College Moving 1101

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College Moving 1101

Off to College
Are you getting ready for your college move? Whether going off to college for the first time or returning for another year, there are some well-known rules to live by when it comes to planning your move, otherwise known as College Moving 101. Everyone knows that funds are low for full time students, so finding ways to save money on your college move is of the essence. Whether fleeing the nest to a rental or nearby college apartment shared with other classmates and/or friends, or going the more traditional route and residing at a college dorm room, your college move will go more smoothly if you follow these few easy planning steps. They will surely help you on your way.Make A List
First, you will want to get together with your prospective roommate/s, if at all possible. If not, by phone will do just as well. Together, you should brainstorm a list of all of the things that you will need for your apartment or dorm living space. Include furniture, bedding, toiletries, cleaning supplies and anything else you can think of that might be useful or necessary to supply. This way, you will have a complete list to work from while gathering your materials between you and your roommate/s. Of course, you can always add to this list as you think of things you may have at first forgotten.

Do an Inventory
Next, you and your roommates should take an inventory of what you already have and can provide from home. Each roommate should check off the items they can contribute from home and at no cost. Then those items can be removed from the master list, and whatever is left is what will need to be purchased for the big move. This master list and inventory can truly save you a bundle. Moms and dads will be happy to contribute things they do not use that are just hanging around the house collecting dust, especially knowing that the more they can provide from home, the less money they will need to put forth for store bought items.

Research Back-to-School Sales
If you were able to find everything you needed on your list, good for you!!! But more than likely, there will be many leftover wants and needs that still need purchasing. Your best bet is to then hit the back-to-school fliers and find the best deals. Bargain stores are all in competition with one another at this time of year and there are fantastic savings to be taken advantage of. So look up your leftover items and find the best deals that save you the most money. This step will be well worth the effort.

Divide Cost Of Final Expenses
Once you decide the best places to shop for the leftover items, add up the cost and divide it between the roommates. This of course, only goes for those items that will be shared in the apartment or dorm living space. Any individual picks that you find along the way will have to be paid for at your own expense. Moms and dads usually come in handy for those extras and are more than happy to provide for their little scholars.

College Moving Tips 101 will certainly save you both money and time. You will not have to about duplicating anything or buying anything unnecessarily; and with everyone involved in the planning, you will be less likely to forget something or spend more than anyone else in the living space. Going off to college is an exciting and memorable time in ones life. It can also be a bit overwhelming for some. Following the steps of College Moving 1101 will ensure a fair distribution of both funds, time and effort. This way no one roommate is left with the brunt of the cost and labor. It is also a nice way to begin to get to know your new roommate/s before the hustle and bustle of Move In Day.

How to Load Your Rental Truck

If you will be using a rental truck and loading it on your own, you must know how to load it the right way. Loading a truck incorrectly is inefficient, and you may be wasting valuable space without realizing it. An improperly loaded truck could be dangerous as well. You need a truck that’s the right size first. Determining the size you need is not easy. Getting a truck that’s a bit larger than you need is better than getting one that’s too small. The staff at the rental company may be able to assist you in choosing the right sized rental.

Start Big and Work Your Way Down

The smartest way to load the rental truck is with the largest items first. If you plan to move appliances, such as a refrigerator, washer, and dryer, they should be the first items into the truck. Balance the load by placing heavy items on opposite sites. For example, one side might contain your refrigerator. The other side should have the washer and dryer.

Once the appliances are in the truck, other heavy items will follow. These include sofas, tabletops, headboards, and mattresses. Tie the larger items in place so they do not shift as much. Then put in the dressers, bookcases, chairs, and other bulky items. To make the dresser lighter, remove the drawers while carrying it to the truck. Put the drawers in place after the body of the dresser is loaded. When you have these items in the truck, there is a chance they could shift against one another. This could cause scratching. A good way to avoid this is with moving blankets. They provide that added bit of protection you need.

Next, you can start bringing in all of the boxes. Utilize the space properly. If there are gaps beneath chairs, coffee tables, or nightstands, place boxes beneath them. It’s a smart way to use the space. The heaviest boxes should go onto the truck first. Place the heavy boxes on the bottom and go lighter with the boxes as you pile them higher. Fragile items should be on top so nothing happens to them.

A moving dolly can help with heavy items. They also make it easy to move several boxes at once. You can often rent them from the same place you rent the truck.

Why This Order?

Placing all of the heavy items into the truck first offers a couple of benefits. First, it means you get the hard and heavy work out of the way. Second, when the truck brakes, the items may shift forward. If the heavy items were put in last, they could crush your boxes and other items. When you take the time to pack properly, your items are sure to be safe during transit.

Make the move even easier by having professional movers come and help. They know how to load a truck and they can probably do it in less time than you and your friends!

Tips for Making Moving with Pets Less Stressful

Moving is stressful for everyone involved, but humans have the advantage of knowing what they are getting into. Your furry friends will have no idea what is going on, and uprooting them from the home they have known and putting them somewhere new can be extremely difficult, making many pets prone to anxiety and behavior issues in reaction to the stress. To make sure that your pets have the most comfortable experience possible, here are some tips that will make the move much easier.

Keep the Pets Secluded

There will be a great deal of chaos during the move, and it can be extremely frightening for pets. Additionally, when people are walking in and out of the house, it could be very easy for a dog or cat to slip out the door and run away.

The best thing to do is choose one, secluded location away from the activity that your pet can stay in during the whole process. Make sure the space is as quiet as possible, well-ventilated, and filled with familiar smells. A bathroom is a good option, but make sure you put a sign on the door instructing people and movers to stay out and leave the furry friends alone.

Get the New Home Ready

Pets will be anxious when placed in a new place with new and unfamiliar smells. It’s a good idea to create a safe haven space in the new home before you bring your companions in. Pick one room, like a bathroom or extra bedroom that you can turn into a temporary space for your pets.

Make sure to put their toys, bed, and other belongings in the room, but you may also wish to place a few items of your clothing so that the pets will recognize your smell. Don’t put any of the moving supplies in the room because they could pose a hazard to your cat or dog.

Have the Proper Records

To start with, you need to ensure your pet has proper identification tags at all times. Their collar or harness should include a tag that has your name and phone number on it. While you don’t want your pet to get lost, during the chaos of a move, you need to be prepared for anything.

Additionally, you need proper veterinary records with you in case of an emergency. Just make a call to your veterinarian and ask for copies. They will be glad to provide them to you so that you have everything ready before moving.

Long distance moving is stressful, but any type of relocation can be hard on your pets, whether it is hundreds of miles away or across the road. Be sure to use these tips so that your pet and you will have the best experience possible.

Dogs and cats are susceptible to anxiety whenever anything changes in their daily lives. The more quiet and calm you can provide your furry friends during a move, the better they will be able to handle the whole process.

You Need to Be Aware of These Hidden Moving Costs

Moving is not as simple as packing a few boxes and loading them onto a truck. There is so much more to the process that can cause headaches, stress, and extra expense. It isn’t cheap to relocate as it is, but if you face hundreds of dollars in hidden fees and costs, then the move could become a serious issue.

Whether you are trying to keep the costs down or you just don’t want to be surprised with a big hit to the checkbook, here are hidden expenses that you need to watch out for and avoid.

Extra Costs with the Moving Truck

If you decide to take on the move on your own, then the rental truck can be a source of unexpected expenses. The cost of the rental is just the beginning. If your credit card company or auto insurance company doesn’t cover rental expenses, then you will need to buy the insurance policy available from the truck rental service.

Additionally, few people remember to factor in gas. However, those trucks don’t exactly get good gas mileage and you will need to return it with a full tank. Before you even begin the rental, you need to get a good idea of how much gas will cost for the whole move.

When you sign a truck rental agreement, you need to take a look at the mileage caps. Usually, your one-time cost will only cover a certain number and if you go over that mileage, then you will have to pay more.

Rental Cleaning and Damage

If you are moving out of a rental, then there are certain expenses that you must be aware of. You will be required to clean the place and that can mean cleaning it yourself or hiring a professional. If you don’t do this, then you could forfeit your security deposit or be charged with a cleaning fee that can be quite steep.

Additionally, if you damage the property in any way during the move (and this goes for a property you are selling as well), it will be your responsibility to pay for repairs in most cases. To avoid this, be careful not to scratch floors or scrape paint when getting the furniture out.

Boxes

You never will be able to get enough boxes for the move. That is a fact of life. It’s a good idea to get an estimate of box count needed from your movers and then choose to pay for the high end in the first place. If you try to get by with less, you will find yourself having to pay for more boxes at the last minute. Other moving supplies can add to the cost as well, so be sure to factor them in from the start.

Hidden expenses during a move can add up quickly, and before you know it, you may find yourself in a bad financial situation at the worst possible time. Be sure to watch out for these hidden moving expenses and either avoid them or prepare for them in the first place.

Custom Boxes Are a Must for Certain Items

If you are moving, then packing can be a chore that you put off until you absolutely have to. However, this is a really big mistake since your belongings may get broken or damaged from not being secured away correctly. The best thing to do is start packing up nonessential belongings at least eight weeks before your move. You can slowly work your way toward the items you use the most one or two weeks before the day.

In addition to making sure you do take time and get everything stored in boxes, you need to pack in the right way. There are specialty boxes made for specific items that you should always use. If you don’t then you are taking risks with some of your more fragile belongings. You may not even know about some of the specialty materials that are available to you, but your professional movers will be able to help you out.

Plasma TV Boxes

Plasma televisions can never be laid on their side and they are extremely fragile. If you don’t take proper precautions with them, then the result could be disastrous and you certainly don’t want to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a new set after you have just moved. There is a specialty box that is made specifically for these televisions. They will include thicker cushioning and packaging to ensure no extra stress is put on the fragile front screen on the set.

Glassware

Glasses are extremely breakable to the point that they often end up on the store shelves cracked in their boxes. You can’t simply put them in a box and hope for the best and you certainly shouldn’t just depend on newspaper wrapping. Instead, you need to choose specialty moving supplies that are designed specifically for glassware. These durable and sturdy boxes will include dividers that will keep the glasses from clinking together and causing any damage.

China and Plates

If you have expensive china, you certainly don’t want to take any chances with it. That means knowing how to properly pack and store everything for moving. You can find specialty packing materials that are designed specifically for these items. They include cushioned dividers that will sit between each piece of china.

The vast majority of damage from moving comes when pieces clink together during rough patches in the road, so by keeping them separate, you can ensure the items have a much better chance of making it safely to your new home.

When you start packing to move, keep in mind that you have options that will ensure all of your belongings are safe. Not all things should be packed in standard boxes or wrapped in moving blankets.

Instead, talk to your moving company about options that will keep fragile items safe. These types of specialty materials include boxes for glassware and china as well as plasma televisions. Remember that the sooner you get started packing, the better you can take care of your belongings.

Tips to Help You Choose the Best Gainesville Moving Companies

Getting ready to move? If you will be moving to another area of the city, or even to an area outside of Gainesville, you want a professional company that can help you do it. The right company to help with the move can make things much easier on you.

Where to Look for Companies

You can look for these companies in a number of different places, including through referrals and online. Even if you have referrals from friends or family, do your own research into the company’s history. Know how long they’ve been in business, for example.

What Type of Service Does the Company Offer?

Do you need a company to help move your home or are you changing locations for your office? Are you moving out of state? Look for companies that can offer the types of services you need for your move. Some companies can handle any type of move. They may also offer packing service or even storage service if you have items that you will not be taking into your new home. Consider the types of service you need so you can get an accurate quote.

The Reputation

What type of reputation does the company have? It should be easy to find information about Gainesville moving companies online. Look for any issues or complaints customers might have had with the company. Did they damage items? Were they too slow? Did they show up late? Look for positive feedback and testimonials from the company as well. Know the good and bad about a company before you choose them.

Licensed and Insured

Always check to see that the movers you hire are licensed and insured. The company should have this information on their website and in any literature that they offer. This will protect you as well as the company during the move.

How Much Does It Cost?

You always need to know how much the service will cost. Get a quote from at least three different companies. Make sure you understand what the quote encompasses as well. Check to see if they include tax and other service charges. Choose the one with the best price, the best reputation, and the services that you need.

Get in Touch

Once you choose your company, it’s important to get in touch and set a date for the move as soon as possible. Even if the move is more than a month away, set the date early. This ensures they have enough trucks and workers to be there for you. Contact the company the day before the move to make sure that everything is still on schedule. When scheduling your move with Gainesville moving companies, make sure you read your agreement completely. Read the fine print and make sure you agree with everything on the contract before you sign.

When you work with a great company, a move does not have to be overwhelming. Just put in the research and choose the best.

Choosing a Storage Facility

When moving, you may want to store some items. If downsizing from a large home to a smaller house or an apartment, try to save as much space as possible. Storage is a great option in these cases. Make sure to spend some time looking at the various self-storage options in your area to see what they offer. When comparing the facilities, keep all of the following in mind.

Location

Where is the facility located? How far from your home is it? If you need items from the unit, you do not want to drive an hour to reach it. Choose a facility that is within an easy drive. Regarding the location, consider the quality of the neighborhood too. Do not put your belongings in a facility located in a bad area. They might have plenty of security on-site, but getting onto the site and into your unit might be dangerous. Even if the unit is cheap, consider the safety level.

Options and Sizes

What size units does the facility offer? Some of the most popular sizes include 5’x5’, 5’x10’, and 10’x20’. Some self-storage companies may have other options. You need to know how much space you require before choosing a unit. The storage company can guide you to the right size unit if you need help. Look at all the options and features the company offers.

Climate Control

Humidity can be a big problem, particularly in Florida. The weather can cause damage to many types of items. This is true even when they are in a storage unit. High humidity could warp wood and destroy a precious comic book collection. Cold temperatures can damage items as well. When looking for a unit and narrowing your choices, eliminate those that do not offer climate control.

Insurance

Does the facility have insurance? Some facilities may have insurance that covers all of your items. In other cases, you may need to buy additional self-storage insurance. Always ask about their insurance policy to see what it covers. Some will cover flood and fire only. Others may also cover theft.

Security

All storage facilities say they are safe. Look at the types of safety features and precautions the facility actually offers though. Do they have cameras? Do they have an onsite security guard? Ask about the types of locks used with the units. Some companies no longer use padlocks because they are too easy to cut. Consider this when choosing your facility.

The Cost

How much does the storage unit cost? Ultra cheap units may have issues in other areas, so you cannot merely choose based on the price. Look at the amount you need to pay for the unit and compare it with all of the preceding factors too. Knowing your items are safe is integral in choosing a unit. Even if you might need to pay a bit more for the unit, it is worth the cost.

Take time to examine the various facilities in your community and choose one that’s perfect for your needs.

Great Tips for Packing When Moving

Moving can be a stressful experience, but it does not have to be that way. When you use the tips included here, your move is much easier.

Begin Packing Early

Even if it is a few weeks before your move, it is important to start your packing as soon as possible. When you have more time to pack, you can do it the right way. Rushing around at the end, or when your Gainesville movers are on their way, is a surefire way to break things cause things to break. You want to have everything packed long before the big day arrives. It will reduce your stress levels.

Remove Items from Drawers

Sometimes, it might seem as though it would be faster to leave some of your items in your dresser drawers and nightstand drawers. This will increase the weight of the unit, though, and the drawers may fall open and cause a mess, even if you tape them. Remove the items and pack them in their own boxes with the appropriate labels.

Large Appliances

If you are taking your larger appliances with you, such as your refrigerator, you need to prepare them. Remove all of the food and defrost the fridge at least a day or two before the move. Clean the refrigerator inside and out so it is ready to set up and plug in at your new home.

Lighten the Load

Books are some of the heaviest items you will be moving. This is often because people overpack boxes. Keep the boxes to between 30 and 50 pounds maximum. It will be easier to move a few more boxes rather than move ultra heavy boxes. Keep this in mind when packing other items as well. If you can disassemble an item, such as an entertainment center, it will be easier to move. Do your best to make every trip as light as possible.

Your Kitchen Table and Other Furniture

Remove the table legs and tie them together. Make sure you add some padding between the legs so they aren’t scratched during the move. It may be a good idea to wrap some towels or bubble wrap around the legs and sides of furniture. This can help keep them in good condition during the move.

Always Label

No matter what it is you are packing, you need to label it properly. It will make it much easier to put your house together when the Gainesville moving company puts the boxes in your new home. It also makes it easier to put your own electronics together.

Whether you are moving across the country or you are simply making a move across town, the preceding tips and tricks should help to make things proceed smoothly for you. Many moving companies will offer professional moving supplies for those who need them. Some of the companies out there will even take care of the packing for you.

Buying a House when Moving to Florida

Moving to Florida

Buying a home and moving from your old place can be exciting, but it’s also very stressful. You will suddenly be responsible for a very large mortgage payment every month. At the same time, though, you will have a place of your own. If you are planning on a move to Florida, then there are several things you need to do before you sign any paperwork.

Get Your Finances in Order

You need to have your finances all sorted out well before you start looking for a new house. If you have been previously renting, then the cost could be dramatically different. Additionally, if you are moving from out of state, you have to factor in a change for the cost of living. Take the time to consider every expense that will be involved in your new home purchase to determine how much you can afford to spend. Keep in mind that there is much more to it than just the mortgage payment itself. The new expenses include:

The mortgage (there are calculators online that will help you determine the payment you can afford).
Homeowners’ insurance
Home upkeep and maintenance
PMI (private mortgage insurance may be required depending on the lender and the loan).
Utilities (they will be more expensive than in an apartment)
Homeowners’ association fees

Remember that when you close on the loan, you will be committed to paying for that house. Before you even begin packing boxes and preparing for a move, you need to be absolutely sure you are financially prepared to buy a house.

Finding the Right Neighborhood

Whether you have children or not, you will want to choose the right neighborhood to move into. By narrowing down your options, you will find it easier to shop for the different houses for sale. You can do so much research online, but if you have a particular area in mind, then you can write to the chamber of commerce and ask for welcome packets. Keep in mind that even if you need to do business in the city, you could choose to live in smaller outlying areas. For example, if you wish to move to Gainesville, you could live in the metro area or choose from many of the small towns nearby depending on the convenience and way of life you prefer.

Find a Realtor

If you are moving to Florida from out of state, then you won’t be able to spend time touring houses and hunting down options you like. You need someone working for you who is familiar with the area. A realtor will be able to find properties that fit your parameters so that you don’t have to sift through the hundreds that are available.

Moving to Florida can be a fun; exciting experience and you will definitely want to find the right property to call your new home. Make sure you spend some time determining what type of house you could afford to buy and then research your different options to choose a property you will love.

Before Moving to Gainesville

Moving to Gainesville

When you decide to move to Gainesville, FL, make sure your apartment or house is up and running as soon as you arrive. As soon as you know where you will be moving and have the new address, it is time to start looking into hooking up your utilities. The sooner you make arrangements, the sooner they can hook up your service. If you do not get in touch with the utility companies until a week before you move, you could face delays. Call the companies, or arrange services online, at least a month before your Gainesville relocation.

Setting Up Service with Gainesville Regional Utilities

Gainesville Regional Utilities, known as GRU to most of the area locals, offers many different services you will need for your home or apartment. They provide electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, garbage, and Internet services to homes and businesses. When you call to start any services with GRU, make sure you have the address of the new location, your SSN, and driver’s license number on hand. They need to know the date you want to start service too. Start your services at least a day or two before moving into the new property. Instead of calling, consider setting up the service over the web. It’s faster and easier.

In some cases, you may need to provide a security deposit to start service. This may happen if you’re new to the area and if you do not have any history with GRU. The amount of the deposit varies. Visit their website GRU.com to set up the service. Use the same site to pay the bill, check usage, and more.

Getting Cable or Satellite

Cox Cable provides service to the area and is one of the primary choices for those looking for cable, phone, and web service. Satellite companies such as Dish Network are available too. The best way to get service with these companies when moving to the area is with bundles. Bundled service offers a nice discount, and they have many different options that change with some frequency. Since they offer Internet service, they rent and sell modems if you need them. Visit their site to see what bundles are available in Gainesville.

Before choosing cable, make sure the home or apartment has wiring for cable. If choosing a satellite service, make sure you can have a satellite dish in your home. Some apartments and condo units prohibit them.

The Lay of the Land

Check out some online maps of your new neighborhood to get a better feel for it. Using Google Street View is one good option to explore your neighborhood virtually. Find places to shop and dine in the area before you even move there. Having some knowledge of the area’s layout will make getting around quite a bit easier. If you will drive a rental truck to the new place, knowing the look of the streets and the easiest way to get to your new place will be quite a relief.