Category: Moving Tips

Moving in together is a relationship milestone that offers both benefits of cohabitation and requirements of compromise. The hardest part about moving in with your significant other might seem like having to share a
bathroom. Still, for many couples, the greatest and most unexpected challenge is combining individual taste and style within a shared living environment. Our movers at UF Mover Guys offer these helpful tips for combining style and making design compromises with your partner for a home you both love. For personalized moving services to fit your needs, call our team. 

Decide What Stays & What Goes

Moving in with your significant other means dealing with double the amount of stuff. Before calling your local movers to schedule moving services, it’s essential first to identify what items to leave behind and what things you plan to bring along to your new home. Compromise is the name of the game when it comes to cohabitation — if you choose to take your favorite coffee table, allow your partner to select another piece of furniture to bring along. Most cohabitating couples find it helpful to agree on purging unwanted items equally before moving.

For duplicate belongings, inspect both items and determine their condition, size, and quality. If you can’t seem to reach common ground on a specific item, it may be worth tossing out and buying something new that you choose together.

Choose Clean Lines & Natural Materials

There are plenty of decorating tips out there, but for couples with clashing style and taste, it’s best to stick with general crowd-pleasers. While picking out furniture for your new home, select items featuring clean lines made from natural materials. Furnishings with clean lines don’t have to be lackluster, but they can effectively integrate with a wide range of different tastes. No matter how you or your partner’s taste changes over the years, furniture with simple, clean lines and a natural composition will always be easy to integrate with the rest of your home’s décor. Another way to keep your space looking neat and appealing is to hang mirrors instead of artwork. Choosing art that appeals to both partners can be fraught with stress. Mirrors can instantly brighten up a room and allow natural light to reflect beautifully. 

Select A Neutral Color Palette

As with clean lines and natural materials, a neutral color palette is typically the best interior-style option for couples with different tastes. Neutrals are an excellent solution for blending multiple different styles, but they don’t have to be boring. We recommend that couples opt for neutral colors and tones when selecting large investment pieces — such as a headboard or couch — and express their unique style preferences with small accent pieces — such as decorative pillows or picture frames. The best way to keep multiple neutral accents from looking too dull is with texture, such as a cream, grey, or brown-colored rug. Rely on texture (not color) to increase the visual interest of your interiors. If you prefer to use what you have, consider refurbishing strong-colored furniture with a neutral-colored coat of paint.

If In Doubt, Pick What’s Popular

For couples moving in together, style and taste tend to clash most when selecting interior details, such as flooring, fixtures, and finishes. If you find yourself at an impasse, consider what most people choose. Opting for the most popular items is not just a great way to avoid an argument over personal taste, but it can also boost the mass appeal of your home and increase resale values should you decide to list the property for sale. It’s hard to go wrong with classic home interiors, such as hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances. When you and your partner can’t agree on certain aspects of your home’s interior design, the popular taste can help guide you. As with a neutral color palette, popular home picks should be used for foundational aspects of the home, while small accent pieces can add personal flair.

Moving into your first student apartment is always exciting. It can also be a lot of work. Moving into an apartment is much different from moving into a dorm, where large furniture items such as beds, desks, and dressers are already provided. Simplify the moving process with these tips from Gainesville movers with UF Mover Guys.

1. Choose A Move-In Date

The first step of a move is to pick a moving date. Consider factors such as the availability of helpers and professional movers, the date you need to leave your current apartment, and your new apartment’s contract. In a college town such as Gainesville, it’s a good idea to schedule a move for a few days before or after the apartment complex’s common move-in date. This will help avoid the chaos of multiple households moving in at once. Students who are moving in with roommates should communicate with their roommates beforehand to determine if they’ll all be moving in on the same day. It may be a good idea to stagger move-in times.

2. Downsize Before Moving

Moving provides the perfect opportunity to take stock of possessions and get rid of anything that is rarely used and takes up valuable space. A general rule of thumb is that if something hasn’t been used in the last year, it’s a good time to donate it. Set aside some time to go through your things and decide what you no longer have a use for. This will streamline the packing process and create fewer boxes when it comes time for the moving company to cart them away.

3. Gather Boxes

It’s best to start acquiring boxes several weeks before a move. Students who wait too long run the risk of losing out to other students who are moving at the same time. For free boxes, visit local grocery stores and ask if they have extra boxes they can give away. This can be a handy resource, but may not provide a great variety of box sizes. If you need specific sized boxes, most moving companies in Gainesville will also sell boxes.

4. Plan The Layout Of The New Apartment

Knowing where to direct your professional movers will significantly simplify the moving process. Before moving in, take pictures and measurements throughout the apartment that you can use to determine where furniture should go. Students can provide their moving service with this blueprint to ensure that heavy furniture gets placed where it should go, saving them from heavy lifting in the future.

5. Complete The Inspection Sheet

On your move-in day, your landlord or property manager should provide you with an inspection sheet. Go through the apartment and carefully inspect for damage, nonfunctioning appliances, or marks on the paint, flooring, or walls. Make note of damages on the inspection sheet and turn it into the landlord or property manager for their records. This way, students will not be liable for pre-existing damage when they move out.

Moving into a new apartment is both exciting and stressful. At UF Mover Guys, our goal is to mitigate that stress as much as possible. Contact our Gainesville moving service today for a free quote.

Moving can be a stressful but also an exciting time. Whether you’re moving into your first off campus apartment or moving into a new home, a smooth and easy process is what every mover wants. Our Gainesville moving professionals at UF Mover Guys have come up with some tips for new and veteran movers alike to make the moving  process simple and easy.

Have A Box Of Necessities Ready And Labelled

After a long day of moving, searching through boxes for toothpaste or a towel can be a nightmare. When packing, set aside a backpack or box for essentials, like a toothbrush, a set of pajamas, toilet paper, medication, and anything else you’d take on an overnight trip. If you have a pet, check that they have toys, food and water bowls, and beds readily available to make their transition as easy as yours. Having labels on everything can prevent last-minute headaches on move-in day. Our professional movers can assist in getting your items to their proper place and room, so you have one less thing to worry about when moving in. Let our Gainesville movers do the work so you don’t have to.

Get Acquainted With Your New Area

With moving comes a lot of new — new home, new neighborhood, new roads, and the list continues. Get acquainted with local markets, gas stations, and other convenience stores so you’re not caught with an empty tank or pantry on move-in day. Even if you’re just moving a short distance, you’ll be better prepared and ready for last-minute emergencies.

Confirm Your Address Is Updated

Picture this: boxes are stacked neatly in your new home, the Gainesville movers are on their way with the furniture, and you’re ready to unpack and relax, but wait — the lights aren’t coming on. What gives? It’s important to have utilities and internet ready before moving in. Sitting in the dark without AC, internet, or water is a less than ideal way to spend move-in day, so call your providers early. You’ll also want to update your mailing and billing address, otherwise, you may be missing out on important mail or the newest season of your favorite Netflix shows.

If you’re new to Gainesville, here is some information on the local utility and internet companies.

Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) provides electric, natural gas, water, and other services. Check with your landlord or realtor to confirm which services are your responsibility.

Cox Communications provides cable, internet, and phone services to the Gainesville area. It can take a few days to get everything set up, especially for new accounts, so make sure to call in advance.

Plan Where You Want Furniture

Our movers in Gainesville are highly trained, professional, and ready to set up your new apartment or house to your liking. By planning where your furniture is going in advance, our local movers can ensure a smooth and quick process, allowing you to relax and get to unpacking in peace. If you need help unpacking or putting together items, UF Mover Guys has got you covered. We offer an array of residential moving services to accommodate your needs.

Check For Damages

Before settling in, take a quick look around your new home or apartment. Finding damages or leaky pipes is always upsetting, but it’s better to address any damages or repairs that need to be made before you’ve unpacked. The last thing you need is to lose a deposit due to looking over a chip in the paint or, even worse, losing some of your sentimental items due to a leaking pipe causing water damage.

Pick A Moving Company In Gainesville, FL

Whether you’re making a long-distance move or just moving down the street, UF Mover Guys can help. We offer a wide variety of moving services, including full and partial packing, local and long-distance in-state moves, climate-controlled storage, and more. Contact us to schedule a move today.

Once the truck is unloaded and the movers have left, it’s time to start unpacking. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you feel like you’re surrounded by a sea of unopened boxes, so Gainesville movers with UF Mover Guys have compiled this list of tips to make unpacking a breeze.

Smart Unpacking Starts With Smart Unloading

When unloading, if boxes were placed randomly around the home, unpacking will become complicated and frustrating. This is why it’s important to take the time while packing to clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs in. This way, professional movers can unload the box straight from the truck to the proper room, saving time and effort in the long run. Remember, when it comes to moving, a little organization goes a long way.

Start With Your Priority Box

It’s always a good idea to pack a “priority box.” This is a box containing essential items needed for the first night or two in a new home. This generally includes items such as medications; toiletries; entertainment objects such as books or games; and enough clothes for the first day or two in the new home. This will save you from the frustration of tearing into boxes looking for that one item that you really need.

Go Room By Room

Create and stick to a plan of action, rather than moving back and forth between rooms. Start with the rooms that are used the most, which usually means the kitchen. Hook up any small appliances such as the coffee maker and microwave, and get the dishes, pots and pans, and utensils into drawers and cabinets. Remember that this doesn’t have to be where they live forever; you can always go back and rearrange in a day or two.

After the kitchen, tackle the bathroom, starting with important items such as medications, toilet paper, and towels. Next, unpack the bedrooms. Families with older children can put children in charge of their own bedrooms, saving the adults the effort and helping kids feel like active participants in the move.

Take Your Time With The Peripherals

Once all the most important areas have been handled, it’s time to slow down and enjoy the rest of the unpacking process. Items such as artwork, books, and other decorative objects should be the last items unpacked.

If space is available, lay out all the artwork and decorations on a table and take some time to envision where each should go. Try out different locations before settling on a final position. Remember that there’s no hurry to get everything just right — there will be plenty of time in the new house to figure out where everything goes and feel at home.

The first step to ensuring a smooth unpacking process is finding the right moving company in Gainesville. For a free estimate, contact UF Mover Guys today.

Sometimes an event comes along that requires you to make a residential move in short order. Perhaps it’s a new job offer or you want to be closer to the family. Whatever the reason, there are some ways you can speed up the process — and maybe save a little money, too. Here’s a to-do list before moving from the Gainesville movers at UF Mover Guys to make everything as fast as possible.

1. Hire Local Home Movers

When there isn’t much time to organize, a Gainesville moving company can respond to your needs faster than a national moving company. Gainesville residential movers at UF Mover Guys are professionals who will give your valuables superior care and attention, freeing you up to handle all the last-minute details.

2. Get Your Packaging Supplies Organized

Before you spend all that time and money at a moving supplies store, take a look around your home for materials to help you pack in a hurry. You can wrap fragile items such as large plates and glass in a towel or blanket, instead of bubble wrap. Other breakables, such as glassware and ceramics, can go into boxes padded with bedsheets, pillowcases, and socks.

Speaking of boxes, look for some extras sitting around in your garage. If you need more, visit your local grocery store and ask the manager for eggs boxes from the dairy department. (Eggs boxes are built strong, and they’re free for the taking.)

3. Start Packing Early

If you put off packing, you’ll be rushed at the last minute. As a result, you might leave something behind or forget to do an important task. So, begin packing as soon as you have your boxes ready. Label each box as you go, listing what’s inside and which room it belongs in.

4. Ask Friends & Family For Packing Help 

Putting stuff in boxes all by yourself is hard. Fortunately, you have plenty of assistance waiting in your neighbors, coworkers and family members. Why not invite them to a moving party? Offer them food and drinks in exchange for their packing labors. Play some great music and have lots of laughs. Before you know it, everything will be packaged, labeled and ready for the moving truck.

5. Donate Or Give Away Unwanted Stuff

Do you really need to take everything, or are there some items you don’t need anymore? Before the packing party, look through closets and storage spaces and separate out unneeded clothing, knickknacks, and gadgets. Also, look for items that:

• Are damaged
• Belong to someone else
• You use only one time of the year, such as seasonal decorations

Toss the broken stuff, and pack the rest to donate. Then, take the items to a local charity where they can be put to good use, or give them to friends. The less you put on the moving truck, the more time and money you’ll save.

6. Plan A Pre-Move-In

Does your lease start before moving day? Take some things over to the new place early, if you can. Bring small items that you might not need right away, such as spare clothes, collectibles or kitchen tools. If you can make multiple trips, do it. The time you invest now will pay off in a faster move on the big day.

7. Have Your Move Ready The Night Before

The night before the movers arrive, double-check to make sure everything is ready to put on the truck. Did you:

• Clean out the refrigerator?
• Inspect the bathrooms for unpacked toiletries?
• Peek under sinks for stray cleaning products?

Finally, put personal items like prescriptions and important papers in a small tote or other container. Pack them in the car a few minutes after the movers arrive in the morning.

8. Do Your Last-Minute Cleaning Before Moving In

Now it’s morning, and the truck is here. To help complete the moving in one day, clean up while items are being removed. Wipe dirt off windows or shelves as boxes get taken off them. When everything is out of a room, vacuum the floors and look for any items you may have missed. Then put the cleaning items in the truck and you’re ready to go.

Call Gainesville, FL Movers Now

For more than 10 years, Gainesville residents have depended on UF Mover Guys to handle last-minute moves. With our expertise and friendly service, you can expect a well-planned and organized move, even when time is critical. Contact UF Mover Guys today for moving services in Gainesville, FL, and let’s get this move on the road!

All across America, summer is peak moving season. Just how busy is it? Of all moves that happen annually in the United States, roughly 80 percent occur between April and September. Of course, the motivations for relocating at this time vary. In much of the country, summer months have ideal weather for being outdoors and driving long distances (not quite the case in North Central Florida if you want to stay cool).

Gainesville still subscribes to the summer moving craze, though, but mainly because of its student population. When the spring semester ends, many students either graduate or move home temporarily, and return in August for fall semester along with first-year and transfer students who arrive for UF move-in day and orientation.

What are the effects of consolidating this many moves in a season? There are actually two: one good and one bad. On the upside, moving is usually viewed as a stressful activity, but it is less intimidating if you know there are other people doing it. If you have friends who are moving, for example, you could help each other pack. On the downside, lots of people moving around the same time means they’re all vying for the same resources. And what happens when stores run out of boxes, or you’re on a waitlist for movers in Gainesville?

Here, UF Mover Guys offers ways to avoid the pitfalls of peak-season moves while also taking advantage of its opportunities. Use this guide with a standard moving checklist for the easiest move this summer.

Hire Movers First, Not Last

Waiting until you’re packed to hire movers could leave you scraping at the bottom of the barrel of moving companies in Gainesville. Instead, choose your moving company first. By doing so, you can find experienced movers who have positive reviews and competitive prices and will be available when you need them. Most professional movers allow customers to schedule services up to three months early. So if you’re planning to move in June, start searching online for movers in March.

Transfer Utilities As Soon As Possible

Sometimes, new residents pick up keys to their homes or apartments a few days before they move in. If this option is available to you, take advantage by transferring over your utilities immediately upon gaining access to your new abode. It’ll be hot outside, so you’ll want to have the electricity turned on and the A/C unit working. Also, cellular data can be patchy in Gainesville. Have the Internet hooked up early in case you need to search for moving company contact info, find helpers for unloading boxes on the fly, or most critically, order lunch.

Get Inventive With Packing Supplies

During peak moving season, cardboard boxes, tape, and even packing peanuts are often in short supply locally. If you have spare cash and storage space, you can buy these packing materials early and horde them. Alternatively, you can make do with the items you own already. Using suitcases, backpacks, and even plastic bags as storage vessels not only saves you the ruthless competition for supplies. It also reduces your moving expenses. Sweatshirts, pillows, and socks make great buffers for fragile items in boxes, and blankets, sheets, and towels can be used to wrap furniture to avoid scratches.

Be Safe, Stay Hydrated

The average daily highs in Gainesville during June, July, and August are above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. With the high humidity levels, caused by the fact that one-third of those days experience rainfall, you could be dealing with a swelter on moving day. For the sake of your health, keep a cooler of electrolyte-enriched beverages in the back of the moving truck to stay hydrated. You can’t go wrong with Gatorade, which was invented in Gainesville in the 1960s by a doctor at UF’s College of Medicine (much to the benefit of the Florida Gators football team of that era). Or, if you’re not a fan of sweet drinks, try bottled water with electrolytes. Stay away from beverages with high amounts of sugar or alcohol, which can leave you feeling thirsty and dehydrated.

In addition to your standard moving checklist, these tips for moving in the summer will help you make the most of your relocation. And for local and long-distance residential moving services for families, businesses, and students; packing supplies or climate-controlled storage for rent; or help with packing or loading and unloading; turn to UF Mover Guys. Contact us today to schedule moving services!