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.

Wine Bottles to Pack

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.

Wine box for moving

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.

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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

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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.

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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

book clutter

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!

declutter garage

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.

Countdown to Moving Day

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.

Short on Moving Supplies? UF Mover Guys Offers Boxes!

custom box
UF Mover Guys offers everything from boxes to storage to ensure you have a perfect move. Leave the job to the most trusted moving company in Gainesville, Fla.

Determining how many boxes you will need for packing up your household items can be quite a challenge. With a little effort and a thorough review of your possessions, you should have a general idea of exactly what you need in a very short time.

Professional movers use many methods of estimating how many boxes you will need for each area of your home. The truth of the matter is that only you know the extent and sizes of all of your possessions.

Some homeowners are minimalists and enjoy the simple spareness of uncluttered rooms. Others hoard their many possessions for years.

Some will have large amounts of computer and stereo equipment, which will require larger boxes. Others own bookshelves full of various sizes of books and knickknacks, which need medium and small cartons.

An effective method for homeowners who are getting ready to move is to go from room to room and eyeball what needs to be packed. Write down an estimate of small, medium and large boxes that you feel will be needed for each area.

A kitchen would need several small boxes to pack food items and dishes. A garage may need larger boxes to gather lawn supplies and athletic equipment that is stored there.

Most rooms will require a variety of box sizes. A bathroom, for example, would need just a few medium boxes for towels and larger supplies and smaller boxes for toiletry items and small beauty equipment.

Tour the entire house, and write down the estimates for each room. Don’t forget porches and yards where toys, outdoor games, barbecue tools and lawn equipment tend to be found.

Add a few extra boxes to each size category to cover any extra items that will pop up during your packing. Total the number of small, medium and large boxes you feel you will need.

Add other necessary items such as packing tape, box dividers, markers, bubble wrap and newspaper to your list of moving needs. Be aware that some items such as televisions and stereo equipment will need special care and special packaging materials

These items are delicate. You need to take the necessary precautions to ensure that they arrive in working order at your final destination.

Depend on Gainesville Moving to provide you with the know-how to have an incident free transfer of your possessions. Gainesville Movers can help you decide on any other special needs you may have before your moving day.

The more organized you are and the more assistance you hire from movers, the less stressful your experience will be.

UF Mover Guys Offers Partial Load Moving

No load is too big or too small. Image is from eclecticlivinghome.wordpress.com.

Maybe you decided to downsize to save some cash. Maybe you did it for some type of spiritual cleansing. Maybe you had no choice at all.

Whatever the case may be, partial load moving is one type of service that Gainesville Movers provides customers. This service is intended for someone who is moving to new house that might be smaller and only needs to move a partial load.

The key to partial load moving is organization. If you need this type of service, check out the following tips that will help make the process much easier for you.

Start by choosing what you are planning to take with you. You need to know so you can plan what type of packing paper, boxes and bubble wrap you may need.

Think about what items are most important to you. To help with the move, you may even want to rent a truck, van or a small moving trailer.

Next, you will want to get at least three quotes before you sign a contract. With several quotes, you will be able to choose the best price and service.

Keep in mind neither the highest nor the lowest price might not offer the best service or value. A good rule of thumb is to choose the quote that is the average of all the quotes provided.

It is also a good idea to learn more about the company you are interested in hiring. You will have more peace of mind knowing your belongings are in good hands as they are transported from one location to another.

Read reviews, get references and make sure the company is able to transport items out of state if you are moving out of the state.

Search on the Department of Transportation’s website to find this out. An “X” next to the “interstate” section will indicate this.

You will also want to make sure the company is registered with AMSA movers and listed on the Better Business Bureau.

Once you choose the company, you need to find out if you need to provide any packing material or boxes. You also need to know if you will need to rent moving trailers or a one-way van.

Additionally, make sure you understand all the conditions before signing with a company. Think about your fragile items and any special belongings like art pieces that will need extra care.

Moving is a big life change so take your time and choose a company wisely. Gainesville Moving can help.

Moving Tips — with Memes

Moving house can be a stressful affair, but it doesn’t have to be.

At Gainesville Moving we want to give you the tools and tips you need to take the stress out of transporting your home and have some fun doing it.

Whether you are re-locating for the first or the fourth time, Gainesville Movers will make moving so easy you’ll laugh out loud at the simplicity. Here’s some entertaining and useful tips from UF Mover Guys.

Plan WAY Ahead

Start thinking about what items you might need to sell before you move and get them well-listed in advance. Go through old storage and clothes to decide what you might want to donate or get rid of.

Schedule your movers weeks in advance — this will save you a headache later because the best movers are also usually consistently busy.

Think about changing your address two weeks ahead of time. Don’t forget to notify the bank, credit card company, Amazon, PayPal and magazine subscriptions along with the Postal Office and the utilities.

Enlist your friends to help with the move-in process, if you can. Also, think about hiring someone to watch your pets or children during the move.

 

Get UBER Organized

Packing and unpacking your house can be made easier if you use color coding for rooms and catalog your items by numbering each box. This will allow you to keep track of everything that you’ve packed, where it goes, and documents what you have in case a box goes missing.

Speaking of documentation- KEEP EVERYTHING. Make sure you hold on to the instructions to rebuild the desk, AND make sure you keep all your financial and health documents with you.

It’s better to keep all the important documentation with you, so that you don’t have to go looking for it later. If you are taking apart furniture at all, make sure you label all the pieces and tape them to their corresponding parts.

Pack Smarter

Make an essentials bag for each member of the family that has things like clothes for the next few days, toiletries and important electronics.

Pack an “OPEN FIRST” box. This should have things like a box cutter, toilet paper, eating utensils, trash bags, power strips, paper towels, some cookware, chargers, bath towels and cleaning supplies.

Use suitcases, laundry bins, baskets, etc. to your advantage by packing them with stuff. Also, you can use your dresser drawers as boxes with some stretch wrap to keep things from falling out.

You can even wrap your breakable dishes and glasses in clothing or socks to save on bubble wrap. A quick way to pack your closet is by using trash bags to take out whole sections of clothes.

Do A Little Every Day

If you can prepare for the move a little bit each day then your actual move-in day can be much less stressful. Pack AND un-pack by room to make things more manageable.

Clean each room as you pack it, and take pictures of the emptied room if you’re renting. Take a picture of the back of your TV and electronics so you can keep track of where everything plugs back in.

Make sure to defrost your refrigerator at least a day before the move to avoid leaking. Make your last grocery trip two weeks before the move date to avoid throwing out a lot of food.

Protect Your Stuff

Make sure you measure your furniture and determine whether you will need to take it apart to transport it. Stretch wrap your furniture and couches to prevent scuffs and scratches during the move.

Keep an inventory of your most valuable items and make sure you track them as they arrive at your new place. Pack your dinner plates vertically to avoid them breaking. Keep bottled toiletries in plastic bags to avoid a mess later.

Be Prepared

Try to clean the bathroom and the kitchen of your new place before you move in. Take pictures of your old place and your new place when they are empty for documentation, especially if you’re renting.

If you are transporting fragile valuables make sure they are properly packaged and give specific instructions on how they should be handled and packed.

Environmentally Friendly Moving Tips

Our community takes pride in being one of the most environmentally friendly cities in central Florida. Image is from 1stclasscleaningnyc.com.

Take a walk around Gainesville if you are new to the city. You will notice some things.

Hybrids ride through the streets. Recycling bins line the sidewalks. Posters advocating environmental awareness droop from building walls.

Our community takes pride in being one of the most environmentally friendly cities in central Florida. UF Mover Guys takes pride in the community.

We care about what our customers care about, which is why we include environmental initiatives in our mission.

We acknowledge moving can be harmful for the environment. As a result, we have worked to develop techniques to make moving a bit greener.

These approaches do not add to the time required to make the transition. In fact, many of the suggestions make moving cheaper and more efficient

Movers waste too much effort using unnecessary packing materials. Few of these materials are good for the environment once they are discarded.

Padding delicate items can be done using materials that you already have around the house. You are likely to be packing these materials.

For example, leftover newspaper, comforters, pillows and clothing make wonderful packing materials. They are effective at absorbing shocks throughout the move.

Common alternatives to these items like bubble wrap and Styrofoam can be expensive. Therefore, you will also save some money using them.

Moving can also be more efficient when you scrap the cardboard boxes and make use of plastic bins. These bins can be used for storage once you are in your new home.

Moving involves a considerable amount of cleaning either in your old home or the one you are going to. In order to keep the process green, dump all petroleum-based products.

Replace these products with natural products. Many green cleaning products have multiple cleaning applications, which will save you money.

Avoid using endless rolls of paper towels. Rags and old t-shirts are the ideal solution when it comes to avoiding waste when cleaning.

Moving is a good time to consider downsizing. Clear out closets, and get rid of as many old possessions as possible.

If you have items that you have not used in the last three years, then it is unlikely that you will use them in the future. Downsizing lessens the amount of work that comes with the move.

This opportunity is the ideal time to donate items to charity or have a yard sale. These activities will help with the cost.

When shopping for moving companies, choose a company that shares your desire to protect the environment. Choose UF Mover Guys.