Becoming a Moving Company Detective

Because relocation has many potential pratfalls, our Gainesville Movers believe it is important that consumers become moving-company detectives. Image is from manchester.edu.

Moving is one of the most fatiguing and time consuming processes. While many people decide to tackle the task on their own, they often run the risks of hurting their backs, threatening the well-being of their property and taking massive amounts of personal time away from work. Moving-companies can be a life-saver in both expediting and easing the massive undergoing of moving. Regardless, outsourcing to paid movers has its own set of headaches.

We’ve all heard the horror stories; boxes full of precious property gone missing, cracks in 60 inch LED flat screen televisions and irremovable dirty footprints on plush new carpeting. Often times, such stories can be true despite whatever dollar-figure is paid for a mover’s services. In the end, price is secondary to the level of customer service provided by a given company. Because relocation has many potential pratfalls, our Gainesville Movers believe it is important that consumers become moving-company detectives.

Simply browsing a series of web listings, comparing prices and reading company websites is not going to be a enough to make a truly informed financial decision. Instead, customers should arm themselves with important questions, ensuring potential prospects are closely interrogated before one pounces upon a business’s self-proclaimed “hot-deal.” In addition, consumers should always follow up questioning by asking former customers about previous experiences. Reputable companies may swear upon a clean track record and choose to omit instances where their services were not great. In comparison, other customer’s are more willing to be honest with fellow consumers. Ask each business for references that you can follow-up with.

Be sure to use questions similar to these:

Did the former customer receive a binding or nonbinding estimate? If the estimate was nonbinding, how much did the mover exceed the quote by? Why did the quote change?
When signing the contract, did the reference have the option for any insurance or promised compensation for damage incurred to the customer’s possessions? If so, did the customer find they were good on their promise if damage was incurred?
Did the contractor show up at an agreed upon time, as per their contract?
How well did the company adhere to the estimated time-line for service?
Did the company have the necessary equipment needed to wrap items carefully and provide safe transportation?
Did the hired crew have clear directions to the new residence, ensuring their was no wasted time on the road?
If any unexpected delays arose, was the reference contacted with an explanation of why they were held up? If so, was the reference charged additionally for the unforeseen issue?
Did any of the customer’s belongings suffer damage as a result of the mover’s mishandling any time during the transportation process? If yes, how extensive was the damage?
Was the crew enthusiastic, friendly and willing to work hard without complaint? Was the reference met with verbal obstacles and delays? Examples could include, “This item is too large” or “We aren’t hired to take furniture apart”?

Often times, companies similar to UF Mover Guys may offer fantastic service; however, it is still crucial that people ensure every mover investigated is licensed with the Department of Transportation and/or Interstate Commerce Commission of a given state. Contacting the Better Business Bureau can provide a wealth of knowledge on likely moving-company options, including licenses, customer complaints and unethical employee treatment.

Once a consumer has fully researched about four to five companies, one can begin narrowing down choices. From those four to five companies, two or three viable prospects should standout. Only now should a customer begin receiving quotes from moving-companies. Comparing customer service with the offered quote will provide a fully informed prospect. As a detective, costumers can ensure a smooth and affordable relocation process.

Tips for Parents Moving Their Children into a Dorm

Tips for parents moving their children into the dorm

CAM00169 — Our truck in this year’s homecoming parade… Go Gators!!

Parents who are sending a child off to college for the first time may understandably be feeling a mix of emotions. Emotions such as pride, stress and even anxiety and sadness are common. However, these emotions are often mixed with practical concerns, such as how your child will manage living away from you for the first time. One of the best steps that you can take to ensure that your child’s first experience living apart from you is a great one is to help him or her settle in a new dorm room. There are a few parent tips that you can follow to make this transition easier for your child.

Start Shopping Early

Most parents and graduating teens have their college plans established months ahead of time, so there is no point waiting until the last minute to purchase items for the dorm. Some new college students and their parents will wait until moving day to head to the store. While it may sound like a sound plan to purchase bedding, towels, storage bins and more closer to campus and after seeing what items you actually need, everyone else may have this plan to. Stores close to campus may easily run out of supplies when there is a mad dash to get these items by dozens of people all on the same day. You can get a fair idea about what may be needed for the dorm by contacting the college and requesting a list.

Coordinate With a Roommate

In addition, before transitioning into a dorm, consider having your child get in touch with his or her new roommate. Many kids like to coordinate what they will be bringing. After all, you don’t really need to have two microwaves, televisions or other items in the dorm room. If a roommate already has these items, you can save yourself the time and energy associated with purchasing them and moving them into the dorm. Many kids also like to coordinate décor, and selecting comforters and other decorative items with an online purchase makes it easy to ensure that the room looks great.

These parenting tips can help make your child’s move into a new dorm room a pleasant experience. Moving can be stressful for you, but it can also be stressful for your child. Consider helping your child pack several days beforehand, and attempt to take stock of any additional items he or she may need as you pack boxes and suitcases. Preparation and planning are key to making this experience a pleasant one.

Steps For Transitioning From Your Parents’ House to a Dorm Room

Steps For Transitioning From Your Parents’ House to a Dorm Room

Making the leap from your parents’ home to a dorm room is one of life’s greatest steps. In the span of twenty four hours, your world will experience dramatic changes. College move-in day is sure to be one of the biggest days of your life. You spend years planning and preparing for college and the whole experience begins on day one. Moving, in general, is stressful. Imagine moving all of your belongings into a small dorm room with thousands others doing the same. Needless to say, the process can get hectic. The best advice is to be as prepared as possible; both physically and emotionally. The following are a few things to consider, well before move-in day arrives.

The Actual Move

In the months leading up to your move, do the research on your room and your school’s moving procedures. Each school approaches move-in differently; make it your job to know the details of how the day will unfold. Decide exactly what you need in your room and be sure all the furniture you are taking will fit comfortably. Rooms vary in size, but few are spacious. Talk with your family. If you are traveling a long distance, it may be in your best interest to hire a professional company to do the heavy lifting for you.

Laundry Time

Living on your own has its fair share of benefits; being responsible for your own laundry isn’t one of them. Gone are the days of mom or dad diligently piling through your laundry, it’s all up to you now. You’ll have ample opportunity to practice your patience while waiting on others in the communal laundry area. Welcome to dorm living!

Meal Time

Many students who live in dorms also enjoy the benefits of a meal plan. Chances are likely that some, maybe even most, of your meals will be provided by an on campus cafeteria but even the most disciplined students need to break the monotony every once in a while. Many schools offer rooms with micro-refrigerators to keep a small supply of food in your room. And of course, you’ll need to eat out at times. Eating at restaurants daily can add up quickly so be mindful of how much you are spending on food.

Shower Time

One of the most shocking changes you’ll experience is your new shower situation. Gone are the days of 30 minute showers or baths in your private bathroom at home. Bathroom sharing is difficult to get accustomed to; many just suffer through it and pray for better days ahead. Even the cleanest of dorm bathrooms don’t compare to home, so keep your expectations low. Also, be sure to purchase a comfortable pair of shower shoes, as well as a “caddy” to hold your bathing necessities.
Jumping from your parents’ nest into a dorm room is your first step toward real independence. It’s an amazing step but not the easiest you will take. Spending the summer in preparation will help your journey run smoothly, or at least as smoothly as possible.

College Moving 1101

Gainesville is full of great apartment options.

College Moving 1101

Off to College
Are you getting ready for your college move? Whether going off to college for the first time or returning for another year, there are some well-known rules to live by when it comes to planning your move, otherwise known as College Moving 101. Everyone knows that funds are low for full time students, so finding ways to save money on your college move is of the essence. Whether fleeing the nest to a rental or nearby college apartment shared with other classmates and/or friends, or going the more traditional route and residing at a college dorm room, your college move will go more smoothly if you follow these few easy planning steps. They will surely help you on your way.Make A List
First, you will want to get together with your prospective roommate/s, if at all possible. If not, by phone will do just as well. Together, you should brainstorm a list of all of the things that you will need for your apartment or dorm living space. Include furniture, bedding, toiletries, cleaning supplies and anything else you can think of that might be useful or necessary to supply. This way, you will have a complete list to work from while gathering your materials between you and your roommate/s. Of course, you can always add to this list as you think of things you may have at first forgotten.

Do an Inventory
Next, you and your roommates should take an inventory of what you already have and can provide from home. Each roommate should check off the items they can contribute from home and at no cost. Then those items can be removed from the master list, and whatever is left is what will need to be purchased for the big move. This master list and inventory can truly save you a bundle. Moms and dads will be happy to contribute things they do not use that are just hanging around the house collecting dust, especially knowing that the more they can provide from home, the less money they will need to put forth for store bought items.

Research Back-to-School Sales
If you were able to find everything you needed on your list, good for you!!! But more than likely, there will be many leftover wants and needs that still need purchasing. Your best bet is to then hit the back-to-school fliers and find the best deals. Bargain stores are all in competition with one another at this time of year and there are fantastic savings to be taken advantage of. So look up your leftover items and find the best deals that save you the most money. This step will be well worth the effort.

Divide Cost Of Final Expenses
Once you decide the best places to shop for the leftover items, add up the cost and divide it between the roommates. This of course, only goes for those items that will be shared in the apartment or dorm living space. Any individual picks that you find along the way will have to be paid for at your own expense. Moms and dads usually come in handy for those extras and are more than happy to provide for their little scholars.

College Moving Tips 101 will certainly save you both money and time. You will not have to about duplicating anything or buying anything unnecessarily; and with everyone involved in the planning, you will be less likely to forget something or spend more than anyone else in the living space. Going off to college is an exciting and memorable time in ones life. It can also be a bit overwhelming for some. Following the steps of College Moving 1101 will ensure a fair distribution of both funds, time and effort. This way no one roommate is left with the brunt of the cost and labor. It is also a nice way to begin to get to know your new roommate/s before the hustle and bustle of Move In Day.

How to Load Your Rental Truck

If you will be using a rental truck and loading it on your own, you must know how to load it the right way. Loading a truck incorrectly is inefficient, and you may be wasting valuable space without realizing it. An improperly loaded truck could be dangerous as well. You need a truck that’s the right size first. Determining the size you need is not easy. Getting a truck that’s a bit larger than you need is better than getting one that’s too small. The staff at the rental company may be able to assist you in choosing the right sized rental.

Start Big and Work Your Way Down

The smartest way to load the rental truck is with the largest items first. If you plan to move appliances, such as a refrigerator, washer, and dryer, they should be the first items into the truck. Balance the load by placing heavy items on opposite sites. For example, one side might contain your refrigerator. The other side should have the washer and dryer.

Once the appliances are in the truck, other heavy items will follow. These include sofas, tabletops, headboards, and mattresses. Tie the larger items in place so they do not shift as much. Then put in the dressers, bookcases, chairs, and other bulky items. To make the dresser lighter, remove the drawers while carrying it to the truck. Put the drawers in place after the body of the dresser is loaded. When you have these items in the truck, there is a chance they could shift against one another. This could cause scratching. A good way to avoid this is with moving blankets. They provide that added bit of protection you need.

Next, you can start bringing in all of the boxes. Utilize the space properly. If there are gaps beneath chairs, coffee tables, or nightstands, place boxes beneath them. It’s a smart way to use the space. The heaviest boxes should go onto the truck first. Place the heavy boxes on the bottom and go lighter with the boxes as you pile them higher. Fragile items should be on top so nothing happens to them.

A moving dolly can help with heavy items. They also make it easy to move several boxes at once. You can often rent them from the same place you rent the truck.

Why This Order?

Placing all of the heavy items into the truck first offers a couple of benefits. First, it means you get the hard and heavy work out of the way. Second, when the truck brakes, the items may shift forward. If the heavy items were put in last, they could crush your boxes and other items. When you take the time to pack properly, your items are sure to be safe during transit.

Make the move even easier by having professional movers come and help. They know how to load a truck and they can probably do it in less time than you and your friends!

You Need to Be Aware of These Hidden Moving Costs

Moving is not as simple as packing a few boxes and loading them onto a truck. There is so much more to the process that can cause headaches, stress, and extra expense. It isn’t cheap to relocate as it is, but if you face hundreds of dollars in hidden fees and costs, then the move could become a serious issue.

Whether you are trying to keep the costs down or you just don’t want to be surprised with a big hit to the checkbook, here are hidden expenses that you need to watch out for and avoid.

Extra Costs with the Moving Truck

If you decide to take on the move on your own, then the rental truck can be a source of unexpected expenses. The cost of the rental is just the beginning. If your credit card company or auto insurance company doesn’t cover rental expenses, then you will need to buy the insurance policy available from the truck rental service.

Additionally, few people remember to factor in gas. However, those trucks don’t exactly get good gas mileage and you will need to return it with a full tank. Before you even begin the rental, you need to get a good idea of how much gas will cost for the whole move.

When you sign a truck rental agreement, you need to take a look at the mileage caps. Usually, your one-time cost will only cover a certain number and if you go over that mileage, then you will have to pay more.

Rental Cleaning and Damage

If you are moving out of a rental, then there are certain expenses that you must be aware of. You will be required to clean the place and that can mean cleaning it yourself or hiring a professional. If you don’t do this, then you could forfeit your security deposit or be charged with a cleaning fee that can be quite steep.

Additionally, if you damage the property in any way during the move (and this goes for a property you are selling as well), it will be your responsibility to pay for repairs in most cases. To avoid this, be careful not to scratch floors or scrape paint when getting the furniture out.

Boxes

You never will be able to get enough boxes for the move. That is a fact of life. It’s a good idea to get an estimate of box count needed from your movers and then choose to pay for the high end in the first place. If you try to get by with less, you will find yourself having to pay for more boxes at the last minute. Other moving supplies can add to the cost as well, so be sure to factor them in from the start.

Hidden expenses during a move can add up quickly, and before you know it, you may find yourself in a bad financial situation at the worst possible time. Be sure to watch out for these hidden moving expenses and either avoid them or prepare for them in the first place.

Custom Boxes Are a Must for Certain Items

If you are moving, then packing can be a chore that you put off until you absolutely have to. However, this is a really big mistake since your belongings may get broken or damaged from not being secured away correctly. The best thing to do is start packing up nonessential belongings at least eight weeks before your move. You can slowly work your way toward the items you use the most one or two weeks before the day.

In addition to making sure you do take time and get everything stored in boxes, you need to pack in the right way. There are specialty boxes made for specific items that you should always use. If you don’t then you are taking risks with some of your more fragile belongings. You may not even know about some of the specialty materials that are available to you, but your professional movers will be able to help you out.

Plasma TV Boxes

Plasma televisions can never be laid on their side and they are extremely fragile. If you don’t take proper precautions with them, then the result could be disastrous and you certainly don’t want to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a new set after you have just moved. There is a specialty box that is made specifically for these televisions. They will include thicker cushioning and packaging to ensure no extra stress is put on the fragile front screen on the set.

Glassware

Glasses are extremely breakable to the point that they often end up on the store shelves cracked in their boxes. You can’t simply put them in a box and hope for the best and you certainly shouldn’t just depend on newspaper wrapping. Instead, you need to choose specialty moving supplies that are designed specifically for glassware. These durable and sturdy boxes will include dividers that will keep the glasses from clinking together and causing any damage.

China and Plates

If you have expensive china, you certainly don’t want to take any chances with it. That means knowing how to properly pack and store everything for moving. You can find specialty packing materials that are designed specifically for these items. They include cushioned dividers that will sit between each piece of china.

The vast majority of damage from moving comes when pieces clink together during rough patches in the road, so by keeping them separate, you can ensure the items have a much better chance of making it safely to your new home.

When you start packing to move, keep in mind that you have options that will ensure all of your belongings are safe. Not all things should be packed in standard boxes or wrapped in moving blankets.

Instead, talk to your moving company about options that will keep fragile items safe. These types of specialty materials include boxes for glassware and china as well as plasma televisions. Remember that the sooner you get started packing, the better you can take care of your belongings.

Make These Improvements Before You Move

When you move out of your old home, it’s important that you take proper steps to leave the place in good repair. If you are selling the property, making just simple improvements can make it so much easier to find a buyer. Even if the home will be sitting unoccupied for a while, you won’t want it to fall into disrepair. Before you get started moving, take some time and a little money to make just a few improvements.

The Kitchen and the Bathroom

Studies show that the two rooms that will bring the best return on investments are the kitchen and the bathroom. Little things you can do differently, like a new coat of paint or refinished cabinets will make a big difference in the price you can get for your home if you sell after moving.

You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars either. A few ideas for renovating these two rooms include:

Refinish Cabinets
Paint
Resurface Counters
Replace Bathroom Mirrors
Replace Switch Plates and Outlets
Refinish Floors
Add Window Coverings

Cleaning Garages and Basements

In many homes, the garages and basements can be a little scary. They often have boxes that have been in storage for years and they can gather dust (and animals) very easily. You should always take the time to clean these two spaces out thoroughly when you are moving out.

Make sure to get rid of anything you no longer want to keep and clean out all boxes from the rooms. Then, inspect them carefully. You need to look for cracks in the home’s foundation, leaks in pipes, and other damage that will need to be cared for before you move out. All of these things can do damage to your home if it is sitting empty and they can also take away from the value of the property when you want to sell.

Landscaping

There is something very important to curb appeal when you are trying to sell your home. People want to know that the property looks nice before they buy it, so it is extremely important to do a little landscaping when you are moving out. If you don’t have the time to do the landscaping yourself, then hire a team to come in and do the work. It will only take a few hours to get the property in order and then your house will look very appealing to potential buyers.

Keep Up with Pest Control

Pest control is important, especially if your home may stand empty for a while. That’s because your house could get invaded and no one will know it until you show the property to a potential buyer. Talk to your local pest control company and explain that you are moving and then ask them to keep up quarterly control even while you are gone.

It’s important to do a little home improvement when you are moving out of your house. While you may be focused on your new property wherever you may be living, you cannot forget your old home whether you are selling it or not.

How to Protect Floors During a Move

If you hire professional movers, then you shouldn’t have to worry about your furniture being well taken care of. That’s because they have the training and know-how to ensure everything is protected properly.

However, even the most careful house moves could take a toll on your floors. You may pack things and slide them across the floor or the movers may scuff up surfaces as they get your belongings out.

It’s very important that you take extra care of the floors in your old home so that you don’t have to worry about making repairs or losing security deposits. Obviously, you don’t want to do any damage to your new home that you will end up repairing right when you move in.

There are a few different things you can do to protect the surfaces from scuffs, scrapes, and scratches.

Sliders

There are small disks that fit under the legs of heavy furniture that allow the pieces to be easily slid across the floor surface. You can purchase these sliders if you would like since they may come in handy if you ever decide to reorganize a room.

Alternatively, you may be able to get them from your movers. Either way, keep in mind that these only work when you are moving heavy pieces across an even floor. They won’t work when moving furniture up or down stairs.

Rugs

If you don’t have the sliders, then you can also place old rugs under furniture to move the pieces and there are several safety precautions you need to take, especially if you are moving the furniture without the help of trained movers.

Never try to slide the piece by grasping the rug and pulling. Tall furniture could tip over and cause injury.
Be careful to not step on the rug when sliding the furniture. This hitch could injure the person helping you.
Don’t use sheets that may be very thin. The furniture could still scratch the surface of wood floors through the material.

The best approach is to use the materials provided by your mover. You can discuss different options for getting large pieces out of your home without causing any damage to the flooring.

Remember that if you do damage the floors in a rental that you are moving out of, you will likely forfeit your security deposit. If you have already sold your home, then you will need to repair the damage to the state the house was in when the buyers signed the contract.

Professional movers will do their best to never cause damage in your old or new home, but accidents can happen when so many people (including yourself) are working to get things in or out. It’s a very good idea to take extra steps in protecting your flooring so that you don’t have to worry about repairing or paying for repairs on scuffs and scratches to hardwood surfaces or pulls to carpets. Simple tools like furniture sliders or pieces of old rugs can make all the difference in protecting those surfaces.

Great Tips for Packing When Moving

Moving can be a stressful experience, but it does not have to be that way. When you use the tips included here, your move is much easier.

Begin Packing Early

Even if it is a few weeks before your move, it is important to start your packing as soon as possible. When you have more time to pack, you can do it the right way. Rushing around at the end, or when your Gainesville movers are on their way, is a surefire way to break things cause things to break. You want to have everything packed long before the big day arrives. It will reduce your stress levels.

Remove Items from Drawers

Sometimes, it might seem as though it would be faster to leave some of your items in your dresser drawers and nightstand drawers. This will increase the weight of the unit, though, and the drawers may fall open and cause a mess, even if you tape them. Remove the items and pack them in their own boxes with the appropriate labels.

Large Appliances

If you are taking your larger appliances with you, such as your refrigerator, you need to prepare them. Remove all of the food and defrost the fridge at least a day or two before the move. Clean the refrigerator inside and out so it is ready to set up and plug in at your new home.

Lighten the Load

Books are some of the heaviest items you will be moving. This is often because people overpack boxes. Keep the boxes to between 30 and 50 pounds maximum. It will be easier to move a few more boxes rather than move ultra heavy boxes. Keep this in mind when packing other items as well. If you can disassemble an item, such as an entertainment center, it will be easier to move. Do your best to make every trip as light as possible.

Your Kitchen Table and Other Furniture

Remove the table legs and tie them together. Make sure you add some padding between the legs so they aren’t scratched during the move. It may be a good idea to wrap some towels or bubble wrap around the legs and sides of furniture. This can help keep them in good condition during the move.

Always Label

No matter what it is you are packing, you need to label it properly. It will make it much easier to put your house together when the Gainesville moving company puts the boxes in your new home. It also makes it easier to put your own electronics together.

Whether you are moving across the country or you are simply making a move across town, the preceding tips and tricks should help to make things proceed smoothly for you. Many moving companies will offer professional moving supplies for those who need them. Some of the companies out there will even take care of the packing for you.