Tag: UF mover

How To Check a USDOT Number

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.

Environmentally Friendly Moving Tips

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.

Mover’s Guide to Storage

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!

How to Pack and Move a China Cabinet

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.

Moving into Off-Campus Housing

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.

Moving Terminology

Reading the fine print can sometimes be as daunting as trying to read Arabic. Image is from wikipedia.org.

You have to read the fine print before you hire moving professionals. Unfortunately, reading the fine print can sometimes be as daunting as trying to read Arabic.

UF Mover Guys understands how confusing the terminology can be to people unaware of the moving industry as a whole. Never sign anything unless you know what each term means.

Here are a few definitions for you to be aware of the next time you hire movers to tackle your transportation project.

Accessorial services, also known as additional services, include extra offerings beyond the actual move that you can request.

From packing and unpacking to shuttle services, you will pay extra for these in addition to the standard fees for transportation.

High value articles are rated higher than $100 per pound. Tell your movers about any artwork or expensive furniture to ensure they are properly protected with bubble wrap and other casings.

Inventory is a detailed listing of all the goods to be transported from your existing home to the next. The condition of each object should be noted and matched with a corresponding number.

You as the consumer can request this service at an additional charge.

Advanced charges include fees for services that are performed by people other than the mover. You will pay extra so look for these services on your bill of lading as a separate fee.

The bill of lading is the receipt you receive as the contract for your transportation charges. The bill should outline all line items that contribute to your overall amount owed.

Keep a copy in a safe place. If you disagree with anything listed on the bill of lading, request clarification from the mover. Do not sign it unless you understand every element.

Order for service shows your authorization for the mover to provide transportation services for all your belongings.

Transportation charges cover all costs incurred for the actual process of transporting your belongings from one place to another. These charges are in addition to the accessorial charges mentioned above.

A moving broker coordinates moves between two parties. A broker can take the legwork out of finding a reputable mover for you.

On the other hand, many brokers do not know the local landscape. The mover they book for you may not have the licensing and reputation you are looking for.

Storage-in-transit refers to the temporary storage of your belongings in between transport. If you must be out of your home at a certain date, many mover companies offer a storage option until you are ready.

These charges are extra and depend on how long your items are in storage. Final delivery charges may be tacked on at the end.

Learning the lingo when it comes to movers will help ensure a smooth transition from one home to the next.

How to Move Kitchen Utensils and Appliances

The kitchen is one of the most difficult areas to pack. Image is from 4homeinterior.com.

The kitchen is one of the most difficult areas to pack. A wide variety of things must be packed: appliances, glasses, utensils, etc.

How do you move a kitchen? Make sure you are ready to dive in before you actually do.

Grab a pencil and some paper, sit down and make a list. This list should include what you want to pack immediately, what you want to wait on, what is breakable, what you are going to get rid of, and the timeline you want to achieve all of this in.

After you finish your list, gather the supplies you need. The supplies should include your packing boxes, bubble wrap, newspaper, tape, labeling supplies, blankets and anything else you anticipate needing to pack.

Obtaining your supplies will keep you motivated. Having them on hand will prevent unexpected road bumps while packing.

Start With the Big Appliances

If you were to hire UF Mover Guys, we would likely start with the big appliances. Once these appliances are packed, you can fit the small utensils around them to save space in packing.

Also, large items are quicker to pack and will present the appearance of having the kitchen further along than it is, which helps you stay motivated to keep going. Then you can start with the breakables.

Packing fragile dishes will take a long time because you will want to wrap them carefully to make sure they don’t get damaged during the move.  You need to stack them carefully in the boxes, and you need to make sure the boxes are stacked appropriately in the truck the way professional movers would stack the boxes.

You could always just hire us to do this for you.  We will have the supplies to pack appropriately, the expertise to do it right and the experience to do it fast and efficiently.

When packing your kitchen, unless it is moving day, you will want to keep the things you will actually continue to use until the move unpacked.  The last thing you will want is to be unpacking your boxes to pull out items you need to use.

Common items to pack are serving dishes, all-in-one makers, even toasters and blenders if you don’t use them daily.

Always make sure you label your boxes with words like fragile, breakable, kitchen, and this side up.  Lack of labeling has resulted in many broken dishes over the years.

What about the Food?

Food is the one area everyone has a hard time with.  If you aren’t going to consume your food before the move, get it packed.

One place people often struggle with is canned items.  Pack these in small boxes because they will get heavy and fast.  You will find yourself unpacking cans if you don’t follow this advice because you won’t be able to lift the box, and even if you can the box is likely to break.

Start using items that will go bad, and stop buying refrigerated and frozen items until the move. You will be shocked at how much food you throw away if you don’t consider this process immediately.

Cookbooks are just like cans; be careful not to back too many of them in one box.  How much can paper weigh?  If you don’t follow this advice you might find out in an unpleasant way.

UF Mover Guys have this technique down and are ready to help you with any questions you have.

Lastly, remember that you still have tables, chairs and possibly other large items that you won’t necessary pack in boxes but you need to account for when loading the truck.

Source: Packing and Moving a Kitchen — All Tips in One List

How To Properly Wrap And Pad Furniture

The No. 1 rule to remember is that all of the items should be carefully wrapped and padded. Image is from customstoragesystem.com.

Few people look forward to the work, preparation and planning involved in moving. You can make the day less stressful if you approach it in a thoughtful and strategic way.

The first step is to hire a reputable company. UF Mover Guys is one of the most respected moving companies in Gainesville.

Our company is a full service company that will take care of all your needs. One service that we take pride in is offering tips and advice for our customers.

In this article, we will give you a short but thorough overview about how best to protect your furniture during your move. Furniture and heavy items should be properly padded and protected before being moved in a truck, trailer or automobile.

The No. 1 rule to remember is that all of the items should be carefully wrapped and padded. This is the best way to prevent injury or damage to the item as it is being moved from your old home to your new one.

All furniture should be wrapped with blankets and plastic stretch wrap. Bubble wrap, pads and blankets provide the best protection.

Moving blankets are expensive, which tempts some people to use regular home blankets and towels. While these are better than nothing, ordinary home towels much less protection than moving blankets.

Professional quality blankets can be rented, and they are worth the money. You want to make sure that you have enough blankets to fully cover and wrap all of your furniture.

The number of blankets obviously depends upon the number and size of the items. At Gainesville Moving, we have found that the typical customer usually requires 30 to 100 blankets.

As a general rule of thumb, 30 blankets are usually sufficient for a small one-bedroom apartment. Most items require two to five blankets for full coverage.

The first step in padding and wrapping furniture is to secure any movable parts such as drawers, doors and the legs if they move back and forth.  We suggest that you should always stop at the top of the furniture item and work downwards when covering it with furniture pads.

The pads should completely cover the furniture. Make sure that no part of the furniture is exposed. Any exposed area is at risk during the moving process.

Coverage also makes loading the furniture quicker and more efficient for the movers. They do not have to worry about nicks, scratches or other injuries to the furniture as they carry and load it onto the truck or trailer.

Wrapping the covered furniture with stretch wrap provides additional security and protection.  The plastic should be tight as you wrap it.  Avoid leaving any space between the wrap and the item you are wrapping.

Inspect all the items once they are wrapped.  Make sure that all the surface areas are covered and protected.

Take your time and do not rush. Properly covering and wrapping all of the furniture takes a little additional time to, but you can move it with much more security and confidence.

If you have any additional questions about heavy furniture contact us. UF Mover Guys will be happy to answer all your questions.

How to Pack Heavy Items

Heavy Items Image
Too many people move items when packing with improper lifting technique. Image is from katerawlings.com.

One of the most difficult parts of moving is handling heavy objects. Inappropriate packing techniques can cause insurmountable damage to your belongings.

UF Mover Guys has about a decade of experience packing hefty items like TVs and furniture. We recommend taking advantage of our training and handing the responsibility of packing to us.

However, if you are determined to pack on your own, here are our tips for handling your heavy items.

The key to packing heavy objects is to secure your belongings.

Choose small but sturdy cardboard boxes to hold heavy items. Large items take up most of the space inside small containers and are less likely to shift within them. Small boxes also limit how much stuff you can put in them, which prevents them from becoming too heavy when the time comes to move them.

Heavy objects should be bundled tightly inside of boxes. Items should be wrapped in a compact layer of newspaper, packing paper or bubble wrap.

The material you use depends on how heavy the item you are wrapping is. The heavier the object, the thicker the wrapping should be.

No empty space should be inside your boxes. Fill the space with cardboard, bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Crumpled paper is not strong enough to work in this case.

Heavy items should be packed in the center of the box with the surrounding area filled as described above. If the weight lies more on one side of the box, it will create problems when lifted by tilting.

In addition, unequal weight distribution and poorly secured objects can cause the box to tip over in the back of the moving truck when being delivered to your new home. This could result in damage to the object and surrounding objects.

Heavy items should be further secured using a thick and strong tape, such as duct tape, to seal the box. Scotch, moving and masking tape obviously will not work for these types of items.

Gathering the proper packing supplies for heavy objects can be costly and time-consuming. In some cases, it may be more cost efficient to hire a moving company to pack for you. UF Mover Guys has the equipment to save you money and get the job done.

Additionally, your safety is a priority to us. Too many people move items when packing with improper lifting technique. The consequences range from sore muscles to torn ligaments to accidents that lead to broken bones and in extreme cases, even death.

You should consider the safety of your stuff as well, and consider how to prepare. Packing heavy items is a tricky process, and one misstep can destroy not only hundreds of dollars in belongings but also years of cherished memories.