Month: June 2013

Moving Companies vs. Moving Brokers

Knowing the difference between a Gainesville moving company, and a moving broker in Gainesville can make a big difference when choosing the right fit for your next move. When looking on the internet it can often be hard to distinguish between the two, and sometimes for a customer it is hard to tell the difference all the way up to move day. While both offer free online moving quotes, the difference ends there.

The main difference between a moving company in Gainesville and a Gainesville moving broker, is the fact that only one of them actually moves furniture, while the other is essentially a lead generator for the other. Moving brokers will normally offer to give you quotes from multiple different companies. [message type=”warning”]Note: They will also be selling your information to multiple companies. [/message] Not all of those companies are going to be a good fit for you. A licensed and insured moving company will offer you a free quote and never sell your information to another company. So to compare the two please look at our user friendly table we have set up for you to make sure you know which one will be the best fit. Maybe a moving broker is someone you could use, often times, they are more of a hassle.

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Moving Company Moving Brokers Better?
Uses your information and will never sell to another company Will sell your information to as many as 10 companies Moving Company
Licensed and Insured to move household furniture Licensed and insured to contract a mover for your job. Moving Company
Often more expensive. Often Less Expensive Moving Broker
Liable for anything that goes wrong with your move. Not liable for anything that happens during your move Moving Company

As you can see with the above chart, unless the cheapest move possible is what you want, it’s advised to use a moving company, and not a broker

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To expand on what we have discussed above.  With a moving broker they are not actually liable for anything that may go wrong with your move.  Sometimes the moving broker may even act as a moving company, and take your payment, only to sub-contract out the work to the lowest bidder.  Think government work gone wrong here.  What normally will happen though, is they sell your information to multiple companies, often ones that are willing to give any lowball price just to get the job, only to raise the price at the last minute.  If you are unsure if the company you are using is reputable or not, look for Moving Scams, an online resource for scammers in the moving industry.

By choosing a moving company you have the assurance that you can research into their license with the state regulatory body, and see if there are any complaints against the company.  It is advisable to not go with the lowest price when preparing for your move.  Often what you initially thought you were saving, will come back to haunt you in the form of damaged items, late delivery, and just an all around bad experience.  Most legitimate moving companies will do what it takes to make you happy from beginning to end.

Long Distance Moving Tips to Save You Money

Long distance moving, also known as cross country relocation can often be an expensive, time consuming ordeal that is very frustrating for many individuals and families alike. Knowing when and how to properly execute a move across long distances can save you money and time. There are some cost saving tips that will save you money and time when relocating over long distances.

 

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  • Picking the Right Time for Moving

    • In Gainesville, Florida and the United States there is a peak season for moving. This is always between the summer months of May and September. Moving companies will charge a premium for moving between these times, and if at all possible it is best to avoid this time of the year. Not only will this save you money, but it also lessens the possibility of something happening that may delay your move. The reason for this peak season is because school is out during those months, college students and family alike use this break in school to relocate both locally and long distance.

  • Get More than a Few Moving Quotes

    • It is recommended by the State of Florida to get at least three moving quotes, preferably in writing from licensed and insured moving companies. Most companies offer over the phone, or internet quotes as well. In home estimates are the preferred method, so the movers can ask any additional questions they may come up with after surveying your home, and the layout. When moving long distance it is best to know for up front what you’re going to be dealing with and how best to prepare. Get a minimum of three competitive quotes, and make sure to ask as many questions as possible.

  • a Moving Sale to Get Rid of Unwanted Items

    • Having a moving sale will help you raise money for your upcomming move by getting rid of unwanted items. Often when going through a full home of items, you will be surprised at the things that you no longer use, need, or want. Waiting until the last minute to get rid of these items can be a time waster, and cost you money if you have to have the moving company discard them for you. Items that do not sell during the moving sale can often be donated to one of many different charities. Often times, the charity will pick the items up for free. Call around and see what charities may offer this service, and have your sale at least three weeks prior to your scheduled move day.

  • Purchase High Quality Boxes and Supplies Well in Advance.

    • When moving long distance, it is not a good idea to use second hand boxes. It is recommended to only use high quality corrugated cardboard boxes designed for moving. Moving cross country will put a strain on the construction of the boxes, and spending the extra money in the beginning will save you from disappointment and replacement costs. Remember that if you hire the company to box your items, they will be liable, if you box them, you will be liable. The packing materials that you use will also play a huge factor in the level of protection that your items will receive while in the moving truck.

  • Talk to Your Friends and Read Online Moving Reviews

    • Talking to friends who have moved before is a great way to gauge a company and their expertise, as well as professionalism. If you don’t know anyone to talk to there are a lot of great review sites out there. Google places has reviews on each business with a listing, and they are user generated and moderated by Google. Another great resource for checking into companies is through www.movingscam.com. This site has a forum where users can post bad experiences. If a company is on there a lot then it is suggested to stay away from them. Just one of two postings, could mean someone had a bad experience.

  • Verify License and Insurance

    • Always ask the moving company for their licensing and insurance information and verify that they are in good standing. This will provide you with some protection should anything go wrong on moving day.

  • Have Your Employer To Cover Corporate Relocation

    • If You’re moving long distance because of a new job, ask your employer to cover the costs associated, or at least cover some. Most employers will help out with moving costs, and you can always deduct the cost of moving from your taxes.

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Students in Gainesville prepare for the annual “Turn”.

Students in Gainesville Florida and across the state are faced with the daunting apartment turn season every year. If you are not familiar with this concept, it is where all student focused communities turn over their apartments, homes, and other rental properties to prepare for the new influx of renters. This may not sound like much, but when you take into account that it happens over a two day period at the end of July every year, the scope is magnified. Gainesville alone has nearly 100,000 college students between the University of Florida and Santa Fe College. The shear number of students at the two schools creates a huge strain on communities desperate to get properties cleaned and ready for the new renters.

Apartment communities in Gainesville are numbered in the hundreds to accommodate the thousands of students that attend school in the area. Over a two day period, at the end of July, students moving in Gainesville have the daunting task of moving while everyone else is. Moving companies, rental truck companies, and apartment communities alike are strained to the max to accommodate all the needs. Often, students are required to find storage in Gainesville for a period of no more than a week or so, while they wait for their apartments to be ready. Unfortunately every year this is a shocker to many students and their parents alike. Knowing about the impending turn season is imperative for a successful, efficient moving experience.

Although many of the local apartment communities put out information about this well in advance, the knowledge still seems to escape many of the residents. We have decided to put out this information to help ensure that this year, less students in Gainesville will face the unfortunate circumstance of no rental trucks, no storage and no where to go. Below you will find a list of moving tips for the apartment turn to help make the transition a lot smoother.

 

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  • Make Rental Truck arrangements at least one month in advance.
  • Make sure to begin packing your items at least one week prior to move, two is recommended.
  • Get at least three moving quotes from local moving companies in Gainesville at least a month in advance.
  • Purchase packing materials and supplies at least two weeks prior to your move date. They are scarce!
  • Verify your move in and move out time with the respective apartment managers well in advance.
  • Reserve storage in Gainesville at least one to two months in advance and ask about specials.

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Following a seemingly easy list of things to do as mentioned above will save a lot of headaches and frustration come moving day. Be prepared to wait in a line at your apartment on the way in and the way out. Remember that thousands will be doing exactly the same thing as you this weekend. If you can move a week prior, or a week after, this is preferred and may save you some money. Rates are based on availability, and during peak season they are the highest for all things related to moving.

Gainesville Moving Quotes

Gainesville moving quotes can be obtained one of a number of ways.  The most common way to get a quote from a licensed and insured moving company in Gainesville is to call the phone of the company you are interested in and ask for an in home estimate.  Since moving companies in the State of Florida are regulated by the Department of Agriculture all moving companies are required to provide a written estimate and contract for services prior to conducting a transaction with a customer.  Having the moving quote provided in person ensures there will be no surprises for the customer or business on moving day.  Although this is the most preferred method of obtaining a quote, it is not always the most convenient.

One of the most often offered forms of a moving quote can be obtained over the phone.  If you know all of the details of the pickup and dropoff location and have a good idea of how many boxes will be moved, most companies will provide a quote for you over the phone.  Remember to always get your estimate for services in writing. This way you know exactly what you’re being charge for and what to expect on moving day.  Not all companies charge the same.  There are hourly rates, rates by volume and rates by weight.  Make sure to ask how the company decides what to charge, and if there are any additional fees associated with the service.  Although the phone is the most often used Gainesville moving quote, the easiest these days is through the use of an online web form.

Using an online web form allows a moving company to get all of the information that they use to produce their estimates.  This also allows the customer to provide any additional information and it can be done at the convenience of the home any hour of the day.  Reputable companies will respond to online moving quotes in Gainesville within 24 hours with a price, and any questions they may need answered for clarification.

Always remember when you speak with the movers that you ask any and all questions you can think of.  This will help them provide the most accurate quote and prevent any surprises.