Helping Area Families Have a Great Holiday

Today, UF Mover Guys lucky enough to be able to support a great local charity. We picked up and delivered 6 pallets of food for the Food4kids Backpack program North Florida. Today’s delivery will help fill boxes going home to lots of local families in need of some support for their holiday meals.

About Food4kids Backpack program North Florida:

This program was modeled after the National Feeding America Backpack Program. The national initiative has been successfully implemented locally, regionally, and nationally by individuals who saw a need and acted!

In March of 2010, with

guidance and mentoring provided by Food4Kids of Alachua, Jennifer Moore started a Food4Kids Backpack Program at Terwilliger Elementary in Gainesville, Florida. This program would not exist today without Jennifer’s commitment and the help provided by Food4Kids of Alachua.

In 2011, the Food4Kids Backpack Program of North Florida, Inc. was founded after a local parent and volunteer, Todd Morrone, became aware of the program and partnered with Jennifer to make a difference in the life of a child.

Food4Kids Backpack Program of North Florida, Inc. is a registered non-profit organization with the State of Florida and is 100% volunteer run.

Tips for Parents Moving Their Children into a Dorm

Tips for parents moving their children into the dorm

CAM00169 — Our truck in this year’s homecoming parade… Go Gators!!

Parents who are sending a child off to college for the first time may understandably be feeling a mix of emotions. Emotions such as pride, stress and even anxiety and sadness are common. However, these emotions are often mixed with practical concerns, such as how your child will manage living away from you for the first time. One of the best steps that you can take to ensure that your child’s first experience living apart from you is a great one is to help him or her settle in a new dorm room. There are a few parent tips that you can follow to make this transition easier for your child.

Start Shopping Early

Most parents and graduating teens have their college plans established months ahead of time, so there is no point waiting until the last minute to purchase items for the dorm. Some new college students and their parents will wait until moving day to head to the store. While it may sound like a sound plan to purchase bedding, towels, storage bins and more closer to campus and after seeing what items you actually need, everyone else may have this plan to. Stores close to campus may easily run out of supplies when there is a mad dash to get these items by dozens of people all on the same day. You can get a fair idea about what may be needed for the dorm by contacting the college and requesting a list.

Coordinate With a Roommate

In addition, before transitioning into a dorm, consider having your child get in touch with his or her new roommate. Many kids like to coordinate what they will be bringing. After all, you don’t really need to have two microwaves, televisions or other items in the dorm room. If a roommate already has these items, you can save yourself the time and energy associated with purchasing them and moving them into the dorm. Many kids also like to coordinate décor, and selecting comforters and other decorative items with an online purchase makes it easy to ensure that the room looks great.

These parenting tips can help make your child’s move into a new dorm room a pleasant experience. Moving can be stressful for you, but it can also be stressful for your child. Consider helping your child pack several days beforehand, and attempt to take stock of any additional items he or she may need as you pack boxes and suitcases. Preparation and planning are key to making this experience a pleasant one.

Moving To Help The Community

UF Mover Guys recently helped AMIKids-Gainesville move to their newly built facility in Gainesville. AMIkids Gainesville is one of more than 50 programs across the country affiliated with nationally-recognized AMIkids, headquartered in Tampa, Florida. They are a non-profit organization dedicated to providing our community’s kids an opportunity to transform into responsible young adults. We offer kids a promising future through positive and motivating programs that inspire learning, leadership and personal growth.. The organization holds a special place in the heart of UF Mover Guys manager, Brad Stumpff. Stumpff said, “AMI was where I had my first teaching job and where I developed my love for helping at-risk kids.” While working there Brad developed a lifelong friendship with AMI’s executive director, Dan Bacallao. “When Dan called and talked to me about their upcoming move, I knew we had to get involved and help!” said Stumpff.

Here, Stan Travis and Kenny unload the items going into the new building.

UF Mover Guys donated over $1,000 in labor and materials to help AMI move from their former campus in Micanopy, to their brand new facility in Gainesville. We try to give back to the community when given the chance.

College Moving 1101

Gainesville is full of great apartment options.

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.

Camp Crystal

We recently moved new Camp Crystal director, Scott Burton, and his family out to camp.

We recently moved new Camp Crystal director, Scott Burton, and his family out to camp. Here are Kenny and Travis in front of the UF Mover Guys cabin B5. Jordan, owner of UF Mover Guys is a former Camp Crystal counselor and camper. We have been a moving company in Gainesville for over 7 years and have roots in this town that go back 30 years.

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.

You already most likely know how stressful moving can be. It takes so much time, work, money, and thinking; you will definitely be worn out in the end. Moving during certain parts of the year can be even more complicated.

For example, if you have a family, relocating during the holidays is a very serious hassle. It’s one that you will most likely want to avoid if at all possible. So, before you make the decision, take some time and think about it. Do you really absolutely have to move during the holidays or could you put it off for a week? If you have no other choices, then here are some tips that you can use to retain normalcy and still enjoy a celebration even when everything is in boxes.

Hire Movers Early

Many moving companies will actually only work with a half-staff during the holidays because so many people want time off to spend with their families. That means they can get booked up very quickly. Because of this, if you wait until the last minute, you may not find anyone available. If you know you are going to have to relocate during the holidays, then be sure to find a company as early as possible and get them booked right away.

Find an Empty Space

You will obviously want to still celebrate the holidays even though you are in the middle of moving. This is so important for families, especially with small children. If you want to still have that experience, then find a spare room that is away from all of the boxes and packing materials. Make sure you know where the tree is with at least some of the decorations. You can get everything set up in the extra room and you and your family can have a mini celebration right there, away from the rest of the activity.

Feel Free to Splurge on Food

If you are following a healthy diet, then it may be time to fall off the wagon for a few days. If you try to celebrate the holidays, stick to a diet, and move all at the same time, this is a recipe for a bad mood. Enjoying those holiday foods can boost your mood and help you feel more in the spirit of the season even if your decorations are packed away and loaded on a moving truck.

Get Someone to Stop By

Moving to a new house can seem so empty and cold, and you may have trouble making it feel like a real home when everything is still packed up. Try to find a friend or family member who could stop by for a cup of hot cocoa or to watch a seasonal movie with you. Just having someone else familiar in the house for a short time will make it feel more like it’s your place.

Moving on its own is so stressful. Dealing with the holidays makes it even more difficult. If you have a family, make sure you take simple steps so that you can still celebrate the season even when you are in the middle of relocating.

Things to Avoid When Packing Electronics for a Move

Almost any home in the country will have several different pieces of electronics lying around: computers, televisions, tablets, DVD players, Blu-ray players, sound speakers, video game consoles, and more. You may have a couple of pieces that only cost a few hundred dollars or you have high tech equipment that costs thousands and thousands.

In either case, you need to make sure that all of the equipment is packed away very carefully before the movers arrive. Some people may be tempted to just throw all of the electronics into a box and hope for the best, but this is a good way for things to get broken. You certainly don’t want to unpack the Playstation to find that it no longer works. Here are a few things you need to avoid when packing up your electronics for a relocation.

Not Labeling Cords

One of the best tools you could purchase for moving with electronics is a label maker or even just label stickers and a marker. You need to make sure you label everything that you disconnect from electronics or you could have a big mess when you arrive at your new home. If you have to leave anything in storage for any amount of time, you will likely forget what goes to what equipment, and even a few days’ span can leave you scratching your head.

If you don’t want to actually mark the specific cords with a label, another option is color coding. Small round, colored dots can be placed next to the port on the equipment and then stuck to the corresponding cord.

Packing Computers in Bubble Wrap

The majority of packing materials you could use when moving your home often will create static electricity. That’s not a problem when wrapping up china or glassware, but it is a very big issue with computers.

Static electricity can actually ruin the hard drive in desktops and laptops. To avoid this expensive type of damage, be sure to wrap computers in towels or sheets. If you must use bubble wrap, look for the non-static kind (it’s usually pink).

Leaving Things Inside

If you are moving in a hurry, you may be tempted to just unhook that DVD player or video game and throw it in a box, but there is one thing you are forgetting. You should never leave a disc of any type in the drive. This includes in DVD players, video game consoles, or CD players. If you do and the equipment is shaken in anyway while loaded in the moving truck, the disc could be lodged into the machine and you may not be able to get it out. This can completely ruin the device itself.

When you are getting ready to move, you have a lot of packing to do before the movers arrive, but don’t get in too big of a hurry. Take special care of your electronics to ensure everything arrives at your new home safely. Avoid the things above and you can expect a much better experience.

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.