At Humboldt, we are always finding ways to reduce the stress of our customers and even others. That can be through our day-to-day operation and the normal course of business or it can be new ways such as new and exciting partnerships. We are proud to announce that we do have a new partnership and it will serve to achieve a number of goals for both organizations.

As a Boston moving company, we know that when moving day comes, there are items that many people could do without. Some of the most popular items that we see people struggle with when moving out of their home are books. We have a solution. Donate them to More Than Words, an organization that helps youth and others develop valuable skills to help propel them into the workforce. They run a retail book store and café in Waltham and are always looking for good books to sell. They also sell these books on the internet so all involved are running a few aspects of this business while gaining great business skills.

Just tell Humboldt when you’re moving that you have these items and we’ll pick them up and transport them to More Than Words.

More Than Words has a very interesting concept that is called a social enterprise. These youth are actually running a business and by doing so, they are learning skills that will help get them out of a difficult situation.  I want you to hear about the great work first hand from its founder Jodi Rosenbaum so please take a look at my interview with her below.

For the third year in a row, our Boston moving company is participating in March of Dime’s annual event March for Babies.  It is a 3-mile walk being held in downtown Boston on May 8^th  to raise money for March of Dimes. 

 Premature babies are born everyday and March of Dimes needs our support to ensure that they have access to the health care that they need. Funds raised will go to newborn intensive care units and also research and programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies.

 Humboldt is also helping out by reducing the stress of March of Dimes Massachusetts.  We are providing storage and delivery of items necessary for the event. 

 Today we had our March for Babies kick-off event at Humboldt.  We were incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to hear from one of the Ambassador Families.  The family told us the story of their daughter who was born premature.  Thanks to March of Dimes, they now have a beautiful healthy 3 year-old daughter.  I was touched by the story, and am eager to participate in the event.  I noticed that a few eyes were no longer dry by the end of the family’s personal and moving story. 

 Here are a couple pictures from today’s event.  Thank you to the family for sharing your story!

For more information check out March for Babies, March of Dimes, or click here if you would like to check out our team page!

 As an employee at a Boston moving company, the relocation process is always on my mind. Here is a topic I found to be significant to the moving business.. paint.  During the process of moving into a new home, most likely there will be some wall painting involved.  Paint plays a significant role inside your home, more important than you may realize.  Read the information below to find out how you can protect you and your family from dangerous toxic chemicals. In an effort to reduce the stress of those who are reading this and relocating to a new home, I did some of the research for you.

 So here’s the deal: Traditional household paints contain a harmful compound called volatile organic compounds or “VOC’s”.  Purchasing an eco-friendly, no or low-VOC is pertinent to avoid the harmful ingredients that can pollute the air inside your home. For a paint to be labeled as a low-VOC paint, it must contain less than 250 grams per liter.

 And here is why you should avoid VOC’s: Volatile organic compounds are airborne chemicals that are released during the painting process and also when it is removed.  Even after the paint dries, VOC’s will emit harmful fumes for years into the air. These potentially carcinogenic carbon-based chemicals evaporate and pollute the air you breathe everyday in your home.  VOC’s consist of harmful ingredients including formaldehyde, benzene, pesticides, and ammonia.  If you notice your paint having that familiar “bad paint smell” it is probably filled with toxic VOC’s.  This is because the more VOC’s a paint contains, the stronger the odor.  So don’t use it! Exposure to VOC’s can cause unwanted symptoms such as irritation of the skin, nose, and eyes. They can also cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, respiratory problems, increase symptoms of asthma, and nerve damage. In some cases VOC’s can lead to kidney or liver disease.  They also harm our environment by contributing to the formation of smog and ground level ozone.  Purchasing an eco-friendly paint is not only good for the health of you and your family, but also the environment!  It is a win-win situation!

 Here are some tips to keep in mind while searching for paint:

 If you are looking for a synthetic paint, water-based latex paints are a good paint to consider.  They have a lower level of VOC’s.  Water-based latex paints are usually free of formaldehyde. Avoid oil-based paints; they contain a much higher level of VOC’s.

 Milk paints contain no solvents, preservatives, or biocides.  Some do have synthetic ingredients, which make them more suitable for rooms where there may be moisture in the air. They are odorless and are made by combining milk protein, casein, and lime.

 Natural paints are an excellent example of a non-synthetic paint.  They are usually made from plants, milk, soy oils, minerals, chalk, lime, and clay and other natural ingredients.  They are free of preservatives and biocides. I do not recommend these for a bathroom or a room where moisture is present in the air, because they are less resistant to mildew and molds.

 As the green trend continues to increase the prices for green products are decreasing, so they will not empty your wallet.  Some familiar brands have developed no or lo-VOC paint lines including Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore, True Value, and Home Depot. Both Yolo Colorhouse and Mythic Paint can color match any Benjamin Moore paint swab with their no or low VOC paint.

 To get a full list of no or low VOC paints, check out Green Seal. They are a nonprofit organization that certifies products as eco-friendly.  Greenseal.org

Relax. And Get Moving.

Exciting news from our Boston moving company: Humboldt has signed on as a sponsor for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s broadcast of the Boston Bruins for the remainder of the 2010 season. As part of the sponsorship Humboldt will recieve daily mentions from 2-7pm during the Sports Hub Headlines. We will also be sponsoring the “Move Around the NHL” segment prior to the game and between the 1st and 2nd periods, when annoncers Bob Beers and Dave Goucher update scores from around the league.

In addion to this exposure, Humboldt will also have spots running during the games. We were luck enough to have them voiced by 98.5’s very own Scott Zolak. Click below to have a listen to the variations:

985 Big Gig spot          985 Movers and Shakers spot                    

Our Boston moving company could not be more happy to be associated with 98.5 The Sports Hub and their broadcast of the Bruins. Make sure you listen and catch us live on the radio. Also, STAY TUNED FOR UPCOMING NEWS ON SOME PROMOTION GIVEAWAYS WE’LL BE PARTNERING WITH THE SPORTS HUB ON!

We live in a different world that’s for sure. Every day we are reminded of that and many industries across our nation and the world have been affected in one way or another in the past nine years. While moving locally with this Boston moving company, you can rest assured we’ll do our best to reduce any stress during that period but moving internationally can be a bit more challenging. For the record, you get the exact same stress reducing service you would on an international relocation that you would moving to the next town.  There are just different pieces of the puzzle we need to put together for you. 

Take the new regulations from the Customs and Border Patrol that are now in effect. What is known around the industry as the 10 Plus 2 form, or the Importer Security Filing which is now required to be filed at least 48 hours before a shipment of household goods leave a port heading to the United States. This is in part to keep unlawful activity from encroaching on general household shipments including items being smuggled into these containers. 

This was implemented one year ago but now as of January 26 of this year, it is being enforced. If the form is not filed in the proper time period, it could cost you thousands of dollars in fines when your shipment finally arrives in the US. It could also be seized for an indefinite period of time.

I recently had the chance to speak a Boston international moving company veteran, Steve Dozois, managing director of our Boston international moving company to understand just what this new ruling means. See my talk with him below: