Moving Tips | Gainesville Movers and Moving Companies in Gainesville

How to Move a Pool Table

Pool tables present one of the most unique challenges available in the entire moving industry. These entertaining pieces of furniture are the perfectly nightmarish combination of gargantuan and delicate. There are many crucial considerations to keep in mind specifically pertaining to their exceedingly fragile nature. While you might think it is wise to cut costs by moving the unit on your own with no extra assistance beyond a group of amateur acquaintances, the truth is that you probably need help.

Why A Moving Company Should Move Your Pool Table

Pool Tables are Massive

It is common knowledge that game room furniture is obscenely weighty, but no amount of anticipation can prepare you for the heaviness that is at hand. Lifting these tables intact is nigh impossible, and there is no safe way to rotate them. Even if a group of people can lift a pool table off of the ground, carrying it will be a nearly insurmountable task with hazardous obstacles to dodge everywhere.

Disassembly Takes Tons of Effort

So, once you realize that the only way to move a pool table is in pieces, it is time to start working with a screwdriver. The individual parts must be separated in an extremely careful manner. Proper technique is essential to preserving the integrity of a pool table’s craftsmanship. The slightest error can result in complete debilitation of all playing functions.

Safety goggles will also be useful during this step. This is because the staples holding the pocket straps need to be undone, and they have an unpredictable nature when released from their pressurized position. After these are secured, it is time to free the rails. The felt can only be lifted after the rails pop out of the locks. You must be equipped to handle glue or nails at this stage, and it is impossible to tell which will arise. After all of this, you can flip the table over to detach the legs.

Reassembly Takes More Effort

If you are lucky enough to get all the pieces apart without destroying the table, it is time to undo all your hard effort of dismantling. There were no guidelines beyond safety for the previous step, but organization is the key to success now. Instructions must be followed perfectly to ensure all architectural elements are restored.

Minor Damage is Actually Extreme

The mildest flaw can completely ruin a pool table. An unlevel playing field is useless, and recalibration is a likely necessity. Tiny stretches in the fabric will generate a permanent wrinkle, which means the whole surface might need a replacement. The designated spots for each staple must be remembered. If re-gluing is necessary, be careful to avoid lumps that counteract the intended evenness.

Injury Can Occur

A lot of the equipment involved is heavy duty and dangerous. Accidents can occur within the blink of an eye. Trips to the hospital can derail an entire move, and expenses can be horrendously huge. One single instance of faulty handling can lead to hospital bills that are even bigger than the pool table itself.

They Will Not Fit in Most Vehicles

On top of everything else, this factor must also be kept in mind. Gainesville moving companies have the trucks that large pool tables need for secure transit. On the other hand, you probably don’t. Good luck trying to fit that colossal beast into a sedan!

The bottom line is that moving pool tables will usually require extra assistance, but do not fret. Simply seek services from moving companies in Gainesville, such as UF Mover Guys, the most professional moving company in the state. They can do the work while you relax!

Using Social Media to Help Plan a Move

When you are preparing for a move and seeking out moving companies in Gainesville, you are no longer limited to traditional searches and local listings. Using social media is one way to find Gainesville movers that can help you to prepare regardless of whether you are moving to a new city, out-of-state or even internationally.

One method of searching for well-known and trusted companies using social media is to simply search for them and read real life testimonials and reviews. Asking family members, friends and even co-workers for referrals is also another way to ensure you are going with the right company wherever you are planning to use.

Why Use Social Media to Help Your Move?

Using social media is one of the quickest methods to learn more about various companies regardless of whether you are shopping for a new bed or seeking international movers who are willing to work with you. With social media, getting updates, responses and results is possible within a matter of minutes when reaching out to the proper channels. Using the official Facebook and Twitter page of various cleaning companies and other businesses near you is also a way to find more information about the business itself: hours of operation, days they are open and services provided are all listed.

If a user has a complaint, social media is often the preferred route to share their feelings, especially as others are likely to see it. Many companies who have active social media profiles respond to their customers and clients immediately, helping to offer additional guidance and support when moving or if in need of services. It is important to seek out companies who are actively involved in engaging with customers and providing support through the means of social media before choosing a mover near Gainesville you can trust and rely on for the day you plan to move to a new home.

Review Portfolios of Work

When you use an official social media page of a moving company who services Gainesville, it is possible to view albums of photos of properties and the type of work that is provided by the movers themselves. Showcasing staff, movers, homes, trucks and certificates of licensing and insurance can help to boost professionalism for anyone seeking the right movers. Using social media properly can have a drastic effect on the overall performance of of a website or a brand altogether. Ensuring you have a formal social media presence with branded and professional logos is essential, especially if you are a new company or looking to find new clients who are interested in your services.

Why Reading Reviews Matters

Official social media pages for companies, brands and businesses allow customers to leave comments, reviews and testimonials. If you find a company that is deleting reviews or posting highly-suspicious and fake views, it’s important to look elsewhere for a potential moving service. Reading real testimonials from past clients is also a way to gain insight into the work ethics, friendliness and professionalism from each company near Gainesville, regardless of the type of move you are planning.

Once you have located the official page of the Gainesville moving company you are interested in working with, it is also possible to review services, photos and in some cases even videos of showings of various homes they have represented in the past. Taking the time to review each company you are interested in hiring thoroughly is a way to reduce stress prior to the big moving day required. The more you trust your movers in Gainesville, the less worry you are likely to have once the big day arrives.

Things You Can Do Two Months Prior to a Move

Planning to move without prioritizing what needs to be done in a specific order can lead to a lot of stress and worry. Two months isn’t a long time to take care of what material possessions to keep, possibly leaving one job for another and business related areas that must be taken care of. Making an outline of everything that needs to be done can help ease those unnecessary worries. You most trusted Gainesville moving company is here to help you prepare for the moving day.

Eliminating Clutter From Your Life

Everyone has clutter surrounding the area they live in. Some of the items they value might be keepsakes, clothing, furniture, electronics and dinnerware. The best way to organize what is special and what can be tossed away is by making a list of everything that is packed. Once it has been boxed, the hardest part of packing is over. Anything that isn’t stored can be given away or sold.

Selling Is Easy

Many of the items you don’t want to haul can be sold in a yard sale or garage sale. One man’s junk can be another man’s treasure so always keep that in mind before you decide to trash anything. Organize and label all the items you want to sale with a price label and check off list so you can keep up with what is sold. You might decide to list a few items online at popular selling sites, like Craigslist.com, to make more money.

Deciding Who Will Be Helping You Move

The distance you will be moving will have a heavy impact on the cost and the people that you hire to do the move. Long distance requires the help of professionals that cost money. Short distance moves might require nothing but a large pickup and a few friends. For longer distances, you will have to shop around to find a local company that will give you the best rates.

Smaller Is Better

Having a few friends over to help you take items apart can make the process much easier. Tables, electronics and outdoor furniture are among some of the items that can be broken down to box. Moving boxes are easier than trying to move heavier items that can be bulky and awkward. Simply make sure that everyone keeps up with all the parts that go with each item. Gainesville movers would rather load nice packages over large items that needed separating.

Paper Or Plastic

You can use plastic shopping bags to store items that you feel are too delicate to store inside cardboard boxes. You can find enormous supplies of broken down cardboard boxing at dollar stores. They are notorious for having a large amount of them. Your best chance is checking these types of stores first since they won’t bale the cardboard with wiring.

Research Where You Plan To Live

This really should be the first thing that you do to see what kinds of opportunities are available where you plan to move. Things you might think about are the crime rate, population, school districts, recreation and public facilities. These are very important features that will mean the difference in your happiness in the new area.

Give Away What You Don’t Need

The very last thing you should do is make sure that everything packed is going to have a useful purpose once you do move. If you decide to leave a few extra items, you can always donate them to charity. After all, giving is a great thing to do to help those less fortunate.

Best Moving Tips for Senior Citizens

Moving can be a challenge. Whether you are moving to another part of town or the other side of the country, moving is a major event, no matter what your age. There are, however, steps that you can take to make the process easier. By following a few tips, you can make your move as a Senior citizen as simple as possible.

Moving Tips for Senior Citizens

Get a Quote

When you have identified a Gainesville moving company to handle your move, get a quote up front to give you an idea of the total cost. If you will need storage services at your new destination or packing assistance at your old home, ask your movers to include that in your quote. Review the details and make sure you are clear on deposits and payments.

Start Early

Most people have no idea how much stuff they have until they start packing. A few weeks before you intend to move, pack away any items that you will not be using before the move. Start with seasonal gear such as skis, golf clubs, patio accessories and bikes. You can also pack out of season clothing and basement items. As the moving day approaches, gradually pack everything until there is nothing left to pack on the day of the move. There are Gainesville moving companies that also offer packing services to make the move easier.

Create an Overlap

If you can move into your new home before moving out of the old one, you will have greater flexibility during your move. Start cleaning and organizing the new house before your moving day, so that everything will be set up when you get there. Allowing for overlap during your move will make the entire process less stressful.

Survey the New Home

One of the most overlooked details during moving is the size of the new home versus the size of the old one. If you are moving from a house into an apartment, space may be a real concern. Measure the doorways in your new home to make sure your furniture can fit. Measure the windows to make sure you can use your old window coverings. Take measurements for the appliances as well. You don’t want to get your prized furniture to your new home only to discover your couch can’t fit through the front door.

Create an Organizing System

If you are doing your own packing, label each box with a sticker that corresponds to a room of your home. Add a blue sticker to the kitchen box, for example, and a green sticker for the bathroom items. Take extra stickers and apply them to the doorways of each room in the new house. This way your movers can simply put the boxes in their respective rooms by following your color scheme.

Create a Moving Day Box

Designate one box that will be for items that you will need immediately. This box should include toiletries, medications, sheets and towels. Keep this box in a separate area of the house, away from the main moving area, or store it in your car. This way you will have adequate supplies at your new home without having to open all of the boxes.

Have a Yard Sale

You may have lived in your home for many years and accumulated quite a bit of belongings. If there are possessions that you can bear to part with, host a yard sale to get rid of a few things. This is especially important if you are moving from a large home to a smaller one.

When it comes to getting the best service for your move, UF Mover Guys are ready to lend a hand. Contact our Gainesville moving company today.

How to Pack Wine and Liquor

If you have an admirable collection of liquor or wine, it’s a bit silly to imagine trying to transport it all in the back seat of your vehicle, right? Due to the glass packaging of most alcoholic beverages, they are difficult to transport and are very susceptible to breaking and handling fluctuating temperatures poorly during a move. This is why a bit of extra gentle handling is required for these types of items.

Packing Your Wine and Liquor Before Your Move

Taking Inventory

Certain types of liquors and wines should be stored at various temperatures, and this is why it’s wise to develop a game plan ahead of the move. White wines should be transported in cooler temperatures, such as in a portable cooler, while reds should stay in the general area of 55 degrees. A Gainesville moving company, like UF Mover Guys, that provides temperature-controlled vehicles is your best bet for the red varieties.

When wine increases in temperature and becomes hot, it ages much more quickly and runs the risk of becoming flat. Exceptionally low temperatures can easily dry out the bottle’s cork, making it easy for oxygen to seep in. Dry ice is used commonly by movers that have wine collections.

Once you’re ready to begin taking inventory of your alcohol collection, start making a note of liquids that can be packed together. This can give you a better idea of the number of boxes you’ll likely need.

Arranging Packing Materials

One of the best ways to gather packing supplies for these types of items is to check with local bars, liquor stores, nightclubs, and lounges for spare liquor and wine boxes. These types of materials are designed to transport liquor and wine by use of dividers, and they tend to be extremely sturdy. If you must use basic packing boxes, they must be heavy duty. Consider either buying/renting durable plastic containers or checking with local offices for copy paper packing boxes.

It’s advisable to wrap liquor bottles in sturdy cloth. Anything, ranging from towels to t-shirts, can be used. Wine can be packed this way too, but it’s a good idea to remember that in the event of an unfortunate glass bust, the cloth wrapping the bottle will likely be ruined. For wine, you should always leave bubble wrap and shredded paper for ideal packing materials.

Packing Your Alcohol

If you have to use traditional cardboard boxes for transporting your wine or liquor, be sure to affix a layer of tape to the bottom of the box for added support. Liquor and wine boxes won’t require this step due to their sturdiness. Consider layer a towel or shredded paper along the bottom of the box to cushion the contents. You might also want to individually wrap each bottle either with a thin cloth or paper to prevent label scratching. Place the liquor/wine into the box, and use extra towels or rags to fill the empty space around them.

Unpacking Your Alcohol

One of the first things you should steer clear of once you arrive in your new home is opening a bottle of wine for enjoyment. Liquor will be okay to open directly after the move, but wine will likely respond poorly to the drastic temperature changes. It’s a good rule of thumb to allow time for the wine to settle for 2-3 weeks before opening it. Once wine has been removed from its packaging, set it on its side again immediately. It’s very important that wine always touches its cork. If the cork dries out from standing upright for too long, oxygen will eventually seep in and ruin the beverage.

Week Day vs. Weekend Moves

Moving is one of the most stressful situations a person can endure and for good reason. Uprooting your life, packing your belongings and starting a new home is exciting and full of unexpected decisions and situations. It can put a strain on your finances and requires you to plan well in advance to avoid the inconveniences associated with moving during normal work hours. While it might not make sense to move during the week and take a day off, many people do exactly that and end up finding that it saves them money, hassle and time. Gainesville movers like UF Mover Guys are here to help you make the decision by laying out the pros and cons of weekday and weekend moves.

The Convenience of Weekend Moves

Moving over the weekend makes sense for people who simply can’t take time off work during the week. Over the weekend, more people are available to help you move, you don’t have to take time off work, your kids are home from school and it makes sense to schedule your move for the weekend. There is also the benefit of less traffic and the ability to take the entire weekend to unpack your belongings and prepare for the next work week. However, the reality of the situation is that moving over the weekend is not all roses and sunshine. Moving companies in Gainesville can help lighten your load, and make your life a lot easier.

Another consideration for people who are planning to move on the weekends is your new neighbors. If you’re moving into an apartment, you don’t want to ruin your chance to make a good first impression with a loud, noisy and unnecessary move during their day off. Nosy neighbors may peer through their blinds and watch you move in all the while making judgments about your furniture and family. Your kids may be home, but unless they are old enough to help you move, they are more likely going to get in the way. If you hire a babysitter to watch them while you move, you are just throwing additional money into the pile of moving costs.

Weekday Move Advantages

Moving during the week generally has enough advantages to outweigh the inconveniences of a weekday move. It’s true that you might need to take off work, but you could end up saving by hiring UF Mover Guys. Movers tend to be more lenient since they want to fill up their empty schedules and weekday moves often come at a discount. Since most people work during the week, you won’t have to worry about meeting your neighbors when not at your best or bothering them on their day off. Additionally, that awkward moment when you’re trying to get your bed up the stairs and your new neighbor is trying to get out to enjoy their weekend is less likely to occur. Since the kids will be in school, it’s also unlikely that you will need to invest in a babysitter.

A typical move can be completed in one working day and then when the weekend comes you can calmly move in at your leisure without worrying about upsetting your neighbors. While we like to assume that neighbors are going to understand that you’re moving in and the noise and dust will settle once you’ve settled in, it’s still an inconvenience for them. If you’re worried about additional traffic, ask the moving company to recommend a good time to move. They want to avoid as much traffic as possible too, since traffic means more time moving. Usually, by scheduling a move in the morning, you can avoid most traffic.

Make sure to weigh the pros and cons of your situation when deciding to move. If there is only one day you can move, you don’t have much choice in your options. However, for those that can choose, a weekday move is generally less hectic. And for the smoothest move, contact UF Mover Guys today.

Decluttering: What to Get Rid Of During A Move

Moving is almost always an exhausting feat, but a wise approach can dramatically simplify the ordeal. The easiest way to streamline a moving experience is by removing all excess. Anything that is non-essential can be discarded. This will make the entire job much easier, but you need to know which items to remove. To make relocation a happier time, the following guide explores belongings that can be donated or thrown away.

What To Declutter Before You Move:

Magazines, Newspapers and Periodicals

Printed subscriptions are fun, but they can quickly accumulate a lot of extra weight for movers to handle. Furthermore, their tiny size makes it easy for disorganization to ensue. Avoid scattered messes by recycling old publications. This will make room for the next issues that will be arriving at your new address. Do not worry about losing any information, especially since most publishers back up their content online.

Books

These may not be issued as regularly as the previous items, but they are just as digitally accessible. E-readers can contain an entire bookshelf, and the knowledge will be permanently stored in your pocket. The need to lug around boxes of books is over. Any release that has a digital backup can be given away before the big move. More drastic measures can be taken as well; in fact, a whole literature collection can be exchanged for a library card. Take the extra books there as a gift to the community.

Music

Songs are no longer solely stored on clunky hardware like records and CDs. Digital alternatives are everywhere. The Internet has copies of almost every track in existence, so rip the music and dump the discs! Obsolete media should be eliminated. Get rid of the cabinets full of cassettes and 8-tracks. Trade the cases of music for an MP3 player, or simply buy a hard-drive just for tunes. The movers will thank you when the time comes.

Furniture

Relocation offers the perfect chance to measure the worth of your furniture. A discerning eye will help you figure out what items belong in your new home. If your new place is furnished, then your old furniture can be moved to the dumpster. Gainesville movers will help you decide what is worth bringing along for the ride. They will carry anything you want them to, but it is smart to give bigger accessories a second-thought. Huge pieces are nothing more than baggage in the long run.

Antiques

Avoid the risk of damaging fragile goods by selling them beforehand. While moving companies in Gainesville are adept at handling sensitive items, it may not be worth the extra stress and hassle. There are huge markets for old goods, and the sales can help you recoup some of the losses incurred by moving, which is never free.

Artwork

In a similar vein, artwork collections should also be narrowed down. They can be quite valuable, so there is no reason to risk possible damage. As a general rule, visual pieces serve no conventional function besides entertainment, so they should be considered expendable unless sentimentality overrules judgment. This rule especially applies to large canvases, gigantic sculptures and installation pieces. It is very easy to find receptive audiences for creative works, and the extra room will be incredibly refreshing.

Electronics

These days, people acquire gadgets at a rapid pace. Upgrades are continuously released, and new models often lead to older ones being retired. Most of these obsolete devices simply linger around purposelessly. This culminates in quite a mess; therefore, the best route is to eliminate all electronics that aren’t current.

For any more tips, or help with your move go more smoothly, contact UF Mover Guys today!

Moving Tips: Before, During, and After

Moving day can be exhilarating. You are beginning a new journey and putting your origins down in a different abode. You have been daydreaming about the new home you have attained and it is entertaining to see how renewed and diverse your fixtures and portraits appear when they are positioned in a brand new setting.

But moving day can likewise be hectic. There is a great deal to get done and you, no doubt, want it to go efficiently. Below are several useful moving tips to follow prior to the UF Mover Guys arriving.

Weeks Before the Big Move

Hold a yard sale. This way you will not have to find a place for them in your new home.
Get prepared, and do not delay until a few hours prior to the Gainesville movers coming. Put together a list of tasks you must complete and when they must be finished.

Days Before the Big Move

Make certain you are prepared for the movers. Do not overlook washing the laundry, running the dishwasher, packing your luggage, and disconnecting computer plugs, and additional electronics. This will save you a lot of much needed time.

Reserve items that you will be taking with you on your trip and visibly mark them as Do Not Pack; such as snacks, cell phones, and other items you may need that day.

Put in order to have your accounts closed out at your local bank and start up accounts in your new city. It is best to have this done before moving to your new town to save you time. It also gives you one less thing you have to arrange in your new town.

Attain a change-of-address kit from your post office, or you can visit usps.com. This will ensure that you do not miss any important documents that may come through the mail.
Pump out the gas and oil from all of your power equipment, such as your lawnmower, edger, etc., to avoid any messy spills.
Schedule house cleaning and additional home services for the day subsequent to loading. This is especially important if you were renting as it ensures you will receive a part or all of your deposit.

The Day of the Big Move

Prior to the moving truck departing for your destination, give the driver a phone number where you can be reached. It is likewise an agreeable notion to get the driver’s cell phone number.
Be conscious of the following items and warn your Gainesville movers if you need them moved:
- Flammable objects
- Combustible objects
- Spray cans
- Dangerous supplies
- Gasoline
- Vegetation
- Paints
- Bullets and explosives
- Jewelry
- Legal papers, such as wills, fiscal documents, insurance records, etc.

The Day After the Big Move

Have your utilities turned off the day after packing. Make sure it is not before so that it will not be too hot or cold while you are packing and moving.
Make your travel preparations for the day following moving day. In the event of weather postponements or other unexpected complications, you would not want to miss a flight or other travel associated schedules.
Prior to the moving truck departing for your destination, give the driver a phone number where you can be reached. It is likewise an agreeable notion to get the driver’s cell phone number.

Planning with your Gainesville moving company and if you adhere to these simple moving tips, your household move should be simple and stress free!

Deduct Moving Services from Taxes

Would it not be nice to subtract your moving expenses from your taxes?

You potentially could if you are moving because of work. These deductions include the cost of hiring a professional moving company.

Obviously you cannot subtract the entire expense of your move from your taxes. You need to research what you may be eligible for.

UF Mover Guys has provided a checklist of where to begin your search. Following our advice can help you deduct heavy moving costs from your taxes to help you reduce the amount you have to pay and increase the amount you get back.

The two factors that determine whether you can subtract moving expenses from your taxes are time and distance.

You need to have worked for a minimum of 39 weeks after you have changed locations to be eligible. You are only eligible for a deduction if the move is solely for the purpose of business relocation.

Moving to deal with the death of a family member or to be closer to a family member due to medical issues does not warrant a tax deduction. Also, divorce and other forms of involuntary separation do not count either.

The second criteria is the new workplace needs to be at least 50 miles from where you previously lived in order for it to count. You cannot merely pack up your possessions and buy a house a few blocks down the road.

As long as you pass these two tests, you should be good to go. If you have satisfied these two requirements then you have several types of deductions you can make for the move.

These deductions include the cost of you and your family’s trip to your new residence. The trip counts as a moving expense because you are investigating where to buy a house and the neighborhood.

The cost of moving your belongings from a storage unit and the cost to connect or disconnect utilities is also covered by the deductions. These deductions apply to both your current and new homes.

You can also subtract the cost of shipping a boat or vehicle. You likely can deduct the cost of moving other business material as well as the cost of packing and unpacking.

In most cases, you have 30 days to deduct the cost of using a storage unit or locker. If you miss the 30-day mark, however, you will have to pay for it yourself.

How To Check a USDOT Number

When moving, you can come across some stressful times.

What can you do to make life simpler? You could hire a company called Gainesville moving company.

UF Mover Guys will make sure that everything gets done and in a timely fashion. They take care of the heavy lifting, so you can concentrate on other things.

If you decide to hire a moving company, you should check their USDOT number.

The FMCSA requires relocation companies to be registered. When a moving company registers, the organization administers them a USDOT number.

If you see the word marked “out of service” when to search for the number, you need to pick a new number. This label means the company is not operational or cannot be operational for a certain period of time.

The word you need look for is “active” or “authorized for”. When you see the words “authorized for,” you must check to see what the company is authorized to move.

This number also includes all of the contact information for the relocation company you are choosing to go with. The number also includes the MCI fields.

These fields also give authorization for the move to happen. This information is supplied by the Interstate Commerce Commission.

You can also find it by checking out the ICC site. All you have to do is put in your number. The information should pop up.

Something else to look into with this number are the power units. Power units refer to the amount of trucks or vehicles it will take to transport cargo to the new location.

These vehicles are usually leased. The number of vehicles used depends on the time of the year.

For example, more vehicles are used in the summer because more people move during this season. Moving traffic is high in the summer because hazardous road and weather conditions are minimal.

An important item to pay attention to with the USDOT number is the number of accidents or crashes the vehicle has had. After all, would you like to be handled by a relocation company that has had quite a few accidents?

Look into this before you go with the moving company. If the moving company and the vehicles it uses has a history of accidents, then you might want to go with someone else.

Be sure that safety ratings are up. Stay away from moving companies that have lower ratings.

To find out more, you can always check out a few place online. You can check things out with the BBB and the AMSA.

Talk to neighbors and friends to see who they went with. It’s the baby steps that make all the difference. These baby steps will add up to a more relaxed and stress-free move.