How To Cut Moving Costs

Cutting Moving Costs In Gainesville, FL

Few events in life are more exciting than moving, except some homeowners dread it because they believe the costs are too high. The real truth about moving is it’s only as expensive as people make it. Every decision can swing the costs up or down, and a few smart choices can make the process downright inexpensive. So if the goal is to save some green, UF Mover Guys has a few moving tips to reduce expenses and still achieve the desired outcome.

Do The Packing Yourself

The same moving companies in Gainesville that provide packing services also sell do-it-yourself moving supplies (cardboard boxes, tape, foam peanuts, etc.). To save a little money, skip paying the pros to pack up and instead do the job yourself; maybe invite some friends to help and pay them in pizza and drinks.

Use Alternative Moving Supplies Found In You Home

Professional packers aren’t that expensive to hire. So while DIY packing cuts costs, the savings aren’t a huge amount. One way to reduce expenses further is not to use moving supplies and instead pack using the materials already in your home. Here are a few ideas.

Substitutes For Cardboard Boxes

Cardboard boxes aren’t expensive. Yet, completing a large moving job can take dozens of boxes. That can eat into your budget. If you’re strapped for cash, our movers recommend using one of these alternatives to boxes.

Suitcases

Even if you can’t remember the last time you went on a vacation, chances are you have nestled in the back of the closet one or two suitcases. What’s nice about suitcases is they’re not only a cost-effective alternative to moving boxes. But they often have wheels, making them ideal vessels for transporting your heaviest items.

Plastic Trash Bags

Trash bags ain’t pretty. But they’re low-cost, expansive, and thus effective for packing items on moving day. One downside of trash bags is the lack of protection; you may not want to use them to carry your laptop, flatscreen TV, or similarly fragile items — unless you wrap these in towels beforehand. But most household items, such as your wardrobe, can be packed into trash bags with no issues.

Low-Cost Packing Peanut Alternatives

Well-trained movers utilize assorted types of padding to protect items during transit. The prices for these materials, such as packing peanuts or foam wrapping, are mostly low. Yet, when a budget is tight, it cuts costs to find alternatives.

Towels

Proper packing techniques call for filling up empty spaces in boxes with paper or foam matting, so the contents don’t rattle around during transit. If you can’t afford packing materials, an alternative you no doubt own already are bathroom or kitchen towels. Towels can wrap delicate items or be placed on top of nearly full boxes to fill in the gaps and keep contents secure during travel.

Clothing

The household items that are most temperamental are made of glass or ceramic, such as dishes or decorative pieces. You’ll see movers in Gainesville wrap these pieces in paper before packing them. The paper reduces the risk of chips or cracks when items collide. Instead of moving paper, one cost-saving option is to use your clothing. Examples include using T-shirts to separate dishes or clean socks can protect stemware.

Save Money By Reducing Waste

When you pack up old belongings you no longer need or allow food to spoil before moving because of poor planning for shopping, these are examples of waste that cost money. By eliminating the waste, you improve the affordability of the move.

Moving Resources

Many people have clothes they don’t wear or boxes of home decorations they never intend to display. Getting rid of unwanted items before moving saves money. First of all, some items may be sellable, and the profits can offset moving expenses. Furthermore, it takes resources to pack and transport items. Every item you move that shouldn’t be moved is an added expense. To avoid waste, plan about three months prior to moving to downsize your home. Create an inventory of your belongings. Mark which ones you’ll keep, sell, donate, or throw out. And by the time moving day arrives, try to have gone all the items you don’t need. For more expert moving tips, contact UF Mover Guys!

Food

Throwing away food is an obvious waste of money. But it happens often to people who face a fridge full of perishable items when moving day rolls around. To avoid having to waste food, consume all the perishable items ahead of time, and don’t buy anymore within a few days of the move. You can find plenty of creative recipes for utilizing those leftovers from Allrecipes.com. If you have unopened, nonperishable food donations, you can bring those to Bread of the Might Food Bank in Gainesville.

No matter your budget, UF Mover Guys offers customizable services that can be tailored to your move. For full-moving services, we charge no travel or fuel fees on local residential, commercial, and student moves. We also have affordable rates on moving trucks rentals and moving supplies. Contact us to learn more!

Moving Bulky & Specialty Items

Movers Carrying Heavy Furniture In Gainesville, FL

Not everything in a home or business can be readily picked up and moved to a new location. Generally, heavy items — or those deemed awkward in everyday terms — need the help of an experienced moving company. UF Mover Guys, a professional Florida moving company, has the experience, equipment, and training necessary to make sure your heavy items remain intact and unscathed during your next move. Call us today for a free estimate!

How Can I Tell If My Item Is Bulky Or Heavy?

Generally, items are considered bulky or heavy if the individual weight is more than 250 pounds, which would require at least three movers. Often, these larger items need to be handled a certain way in addition to being carried upstairs or downstairs. Most household heavy furniture, such as dressers and sofas, don’t fall into this category but some items do. If you’re unsure how much an item weighs, check the manufacturer instructions or look up the item’s shipping weight online.

Specialty Items We Move

UF Mover Guys has a team of movers who can help home and business owners who need help moving heavy items 7-days-a-week.

Safes

Moving safes can be nothing short of a hassle unless you’re working with the home movers from UF Mover Guys. We know the proper way of handling safes of all size, from small and personal to large gun safes and how to move them without damage to the floor and surrounding structure.

Aquariums

Freshwater or saltwater, aquariums are popular choices to create an underwater oasis in a home or office. Moving them, however, can quickly turn into a challenge given the fragility of the display. We have the equipment needed to adequately dismantle and reassemble an aquarium while preserving the glass and interior habitat.

Hot Tubs

A hot tub or jacuzzi may not look weighty, but appearances can be deceiving — some types can weigh up to a half ton. Couple this with technical components, such as computer boards and wiring, and moving a hot tub is a task best left to a  moving company.

Pool Tables

Don’t leave behind your pool table because it’s big and bulky — call UF Mover Guys! It’s not uncommon for people to consider leaving a pool table for the new residents because moving this item is often beyond their realm of ability. Our team takes all steps necessary to protect every inch of the table, from the intricate woodwork to the felt, so you have years of enjoyment after the move.

Pianos & Organs

Delicate and often family heirlooms, pianos and organs require special attention to make sure nothing is marled inside or out. Throughout the move, our focus is on protecting these instruments with padding and stretch wrap while using special equipment such as a piano board to distribute the weight.

Paintings & Artwork

Attention to detail extends beyond a painting or piece of artwork itself. Padding, wrapping, and crating these cherished and often valuable personal items is crucial to assure they aren’t damaged. We do what it takes to protect these irreplaceable pieces during any move.

Specialty Equipment

Home gyms, pottery kilns, and other specialty equipment found in homes and offices need special consideration during a move. Many times these items have multiple interworking parts that can be separated but if any part is damaged, the entire item isn’t functional. Each part is inventoried and carefully wrapped and loaded into the moving truck then unloaded with the same tact.

Outdoor Playhouses & Swing Sets

Not only do outdoor playhouses and swing sets provide hours of enjoyment and entertainment for families, but they’re also an investment. Except when it comes time to move, many people lack the experience and equipment necessary to disassemble, transport, and reassemble them. We’ll examine the equipment and creates a custom diagram to assist with reassembly and verifies all parts are suitable for transport.

6 Ways To Reduce Stress During A Move

Stress-Free Moving In Gainesville, FL

Moving can be an arduous job whether you’re relocating down the street or across town. Stress can creep in at any stage of the process, from packing up to choosing the right moving company. If you find the experience of moving overwhelming, this list can help you reduce stress from beginning to end.

1. Organizing & Planning Your Move

Start planning for your relocation weeks ahead of moving day. Create a to-do list and distribute tasks throughout the days leading up to the move. Begin by choosing the right moving company in Gainesville and scheduling a moving date, and then tick off each completed task as you go. Experienced Florida movers like UF Mover Guys recommend setting aside a minimum of 12 weeks for chores and errands.

2. Getting Rid of Clutter

Out with the old and in with the new! Gain mental freedom by getting rid of the unworn, unread and unused items you’ve amassed. Selling or donating things you don’t love will lessen the load and save you a few bucks in moving fees. Hosting a yard sale or listing unwanted items on sites such as Craigslist and apps such as LetGo can help you make extra cash to invest in your move. Decluttering is considered a huge stress reliever. It will give you a sense of ease and streamline the process of packing, transporting and nesting into your new home.

3. Relaxing in the Moment

The thought of relaxing while planning a move may seem contradictory, but it makes all the difference. Something as simple as taking a break for a refreshing bath or shower can reduce stress levels. Take a few minutes to walk outside or breathe deeply before you continue with your Gainesville moving experience.

4. Staying Energized

Even the most experienced movers in Gainesville need some TLC to keep strong and alert. Take care of your body with healthy, nourishing foods and beverages and a regular sleep schedule. Getting enough sleep is imperative to help you stay focused throughout the moving process. In addition, keep your favorite snacks and drinks on hand to replenish the energy spent sorting through items and moving heavy boxes and furniture.

5. Relieving Stress on Moving Day

You’re almost at the finish line: you’ve created a schedule, packed your boxes, and practiced stress-relieving tactics. You’ve chosen the best Gainesville movers, and you’re ready to go. Stress levels can skyrocket on moving day, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Now’s the time to double-check that everything in your to-do list was properly handled. This will give you a sense of how far you’ve come and how much is left. Keep snacks nearby and stay hydrated as you cross the finish line and settle into your new home with the help of your chosen Florida movers.

6. Picking the Right Company to Help You Move

The company you choose is important. One that is well-acquainted with the area and experienced in providing complete customer satisfaction will contribute to reducing your stress while moving.

Among the array of movers Gainesville has to offer, UF Mover Guys is recognized for unparalleled customer service. Our main goal is to make the process as seamless as possible.

For more information about our moving services that have students and young professionals calling us every day, contact UF Mover Guys today!