Packing Tips for a Big Move

Packing all of your belongings into boxes can seem like a daunting task. However, just like many things, if you follow the correct steps, your Gainesville moving process will be over before you know it. Here is a list of several measures you can take to ensure your procedure goes smoothly.

Pack an Overnight Bag

Before you begin packing all of your boxes, set aside a duffel or small suitcase. Fill it with a couple changes of clothes, toiletries, pajamas and a few snacks. This will help you find essentials without needing to open multiple boxes to find toothpaste or a hairbrush. Additionally, you will want to assign one box to be opened first. Inside, it should contain all of the possessions you need to for the first couple days including bedding, towel, silverware, paper towels and a flashlight.

Collect Necessary Materials

Gather packing materials before you begin packing. First, you will need something to put all of your belongings in. Utilize any containers you already have such as plastic bins, suitcases and tote bags. Then head to your local hardware store where you can buy boxes or to the grocery store where you might be able to acquire some for free. Next, buy packing tape, permanent markers, bubble wrap and tissue paper.

Declutter

Spend time ridding yourself of unnecessary items. If you have not used or worn something in the last year, donate it. It is not beneficial to spend time packing, moving and unloading objects that you have no real purpose for. Take this as an opportunity to start fresh. Once you decide what you no longer want, decide what should be donated and what needs to be thrown away. You may even be able to sell furniture, electronics or clothing before you move.

Organize

As you begin putting belongings in boxes, pack them with items that are similar. For example, place all kitchen items in boxes together and then move on to each new room. This will make unpacking much simpler. Keep in mind that you will be living in housing that may have a different layout. Therefore, if you now want to put your DVD collection in your room instead of the living room, you will want to consider that when packing.

Label Boxes

Use a permanent marker to label not only which room each box goes in but what items are inside. As your Gainesville movers are unloading boxes, they will know which rooms they should place each one. Then, when you begin unpacking or are looking for a specific item, you will also have an idea about which box you are looking for. Further, you will want to write “fragile” on any box that has breakables. This will help your movers know which boxes they should be especially careful with and avoid placing them underneath heavier boxes.

Moving Company in Florida

After you finish packing, you will need assistance from a Gainesville moving company transporting your possessions to your new home. Let UF Mover Guys assist you by safely and efficiently load and unload your boxes. We can even do all of the packing and unpacking for you to make your job that much easier. Call us today to begin coordinating.

UF Mover Guys Earns 2016 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

UF Mover Guys has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of customer service to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2016. This is the third consecutive year the Gainesville moving company has earned the prestigious achievement.

This achievement is particularly significant as Angie’s List experienced unprecedented member growth in 2016. More than 1.6 million consumers, many of whom were eager to quickly hire highly qualified service pros, joined Angie’s List after the company added a new, free membership tier.

“Companies that can meet higher demands without missing a beat in their exemplary performance standards truly do stand apart from their peers,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Only a fraction of the moving companies in Florida were able to do it.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2016 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade. The SSA winners must also be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For more than 21 years, Angie’s List restricted access to its verified reviews to consumers who paid membership fees. When the company removed that barrier, some companies worried that the new, non-paying members would not be as engaged as members of the past. Experience has shown, however, that these newly added members are just as engaged — across all age groups — as prior members. Also, because the company continues to adhere to its review verification process, there has been no degradation of review quality.

“The biggest change at Angie’s List is that we are connecting even more consumers to high quality service professionals,” Hicks said. “And that’s good for everyone.”

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Angie’s List helps facilitate happy transactions between more than 4.5 million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly rated service providers in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of more than 10 million verified reviews of local service, Angie’s List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

How to Have a Smooth Transition After Moving

Transitioning After a Move

There are a lot of steps involved in the Gainesville moving process. If you do not handle them properly, a somewhat complicated process can quickly turn into a difficult mess. Therefore, it is best to take care of everything correctly in the first place so that you do not have to continually fix mistakes.

Gather Materials

Before you begin the actual moving process, you will want to make sure you have all of the proper supplies necessary for a smooth move. In order to pack, you will need to get plenty of boxes, packing tape, permanent markers and bubble wrap. You can go to any large hardware store to purchase boxes or you can usually get some for free from grocery stores if you ask. Use the markers to clearly label each box with what room each one belongs in and what contents are inside. This will help you find items easier once you arrive at your new residence. You may want to rent or borrow a dolly to help you transport boxes in and out of your house.

Find Assistance

There is no conceivable way for you to consider moving by yourself. Therefore, you have the choice between asking your trusted friends to help or hiring a Gainesville moving company. In most cases, you will not need to pay your friends, but you should provide food and drinks while they are working. The advantage to hiring Florida moving professionals is that they are experienced. They know how to properly move your belongings quickly and safely. You can relax while your movers do the heavy lifting.

Take a Day Off Work

When you move to a new place, you may want to get right into the swing of things by focusing on your career. However, it is beneficial to take an extra day off of work after your Gainesville movers leave to get settled. Spend the day unpacking and making your new place feel more like home. If you have any extra time, spend it decompressing from the move or exploring your new area. While you may feel like this is unnecessary, you will be extremely grateful for it later. Once you are working, it will be almost impossible to find the time to unpack boxes when you are tired at the end of each day.

Preparation is Key! Tips to Keep in Mind Before Your Move

Moving can seem like a hectic, overwhelming undertaking consisting of an endless list of tasks, worries, hassles and expenses. But don’t worry, as experts in the moving business, UF Mover Guys is here to share the simple secret to taking the stress out of your next move. The truth is, with proper preparation and organization, moving to a new home doesn’t have to be a pain!

The more you plan ahead (and start early), the easier your move will be. Here’s a few important preparation tips to help streamline your upcoming move:

Get Housing Plans in Order

Contact a realtor or rental service as far ahead of time as possible to help you locate your next home. If you’re currently renting, don’t forget to give your landlord at least a month’s notice about your upcoming departure. If you’re a homeowner, put your current home up for sale at least 3–4 months before you intend to move, and give yourself at least 1–2 weeks between your move date and the closing of the home you are departing.

Pack with a Floor Plan in Mind

Once you’ve lined up your next housing arrangement, be sure to keep the new home’s size and floor plan in mind when you’re planning and packing for your move. This will help you envision what furniture will fit into your new space and what items you may want to replace or give away.

Sort and Declutter Ahead of Time

Whether through auction, antique dealers, consignment, charity or family members, getting rid of unneeded household items before relocating means there will be less stuff to move when the time comes. It’s also possible you can make a little money from selling unwanted items, and extra cash always comes in handy around moving time.

Notify People About Your Move

Don’t forget to inform family, friends and neighbors of your upcoming move and new address! Also notify the post office and utilities about your move a couple weeks ahead of time and complete Change of Address notices for all mail, newspapers and magazines.

Pre-Pack!

You can save time by pre-packing small items and valuables such as art, silver, crystal, jewelry and electronics. People usually prefer to hand-carry these items, so be sure those boxes are clearly labeled for hand-carrying.

Make Plans for Your Pets

It’s a good idea to arrange for a pet-sitter ahead of time as pets often get stressed on moving day, and it’s better if they aren’t underfoot. Ask a friend or family member to keep your pets at their house for the day, or pay to have them lodged at a kennel — they’ll thank you for it!

Stay Organized

Save yourself a headache by keeping all moving-related paperwork organized together, and all lease or home sale and home purchase paperwork together. Things tend to get misplaced during moves; organizing all needed paperwork in one large envelope will cut down on the chance of an important document getting lost.

Hire the Right Movers

Don’t try and do all the work yourself! Moving is a big undertaking, and you’ve already got all the planning to handle on your own. UF Mover Guys is a local Gainesville moving company with years of experience and a professional moving staff. Our North Central Florida moving company provides free quotes, unmatched moving services, friendly staff and affordable prices. We guarantee you’ll be happy you hired us to do all the heavy lifting!

Clean Last

Cleaning becomes a whole lot easier once everything has been removed from your home. If you’re looking to avoid having to clean everything yourself, consider hiring a professional cleaning service such as Gainesville Mini Maid to handle it for you. They’ll handle everything from scrubbing floors to cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, and it’s never a bad thing to have one less item on your to-do list on moving day!

These Tips Will Make Your Move Easier!

Make Moving Easier

People move a surprising amount of times. We may relocate for a job, to be closer to family, because we favor a different atmosphere or we merely want to try something different reason. Whatever the reason, moving is an involved and time consuming process. Any tips that can make moving easier should be considered and implemented. Here are several tips that you may want to keep in mind.

Begin Early

The sooner you can begin moving, the better. Coordinate with movers or friends and your new housing in order to create a concrete schedule that works for all involved. Spend time sorting through your possessions and sell, donate or dispose of any damaged items or belongings that you no longer use. This will help speed up the actual packing process because you will have less to do and you will not waste time or energy bringing items you do not truly love.

Organize Items

The packing and unpacking processes will go quicker if you create zones. Gather materials that go together. This could be in categories such as décor, specific rooms, items for storage, or things that go in closets. Keep your future home in mind. Are you planning on combining two rooms or are you going to have a new home office? If so, you should reorganize the items that would go in these sections. Then clearly label each box so that your Florida movers will be able to deliver boxes to their correct rooms. When you need to unpack, you will be able to focus on each zone at a time without being distracted by items that are going to be in a different room.

Use the Right Materials

Whether you are moving your belongings yourself or hiring a Gainesville moving company, you will want to acquire the correct materials that will keep your possessions safe. First, you will want to consider how far you are moving. If you are merely transferring your items down the street or across town, you will not need to secure items as securely as if you are moving across the country. Gather sturdy boxes, plastic bins, packing tape, permanent markers and bubble wrap.

Prepare Space

When you begin unpacking, it is similar to opening Pandora’s box; there is no stopping it and pandemonium can quickly ensue. Before you start, take advantage of the absence of obstacles and clean the area thoroughly. Check the floorplan, if available to determine where all furniture will be placed. If you do not have one, make one of your own by measuring walls, windows and doorways and then use graph paper to draw the layout. This will make organizing your new home much easier.

Hire a Moving Company in Gainesville, FL

Though you may feel stressed merely thinking about moving, it is a task that you can overcome. When in doubt, hire movers who can provide you with as much assistance as you need from packing your possessions to loading them in the truck.

Moving in With a Significant Other? Here Are Some Decorating Tips

Decorating Tips for Couples

Moving in with your significant other is an exciting big step. Once you are living together, you will need to learn each other’s habits and preferences and how to deal with them. The last thing you want to do is start a big fight. Just like with any other living situation, you will need to learn how to compromise.

Take Inventory

Before your Gainesville moving team arrives, begin by assessing the furniture and decor you both possess. If you both have full sets of furniture you may need to downsize. In the event that you have problems agreeing on which piece should stay, make a trade off. For example, perhaps one of you can keep the sofa and the other can keep the bed. With any pieces of furniture that you decide you do not need, donate or sell it. You can then use any proceeds to buy decor for your new apartment.

Find Common Interests

Even if you both have extremely different taste, try to find some form of common ground. Perhaps you both love the color blue or the use of metal in decor? Then use this element as a main part of each room. This way, you can both be satisfied with the new look.

Assign Individual Areas

If you are unable to reach a compromise on specific sections, divide them up. One of you can be in charge of decorating the kitchen while the other takes over the living room. This will help both of you get what you want without the stress of compromising on every specific decision.

Add Neutral Pieces

Because you are combining elements from two different apartments, it may create a somewhat eclectic atmosphere once your Gainesville movers drop everything off. Therefore, be sure to use plenty of basic pieces to lay a foundation. Then your individual belongings can work as accents.

Give Yourselves Time

Let’s face it, you will not be able to make every decision in one day and if you do, a serious fight will ensue. Instead, work at a gradual pace. Do your best to make major decisions that affect the function of each room first. Then move on to smaller issues. It is okay if the process takes awhile.

Communicate Calmly

The most important thing to remember when moving in together is that you need to be patient. This is not the time to try asserting your dominance in the relationship. Instead, listen to each person’s perspective and do your best to make sure each person’s style is represented equally in the apartment. Remember why you are moving in together in the first place.

Moving Company in Florida

It is exciting to finally move in with a significant other. Therefore, it is best to do everything you can to keep the process fun and simple. Let a Gainesville moving company do the heavy lifting so you can begin thinking about the style of your new place. Contact UF Mover Guys today for dependable and timely moving services so you can enjoy your new life experience.

How to Move “Ready to Assemble” Furniture

Make Moving “Ready to Assemble” Furniture Easy

Buying furniture can become expensive and can be difficult to assemble. “Ready to assemble” furniture is an easy and cheap alternative to other types of furniture and it looks nice too! However, before your Gainesville movers come, you should consider necessary extra steps you will need to take with any “ready to assemble” furniture.

Disassemble Furniture

Furniture from Ikea and equivalent stores may be useful but they can be easily damaged during the Gainesville moving process. In fact, it is often more expensive to repair pieces than replacing them completely. Therefore, it is best to take furniture apart before you move.

Store Hardware

These pieces of furniture use various small types of hardware that can easily become lost. Be sure to remove all of the fasteners, dowels, handles, pins, screws and cams completely. Place them in an individual plastic bag for each furniture unit and label it with a marker so you will be able to sort it easily when you are unpacking without losing any critical fragment.

Load Pieces into Moving Truck

If you have multiple types of “ready to assemble” furniture, you will want to keep track of them properly. Worst case scenario, you arrive at your new home and you are left with a variety of planks of wood and tons of small hardware pieces without a clue of what goes together. Avoid this complication by sorting your wood into the sections that go together and then wrap them in a large towel or blanket. This will keep the parts from getting mixed up and it will also prevent any scratches or marks while they are in the moving truck.

Choose a Superior Moving Company in Florida

If you are looking for a Gainesville moving company who will take care of your disassembled furniture to prevent it from getting damaged, choose UF Mover Guys. Our team strives to provide you with the best service possible with our attention to detail. In the unlikely event that something is damaged, we are licensed and insured so you can remain stress free. When you decide to move, call UF Mover Guys.

Create a Floor Plan Before You Move

Creating a Floor plan

Have you ever gone through the dreadful process of rearranging furniture into many different arrangements in order to find the best one for the space? Have you ever found that one of your pieces of furniture does not fit through a doorway or up the stairs? If you want to simplify the process, take the time to make a detailed floor plan before you begin your Gainesville moving process.

How Will a Floor Plan Help You?

A detailed layout will give you an accurate estimate about how everything will fit in your new apartment before your Gainesville movers arrive. It takes all of the guesswork out of the process. When you look at a room without any of the furniture, it may appear bigger than it really is. If you take measurements of the walls and windows, you will be able to develop a drawing to scale for your new place. Once you see how your pieces fit, you can see if the arrangement works or if you will need to get rid of anything before you go through the hassle of moving it. With the assistance of your floor plan, you may discover that you will need to get additional furniture that will look better in the shape of your new living room. Overall, this method will save you time and effort because you will be able to rearrange the room to your hearts content without needing to actually move heavy pieces of furniture.

Wondering How to Make a Floor Plan?

There are several methods to create your layout design. If you opt to do it yourself, you can use graph paper and divide room, window and furniture measurements in half and then use each square to represent one foot. For a much more efficient method, you can use online software to do it for you. One possible tool is a website called floorplanner where you can use a map to recreate your home with a large variety of walls, windows flooring and furniture. If you prefer a software that is extremely customizable, use SketchUp. You can program the room dimensions and furniture in to produce a 3D model with notes. However, Room Sketcher may be more attractive to you if you prefer something a bit more simple but you will have a less ability to customize it.

Provide Your Moving Company with Your Floor Plan

Your detailed floor plan will not only assist you, but your movers as well. Once you complete it, give it to your Gainesville moving company who can use it to know where to put everything in your new apartment. At UF Mover Guys, our licensed and insured team works hard to safely move all of your possessions and personalize your moving process to your needs.

What to Pack Last When Moving

The Last Thing You Should Pack for a Move

Once you finally motivate yourself to being packing, you may just want to move from room to room until every box is filled. However, this method may lead to complications further down the line. Instead, before you begin packing, you need to consider which items you will need first and they should be stored separately.

Items You Need While Moving

Whether you are moving down the street or out of town, you will want to have access to several items during the Florida moving process. Most likely, you will find a few pieces that you have forgotten to pack. Therefore, you should be sure to bring an extra couple bags or boxes, tape and marker to store them. If you take any prescriptions or have allergies, pack your medications in a small bag so you can use them as needed. The Florida heat is particularly harsh so pack some snacks, water bottles and Gatorade to keep your movers refreshed. Other items you may need include phone chargers, paper towels, toilet paper and speakers for music.

Possessions You May Need Immediately

When you are packing boxes, be sure to load one box with essentials. Find this box immediately after your Gainesville movers bring it in so you will have access to various things you will require on your first night without needing to rummage through multiple boxes. In this box, you should include a change of clothing, towel, toiletries, bedding and clean sheets, basic cleaning supplies, flashlight, small tool kit and several kitchen utensils.

Pieces That Will Satisfy Your Office Needs

If you have a commercial property and are moving to a new location, you will need to box with items that you need immediately. Consider what files you will need to help current clients and do not place them with older paperwork. It may take a while for your computers and internet to be set up so you will want to find some work that your employees can work on without a computer. For your everyday office needs, pack some toilet paper, paper towels, paper, pens and of course the resources necessary to make everyone a round of coffee.

Moving Companies in Florida

A professional Gainesville moving company will make all the difference during your move. If you need assistance for a commercial or residential move, UF Mover Guys is here to help. We strive to make the process as simple as possible for you or your business. Contact us today for a free quote.

How to Move into an Apartment

Apartment Moving

Moving into a new apartment is an exciting process but it can also be an overwhelming task. There are a variety of moving parts that you must keep track of. In order to have a successful Gainesville moving experience, you will want to remain organized and consider these helpful tips.

Make a Schedule

Though you may not feel as if you have time to sit down and come up with a concrete schedule, it will save you much more time in the long run. When you attempt to “just wing it”, you may find that your Gainesville movers are only available certain hours of the day that does not coincide with the time you must leave your apartment. First communicate with the landlords in your old apartment and the one you are moving into to determine when you will have access. Then, relay this information to your moving company so they will be able to come at the correct time. If you do not live on the first floor, ask your landlord about your ability to book the elevator (if available) so you will be able to exclusively use it for a short period of time.

Label Boxes Clearly

Unorganized moving processes usually result in a chaotic mountain of boxes with no knowledge about where anything is. You can avoid this frustration by clearly labeling what is in each box as you pack it. Write what is inside on the top of the box as well as two of the sides so that you will not have to worry about rotating heavy boxes. Along with a description of the contents, also label which room they will go into. Then, when your Gainesville moving company is bringing in packages, they will be able to place them in convenient locations. You can even set up drop off zones within each room to ensure you will have enough room to place all of your boxes.

Leave Nothing Behind

Everyone has experienced that unexplainable feeling they are forgetting something when they are driving away from their house. You can avoid that by remembering these commonly forgotten items. Remember to check out of site areas such as the attic, your local storage unit, shed or garage. If you forget about these areas until you are packing up the moving truck, you will be greatly inconvenienced. Take time to consider local places that may have your items. Is your grandfather’s old watch at the shop getting repaired? Did you send your clothes to the dry cleaners? Make sure you grab these items before you leave. The same is true for friends. If you borrowed a movie from a friend or your neighbor has your favorite book, do not forget to give or retrieve them before you move.

Let the Movers Do the Heavy Lifting

When you are moving in or out of Gainesville, hire a Florida moving company that you can depend on. UF Mover Guys will offer a personalized moving plan for each customer that adheres to the regulations of your complex. Let our team at UF Mover Guys keep track of the moving process so you can worry about one less thing. Contact us today to get a free, no obligation estimate.