Month: June 2014

Moving Tips — with Memes

Moving house can be a stressful affair, but it doesn’t have to be.

At Gainesville Moving we want to give you the tools and tips you need to take the stress out of transporting your home and have some fun doing it.

Whether you are re-locating for the first or the fourth time, Gainesville Movers will make moving so easy you’ll laugh out loud at the simplicity. Here’s some entertaining and useful tips from UF Mover Guys.

Plan WAY Ahead

Start thinking about what items you might need to sell before you move and get them well-listed in advance. Go through old storage and clothes to decide what you might want to donate or get rid of.

Schedule your movers weeks in advance — this will save you a headache later because the best movers are also usually consistently busy.

Think about changing your address two weeks ahead of time. Don’t forget to notify the bank, credit card company, Amazon, PayPal and magazine subscriptions along with the Postal Office and the utilities.

Enlist your friends to help with the move-in process, if you can. Also, think about hiring someone to watch your pets or children during the move.

 

Get UBER Organized

Packing and unpacking your house can be made easier if you use color coding for rooms and catalog your items by numbering each box. This will allow you to keep track of everything that you’ve packed, where it goes, and documents what you have in case a box goes missing.

Speaking of documentation- KEEP EVERYTHING. Make sure you hold on to the instructions to rebuild the desk, AND make sure you keep all your financial and health documents with you.

It’s better to keep all the important documentation with you, so that you don’t have to go looking for it later. If you are taking apart furniture at all, make sure you label all the pieces and tape them to their corresponding parts.

Pack Smarter

Make an essentials bag for each member of the family that has things like clothes for the next few days, toiletries and important electronics.

Pack an “OPEN FIRST” box. This should have things like a box cutter, toilet paper, eating utensils, trash bags, power strips, paper towels, some cookware, chargers, bath towels and cleaning supplies.

Use suitcases, laundry bins, baskets, etc. to your advantage by packing them with stuff. Also, you can use your dresser drawers as boxes with some stretch wrap to keep things from falling out.

You can even wrap your breakable dishes and glasses in clothing or socks to save on bubble wrap. A quick way to pack your closet is by using trash bags to take out whole sections of clothes.

Do A Little Every Day

If you can prepare for the move a little bit each day then your actual move-in day can be much less stressful. Pack AND un-pack by room to make things more manageable.

Clean each room as you pack it, and take pictures of the emptied room if you’re renting. Take a picture of the back of your TV and electronics so you can keep track of where everything plugs back in.

Make sure to defrost your refrigerator at least a day before the move to avoid leaking. Make your last grocery trip two weeks before the move date to avoid throwing out a lot of food.

Protect Your Stuff

Make sure you measure your furniture and determine whether you will need to take it apart to transport it. Stretch wrap your furniture and couches to prevent scuffs and scratches during the move.

Keep an inventory of your most valuable items and make sure you track them as they arrive at your new place. Pack your dinner plates vertically to avoid them breaking. Keep bottled toiletries in plastic bags to avoid a mess later.

Be Prepared

Try to clean the bathroom and the kitchen of your new place before you move in. Take pictures of your old place and your new place when they are empty for documentation, especially if you’re renting.

If you are transporting fragile valuables make sure they are properly packaged and give specific instructions on how they should be handled and packed.

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.