Moving begins with shopping around for a moving company. Your first instinct may be to ask family, friends and colleagues about their experiences with moving companies.
However, you can and should speak with prospective moving companies about what they can do for you. Here are some specific questions you need to ask that only the company can answer.
How exactly is my moving fee calculated?
What if we are delayed for some unforeseen reason? Will there be extra charges? If so, what would those costs be?
What if we had to cancel our move for some reason? Are there fees that are not refundable?
What process do you use when hiring the actual movers? Are they bonded? Drug tested? Have you run background checks?
What sort of insurance policy does the Gainesville Moving company have? Do I receive a copy of proof of insurance?
What protections does your insurance coverage offer me in case of loss or damages?
Acquiring the company’s proof of insurance is a smart move and worth investigating. Sometimes answers to insurance coverage questions are not always clear prior to the move. It is best to obtain a company’s proof of insurance and call the insurance company directly. A few questions you will want answered include:
Is the policy current and in effect? Does the coverage extend to include your moving date, and are any further payments required prior to that time that will affect coverage? If so, on what date?
What happens in case there is a claim? Who will deal direct with the insurance company? What is their process?
Does the coverage require special riders for larger or heavier items? If so what are those fees?
Is the coverage based upon the declared value for each item, or a total lump sum?
Will I need to verify purchase prices of items lost or damage to prove value in order for coverage to be in effect?
Preparing to hire a Gainesville Moving company may seem a bit overwhelming with all the things you want to investigate prior to the move date. However, you will be glad you verified the above information in case of some unforeseen problem. UF Mover Guys has proven time and time again to be the best in the business, and has an honest policy with all of their clients.
Sticking with a reputable and verifiably reliable Gainesville mover will alleviate stress and help the transition be a smooth one.
Would it not be nice to subtract your moving expenses from your taxes?
You potentially could if you are moving because of work. These deductions include the cost of hiring a professional moving company.
Obviously you cannot subtract the entire expense of your move from your taxes. You need to research what you may be eligible for.
UF Mover Guys has provided a checklist of where to begin your search. Following our advice can help you deduct heavy moving costs from your taxes to help you reduce the amount you have to pay and increase the amount you get back.
The two factors that determine whether you can subtract moving expenses from your taxes are time and distance.
You need to have worked for a minimum of 39 weeks after you have changed locations to be eligible. You are only eligible for a deduction if the move is solely for the purpose of business relocation.
Moving to deal with the death of a family member or to be closer to a family member due to medical issues does not warrant a tax deduction. Also, divorce and other forms of involuntary separation do not count either.
The second criteria is the new workplace needs to be at least 50 miles from where you previously lived in order for it to count. You cannot merely pack up your possessions and buy a house a few blocks down the road.
As long as you pass these two tests, you should be good to go. If you have satisfied these two requirements then you have several types of deductions you can make for the move.
These deductions include the cost of you and your family’s trip to your new residence. The trip counts as a moving expense because you are investigating where to buy a house and the neighborhood.
The cost of moving your belongings from a storage unit and the cost to connect or disconnect utilities is also covered by the deductions. These deductions apply to both your current and new homes.
You can also subtract the cost of shipping a boat or vehicle. You likely can deduct the cost of moving other business material as well as the cost of packing and unpacking.
In most cases, you have 30 days to deduct the cost of using a storage unit or locker. If you miss the 30-day mark, however, you will have to pay for it yourself.
When moving, you can come across some stressful times.
What can you do to make life simpler? You could hire a company called Gainesville moving company.
UF Mover Guys will make sure that everything gets done and in a timely fashion. They take care of the heavy lifting, so you can concentrate on other things.
If you decide to hire a moving company, you should check their USDOT number.
The FMCSA requires relocation companies to be registered. When a moving company registers, the organization administers them a USDOT number.
If you see the word marked “out of service” when to search for the number, you need to pick a new number. This label means the company is not operational or cannot be operational for a certain period of time.
The word you need look for is “active” or “authorized for”. When you see the words “authorized for,” you must check to see what the company is authorized to move.
This number also includes all of the contact information for the relocation company you are choosing to go with. The number also includes the MCI fields.
These fields also give authorization for the move to happen. This information is supplied by the Interstate Commerce Commission.
You can also find it by checking out the ICC site. All you have to do is put in your number. The information should pop up.
Something else to look into with this number are the power units. Power units refer to the amount of trucks or vehicles it will take to transport cargo to the new location.
These vehicles are usually leased. The number of vehicles used depends on the time of the year.
For example, more vehicles are used in the summer because more people move during this season. Moving traffic is high in the summer because hazardous road and weather conditions are minimal.
An important item to pay attention to with the USDOT number is the number of accidents or crashes the vehicle has had. After all, would you like to be handled by a relocation company that has had quite a few accidents?
Look into this before you go with the moving company. If the moving company and the vehicles it uses has a history of accidents, then you might want to go with someone else.
Be sure that safety ratings are up. Stay away from moving companies that have lower ratings.
To find out more, you can always check out a few place online. You can check things out with the BBB and the AMSA.
Talk to neighbors and friends to see who they went with. It’s the baby steps that make all the difference. These baby steps will add up to a more relaxed and stress-free move.
UF Mover Guys offers everything from boxes to storage to ensure you have a perfect move. Leave the job to the most trusted moving company in Gainesville, Fla.
Determining how many boxes you will need for packing up your household items can be quite a challenge. With a little effort and a thorough review of your possessions, you should have a general idea of exactly what you need in a very short time.
Professional movers use many methods of estimating how many boxes you will need for each area of your home. The truth of the matter is that only you know the extent and sizes of all of your possessions.
Some homeowners are minimalists and enjoy the simple spareness of uncluttered rooms. Others hoard their many possessions for years.
Some will have large amounts of computer and stereo equipment, which will require larger boxes. Others own bookshelves full of various sizes of books and knickknacks, which need medium and small cartons.
An effective method for homeowners who are getting ready to move is to go from room to room and eyeball what needs to be packed. Write down an estimate of small, medium and large boxes that you feel will be needed for each area.
A kitchen would need several small boxes to pack food items and dishes. A garage may need larger boxes to gather lawn supplies and athletic equipment that is stored there.
Most rooms will require a variety of box sizes. A bathroom, for example, would need just a few medium boxes for towels and larger supplies and smaller boxes for toiletry items and small beauty equipment.
Tour the entire house, and write down the estimates for each room. Don’t forget porches and yards where toys, outdoor games, barbecue tools and lawn equipment tend to be found.
Add a few extra boxes to each size category to cover any extra items that will pop up during your packing. Total the number of small, medium and large boxes you feel you will need.
Add other necessary items such as packing tape, box dividers, markers, bubble wrap and newspaper to your list of moving needs. Be aware that some items such as televisions and stereo equipment will need special care and special packaging materials
These items are delicate. You need to take the necessary precautions to ensure that they arrive in working order at your final destination.
Depend on Gainesville Moving to provide you with the know-how to have an incident free transfer of your possessions. Gainesville Movers can help you decide on any other special needs you may have before your moving day.
The more organized you are and the more assistance you hire from movers, the less stressful your experience will be.
Maybe you decided to downsize to save some cash. Maybe you did it for some type of spiritual cleansing. Maybe you had no choice at all.
Whatever the case may be, partial load moving is one type of service that Gainesville Movers provides customers. This service is intended for someone who is moving to new house that might be smaller and only needs to move a partial load.
The key to partial load moving is organization. If you need this type of service, check out the following tips that will help make the process much easier for you.
Start by choosing what you are planning to take with you. You need to know so you can plan what type of packing paper, boxes and bubble wrap you may need.
Think about what items are most important to you. To help with the move, you may even want to rent a truck, van or a small moving trailer.
Next, you will want to get at least three quotes before you sign a contract. With several quotes, you will be able to choose the best price and service.
Keep in mind neither the highest nor the lowest price might not offer the best service or value. A good rule of thumb is to choose the quote that is the average of all the quotes provided.
It is also a good idea to learn more about the company you are interested in hiring. You will have more peace of mind knowing your belongings are in good hands as they are transported from one location to another.
Read reviews, get references and make sure the company is able to transport items out of state if you are moving out of the state.
Search on the Department of Transportation’s website to find this out. An “X” next to the “interstate” section will indicate this.
You will also want to make sure the company is registered with AMSA movers and listed on the Better Business Bureau.
Once you choose the company, you need to find out if you need to provide any packing material or boxes. You also need to know if you will need to rent moving trailers or a one-way van.
Additionally, make sure you understand all the conditions before signing with a company. Think about your fragile items and any special belongings like art pieces that will need extra care.
Moving is a big life change so take your time and choose a company wisely. Gainesville Moving can help.
Moving house can be a stressful affair, but it doesn’t have to be.
At Gainesville Moving we want to give you the tools and tips you need to take the stress out of transporting your home and have some fun doing it.
Whether you are re-locating for the first or the fourth time, Gainesville Movers will make moving so easy you’ll laugh out loud at the simplicity. Here’s some entertaining and useful tips from UF Mover Guys.
Plan WAY Ahead
Start thinking about what items you might need to sell before you move and get them well-listed in advance. Go through old storage and clothes to decide what you might want to donate or get rid of.
Schedule your movers weeks in advance — this will save you a headache later because the best movers are also usually consistently busy.
Think about changing your address two weeks ahead of time. Don’t forget to notify the bank, credit card company, Amazon, PayPal and magazine subscriptions along with the Postal Office and the utilities.
Enlist your friends to help with the move-in process, if you can. Also, think about hiring someone to watch your pets or children during the move.
Get UBER Organized
Packing and unpacking your house can be made easier if you use color coding for rooms and catalog your items by numbering each box. This will allow you to keep track of everything that you’ve packed, where it goes, and documents what you have in case a box goes missing.
Speaking of documentation- KEEP EVERYTHING. Make sure you hold on to the instructions to rebuild the desk, AND make sure you keep all your financial and health documents with you.
It’s better to keep all the important documentation with you, so that you don’t have to go looking for it later. If you are taking apart furniture at all, make sure you label all the pieces and tape them to their corresponding parts.
Pack Smarter
Make an essentials bag for each member of the family that has things like clothes for the next few days, toiletries and important electronics.
Pack an “OPEN FIRST” box. This should have things like a box cutter, toilet paper, eating utensils, trash bags, power strips, paper towels, some cookware, chargers, bath towels and cleaning supplies.
Use suitcases, laundry bins, baskets, etc. to your advantage by packing them with stuff. Also, you can use your dresser drawers as boxes with some stretch wrap to keep things from falling out.
You can even wrap your breakable dishes and glasses in clothing or socks to save on bubble wrap. A quick way to pack your closet is by using trash bags to take out whole sections of clothes.
Do A Little Every Day
If you can prepare for the move a little bit each day then your actual move-in day can be much less stressful. Pack AND un-pack by room to make things more manageable.
Clean each room as you pack it, and take pictures of the emptied room if you’re renting. Take a picture of the back of your TV and electronics so you can keep track of where everything plugs back in.
Make sure to defrost your refrigerator at least a day before the move to avoid leaking. Make your last grocery trip two weeks before the move date to avoid throwing out a lot of food.
Protect Your Stuff
Make sure you measure your furniture and determine whether you will need to take it apart to transport it. Stretch wrap your furniture and couches to prevent scuffs and scratches during the move.
Keep an inventory of your most valuable items and make sure you track them as they arrive at your new place. Pack your dinner plates vertically to avoid them breaking. Keep bottled toiletries in plastic bags to avoid a mess later.
Be Prepared
Try to clean the bathroom and the kitchen of your new place before you move in. Take pictures of your old place and your new place when they are empty for documentation, especially if you’re renting.
If you are transporting fragile valuables make sure they are properly packaged and give specific instructions on how they should be handled and packed.
Our community takes pride in being one of the most environmentally friendly cities in central Florida. Image is from 1stclasscleaningnyc.com.
Take a walk around Gainesville if you are new to the city. You will notice some things.
Hybrids ride through the streets. Recycling bins line the sidewalks. Posters advocating environmental awareness droop from building walls.
Our community takes pride in being one of the most environmentally friendly cities in central Florida. UF Mover Guys takes pride in the community.
We care about what our customers care about, which is why we include environmental initiatives in our mission.
We acknowledge moving can be harmful for the environment. As a result, we have worked to develop techniques to make moving a bit greener.
These approaches do not add to the time required to make the transition. In fact, many of the suggestions make moving cheaper and more efficient
Movers waste too much effort using unnecessary packing materials. Few of these materials are good for the environment once they are discarded.
Padding delicate items can be done using materials that you already have around the house. You are likely to be packing these materials.
For example, leftover newspaper, comforters, pillows and clothing make wonderful packing materials. They are effective at absorbing shocks throughout the move.
Common alternatives to these items like bubble wrap and Styrofoam can be expensive. Therefore, you will also save some money using them.
Moving can also be more efficient when you scrap the cardboard boxes and make use of plastic bins. These bins can be used for storage once you are in your new home.
Moving involves a considerable amount of cleaning either in your old home or the one you are going to. In order to keep the process green, dump all petroleum-based products.
Replace these products with natural products. Many green cleaning products have multiple cleaning applications, which will save you money.
Avoid using endless rolls of paper towels. Rags and old t-shirts are the ideal solution when it comes to avoiding waste when cleaning.
Moving is a good time to consider downsizing. Clear out closets, and get rid of as many old possessions as possible.
If you have items that you have not used in the last three years, then it is unlikely that you will use them in the future. Downsizing lessens the amount of work that comes with the move.
This opportunity is the ideal time to donate items to charity or have a yard sale. These activities will help with the cost.
When shopping for moving companies, choose a company that shares your desire to protect the environment. Choose UF Mover Guys.
Most professional movers recommend looking for a storage company eight weeks prior to moving. Image is from handydandymoving.com.
Moving is an excellent time to consider downsizing.
Downsizing makes moving easier because it decreases the amount of stuff you have to move. Having less junk gives you more space in your new home.
Having less also means having less to unload and reorganize into the house. Downsizing contributes to giving your home a less cluttered appearance.
You probably have items you do not need but cannot bear to part with. However, you may not have room for them if you are moving into a smaller space.
Never get rid of an item with significant sentimental value. Instead, get a storage unit.
You may question whether purchasing a storage unit is necessary if you have a spare room, basement or attic. Storage rooms need to be cool, dry and dark to avoid mold and insects.
Basements that are not insulated well suffer from drafts and water seepage during the winter and heavy rains. These conditions make your belongings vulnerable to mold and water damage.
Attics are slightly better than basements, especially if they are sealed and insulated. However, insects and small animals could sneak in and cause damage.
Storage units, on the other hand, offer guaranteed security for your items. Companies that specialize in storage have the experience and the equipment to protect your things. Most companies usually provide insurance for your belongings.
If you decide to use a storage service, you should begin contacting companies early. Most professional movers recommend looking for a storage company eight weeks prior to moving.
UF Mover Guys understands many people in Gainesville are relatively young or otherwise unaware of this fact. Our company now offers climate-controlled storage.
Climate-control is an important storage feature to have in Florida because of the humidity. The heat and moisture breed bacteria and can damage delicate items like fine wood and paper.
Letting your moving company handle your storage has unique advantages. You do not have to pack your belongings and drive them to the storage facility yourself.
Instead, you can simply pack the items you plan to put in storage with the items you plan to move into your new home. The movers will take them to the facility for you.
Just be sure to separate the items going to storage from the items going with you. The last thing you want is a mix-up.
Next time you are planning a move, ask about UF Mover Guys storage as well!
China cabinets are filled with expensive and fragile glass dishes and heirlooms. Image is from diningfurnituremart.com.
Homeowners take pride in their china cabinets. Surprisingly, however, they often handle their collection recklessly when moving.
China cabinets are among the items that require the most caution to move. These furniture sets are filled with expensive and fragile glass dishes and heirlooms.
Consequently, moving a china cabinet is one of the biggest challenges for movers. Pack incorrectly, and you can destroy several hundred dollars in collectibles.
Fortunately, UF Mover Guys has years of experience in this area. Here are some effective strategies we use to pack china cabinets.
Secure your investments by packing everything inside the china cabinet into boxes. This way you can at least ensure all of your actual china is safe.
Once the cabinet is empty, start wrapping and boxing the loose parts. Wrap glass shelves in bubble wrap. Then remove the brackets holding the shelves in place.
Anything you can disassemble by hand will fall off during transit. You need to remove and carefully box these parts to prevent damage.
See if you can fit smaller boxes into the lower cabinets while moving. Doing so will make them easier to find when you unpack.
Most china cabinets come in two parts. The easiest thing to do is separate the top section from the bottom section.
The bottom section usually contains draws and shelving made of finely crafted wood. Wrap the bottom in several thick blankets. Go around the blankets with packing tape to secure it in place.
The additional padding will ensure the cabinet is not scratched. When UF Mover Guys arrives, all we will have to do is carry the piece into the truck.
The top part of the cabinet contains the most glass. Thus, this part is the most fragile and requires the most caution.
Cut open some cardboard boxes. Begin wrapping the cardboard panels around the glass exterior of the cabinet.
Hold the panels in place with packing tape. Continue adding cardboard until the entire upper section is covered.
If you have plenty of extra cardboard, you can run a second layer over the piece. You never know whether the moving truck will hit a speed bump.
Once the cardboard is in place, wrap heavy duty blankets around it. Secure with more tape.
From here, UF Mover Guys can finish packing the cabinet into the truck. If you do not want to have to worry about scratching or damaging your glass cabinet, you could always hire us to pack for you as well.
Homeowners take pride in their china cabinets. Surprisingly, however, they often handle their collection recklessly when moving.
China cabinets are among the items that require the most caution to move. These furniture sets are filled with expensive and fragile glass dishes and heirlooms.
Consequently, moving a china cabinet is one of the biggest challenges for movers. Pack incorrectly, and you can destroy several hundred dollars in collectibles.
Fortunately, UF Mover Guys has years of experience in this area. Here are some effective strategies we use to pack china cabinets.
Secure your investments by packing everything inside the china cabinet into boxes. This way you can at least ensure all of your actual china is safe.
Once the cabinet is empty, start wrapping and boxing the loose parts. Wrap glass shelves in bubble wrap. Then remove the brackets holding the shelves in place.
Anything you can disassemble by hand will fall off during transit. You need to remove and carefully box these parts to prevent damage.
See if you can fit smaller boxes into the lower cabinets while moving. Doing so will make them easier to find when you unpack.
Most china cabinets come in two parts. The easiest thing to do is separate the top section from the bottom section.
The bottom section usually contains draws and shelving made of finely crafted wood. Wrap the bottom in several thick blankets. Go around the blankets with packing tape to secure it in place.
The additional padding will ensure the cabinet is not scratched. When UF Mover Guys arrives, all we will have to do is carry the piece into the truck.
The top part of the cabinet contains the most glass. Thus, this part is the most fragile and requires the most caution.
Cut open some cardboard boxes. Begin wrapping the cardboard panels around the glass exterior of the cabinet.
Hold the panels in place with packing tape. Continue adding cardboard until the entire upper section is covered.
If you have plenty of extra cardboard, you can run a second layer over the piece. You never know whether the moving truck will hit a speed bump.
Once the cardboard is in place, wrap heavy duty blankets around it. Secure with more tape.
From here, UF Mover Guys can finish packing the cabinet into the truck. If you do not want to have to worry about scratching or damaging your glass cabinet, you could always hire us to pack for you as well.
Students are typically eager to leave the dorm and move into their apartments. Image is from jumpoff.tv.
Every University of Florida student probably knows someone who lives in off-campus housing. Gainesville caters to students with a wide variety of hip and affordable housing options.
Students are typically eager to leave the dorm and move into their apartments. They view it as a part of gaining independence and becoming an adult.
As with any move, students often run into pitfalls. These pitfalls can sometimes be more than they bargained for.
Complications can be categorized into locating a property to rent, issues with the property owner and moving belongings.
Gainesville has a competitive renting market because of the abundance of students who choose to live off-campus. Students search for housing as early as the first few weeks of the semester before they move.
To compete, you have to find roommates and living quarters before the semester is over to ensure you have a place to live. Too many students wait too late.
Do not let the pressure interfere with caution, however. Thoroughly inspect the property in question before signing a lease.
Look for damaged or broken elements in the house. These elements include peeling paint, broken appliances, non-working light switches and health hazards.
Document any of these issues at the beginning. If you do not, your landlord might try to deduct them from the security deposit at the end of the lease.
Landlords oftentimes attempt to reduce the money returned from the security deposit for natural wear-and-tear. Do your shopping and try to pick a landlord that will treat you with respect and consideration.
Another big dilemma is actually moving your stuff into your new apartment. This part is where UF Mover Guys comes in.
Our company aims to take the stress off your shoulders. We will pack everything into our truck and transport it for you. The only thing you need to worry about moving is yourself.
You can drive to your new place with the assurance that your things are in good hands. We are careful to pack all of your things away quickly and without any breakage.
You might not think using a moving company is necessary. You may also think hiring a moving company is too expensive.
While it is true hiring a moving company is not necessary, being able to move with comfort and ease is well worth the price. And our prices are set with the goal of being cost-efficient for a college budget.
Despite some of the challenges presented in this article, one should not hesitate to move off-campus. Moving into an unsupervised, off-campus residence is a great adventure for any student.
The personal responsibility living off-campus teaches is excellent for any adult and the freedom it grants contributes greatly to personal growth and cultivates new relationships.
Whether this is your first or fifth time moving, living outside the dorm and in the community can be a rewarding experience.
