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How To Pack Smartly For Your First Move

Moving for the first time is exciting! After all, you are going out into the world on your own and in your own living space! While moving may feel like an exciting prospect, preparing for a move can be challenging, especially for those who have never moved. If you’re moving for the first time and you don’t know where to start, have no fear! Getting organized early and following these moving tips from your local movers with UF Mover Guys can help make your first move (and any that follow) much easier and hassle-free.

Looking for a dependable moving company to handle the heavy lifting? Contact our moving company today to book moving services from our dependable movers in Gainesville, FL!

Start Packing Early

One of the best ways to minimize stress for first-time movers is to give yourself plenty of time to plan and pack ahead of moving day. The earlier you begin, the better. You can start by packing up specific areas or items you don’t often use, such as items in your closet, clothing you wear the least, decorative pieces, or books you won’t read until after moving day. This way, the majority of your living space will remain as normal as possible while making progress with packing. Commit yourself to packing a few boxes each day, and make sure to leave several boxes and packing materials for the items you will leave to pack until the last day, like your toiletries, favorite clothing items, and everyday dishware.

Pare Down Your Items

Packing is the best time to go through your belongings and purge the excess. Sorting through your possessions and being brutally honest with yourself can help you distinguish between the items you can’t live without from those you can leave behind. Designate a donation box (or several) and keep it separate from what you are taking with you. After you’ve sorted your things, you can then decide if you want to sell items of significant value to help fund your relocation, donate the items to a charity you like, and throw out items that can’t be reused.

Gather Moving Supplies

The process of packing requires a significant amount of packing supplies to help make the move as simple as possible. Having these items on hand will help make packing and organizing your belongings much easier, and it will also ensure your items arrive safely in your new living space. You will need moving boxes of all different sizes, scissors, permanent markers, heavy packing tapes, stickers, and paddings, such as newspaper, bubble wrap, or another form of packing insulation. If you’re unsure how many boxes you’ll need, take the time to assess the items you intend to pack and scale from there. In most cases, it’s better to gather more supplies than you think you will need, especially if this is your first time moving!

Pack Like A Pro

Even for those moving for the first time, there can be a lot of items that need to be wrapped properly and packed safely. In addition to padding purchasable for keeping your items safe in the moving boxes, you can use items you already have on hand, such as socks, towels, bedsheets, and other soft materials, to pad boxes containing fragile items like glassware and decorations. Blankets, comforters, pillows, and clothing can even be placed in a heavy-duty contractor bag, as these bags can fill in open spaces in a moving truck. Remember to pack your heaviest items, such as books, in small boxes so they are easier to carry. While you pack, make sure to label each box, bag, and bin with the contents and the destination room in your new place. This will help make it easier to organize your boxes based on where they should go in your living space and simplify the unpacking process.

Book Professional Moving Services

Our experienced Florida movers offer moving services to help make the process of moving simpler for those moving for the first time and those experienced with moves alike. If you’re looking for a professional, local moving company that can help simplify your relocation, then look no further than UF Mover Guys. We offer packing services, loading, unloading, and much more! Contact us today to schedule moving services!

6 Tips For Having A Garage Sale Before You Move

Having a garage sale before your big moving day can reduce the number of items you have to move while also being a source of additional cash to help fund the move. However, a garage sale can be a lot of work, especially if you aren’t properly prepared. To help get you ready for a pre-move garage sale, UF Mover Guys has put together this list of seven tips.

Need moving services after the big sale? Our moving company has helped hundreds of clients by providing a stress-free move to their new home. Contact us today to schedule moving services!

Get Ready Sooner

A good way to provide full inventory for your garage sale is to do some spring cleaning first. We suggest finishing this anywhere from two weeks to a month before your anticipated garage sale date. Doing a deep clean of your home can help uncover more sellable items. After all, you don’t want to be packing after the garage sale and still be finding items you could have sold. Preparing sooner also gives you more time to focus on packing and securing moving services.

Make An Inventory List

As you decide on what stays and goes, note each item on a spreadsheet or another tracking method. Later, you can decide on possible price ranges for each item. Not only will this help you price everything faster on the day of the garage sale, but it will also be a reference point in case anyone is helping you out during the garage sale. Speaking of help, we strongly suggest you have at least one or two other people because hosting a garage sale can be tough work.

Get Supplies Prepared

While you can go bare minimum on the supplies, especially if you aren’t selling many things, you should prepare everything before the garage sale. Think about whether you want to display items on tables or blankets. What about chairs for you and your helpers? You’ll also want to mark item prices with tags or stickers. A garment rack, shower tension pole, or even sturdy rope tied between two points can neatly show off clothes. We also suggest using smaller bills and coins ready to make change, and maybe even a calculator to help with on-the-fly number crunching. If you’re having a larger yard sale, consider purchasing an inexpensive money box to keep the money organized and secure. Signage can also help advertise your garage sale.

Don’t Shy Away From Advertising

You can’t hope people will just stumble upon your garage sale. The bare minimum advertising is road signs telling people when and where the garage sale will be. It’s usually best to set these up the morning of your garage sale, but other advertisements can be done in advance. Consider expanding your efforts to your social media pages, where you probably have access to a larger audience. There may even be local social media group pages for garage sales. You can also make flyers and ask local businesses if you can post them. No matter where you advertise, be sure to list details about what kinds of items you’ll be selling, especially if there’s anything special or unusual.

Be Prepared To Haggle

A time-honored tradition of garage sales is haggling. Even if you’ve priced every item fairly, there will still be people who try to haggle or bundle other items with their purchase. Consider what price you’re willing to accept for each item, and if someone begins to haggle, you’ll have a predetermined amount you’re willing to accept. If you don’t want to be haggled with or think something is worth more than anyone is willing to pay, consider selling the item through other channels, such as local consignment shops or online platforms.

Have A Plan For Unsold Items

Even the most successful garage sales may not sell every item. Having a plan in place for leftover items can make the next step easier after a long day of selling. You may decide to have another day for the garage sale, but if so, you’ll need to revisit all of your advertising efforts. You can also donate items locally. If you’re over it and don’t want to deal with the hassle, consider scheduling junk removal services. We’ll take care of any leftover items in an eco-friendly, safe, and clean manner so you can focus on more important things.

Protect Yourself From Moving Scams

There’s a lot of trust between movers and a moving company. After all, you’re giving them access to all of your possessions and paying them for it — sometimes a lot of money. Unfortunately, not all moving companies honor trust, hitting you with fraudulent charges and holding your possessions hostage if you refuse to pay. But, there are red flags to look out for to help you avoid movers who would abuse your trust.

UF Mover Guys is a professional moving company that has helped hundreds of clients move to their new homes. When you work with us, we want you to have the best moving experience possible. Check out our tips on how to avoid moving scams, and contact us today to get a quote or to schedule moving services.

Ask For Referrals

The best place to start your search for a reputable moving company is through friends and family with insights into local moving companies. Not only can they provide you with referrals to companies they enjoyed working with, but they also may help you steer clear of companies unpleasurable to work with. If you can’t get any recommendations from people you know, try looking up online reviews. Just be aware a couple of negative reviews doesn’t necessarily mean the company is bad to work with. Instead, read all of the reviews and look for trends, such as hidden fees, flexibility, and customer service.

Research The Company

While looking at reviews, you should also investigate the company deeper. Read through their website, look at online resources, and check their Better Business Bureau page to see their ratings. You should also check to see if they are registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the American Moving and Storage Association. Both of these associations will provide insight into the company and let you know if they are properly registered. If not, this can be a huge red flag that they are not reputable or trustworthy.

Be Wary Of Hidden Fees

Any trustworthy moving company you work with should fully disclose all fees and information before moving any of your things. Hidden fees can include packing, unpacking, climbing stairs, moving heavy objects, and more. While these may be reasonable, they should also be discussed upfront. If the company is dodgy or flat out refuses to discuss these items of concern, move to a company that won’t try to spring extras on you in the middle of a move. Additionally, most companies will not require a deposit for holding your moving date. However, they may ask to put a credit card on file without charging it.

Low Quotes

If the moving company gives you a quote too good to be true, it probably is. The best thing to do is shop around and get a quote from a few moving companies. This will allow you to compare their services and fees to determine if it’s suspiciously low or unreasonably high. Ultimately, you should go with the company with the best reputation and provides excellent services at reasonable rates.

Get Everything In Writing

As part of outlining any potential hidden fees, it’s imperative you get everything detailed in a formal contract. This should include dates, services, fees, and timelines. Also, avoid using cash and opt to use a credit card instead. Not only does this provide proof of payment, but if there are any fraudulent charges, you can have them removed through your credit card company.

Advantages Of Moving In The Middle Of The Week

Many people schedule their moves for the weekend. After all, a weekend move just seems to make the most sense. Not having to take off work or fight your way through rush-hour traffic are just some of the benefits afforded by moving on the weekend that makes it the most popular time of the week to move. However, moving on a weekday can provide just as many unique advantages people should consider before scheduling their next move. Below, the professional movers with our Gainesville moving company outline three of the most significant advantages to moving on a weekday.

Contact UF Mover Guys today to book moving services from our movers in Gainesville, FL!

Lower Costs

Moving during the week could save you money, and who doesn’t love saving money? Since weekdays typically aren’t as busy as weekends for Gainesville moving companies, you’ll likely find cheaper rates if you move during the week. That extra bit of cash can be used on furnishing your new place or merely stowed away for a rainy day. If you’re looking to cut moving expenses, moving on a weekday might be right for you!

Utility Companies Are Open

One of the biggest perks of moving during the week is your utility companies will all be open on the day you move in. Forget to turn on the electricity before moving in? Not a problem. Need internet hooked up immediately? No worries. When you move in the middle of the week, you’ll always be able to reach out to your utility providers for a quick fix during their regular weekday business hours rather than waiting until they open next Monday.

You Have All Weekend To Settle In

If you move towards the end of the week, you’ll have all weekend to unpack, relax, and get acquainted with your new neighborhood. There is no need to worry about getting up early for work the next morning, so you can even pop open a bottle of wine to celebrate. Better yet, you could throw a housewarming party over the weekend. After all, completing a big move is a lot of work; you deserve some time to kick back and unwind!

Moving? Get Started With The Right Supplies

One of the most worrisome considerations of moving is how to get your prized possessions to your new home in one piece. That’s where moving supplies come in handy! With the right moving hacks and packing supplies and techniques, even your most fragile items are sure to survive the relocation. Some moving tools and equipment can also help prevent injuries on moving day by making lifting and transporting items easier. Other supplies can likewise streamline and simplify the moving process. There are many moving essentials required both ahead of the move as well as on moving day. While certain items for packing up your belongings are everyday items you may already have on hand, others might not be so obvious or readily available to you. Here, our Gainesville movers detail the best way to get started with the right supplies in preparation for your next move.

Want help packing? UF Mover Guys offers a variety of residential moving services, including partial packing and full packing services! We even offer do-it-yourself packing, wherein we provide you with the boxes and packing materials! Contact us today for more information about our moving company and to request a moving quote.

Moving Boxes & Labels

You can purchase cardboard boxes or plastic totes/bins for stowing most of your belongings. If you opt for cardboard boxes, factor in that you might require a number of different sizes, such as small, medium, large, extra large, and wardrobe boxes. The size of boxes and the number of each size you need will depend on the size, type, and amount of belongings you intend to bring along to your new place. Labeling your boxes can help provide you and/or the movers you hire with insight into what room each box should go into. You can either gather some permanent markers and write the intended room directly on the box’s exterior or apply color-coded stickers to the outside of the box and note which colors coordinate with each room.

Packing Tape & Paper

When it comes to packing tape and insulation materials, such as paper, the general rule of thumb is the more you have the better! You’re going to want plenty of packing paper for wrapping fragile or sharp items, as well as to fill out near-full boxes that need some extra cushioning and stability. Be sure to only purchase ink-free paper, as papers containing ink can bleed into your clothes should the paper become wet or too hot. Purchase quality packing tape and plenty of it! You’ll need to use it for building boxes and sealing them up once they are full, so opt for a high-quality tape that can get the job done right. You’ll likely need more tape than you think, too, so buy an extra couple of rolls to be safe.

Plastic Wrap & Bubble Cushioning

Be sure to have at least one large roll of sturdy plastic wrap that you can use to group and insulate specific items. Plastic wrap is beneficial for keeping certain items together during your move, such as art materials, and preventing bottle leaks. For bottles, take off each bottle’s cap, apply a layer of plastic wrap over the opening, and screw the cap back on. You can use bubble cushioning to wrap up extra-fragile items, like those made of glass, porcelain, and ceramic. You can likewise use bubble wrap to provide additional protection to wall art as well as items you’ll later put into moving boxes.

Moving Blankets & Dolly

When you schedule moving services with UF Mover Guys, we can handle every aspect of your move, from packing up and loading to unloading and unpacking. However, you’ll likely need some items to make your move easier if you choose to tackle a do-it-yourself move. Dollies come in multiple different sizes and weight-handling capabilities. There are appliance dollies, furniture dollies, and utility dollies, all of which can be ideal for helping you move heavy boxes and bulky furniture from home to truck and back again. Furniture pads and moving blankets help cushion your items as they make their way to your new home. Consider which of your belongings might benefit from extra padding to ensure you rent or buy the correct number.

Overnight Essentials Bag

As its name implies, the overnight essentials bag is a must-have for moving! In preparation for your relocation, we recommend packing your essentials or the items you need to have on hand or use daily in a separate location from those you pack into boxes and containers. Consider putting items, such as medications, foods, clothing items, cosmetics, and toiletries for yourself, your family, and any pets, into the bag. Ideally, the bag should be able to provide you and your loved ones with everything they need in your new home until you have the time to unpack and situate your belongings. You might also want to include any passports, social security cards, jewelry, and small heirloom items with you in the bag to ensure you know where they are throughout your moving day.

Why Downsizing Is A Good Thing

Whether you’re ready for a simpler lifestyle or just a smaller place to move to, it can be hard to say goodbye to your old home and old pieces of furniture. Downsizing before a move can be a bittersweet process, but it is bound to happen at some point in your life and has several benefits, not just for recent retirees. Our professional Gainesville movers at UF Mover Guys are here to teach you the benefits of downsizing.

Our movers in Gainesville are here to help you cut the clutter with our junk removal services. Contact us today to request a moving quote and to schedule moving services for your upcoming relocation.

You’ll Save Money

Smaller spaces are less expensive, so moving means cheaper monthly payments, lower utility costs, less space to fill, and lower property taxes if you even have any. However, the more room you have, the more tempting it is to fill every room in the house with furniture, electronics, or appliances — those add up!

It’ll Re-Energize You

Whether you are an empty-nester whose children moved away or a college student looking for a new place to live, downsizing can usher in a new chapter of your life. A smaller living space means a change in lifestyle that can reduce your stress levels and keep you active. A smaller home also means less upkeep and possibly new amenities for you to enjoy.

You’ll Have More Time For Fun Stuff

A smaller home can mean less clutter and, therefore, less time wasted. For example, if you move into a smaller home, you will spend less time cleaning and fixing things, which means more time to pick up a new hobby or read a book. Traveling will also be less of a hassle when you leave home for an extended time, especially if you consider downsizing to an apartment or a condominium.

You Can Relive The Past

It can be cathartic to go through your belongings. Going through a mountain of things can bring up memories and remind you of how far you have come in life. While these memories will come up, try to get rid of things you haven’t used in a long time or aren’t sentimental to you. If any items have sentimental value to you, we recommend asking how many of these things you want or when was the last time you used them.

Tips For Moving In The Rain

Relocating can be a stressful process. Add a projected forecast of stormy weather to the mix, and your move might seem like an impossible feat. Fortunately, our movers in Gainesville with UF Mover Guys have some clever tips to help make your move a breeze, whether rain or shine. To avoid scrambling at the last minute, consider the following to ensure your belongings stay safe even during a sudden burst of precipitation.

Need help from an experienced moving company you can trust for your next relocation? Contact us to request a moving quote and learn more about our available moving services.

Prepare Your Home For Rain

Carving out some time in your moving schedule to prepare your new home for the movers to arrive can go a long way. This rings particularly true should unexpected rain occur during your move. A few simple steps can make all the difference between an unorganized, chaotic relocation and one that runs smoothly. We recommend laying down a welcome mat or a cheap rug to ensure movers and residents both have a place to wipe their feet after sloshing around in the rain. Put out some old towels you wouldn’t mind throwing out, just in case the rain is heavy or the moving boxes need to be dried off while unloading the truck. If you have extra moving boxes, lay them out on the floor near the entrance and throughout walkways to create a somewhat anti-slip surface — this is especially important for homes with wood or tile flooring.

Pack Your Belongings Properly

Many people pack up their belongings without considering the effect of heavy rainfall on their items during a move. Moving plans, including packing, should accommodate protective measures to ensure your belongings won’t become damaged should a downpour hit. One common solution is to wrap items without boxes in plastic wrap. Plastic repels water more effectively than cardboard or fabric, making it a must for electronics and other moisture-sensitive items. If they aren’t packed into boxes, items like artwork, furniture, and clothing should all be securely and properly protected with plastic wrap. Experienced movers with UF Mover Guys can help ensure your belongings are protected from the elements with our available full and partial packing services. Contact us today for more information and to schedule moving services.

Don’t Skimp On Rain Gear

Protecting your belongings when moving in the rain is just as important as protecting yourself. Moving in the rain makes everyone involved with the relocation more prone to possible injuries. The best way to prevent any accidents is to minimize risk ahead of time. Be sure to wear non-slip shoes and, to make a move less miserable, be sure to keep some rain essentials, such as rain slickers and boots, umbrellas, baseball caps or hats, and a change of clothes on hand, both for protection against the rain both during and after the moving process. Additionally, you might consider helping rainproof your items for loading and unloading by purchasing a packable canopy and installing it in the space between the front door and moving truck.

Set Up An Assembly Line

Efficiently loading up a moving truck in the rain requires a system. UF Mover Guys offers encompassing moving services that cover all aspects of your relocation, including loading and unloading, but if you plan to load the moving truck on your own, be sure to think ahead of time about how you’ll keep your move as rain-free as possible. We recommend designating 1-2 people to stay with the moving truck to load boxes in an organized manner. This is important for moves in any type of weather, but it holds even truer when it’s raining out. In the rain, the fewer people moving from point A to point B the better. In addition to the people stationed at the moving truck, also set up an assembly line for moving boxes from the house to the truck during loading and the truck to the house during unloading. Setting up stations and designating specific tasks will help ensure less water gets in the house and reduces the chance of injuries on slippery surfaces.

What To Sell Before Moving & Re-Buy Later

Moving can be an expensive endeavor. Between the deposit for your new place, transportation fees, and the additional costs of any renovations, money is usually pretty tight in the months before and after a move. Fortunately, there’s a crafty way you can reduce moving expenses and make a few extra bucks simultaneously: the pre-move purge.

The pre-move purge concept is simple — merely identify the items you absolutely must take with you to your new place and sell the rest! Of course, deciding what to take with you and what to leave behind is often easier said than done. So, to help simplify the process even further, the experienced movers of our Gainesville moving company have compiled the following guide to the pre-move purge!

Contact UF Mover Guys today to request a free quote on any of our local moving services!

Common Items To Sell

The pre-move purge’s primary goal isn’t just to lighten your load but to earn you some cash that you can put towards upgraded versions of the items you choose to sell! Below are a few everyday items people tend to sell and then re-buy later.

Furniture

Furniture is one of the most common items people choose to sell before they move. The pre-move purge is the perfect opportunity to get rid of old, outdated furniture you no longer like and replace them with pieces that will fit better in your new home. Planning on painting your new place? Take the money earned from selling old furniture and use it to buy pieces that will compliment your walls!

Old Appliances

Appliances, washers and dryers in particular, can be a pain to transport. Luckily, there’s always going to be someone who’d be happy to buy your old appliances from you. If you’re moving somewhere that comes with its own appliances, it’s an excellent opportunity to sell yours and pocket the change. Conversely, if your new place requires you to provide appliances, you’ll be able to buy yourself newer, better functioning appliances.

Clothes

Most people don’t realize how many clothes they still have in their closets that either no longer fit or aren’t interested in wearing ever again. Sometime before moving day, gather up any clothes you’ve outgrown or no longer wear and sell them to clear up some closet space in your new home and earn some extra cash to put towards moving expenses.

How To Tell What You Should & Shouldn’t Sell

It can be hard to part with our belongings. Often, this reluctance to let things go, even if it’s for our own benefit, can cause us to hold on to things far longer than necessary. Should you come across any items you’re having trouble parting with during your pre-move purge, try asking yourself the following questions:

How often do I use this?
Does this function well?
Does this item hold any sentimental value?
Can this item be replaced by something more efficient?
Would selling this item lower my moving expenses?

Let the answers to these questions guide your decision next time you’re unsure whether to sell or keep an item. Overall, just remember, if an item won’t fit the aesthetic of your new home, is too big for your new home, is something you hardly ever use, or doesn’t bring you any kind of joy — sell it!

Where To Sell Your Things

Once you’ve identified which items you’ll be parting with before moving day, the next step is to actually get rid of them. These days, there are a plethora of options for people hoping to sell their used items. Usually, the quickest and easiest way to sell your stuff is on some kind of online marketplace (eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, LetGo, etc.). Alternatively, you could always stop by a few secondhand shops or consignment stores and see if they’d be interested in offering anything you’re looking to sell. Of course, there’s also the good old fashioned way of selling things — having a pre-move garage sale!

Make A Packing Plan Before A Move In 5 Easy Steps

Without a doubt, packing is the most time-consuming aspect of moving. It’s a big feat to sort through a household’s contents, separate the cream of the crop, and move them to another location. For that reason, you may feel overwhelmed when you start packing.

One way to mitigate your moving-related stress is to team up with professional movers in Gainesville. Moving companies like UF Mover Guys offer a host of pack-up services to alleviate some of the burdens. If you wish to pack everything yourself, just keep in mind that nothing makes this process go more smoothly than having a packing plan.

As long as you create a thought-out, step-by-step plan before moving, the preparations will be as easy as a walk in Depot Park. But just in case you’re unsure about how to proceed, we’ve compiled a helpful guide that shows you how to make a perfect packing plan in five simple steps.

1. Mark The Date On A Calendar

Keep your moving date marked on a calendar to remind yourself of the deadline. On a paper calendar, circle the final date and X-out preceding days as they pass. This lets you better visualize the timeframe in which packing and cleaning need to be completed. For digital calendars and reminder apps, whether on your computer or smartphone, schedule weekly or daily reminders that count down the days until the move as well as remind you when to pack.

You’ll probably have to set aside several hours each week for packing. These can be during evenings and weekends, or whenever you’re free from work, school, and family obligations. But as your moving day draws closer, you should reevaluate how much time you’ll need to finish preparations.

2. Ask For Assistance

If people didn’t need help with moving, there wouldn’t be such a widespread need for moving companies in Gainesville. Yet, the fact that UF Mover Guys is busier than ever after many years in the business is proof that moving is absolutely a multi-person job.

A large family has plenty of helpers on standby — have the kids pack their rooms, especially their toys and games. Involving them in the moving process fosters a sense of ownership that can help them overcome anxieties they feel changing homes or switching schools. Adults in the family can pack the furniture, electronics, cutlery, and other items that need special care or require heavy lifting. In single-person households, friends and neighbors can fill in as auxiliary movers. You can also throw a good-buy cookout that doubles as a thank you and goodbye.

When family or friends are scarce, you can hire outside movers. Be leery of low-quality posts online that advertise cheap, discount, or budget moving services. Sometimes, these are from college kids trying to make a few bucks; other times, they are from scammers seeking access to your worldly possessions. To be safe, trust only a reputable moving company with a proven track record and verified reviews.

3. Donate Unnecessary Goods

Notice we said “unnecessary” — as opposed to “unneeded” — goods. This is because, if given a chance, most people will hold onto their belongings for eternity, much like the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.

While devotion to one’s possessions is understandable for perennially useful items, when it comes to worn-out sneakers or holiday pillows that haven’t seen sunlight since the last presidency, having attachments to these items is less justifiable. Unnecessary items can quickly become a burden when you consider the time it takes to pack them; the effort to load, transport and unload them; as well as the money you spend to movers to handle the items. Better alternatives are either to discard or donate such items.

As you pack each room, separate items worth keeping from those that aren’t. Once you’ve inventoried the whole house, further divide the pile of unnecessary items based on whether they are high quality enough for somebody else to use them. Next, take these donatable clothes, furnishings, utensils, and more to your favorite consignment or thrift store. Some of the stores in Gainesville suggested by our movers include:

4. Organize Moving Boxes For Tomorrow, Not Today

Ask just about any mover, and they’ll tell you the most efficient way to organize your boxes is to keep items from the same rooms together. It’s much faster to unpack a bathroom when the contents are consolidated into two boxes as opposed to divided among twenty. But not all movers remember to provide the second half of that piece of advice: organize the boxes to fit the layout of the new house, not the old one.

Planning ahead by packing boxes in order to furnish the new floor plan will hasten the unpacking process tremendously. This does take some forethought but is a fairly simple process.

5. Download A Moving Planner App

Students in Gainesville love their phones. And they’re not the only ones. Lots of people rely on mobile devices every day to communicate, find directions, and order lunch. Whether you’re a tech junkie or just looking for a digital solution to staying organized, a moving planner app may be the answer to your moving woes.

Here are the latest apps recommended by our moving team:

Sortly

No more writing out lists the old-fashioned way with paper, pencils, and polaroids. Sortly lets you take snapshots or scan barcodes of your items from your phone, creating visual, manageable packing lists. After you’ve built an inventory, add categories and virtual labels for even more layers of organization. The app also provides multi-user access, so your whole household, from novices to experienced movers, can keep track of belongings with ease.

Wunderlist

To move efficiently as a couple, a family, or a group of roommates takes special cooperation. Each person has a role to play: for example, one could buy boxes and tape, another could drop off the donations at the thrift store, and still, someone else can research moving companies. In the midst of a big move, however, communication can go haywire, and organization can break down. One way to keep everyone on track with their designated responsibilities is Wunderlist. Though not an app exclusive to moving purposes, this list-creation software allows multiple people to share a to-do list, check off completed tasks, and keep everyone else updated on new developments. It’s moving-day communications for the modern age.

Magicplan

Anyone who’s ever attempted to pre-organize a room using only their memory of its layout for reference knows that sometimes the mind’s eye and reality don’t always align. Magicplan takes the guesswork out of room design. When you enter your new home or apartment, even before officially moving in, open the app and scan the floor plan for a 3-dimensional model. Now, you can refer to this true-to-spec rendering while making packing decisions.

When it comes to residential and commercial moving services, UF Mover Guys has seen and done it all. For more tips or advice, or to hire us for your next move in Gainesville, contact us today.

Tips For Moving A Short Distance

Not every move crosses state lines or time zones. Many are short-distance relocations, where people ZIP codes change but the city doesn’t. These types of moves could include college students who are upgrading from stuffy dorms to spacious apartments, or young couples or families who are pursuing their American dreams by becoming homeowners. Whatever the motivations behind your local move, check out these short haul moving tips from UF Mover Guys to achieve a low-cost, drama-free, yet fun moving experience.

Take Your Time

Even though moving can be stressful, this is only a possibility and not a foregone conclusion. One of the chief inducements to stress is time pressure: what happens if you don’t have those boxes packed, loaded, and shipped on time? Is your move ruined? While tardiness might disrupt a long distance move — for example, by causing you to have to reschedule the movers or rearrange your travel plans — the penalties aren’t as stiff during local moves.

Since you’re moving locally, you have something most people only dream about having: ready access to your next home or apartment. Whereas cross-country moves have to be completed in one fell swoop, your relocation can be accomplished in multiple stages across several days.

Once you have the new keys, head over to the place to measure the rooms. If you’ll have less space, plan on downsizing before changing addresses. You should also start bringing over items as soon as can. Your personal transportation should work for carrying smaller items. Although, when it comes to the big stuff, you’ll probably need a truck.

Many of the moving companies in Gainesville rent only medium- and large-size trucks, which cost the same amount of money no matter if you’re moving one piece of furniture or a household’s worth. But UF Mover Guys rents all sizes of trucks, including small ones, for DIY moves, or we’ll load up and transport everything for you. Smaller vehicles aren’t just cheaper on fuel (especially if you’re making several trips in town), but they’re also better on the environment.

Borrow, Don’t Buy

It’s hard to move without moving supplies. Penny-pinchers aim to save money on moves by using materials they own, such as plastic bins instead of boxes, or towels in place of packing peanuts. But the issue many run into is not having enough of these materials to finish the job. The fact that you’re sticking around town means you can borrow supplies — including bins, bags, and even large equipment like dollies — from people you know, and return them after your move. And if those friends move, you can reciprocate by lending them supplies.

Move Non-Essentials First

If you’re moving over several days, you’d be wise to hold off packing your most essential items — bed, TV, microwave, shower curtain — until you’re ready to move into the new home. This way, your current place is still livable as you transition out of it. Alternatively, if you plan to extend the move long enough to spend significant amounts of time at both locations, then you’ll want to divide essentials between both addresses as best you can.

Remember to have the utilities turned on at the new address and cancel them at your current location. To save money, you should wait to do this until you’re ready to move in, but schedule the installations ahead of time, so you know the technicians will be available when you need them. Many service providers of Internet, cable, and electricity offer either complimentary moving services or charge a modest relocation fee.

Downsize Gradually

Moving is an opportune time to downsize by getting rid of any unnecessary property, like old clothes, outdated electronics, and extra toys, games, and more. What’s nice about moving locally is that, if you have items for sale, you don’t have to relist them after you move. Even if they don’t sell, you can merely leave the ads online and wait for offers. If space is a concern, you can either donate the goods to charity or store them in a climate-controlled unit.

Manage Your Expectations

It’s true that short distance moves are easier, in many respects, than long distance moves. But when you get down to it, both involve the same amount of work — minus travel time.

If you don’t have the time, energy, or inclination to pull off a moving job, even locally, don’t sweat it — just look to UF Mover Guys. Our short haul movers use the right tools and vehicles to relocate your items efficiently and for the lowest available cost — did we mention we charge no travel or fuel fees for local moves in Gainesville? Request a free moving quote today!