10 Things Parents Wish They Knew Before Moving Their Kids To College

Moving a child to college for the first time is a major milestone in the lives of parents and their children. In addition to the cocktail of emotions that come with the move into their college living situation, many practical considerations and preparations must be made. With so much to prepare for before college move-in day, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. To help ensure college move-in day runs as smoothly as possible, we’ve compiled the following list of things parents wish they had known before moving their kids to college.

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Make A List Of Dorm Room Essentials

Take time to figure out exactly what your child needs to settle into their dorm. Many universities provide lists outlining exactly what new students should bring with them. So, review any list provided for help determining what will be essential. Common dorm room essentials include towels, bedding, storage, pillows, a trash can, a microwave, a mini fridge, and bathroom supplies.

Review Dorm Rules & Regulations

In addition to reviewing what dorm essentials will be needed, it’s important to familiarize yourself and your student with any dorm room rules and regulations. After all, you don’t want to waste time packing items the university doesn’t allow. For example, you wouldn’t want to buy your student a bunch of scented candles just to discover the dorms don’t allow open flames.

Bring Cleaning Supplies

Many parents recommend bringing cleaning supplies on move-in day. Bring a vacuum to clean the floor and some disinfectant wipes to wipe down the room’s surfaces. 

Have A Tool Kit Handy

In addition to cleaning supplies, many parents recommend bringing a tool kit just in case. When you and your student arrive at their new home, you may discover a bolt or screw that needs tightening or a piece of furniture that needs to be constructed, and you’ll be glad you have a tool kit handy.

Stay Hydrated & Bring Snacks

Healthy, energizing snacks and refreshing drinks are a must-have on a busy moving day. Food and refreshments will help keep the mood light and energy levels up so your family can focus on getting your student settled in.

Document What Your Student Brings

Many parents suggest documenting what their child brings with them to college. This is especially helpful if your child is sharing a space with a few roommates, as you’ll be able to ensure your student can return with all the belongings they brought when it’s time to move out. 

Have Your Student Pack Light

The lighter your student packs, the easier the move will be. Have your student only bring clothes for the fall season and then swap them out for warmer clothes when they return for winter break. This is especially smart if your student has limited storage space in their dorm.

Let Your Child Take The Lead

Moving out of home and into college is a significant transition in the lives of children that symbolizes a major step towards independence.  With this in mind, letting your student take the lead is important.  Ask them where they want things, allow them to make their own decisions, follow their preferences, and let them enjoy their first day of independent living.

Prepare Going-Away Gifts

Finally, consider preparing a going away gift for your student. Something sentimental such as framed family photo can mean a lot to a child leaving home for the first time and some cash or a gift card to their favorite restaurant would surely be much appreciated as well. 

Tips For A Smooth Summer Move

Summer is one of the most popular times of year for people to move. Unfortunately, moving during this time can present its own set of challenges. From the heat, humidity, and heavy rains to the traffic, moving in the summer can be quite a hassle. With the game plan, you can make sure your summer move is as stress-free as possible. Check out these helpful tips for a smooth summer move, so you can enjoy your new place without any headaches. 

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Tips For A Smooth Summer Move

Check The Weather

Summer in Florida means high temperatures, high humidity, and frequent heavy rains. As your moving day approaches, stay updated on the weather for that day so you can plan accordingly. If possible, try to keep your moving day flexible so you can push it back a day if there are severe thunderstorms. 

Pack Ahead Of Time

Moving can be stressful with so much to do in so little time. To make it easier on yourself, start packing your belongings as early as possible. Leave out your essentials, such as your daily toiletries, the clothing you need, and a few dishes and glasses. Everything else should be packed before moving day arrives to help the day go smoother and faster. 

Protect Your Belongings

The humidity and sudden rain can damage your belongings if they are not wrapped properly. Cover items that are not waterproof in plastic to prevent water spots, warping, and discoloration. Also, be sure to wrap fragile items carefully to prevent damage. 

Double Check The Utilities Are Turned On

When you are moving into your new place in the heat of summer, the last thing you want is to walk into your new place on move-in day and discover there is no air conditioning. Before move-in day arrives, call your utility company and initiate service. You can also verify with the leasing office that the AC is operational for apartments and managed properties.

Move In The Morning

Florida summers are notorious for heavy afternoon rains. Starting your moving day very early will not only help you avoid the peak temperatures but can alleviate the stress of moving during the afternoon rains. Plus, the roads will be quieter, and if you are moving into an apartment, there will be less foot traffic around the building. 

Stay Hydrated

Moving is hard work and even if you are a seasoned athlete, the heat impacts everyone. Be sure to stay hydrated throughout the moving day and take breaks as frequently as needed. 

Hire Professional Movers

Moving in summer is difficult, and if you have a lot of items or heavy furniture, it can be dangerous. To save yourself from heat stroke or a sore back, seek professional assistance. Our Gainesville movers are trained and experienced in efficiently moving in all types of weather. Plus, specific equipment and trucking enable us to complete the job quickly and simply. Contact UF Mover Guys for affordable moving services this summer. 

Tips For Moving With Roommates

Moving means embarking upon a new, exciting beginning, but this time can also feel stressful, particularly when roommates are involved. Whether you are moving into a place with a roommate for the first time or you’re moving into a new space with roommates you’ve lived with for years, moving with roommates requires care and organization. Here, our movers in Gainesville, FL, discuss the top tips for moving with roommates.

Are you in search of a dependable Gainesville moving company to help make your move a breeze? Contact UF Mover Guys today to book moving services you can count on!
Tips For Moving With Roommates

Discuss Timeline, Budget & Expectations

As with most stressful situations, it’s best to begin with a conversation between you and your roommate or roommates. Be sure to sit down with your roommates and discuss all the details of your moving timeline, budget, and expectations. When are you planning to move? If your move-out date doesn’t overlap with your move-in date, you’ll probably want to set up transitional housing and storage. 

What is your budget? Moving costs can add up, so be sure to lay out the costs ahead of time. What are your expectations? Once you decide on a moving date and budget, discuss what each person expects of one another regarding packing up personal and common areas, who will do what, when, and how to ensure you stay on top of your schedules. 

Make A Moving Checklist

There are many aspects to a move. Keep a running list of the tasks you and your roommates need to complete and reminders for important dates. A shared list will help each roommate stay organized and on top of their respective duties. If you and your roommates are not yet living in the same space, make sure your list is easily accessible to all parties. Ensure each person knows what they are responsible for.

Your moving checklist should include tasks, such as sorting and organizing prior to packing, and a loose gameplan for what to do first after you’ve moved into your new living space. It’s important to go through your belongings and downsize, especially if you currently live alone and plan to move in with others. Additional people means additional stuff, and it’s easier to get rid of the excess by donating it or tossing it before your move. 

Maintain Open Communication

Communication is key for just about every relationship in life. Your relationship with your roommates is no different! Moving can be stressful, and can be a test of patience. To help prevent potential quarrels, communicate often and openly with your roommates. Discuss what you’ve completed on your to-do list, communicate your plans, and talk about your desires and intentions. This is one of the only ways to help ensure your relocation with your roommates will be successful.

Hire A Trusted Moving Company

Moving with roommates requires a significant amount of communication and organization. Each part has to fulfill its personal responsibilities and mutual tasks. One of the ways you can make relocation easier for everyone is to hire a reliable local moving company like UF Mover Guys to handle all of the heavy lifting! Our professional and experienced moving staff will carefully pack, transport, store, and unpack your belongings, providing you and your roommates with the precious time you need to heal with more important tasks. Schedule moving services today!

Apartment Cleaning Checklist: 5 Tips For Move-Out Day

After you’ve packed all your belongings into boxes and moved your furniture out of your apartment, all that’s left to do is clean. Most apartment lease agreements state residents must leave their apartment in the same condition they found it on move-in day, and failure to do so could result in the loss of their security deposit. Nobody wants to lose their security deposit, so renters must give their apartment a deep clean on move-out day. Below, our comprehensive apartment cleaning checklist outlines all the necessary steps to cleaning out your apartment on a moving day. 

UF Mover Guys is a Gainesville moving company offering efficient and affordable moving services. Whether you’re moving across the country or just down the street, our Gainesville movers can help. Contact our moving company today to book your move!
Moving in a hurry

Remove Nails From Walls

Decorating your walls with pictures and artwork is a great way to make your apartment feel like home, just don’t forget to remove the nails from the walls on move-out day. If any nails, towel hooks, TV mounts, furniture anchors, or anything else has left a sizeable hole in your wall, consider patching the hole up. Removing nails from walls and patching up holes can help protect your security deposit and ensure you leave your old apartment in pristine condition.

Clear Out Cabinets

It’s easy to forget about clearing out your apartment’s cabinets while you’re focused on packing boxes, moving furniture, and cleaning out rooms. Accordingly, it’s essential to set aside some time to focus on cleaning out the inside of your apartment’s cabinets. Empty every cabinet or cupboard in your apartment and then wipe down their interiors to remove dust or grime. Remember to check the backend of your cupboards for any small cups or other items that might otherwise get left behind.

Clean Carpets

While living in an apartment, accidents, spills, and other messes that can stain a carpet are bound to happen. With a carpet steam cleaner, you can wash your apartment’s carpet and get it looking just like new. Additionally, you can remove old, hard-to-remove carpet stains by applying commercial carpet cleaner and letting it sit for a few minutes. Giving your carpet a deep clean can help prevent your apartment complex from charging you a carpet cleaning fee or fining you for a replacement.

Don’t Forget About Appliances

Don’t forget to dedicate ample time to deep cleaning your apartment’s appliances during the cleaning process. First, empty out your fridge and clean up any messes that may have been caused by spilled food. If your oven has an “auto clean” function, turn that on for a quick and convenient deep clean. However, if your oven doesn’t have an “auto clean” button, then make sure you scrub the inside of the oven clean of any crumbs or stains.

Don’t Leave Anything Behind

Some apartment complexes will charge you for anything left in your apartment after you’ve turned in your keys, so it’s important to ensure nothing is accidentally left behind. Once you’ve finished cleaning your apartment and loading up your moving truck, do one last walkthrough of your apartment to check if any items have accidentally been left behind. 

How To Pack Smartly For Your First Move

Moving for the first time is exciting! After all, you are going out into the world on your own and in your own living space! While moving may feel like an exciting prospect, preparing for a move can be challenging, especially for those who have never moved. If you’re moving for the first time and you don’t know where to start, have no fear! Getting organized early and following these moving tips from your local movers with UF Mover Guys can help make your first move (and any that follow) much easier and hassle-free.

Looking for a dependable moving company to handle the heavy lifting? Contact our moving company today to book moving services from our dependable movers in Gainesville, FL!

Start Packing Early

One of the best ways to minimize stress for first-time movers is to give yourself plenty of time to plan and pack ahead of moving day. The earlier you begin, the better. You can start by packing up specific areas or items you don’t often use, such as items in your closet, clothing you wear the least, decorative pieces, or books you won’t read until after moving day. This way, the majority of your living space will remain as normal as possible while making progress with packing. Commit yourself to packing a few boxes each day, and make sure to leave several boxes and packing materials for the items you will leave to pack until the last day, like your toiletries, favorite clothing items, and everyday dishware.

Pare Down Your Items

Packing is the best time to go through your belongings and purge the excess. Sorting through your possessions and being brutally honest with yourself can help you distinguish between the items you can’t live without from those you can leave behind. Designate a donation box (or several) and keep it separate from what you are taking with you. After you’ve sorted your things, you can then decide if you want to sell items of significant value to help fund your relocation, donate the items to a charity you like, and throw out items that can’t be reused. 

Gather Moving Supplies

The process of packing requires a significant amount of packing supplies to help make the move as simple as possible. Having these items on hand will help make packing and organizing your belongings much easier, and it will also ensure your items arrive safely in your new living space. You will need moving boxes of all different sizes, scissors, permanent markers, heavy packing tapes, stickers, and paddings, such as newspaper, bubble wrap, or another form of packing insulation. If you’re unsure how many boxes you’ll need, take the time to assess the items you intend to pack and scale from there. In most cases, it’s better to gather more supplies than you think you will need, especially if this is your first time moving!

Pack Like A Pro

Even for those moving for the first time, there can be a lot of items that need to be wrapped properly and packed safely. In addition to padding purchasable for keeping your items safe in the moving boxes, you can use items you already have on hand, such as socks, towels, bedsheets, and other soft materials, to pad boxes containing fragile items like glassware and decorations. Blankets, comforters, pillows, and clothing can even be placed in a heavy-duty contractor bag, as these bags can fill in open spaces in a moving truck. Remember to pack your heaviest items, such as books, in small boxes so they are easier to carry. While you pack, make sure to label each box, bag, and bin with the contents and the destination room in your new place. This will help make it easier to organize your boxes based on where they should go in your living space and simplify the unpacking process. 

Book Professional Moving Services

Our experienced Florida movers offer moving services to help make the process of moving simpler for those moving for the first time and those experienced with moves alike. If you’re looking for a professional, local moving company that can help simplify your relocation, then look no further than UF Mover Guys. We offer packing services, loading, unloading, and much more! Contact us today to schedule moving services!

Common Packing Mistakes

Moving can be hectic, with so much to do in a short amount of time. Packing and moving efficiently can save you a lot of hassle and time in the long run. How you pack greatly impacts your moving and unpacking success. Here are some common packing mistakes to avoid during your move. 

If you need movers in Gainesville, FL, our movers can assist you with packing, moving, and unpacking in your new home. Contact us today to book your move with our Florida moving company

Underestimating The Amount

Underestimating how much you have to pack is an extremely common mistake people make when moving. Give yourself ample time and start organizing and decluttering your home weeks in advance. If you have a lot of belongings or particularly large and heavy items, consider hiring a professional moving company to help with your move.  

Insufficient Supplies

Without the proper supplies, moving will be a lot more difficult. Make sure to obtain enough quality boxes, it is better to have too many than not enough. Also, collect bubble wrap or moving blankets to help protect your items on the journey. 

Randomly Filling Boxes

It is tempting to pack quickly and say to yourself, “I will deal with this when I unpack.” However, you will save time and hassle if you pack per room. Packing per room allows you to pack and unpack efficiently. You pack boxes by what room items belong instead of a collection of those items. For example, a box with “master bedroom” items instead of “pillows” from all over the house. When you move, place the corresponding box in the room it belongs in. Randomly filled boxes take much longer to unpack and can often waste space and supplies. 

Not Labeling Boxes

Labeling boxes is essential, especially for glass and other breakable items. Labeling should indicate what room the items belong to and if the box contains any fragile items. 

Misplacing Commonly Used Items

We have all been there when you spend your first day in your new place and can’t find a water glass, socks, or charger. Making a designated “unpack first” box or suitcase with the essentials will help prevent this. Include a couple of days of outfits, essential toiletries, and anything else you know you will need on the first and second days of living in your new place. 

5 Tips For Saving Time When Moving

Moving into a new home is an extremely exciting time. However, preparing for and conducting a move can be time-consuming without proper planning. We’re sure everyone would prefer their move to go as quickly and efficiently as possible, so they can get straight to enjoying their new home. Accordingly, the experienced movers with our Gainesville moving company have compiled the following tips and tricks for moving quickly and efficiently. 

Contact our moving company today to book moving services from our dependable local movers!

Create & Follow A Schedule

Making a detailed moving schedule can help your move go as smoothly as possible. Try to create a week-by-week checklist of crucial things that need to be done at least 60 days ahead of your move. Include things such as when you need to start and finish packing when to submit address change paperwork and other important information on your schedule. 

Stock Up On Supplies

Nothing can slow down a moving day like running out of supplies. Avoid making a supply run in the middle of packing by stocking up on enough supplies ahead of time. Well before it’s time to pack up, stock up on supplies such as tape, box cutters, cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, and markers.

Declutter

The more belongings you own, the longer it will take to pack and move them into your new home. Prior to packing, go through everything and get rid of as many unnecessary items as you can. This may be challenging at first, but you may find it very liberating. Besides saving money on boxes, this can help save on space by decluttering. Additionally, you could make some cash by selling old stuff in a garage sale.

Pack Efficiently

You can save time later by packing smart now. Specifically, develop a system to indicate where boxes need to go in your new home. For example, you could use a color coding system where mark boxes with colored stickers that signify which room they go in, i.e. blue for the kitchen, red for the living room, etc. Conversely, you could simply write what room a box goes in on the top of each box. Furthermore, label the boxes with what is contained inside.

Book Professional Moving Services

Nothing will speed up the process of moving like services from a professional moving company! If you’re looking for a professional moving company to help streamline your move, look no further than UF Mover Guys. Our experienced Florida movers offer moving services to help speed up the moving process, including packing services, loading and unloading, and much more. Contact us today to learn more or book moving services!

6 Reasons To People Relocate To Gainesville

Gainesville is a lively city with a lot to offer residents. The city has a beautiful balance of a quaint city surrounded by nature with ample things to do. There are excellent opportunities for school, career, and leisure. If you are considering moving to Gainesville, FL, check out the many reasons to relocate to this wonderful city. Once you decide, contact UF Mover Guys and schedule moving services with our professional moving company today! 

Quality Education

Gainesville is home to one of the top public universities in the state, the University of Florida, which is well known for many of its bachelor school and graduate school programs. This university boasts a prestigious ranking due to the student’s success, small class sizes, education and research resources, scientific discoveries, and innovations. The university not only brings students from all over the world, but it is the largest employer in Gainesville, providing diverse jobs at all levels. UF also provides a social community for the city through athletics and the arts. 

Beautiful Weather

Florida is known for its warm weather and minimal natural disasters. The state is an excellent escape from cold weather and snow. Gainesville offers a slightly cooler climate than southern Florida while maintaining mild winter temperatures. Gainesville is typically not significantly impacted by hurricanes or other natural disasters, thanks to being inland. 

Central Location

Gainesville has a central location to the rest of the state and Georgia. The beautiful east coast beaches are about an hour and a half away. Orlando and the surrounding attractions, including Walt Disney World, are just an hour and 45 minutes south. Gainesville also has a public regional airport that offers flights to the four major domestic hubs. 

Cost Of Living

Compared to the rest of the country, Gainesville is widely considered an affordable city. Although it rises every year, home prices are typically lower than the majority of cities of similar size. Florida having no state income tax also attracts many people. 

Excellent Healthcare Facilities

Gainesville is home to UF Health Shands Hospital, which is well known for medical research and as a leading cancer treatment facility. It is ranked in the top 50 hospitals in the country and the top hospital in Florida. For potential residents needing specialty care or looking for a career in the medical field, Gainesville could be an ideal place. 

Outdoor Recreation

In North Central Florida, Gainesville is surrounded by ample untouched nature and accessibility to outdoor recreation. There are picturesque parks such as the vast Kanapaha Botanical Garden and Cellon Oak Park, home to the largest live oak tree in Florida. With miles of smooth bike trails, the city also has a large cycling community. Gainesville is also home to some of the most beautiful natural springs in the state, with crystal clear, refreshing waters and opportunities for swimming, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

How To Protect Furniture During A Move

Furniture scuffs, dents, and even broken parts are common when moving if the right precautions aren’t taken. Not only can this ruin an investment, but it can cost you more to replace it or cause extensive damage to something irreplaceable. To help ensure your furniture gets through your move safely, the moving experts at UF Mover Guys offer these furniture protection tips.  

When you need dependable moving services you can count on, we’re here for you! Contact us today for a quote or to schedule moving services!

Disassemble In Advance

When considering everything you must pack, factor in dissembling furniture and safely boxing up the small parts. For larger pieces that won’t fit in boxes, wrap them appropriately. Remove pieces, such as legs from chairs and tables, shelves from bookcases, feet from couches and futons, and break down bed frames. This will make each piece more manageable to move and will prevent damage from screws and nails during transportation. Just make sure to properly store and label all the parts and hardware!   

Get Specialty Boxes

Moving today isn’t what it was 10 years ago. Today, custom boxes are available for a number of items, complete with padding and foam options, useful for awkward and fragile pieces, such as televisions, computer monitors and towers, game consoles, and other electronics. These boxes may be bulkier, but they’ll ensure everything arrives in proper working order and are worth the investment.

Wrap Properly

For larger furniture pieces that can’t be packed or further disassembled, you will need to pad them with the correct wrapping. Use blankets or towels or purchase foam wrappings for tables and other wood-type pieces. Be sure to wrap them multiple times to create an adequate buffer. Secure the padding with cords, roping, or tape. For chairs and couches, you can purchase covers that prevent stains and tears.

Use The Right Moving Truck

While you may assume moving trucks are all the same, different options are available with features to help protect your furniture. For maximum protection, get a truck with rubber railings on the interior to keep pieces from knocking into the metal walls. Tie-downs are also essential to ensure nothing shifts during transportation. A truck with a ramp can help to make sure nothing is accidentally dropped during packing and unpacking. This feature is also important for your safety.

Have A Plan For Moving Items

Speaking of safety, it’s imperative to have a plan for moving everything, especially bigger items. This will protect your furniture and you. You should never attempt to move large furniture by yourself. Instead, ask a friend or family member, or if you’re in a new city, contact a professional moving company. Furniture gliders can also help make moving medium-sized furniture easier. No matter what you do, remember to take it slow and not put excessive stress on yourself.

The Difference Between Full Packing & Partial Packing Moving Services

Between changing your address, purging unnecessary belongings, cleaning your home, forwarding mail, and many other tasks, there is a long list of chores to complete in preparation for a move. For many, packing is one of the most daunting tasks to complete before a move. Fortunately, many moving companies offer full packing and partial packing moving services! But what exactly are the differences between full and partial packing moving services, and which is better for you? 

Below, our experienced movers provide a detailed explanation of the unique benefits of both full packing and partial packing services so you can decide which is right for your move. Contact our Gainesville moving company, UF Mover Guys, to schedule moving services from our local movers!

Full Packing Services

As the name implies, full packing services provides comprehensive packing services in which professional movers take care of all the work. These services are perfect for individuals who are short on time or don’t have enough manpower to move all of their belongings. With full packing services, you can rely on our professional movers to handle everything from start to finish. You don’t even have to worry about stocking up on moving supplies as the professional movers will come prepared with boxes, paddings, furniture blankets, and more! Many moving companies include furniture disassembly as part of their full packing services. Finally, in addition to packing up and loading your belongings, professional movers providing full packing services will also unload and unpack your belongings after safely transporting them to your new home. 

Partial Packing Services

Partial packing services are cheaper than full packing services but aren’t as comprehensive. Rather than packing up all of your belongings, partial packing services are available for individuals willing to take care of some, but not all, of the packing on their own. Whether you run out of time or don’t have the energy to handle all the packing alone, you can rely on professional movers to take care of the items you can’t get to. Additionally, partial packing services often includes assistance disassembling furniture and packing fragile items. 

Which Is Right For Your Move?

Whether full packing services or partial packing services would be a better option for you will depend on several factors. For example, if you have plenty of friends and family to help you, partial moving services should be more than enough to get the job done. However, if you’d rather devote your time and energy to things outside the moving process, full packing services are the best choice. Either way, you can count on the experts with our Florida moving company to make your move as simple and easy as possible. Contact our Gainesville moving experts today to request full or partial packing services!