Throughout the survey, ask yourself:

  • Did the representative arrive on time?
  • Is the representative dressed professionally?
  • Do you feel comfortable and trust the company’s representative?
  • Is the presented move plan comprehensive and specific to your move?
  • Is the representative able to confidently and expertly answer your questions?

When is it okay to do a phone survey?

The process for a phone survey is exactly like an in-home survey, except you will list the furniture room by room over the phone with the guidance of the representative. If you have a smaller move, such as a two bedroom apartment or less, the moving company can do a very accurate survey over the phone instead of in your home. However, if you request to do an in-home survey instead, we are happy to oblige.

If your home is larger than a two bedroom apartment, it is much more difficult to create an accurate inventory over the phone, so the in-home survey is highly recommended.

What if the moving company will not do a survey?

There are some red flags to watch for when asking for a survey. Do not hire a moving company if:

  • The company quotes you a price without a taking a detailed inventory or going through the move details with you. This means they don’t have enough information to quote you a price, therefore, they probably are not quoting you an accurate price.
  • The company wants to do a phone survey for single family home or large move. This means they do not want to take the time that is necessary to gather the information needed for an accurate quote.
  • The company refuses your request for a representative to meet with you for an in-home survey. This means they do not have a representative available to meet with you who would be a good reflection on the company.

How should I prepare for the in-home survey?

For the most part, the representative will guide you through the survey process. However, the more clarity you have on what the move entails, the more productive the survey will be. Make sure you know:

  • Which pieces are being moved
  • What you are selling or donating before the move
  • Whether you’re moving anything yourself
  • What the movers are packing vs. what your family is packing
  • Have a short list of questions for your mover to help you make a decision

When should I schedule the in-home survey?

As soon as you know what you want to move and when you’re moving, you’re ready to schedule your in-home survey. This is usually right after you sell or purchase your home, and preferably about 3-4 weeks before your preferred move date.

Looking for more information on choosing a mover? Be sure to check out:
Choosing a Better Business Bureau Moving Company
What is a Cube Sheet?
Tips for Cleaning Out Belongings Before a Move

Are you ready for your in-home estimate?
Request an estimate with Olympia Moving & Storage

Choosing a Better Business Bureau Moving Company

Posted on by olympiamoving

Olympia Moving Better Business BureauToday there are dozens of websites that allow consumers to rate their moving company. However, decades before Angie’s List or MovingCompanyReviews.com existed, consumers turned to the Better Business Bureau to learn more about the companies they were working with.

Olympia Moving & Storage has been accredited as a Better Business Bureau moving company since the inception of our business, and we are proud of our A+ rating. However, what exactly does an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau mean?

About the Better Business Bureau moving company ratings

The main purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to make consumers aware of unethical or dishonest companies and assist consumers with disputes against businesses. There are 17 factors that go into a company’s Better Business Bureau rating, but the bulk of the rating is based on complaints against the business filed with the Better Business Bureau and how the company responds to these complaints. Therefore, it is our experience that a Better Business Bureau rating is an indicator of a company’s honesty, ethics, and legitimacy.

We’ve all heard those horror stories of dishonest moving companies in the news. Often these stories include information about the company’s very low Better Business Bureau rating. For examplem, this Boston news story about a moving company holding families’ furniture hostage cites the company’s “F” rating with the Better Business Bureau. I’m sure those families wished they had checked out their moving company on the BBB! It is an easy way to help gauge the honesty of the company you are about the hire.

About Better Business Bureau moving company reviews

To be completely honest, it is not difficult for a moving company to obtain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. There are many moving companies with an A+ rating that we would not consider anywhere near the caliber of Olympia Moving & Storage. The Better Business Bureau recently also began incorporating online reviews into business’s profiles. These reviews are actually separate from a company’s BBB rating, but are a great indicator of the quality of the company. Olympia currently has a 5 star review rating with the Better Business Bureau. We suggest looking at the customer reviews in conjunction with the BBB rating to help you choose your moving company.

What Better Business Bureau accreditation means to Olympia Moving & Storage

The Better Business Bureau recently interviewed Rachael Fischer, Marketing Manager of Olympia Moving & Storage, about why Better Business Bureau accreditation is important. You can watch a video of the interview below:

You can see Olympia Moving & Storage’s Better Business Bureau profiles here:
Boston BBB profile | Washington DC BBB profile

Still need help choosing a mover? You might also want to read:

What is a Moving Broker?
Warning Signs of a Bad Mover

If you’re ready to get an estimate from an A+ rated moving company, request a free moving estimate with Olympia Moving & Storage.

Olympia Brings Moving Truck to Touch-a-Truck Newton

Posted on by olympiamoving

Olympia had a great time on Sunday showing off our moving truck to the kids at the Touch-a-Truck Newton event, put on by The Newton Partnership. The event included 39 different trucks for the kids to explore. Crew member Charles & sales rep Frank brought one of our crew cab straight trucks to the event. The kids had a great time honking the horn, exploring the trailer, and running up & down the ramp!

Check out the pictures of the event below, and click here to see pictures from a previous Touch a Truck event.

If you’re hosting an upcoming Touch a Truck event, e-mail Rachael if you’re interested in bringing a moving truck to your event.

Also check out:

The Right Olympia Moving Truck for your Relocation