Category: Moving Tips

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.

 

[custom_list style=”list-1″]

  • 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.

[/custom_list]

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.

Gainesville and The State of Florida Moving Rights and Laws

Gainesville Florida is a college town and with this comes a rash of unlicensed businesses that prey upon the lack of knowledge most students have about the rules and regulations across all industries.  The moving companies in Gainesville Florida and the rest of the state are regulated by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  Most College age kids do not understand what this means.  UF Mover Guys, LLC is licensed and insured to operate throughout the entire state of Florida.  We thought it would be a good idea to put all of the information that is already out there in an easy to read and understand format.  Searching government website after government website can be cumbersome and not always an efficient use of time.

Most people in the area know how busy the moving companies in Gainesville Florida will be this time of year.  The national season is from May through September, and the fact there are close to 100,000 students between the University of Florida and Santa Fe College only magnifies the significance of this time of year.  Every year a bunch of unlicensed and uninsured movers will swoop in to move unsuspecting people.  The issue with using an unlicensed moving company is the fact that there usually is no recourse for someone, because often they disappear should anything happen.  If worst case scenario occurs, nothing is insured and a rogue company not willing to play by the rules.  The State of Florida regulates this industry specifically for this reason and has issued a set of guidelines.  We have them outlined below, but they can be found in their entirety at the following website.  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Who has to register?

Any person who intends to open or operate as an intrastate mover of household goods or moving broker shall, prior to engaging in such activity, register with the Department.

What documents are required to register?

  1. Proof of insurance such as your insurance certificate and certificate holder and/or original surety in the amount of $25,000 bond. A copy of your policy, declarations page or insurance card will not be accepted. Coverage must include:
  2. Cargo liability for loss or damage to household goods – not less than $10,000 per shipment.

  3. Motor vehicle coverage, including bodily injury and property damage liability in minimum amounts of (auto liability is required even if you don’t own your own truck(s)):

    • $50,000 per occurrence for commercial vehicle gross weight of less than 35,000 pounds.
    • $100,000 per occurrence for commercial vehicle gross weight of more than 35,000 pounds, but less than 44,000 pounds $300,000 per occurrence for commercial vehicle gross weight of 44,000 pounds or more.

     

     

The above are the guidlines required to operate as a moving company in Gainesville Florida and anywhere else in the State.  An intrastate mover number will be issued by the Department. Always ask the companies you are getting quotes from, the state recommends three, for their number to do a search for incidents HERE.  You can search with a business name, or IM number.  As you can see our company, UF Mover Guys, LLC IM:1847 has zero complaints.  The rest of the information for consumers is listed on this government website right HERE.

 

Click on the following link to get their brochure on household moving in Florida.

 

Some of the information is below:

 

When researching a potential company to handle your moving and storage needs, find out the following information:

  • Is the company registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services?
  • How long has the company been in business?
  • Does the company offer extra services, such as packing, unpacking and storage?
  • What type of protection does the company offer against loss or damage (full replacement cost, depreciated value, or the basic 60¢ per pound valuation carriers are required to provide)?

Your Rights:

 

Prior to providing you with any moving services, your mover must supply an estimate and contract, in writing.  The estimate and contract must be signed by both parties and include the following:

  • Name, telephone number, physical address and state registration number of the mover.
  • Date the contract or estimate was prepared and proposed date of the actual move.
  • Appropriate pick-up and delivery address, name and telephone numbers of the shipper.
  • Name, telephone number and physical address where the goods will be held, if necessary.
  • Itemized breakdown, description and total of all cost and services provided.
    Acceptable forms of payment available.

Estimate and Contract

Intrastate movers are required to provide an estimate and a contract or service order for each move. Before signing this document, determine that the dates for packing, loading and delivery are part of the contract and provided to you in writing. Understand what the price is based upon:

  • Appliance Servicing
  • Cubic Footage
  • Hourly Rates
  • Stair/Elevator Charge
  • Number of Items
  • Packing/Unpacking
  • Long Carry Charges

There are some minor exceptions to the rule.  This would be if all you are hiring someone to do is labor to help you move things around your home, or into your own rental truck.  Other than that the movers must be licensed.  This is designed to protect the consumer.  We hope you found some useful information about moving in Gainesville and the state of Florida.

Gainesville Florida Moving Company, UF Mover Guys Launches Their New Blog

UF Mover Guys, a Gainesville Florida Moving company, is pleased to announce the official launch of their company blog.  Inside you will find insightful articles on how to prepare for moving day when it comes.  Over the years we have been asked by customers for our tricks of the trade, and now we are bringing it to the internet.  We look forward to providing all of our customers, and internet visitors with the same high quality moving resources that we have been come to known for.

Our goal is to educate any and all persons interested in learning more about the moving services industry.  Some topics that will be discussed are how to prepare for moving to Gainesville, and the state of Florida.  How to avoid some of the most common moving pitfalls.  The proper way to pack boxes for a professional moving company.  Expect to learn a bunch while visiting our site.  Also we will discuss some related topics such as how to get everything setup in your new apartment, home or office.  Corporate relocation, and high value moving items and how to protect yourself during move day.

Many of the topics that UF Mover Guys blog will discuss are directly related to the Gainesville moving services industry, but we will also discuss some local favorites such as University of Florida Football.  Local Alachua County News.  How to get to and from Florida in the most efficient manner and many others.