Category: Moving Tips

Questions a Moving Company Might Ask You

When choosing a Florida moving company, there are many questions you will need to ask to find the correct one. However, there are also questions they will need to ask you. In order to properly prepare for your move there are several things they will need to know ahead of time.

Are you packing your things by yourself?

Movers will need to know the extent of the service you need. Some Gainesville moving companies offer to pack your items for you before they move them. This will help relieve you of the stress of boxing up your things while you are also organizing other variables of your moving process. If you are packing for yourself, it is important to make sure you secure all loose items before your movers arrive.

What volume of possessions do you have to be moved?

Your Florida moving company will need to know how much needs to be moved in order to help them figure out the level of difficulty associated with the job so they can factor it into their schedule and price.

What level of insurance do you require?

Moving companies will need to know what insurance you already have. If you have renters insurance, some of your possessions are already covered. Your Gainesville movers will also be able to provide you with a policy. If you do require insurance, your moving company will help provide you with a policy that works best for you. They will ask about any valuables you might be transporting in order to get a more accurate idea of how much coverage you will need. This way, if something does happen, your insurance will be able to cover the costs associated with that prized possession.

What is the basic timeline of your move?

Your moving company will need to know your expectations for when they will pick up your things from your old place and when they are free to deliver them to your new home. This will help them to know when they will have access to your items and will also allow them to figure out if your plans fits into their schedule in advance. At this time, they will also ask for exact locations and addresses of your two residences.

Will there be enough room for the moving truck to park?

If you live in an apartment or have a small driveway, there may not be enough room for the moving van. Therefore, they will be required to carry your furniture and packages farther. Movers will need to factor this into both their plan and their price for the service.

Does either location have stairs or an elevator?

You will need to let your movers know if you live on a floor other than the first one. This would be another factor that would influence the moving process. Stairs may require more movers or increase the cost of the moving process.

What is the distance between the two locations?

If you are moving a farther distance the Gainesville moving company will need to charge you more. Depending on whether you are moving to another city or to another street, you will pay different amounts.

How to Pack a Desktop Computer

Everyone has a computer and when you move, you need to take it with you. However, it is very easy for computers to get damaged during the process. The best way to protect your computer is to take it with you personally. That way, you will be more likely to save it from excessive movement. However, this is not always possible and when it is not, you need to know how pack it before you give it to your Gainesville movers.

Preparation

First, you need to get insurance for your computer. On the off chance that it does get damaged, you want to make sure that you will have the finances to repair it. Also, computers hold many important documents and pictures. Take the time to back it all up on an external hard drive so you will still have access to your important information if something happens to it. Next, you should remove the wires. If you are not sure you can put them back correctly later, it might be best to take a picture of them first or label the wires.

Placing it in the Box

In order to safely pack your desktop, you will need a large box, tape and bubble-wrap or packing paper. If possible, use the box your computer came in, but if you no longer have it, a normal box will do. Begin by reinforcing the edges of the box with tape in order to better stabilize it. Wrap your computer’s tower in bubble-wrap and place it on the bottom of the box. Then, tape bubble-wrap to the front and back of your monitor and position it on top of the tower. Fill remaining gaps with bubble-wrap and packing paper to prevent parts from moving too much. Fold the cords for your keyboard and mouse then cover them both with packing paper. Place both into the box and again, fill all empty spaces with paper. Then put the top of the box down and securely tape it.

Before you hand your desktop computer to your Gainesville moving company, make sure that it is packed properly. There is no guarantee, but the better you pack it the less likely the chances are that it will get damaged. Choose a company with movers Gainesville, FL, trusts.

Five Things to Find When Moving to a New Place

Moving to a new place is both exciting and stressful for the same reason: you do not know where everything is yet. This means there is a whole new city for you to explore! At the same time, it means that when you need something, you may not know where to find it. Gainesville movers have helped you with the hard part; now It is important to take the time to locate different places that will meet your various needs before you move there.

1. DMV

Everyone knows it takes forever to stand in line for assistance at the DMV, but it is necessary. If you are moving to another state, you will need to get a new driver’s license and license plate. While it may not be the most exciting adventure, it is better to get it over with.

2. New Health Services

Emergencies can happen at any time, so it is important to find the different businesses you might need. This includes the nearest hospital, a dentist and a general doctor. Hopefully, you can find great service close to your home. It might help to ask for recommendations from other people if you know anyone in this new city yet.

3. Stores You’ll Visit Weekly

You will need to go to these places very frequently so it is crucial that you find them quickly. This list may consist of grocery stores, drug stores, or any other place you go often. Learn the quickest routes and shortcuts in order to make these trips as convenient as possible.

4. Different Social Scenes

When you know everyone in a small town like Gainesville moving to a new city can be somewhat isolating. You have left all of your friends behind and you may not know anyone else yet. Most likely, your mind has also been consumed with the stress from the move. Take some time to look for different social groups to join. Consider your interests and then look online for options. Perhaps you want to go to a regular trivia night, or maybe you want to take pottery classes. Whatever you choose, take advantage of the time and try to meet people who share similar interests.

5. Local Restaurants

Now that your Gainesville moving company has helped you move everything into your new home, leave the stress behind. Spend time eating at places you have never heard of; who knows what new favorite place you might discover? Perhaps even ride your bike or walk to really enjoy the atmosphere. Fall in love with your new home and establish regular eateries.

How to Move Items from Your Garage & Shed

Moving Tips: How To Pack Up Your Garage & Shed

A garage or shed is a convenient place to store dangerous or messy items, but it is often the most difficult room to tackle when packing for a move. Typically, these rooms are filled with objects that are heavy, mechanical, oddly shaped, sharp, or filled with combustible or toxic fluids. The sort of items should be handled delicately and with special care. Sometimes the services of dependable Gainesville movers are needed to handle the job properly.

How to Pack Tools & Machinery

The first recommended step is taking a basic inventory. Take note of items that can not or should not be transported or shipped. This includes gasoline, paint thinner, pesticides, charcoal, fertilizer, motor oil, and other messy or hazardous materials. Discard these items before packing or calling your Gainesville moving company.

It may also be helpful to take stock of objects that need to be disassembled. Power tools, for example, often come with attachments that should be packed separately. Any oil or gasoline within them should also be drained to prevent leakage. Being mindful of removable parts will reduce the risk of damage during transport.

Another benefit to disassembling items is convenience. Bicycles, for example, are large and difficult to move when fully assembled. By taking such items apart, they can be stored in smaller containers and easily fit with the rest of your packed belongings.

Many items in your garage or shed my have blades or sharp edges. If improperly packed, these can tear through boxes or damage other items. It is also a safety hazard when handling. Be sure to carefully wrap them with soft material such as old towels or rags.

Moving Items from Garage/Shed Storage

Some of your most fragile belongings may be found in the garage. This includes things like old toys, pottery, glassware and holiday decorations. Be very liberal with cushioning material when packing these items. Materials such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and tissue paper will prevent delicate items from breaking. A common rule of thumb is to take the worst case scenario and plan accordingly. If your box and its contents can survive a fall down the stairs, it is safely packed.

Items that are sensitive to dust and moisture, such as electronics, should be sealed and protected from the elements. Polyurethane bags, or “poly bags”, are a cheap and effective solution.

Of course, the best tip for packing your garage for Gainesville moving is to leave it in the hands of professionals. Our movers specialize in carefully handling dangerous and fragile materials. To ensure that your belongings safely arrive to their destination, with nothing left to chance, give our company a call.

Weird But Useful Packing Tips for Moving

Lifehacks for Packing You Never Knew Existed

There is no denying that moving can be stressful, especially if you have a large number of items to pack. While our Gainesville moving company can always help you pack your items safely, there are certain items that you may want to pack yourself. Even though packing up your entire home can feel like a big job, there are several weird but useful tricks of the trade that can make packing easier.

Be Creative When it Comes to Packing Delicate Items

Part of the frustration with packing is that packing materials can be expensive and you’ll most likely be tossing the materials once your move is complete. Instead of pouring money down the drain, get creative when it comes to protecting your fragile items. Socks make great packing materials for fragile glasses and stemware. Sheets can be wrapped around your furniture to prevent nicks and scratches, and can be used to pack around plates, vases and any decorative items that could break in transit. This is also a great way to cut down on the amount of moving supplies you’ll need and saves bubble wrap.

Get Colorful

Everyone knows that labeling your boxes will make unpacking a little bit easier. However, adding a splash of color can also make the unpacking process go much smoother. By color coding your boxes, your Gainesville movers will know exactly where to take your boxes when they unload them from the truck. This way, you won’t have to searching through all of your boxes to find your work clothing or a set of dishes to use as you unpack.

Use Sandwich Bags for Your Small Items

Taking apart large pieces of furniture can make moving houses a little bit easier. However, there’s also a chance that you can lose the hardware that you need to put your furniture back together again. To avoid this, putting your screws and nails in zip-lock bags can help you keep all of your pieces together. For extra security, you can tape your hardware baggies directly to a piece of the furniture or use a permanent marker to write on the baggie itself.

Plastic Bins Make Day-to-Day Life Easier

When it comes to moving, there is no set method that Gainesville moving companies require. Although boxes are usually preferred, you can use clear plastic bins to help you move the stuff that you’ll need right away. Using clear bins allow you to see what’s inside, so finding things like trash bags, power strips, phone chargers and even toilet paper will be a breeze. This way, you’ll have all the items that you need to make your first night in your new home as comfortable as possible.

Using Social Media to Plan a Move & Find a Moving Company

Plan Your Move With Social Media

If you are like 65 percent of Americans, you use social media often. It is easier than ever to find out the latest sports scores, check in on a friend’s vacation, and shop without leaving your couch. As you prepare to move to a new place of residence, look to your favorite websites to help you along the way.

Look for Suggestions

Log on to Pinterest to look for a variety of helpful suggestions as you start packing. Type in keywords such as “moving lists”, “moving tips”, and “moving hacks” to find all kinds of moving advice. You will find many tricks such as using foam plates between your breakable plates during transport or ways to keep cables from becoming a tangled, confusing mess. Print the lists that will help you and leave the decorating ideas until you are settled in your new home.

Sell What You Don’t Need

Use your move as a time to clean out your house. Before packing, go through closets and drawers and remove items you no longer use. Use a social selling site such as Varagesale or Facebook yard sale groups to post your ads. Meet up in a public place to complete the sale. If you have lots of items for sale use a title such as “moving sale” to get more attention.

See What Your Neighbors Suggest

Open up a review website such as Yelp to see what Gainesville moving company is recommended. Look at specific reviews to see what kind of service you can expect from Gainesville movers. Don’t forget to find a couple good places to eat near your new home. Plan on eating a few meals out until you can stock back up on groceries and get your kitchen unpacked.

Ask Your Friends

Now that you have suggestions from people you don’t know, turn to Facebook to help you make up your mind. Ask your friends for their suggestions about Gainesville moving companies. If you belong to any local groups you can post an ad looking for moving boxes. Often people will happily give those boxes away when they are done.

With these simple tips for planning your move using social media, you can expect a less frustrating process all around!

Moving Advice for Senior Citizens

Moving Tips for Seniors

After retirement, many senior citizens choose to move in an effort to downsize their living situation or to escape undesirable weather. Whether you’re moving to Florida from out of state, or are simply moving across town, the entire process can be a bit overwhelming. While moving to a new residence is a great way to enjoy a fresh start in a new environment, the moving process can pose a few challenges for seniors who may have more belongings than they ever dreamed or health issues that complicate moving day. As you plan your move, use these Gainesville moving tips to ensure your big move goes seamlessly from start to finish.

Get Help with Packing

Almost every move requires some purging, and you may already feel as though you are in over your head. Instead of throwing up your hands in frustration, consider getting help from professional Gainesville movers who can help you pack your belongings in an organized manner. This will allow you the time to sort through your items and decide which things you will donate to others and which you will keep. Consider donating items you rarely use or pass them on to relatives as heirlooms.

Avoid Moving Day Injuries

Sure, you might have once hoisted a mattress upstairs by yourself in your youth, but why risk doing that now. Moving day injuries are a common concern that can wreck your adjustment to your new residence. For this reason, you should enlist the help of a Gainesville moving company that has both the right equipment and know-how to safely lift and transport heavy furniture, boxes and other items.

Protect Heirlooms and Valuables

Over the years, you have likely accumulated more than a few treasures. Fine china, family heirlooms and valuable collectibles are all items that will require special treatment during your move. Unfortunately, these types of items are often the first to break when a person attempts to pack and move them themselves. However, a professional mover will know exactly how to move them in a way that decreases the chance of breakage.

As you plan your move, it is important to remember that help is always just a phone call away. While friends and family members may offer their assistance, it is important to remember that they can often be unreliable or unable to safely transport your belongings. By taking your time and utilizing professional help, you can make your next move an enjoyable experience.

Myths About Moving Companies

Common Myths About Moving Companies

If you are planning on moving, then it is best for you to hire Gainesville moving professionals. The moving process will go a lot more smoothly if you hire a professional. Gainesville movers also make the move a lot less stressful. Furthermore, hiring professional can help you save money.

There are a lot of myths today about moving companies, which stops many people from hiring a professional. Below is a list of some of the myths about moving companies.

Myth: My Belongings Will Be Damaged

Fact: Many people have hired an unqualified moving company that damaged their belongings. However, if you hire a professional Gainesville moving company, then you will not have to worry about your belongings being damaged. A professional will transport all of your belongings with care.

Myth: Every Moving Company Is The Same

Fact: This is one of the most common misconceptions about moving companies. There are some people who have had a bad experience with a moving company, which is why they try to lump all moving companies into the same category. Taking the time to research thoroughly and talking to your family members and friends will help you find the right moving company.

Myth: I Will Have To Ride In The Truck With The Moving Company

Fact: You do not have to ride in the moving truck. In fact, most companies would prefer that you not ride in the truck. They are supposed to transport your belongings only. Riding in the truck actually makes moving companies uncomfortable. It shows that you do not trust them.

Myth: All Movers Charge The Same Amount Of Money

Fact: The cost of moving can vary greatly, and it depends on the company you choose. Keep in mind that the cheapest moving company is not necessarily the best one to choose. Many companies charge a low price because the quality of the service is not good.

Tips For Packing Your Pantry

How To Pack A Pantry When You Move

Many people dread the thought of moving simply because they don’t want to deal with packing up their home. Yet, moving doesn’t have to be a nightmare of chaos, stress and tears. Take for example the task of packing up the pantry. If you follow a few simple tips, you’ll not only have the job done in record time but also ensure everything arrives at your new home safe and sound.

Packing Perishable Goods

You might think you can get away with packing a few perishable goods, but the unexpected happens even under the best of circumstances. Worse yet, the stench and mess of spoiled food will make your move more difficult for both you and your Gainesville movers. Instead, plan meals to use up any perishable goods in your refrigerator, freezer and pantry. If you’re unable to do this, rather than throw food away, offer it to family, friends and neighbors.

Re-Seal Open Food Items

Perhaps the biggest problems you’ll come across when attempting to pack up your pantry are opened boxes and products packaged in paper bags. After all, you don’t want to open a box to find out flour spilled everywhere. To avoid a mess, place open food items like cereal, flour and sugar in baggies or plastic grocery bags. Sealing the baggie or plastic bag with tape or plastic wrap is an added measure of security that’ll guarantee your pantry goodies remain intact through your travels.

Don’t Pack Too Many Cans Together

Canned goods are easy to pack and travel easily without fear that they’ll spill. Even so, canned goods can be troublesome when packed in bundles because of the weight. That said, spare your movers and yourself a strained back by spreading out your can goods. UF Mover Guys recommends placing a few cans in the bottom of all your kitchen boxes. It helps prevent the boxes from tipping over and they’ll be light enough to carry.

No one can deny there is a certain degree of chaos involved with any move. However, these tips can help ensure your pantry is packed up with ease. Remove all the stress of moving and give UF Mover Guys a call for quality moving.

 

Preparing for Movers Before Moving Day

Moving is something that many people dislike to even consider. This is especially true when there are several years of accumulation and everything must be removed prior to properly cleaning the property. People who move often, such as people in the military or large corporations, have found that careful preparation will help avoid personal and family stress.

Things To Do Before Moving Day

Confirm with your Gainesville Moving Company

Of course, the first thing you must do is contact someone such as UF Mover Guys to determine the total cost of the move as well as any special considerations, such as insurance coverage to provide for any damage to the belongings being shipped. Such a company is more than willing to provide advice on packing, the type of boxes to use, how large a transport vehicle will be needed, length of the haul and other pertinent information.

Pack One Room at a Time

It is much easier to handle one room at a time. Look through it carefully, discard damaged or unusual items, and select things to go to a thrift store or other charitable institution. Always use good boxes, either furnished by the movers or purchased from another company. When a box is carefully packed, the box should be labeled so it is put in the right place upon arrival. This avoids having to go through a number of boxes to find something that is immediately needed.

Can’t Pack Yourself?  Hire Us To Do It

Many transport companies can supply packers who will expertly pack your belongings. In this case, they will usually furnish the boxes and any needed packing blankets. However, again, it is important to discard unwanted items ahead of time, as they will pack whatever is there, even an empty plastic butter tub.

Purge the Unnecessary Items and Donate to a Local Thrift Store

Moving entails other things besides packing and disposing of things no longer needed. It is extremely important to notify the post office of your new address and inform your landlord, if you have one, that you are leaving. You should also notify your bank, have utilities shut off, cancel any regular events you attend and so forth.

Gainesville moving companies should be able to provide a checklist that will help immensely in doing all the things that are necessary when one changes residence. A contract will be drawn up that states the cost of the move, the mileage and dates for pickup and delivery. Whether relocating across town or to another city, it is important to deal with someone who has the experience in the field and a good reputation for their customer’s concerns.