Tag: gainesville moving tips

How To Move On A Budget

Budget-Friendly Moving in Gainesville, FL

The moving process can be quite expensive due to packing supplies, moving services, the down payment on your new home and the first month’s rent. Fortunately, there are some concrete steps that you can take in order to cut down on the costs. If you’re in need of a Gainesville moving company that’s trustworthy and dependable without breaking the bank, be sure to reach out to UF Mover Guys.

 

5 Moving Tips To Save Your Money

Before you make the big move, it’s helpful to know how to best prepare for the process, so you don’t spend too much money. Here are five easy ways to move on the cheap.

Cut Down on Your Belongings

When it comes to transporting all of the things you own, the more stuff you need to take with you, the more expensive it will be. One of the fastest and most effective ways of reducing your moving costs is by getting rid of everything that you don’t need to take with you. You can either give the stuff away to friends, donate it, or even sell it on sites like Craig’s List. What’s more, by hosting a garage sale, you can significantly cut down on your belongings and earn some cash in the process.

Don’t Buy Boxes

Boxes are essential when packing for a move, which is why the price for them is often quite high at many packing stores. But there are many other ways for you to get boxes without having to pay for them. You can ask friends or family for boxes, save boxes from packages you’ve received, ask local stores for boxes or bring home empty boxes from your workplace. Reusable plastic storage bins can also be used and reused whenever you move, eliminating the need for boxes all together.

Move in the Off-Season

While not everyone is able to move during the off-season due to their individual circumstances, if you have the ability to do so, it is highly recommended. The off-season is between fall and winter, and Gainesville movers are usually much less busy then than during the summer. This not only allows you to have more dates to choose from for the moving company, but it can reduce the cost of a Florida moving company by as much as 30 percent!

Plan Your Utility Shutdown Dates

Many utilities have a billing cycle, meaning that they will not stop charging you whenever it is that you decide to move. If you don’t want to pay for an extra month of utilities that you won’t be using, plan your moving date accordingly or cancel your services early. While some utilities such as electricity are necessary up until the day you leave, you can do without others, such as cable, for a couple of days or weeks.

Use a Professional Moving Company

People often believe that by forgoing a professional moving company and doing everything themselves they will save money. Oftentimes, however, this is just not the case. Professional companies have the necessary experience and materials to pack your belongings as fast and efficiently as possible, while ensuring for their safety. Since well-packed belongings take up less space and use fewer boxes, you will save more money. You can also choose a moving package that includes multiple services for a lower price to further reduce the overall cost.

Moving Company Gainesville, FL, Residents Can Trust

The moving process is often considered quite time-consuming and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be that way. At UF Mover Guys, we can provide you with all of the moving services you need to make the process a snap, including packing, unpacking and transporting your items. Contact us today for movers in Gainesville, FL you can trust.

Deducting Moving Expenses

If you are moving to a new house to be closer to a new workplace, you can deduct moving costs from your taxes. These apply whether you are self employed or an employee of another company. In order to take advantage of these tax breaks, it is important to learn about what expenses are eligible.

Requirements to Qualify for Deductions During Your Gainesville Move

In order for your moving expenses related to storage, Gainesville movers and travel to qualify as deductions, your new house must be a certain distance away from your old one and you must continue working at your new job for a set amount of time after your move.

Distance

For the costs of lodging and Gainesville moving companies to be subtracted, your new primary office must be at least 50 miles farther from your new house than your original home was. This will be determined by the distance of the shortest route from your job site to your house. For example, if your current house is 10 miles away from your job, your future workplace must be at least 60 miles away from that same house. If you did not work while you were living in that home, your new job must be 50 miles away from your house.

Time

To prove to the IRS that your move is related to your job site, you must continue to work full time in the area surrounding your new office for at least 39 weeks during the next year after your move. If you are self employed, not only will you need to work 39 weeks in the next year in the area, but you will also be required to work there for 78 weeks during the next two years. In order to understand exactly what costs are deductible, IRS Publication 521 has a thorough record of possible expenses and Form 3903 can help you calculate the total amount that you can subtract.

Deductions for Your Moving Process in Gainesville, FL

When you are selling or buying your house, your deductions are not limited to the cost of movers in Gainesville, FL, and lodging. You can make claims on the actual sale or purchase of the building on your tax return as well.

Selling Your House

When you are putting your house on the market, you will be able to retain up to $250,000 from your tax return. However, in order to qualify for this deduction, you must be the legal owner of the property and be considered your primary residence for a total of two years out of the last five years. If you are married, file separately and both meet the eligibility requirements, you can claim up to $500,000. For more information, review the IRS Publication 523 for details on deductions when selling your house.

Purchasing Your House

Frequently, those who own their homes benefit from itemizing their deductions on their tax returns. Itemized deductions are preferable when the total amount of your deductions is more than the standard deductions. Your itemized list will include costs such as donations to charities, tax payments and casualty losses. As a homeowner, money that you use to pay off your mortgage or property taxes qualify as well. Publication 530 has more information on deductions related to your house while Publication 17 will help you decide whether you should itemize your tax returns or not.

Efficient Gainesville Moving Companies

If you are searching for a moving company Gainesville residents rely on, choose UF Mover Guys. Our team strives to ensure that all of your belongings arrive intact and on time. Contact us today to learn about our moving services.

Tips for Investigating a New Neighborhood Before Moving

Finding out that your new neighborhood feels unsafe or too rowdy the night after your Gainesville movers leave is one of the worst things that can happen. That is why it is important to try to learn everything you can about your future neighborhood before you make any final decisions.

Exploring Your Future Gainesville Neighborhood

While your real estate agent is required to inform you about any factors of the surrounding area, he/she may not be aware of all aspects. Instead, you must take the initiative to learn about the community for yourself. Here are several steps you may want to consider before you finalize plans with your moving services in Gainesville.

Track Crime Rates

One of the common indicators that the neighborhood is less than ideal is the number of crimes committed in the surrounding area. There are several websites you can check such as myLocalcrime.com and Crimemapping.com. These sites have a list of all of the recent crimes that have been committed. Plug in the address of your new house and then a record will appear detailing what the charges were and on what date the incidents occurred.

Check Local Newspaper Stories

While you are looking for Florida moving companies, remember that newspapers can be another helpful resource. Most newspaper databases allow you to search according to the names of streets and neighborhoods. Here, you will find information about everything in the area from anniversaries and weddings to missing persons and unsolved murders.

Look for Registered Sex Offenders

The law requires all sex offenders to be registered on a list. Various websites such as the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Family Watchdog let you search the database with your address. Though these people must live somewhere, it is helpful to keep these facts in mind.

Spend Time Driving Around in the Neighborhood

Another helpful step during your Florida moving process is to spend time in your future neighborhood. Drive down the surrounding streets at different times throughout the day and night and be sure to go on both weekdays and weekends. Look for people jogging and children playing throughout the neighborhood, which are signs that the area is safe and has a sense of community. If you notice suspicious characters, run down houses, or a lack of people, it may be a sign that the area is not ideal. Make sure that you trust your gut. If you feel like something if off, take that into account.

Moving Companies in Gainesville, FL

Once you find the perfect house for you in the right neighborhood, you will need to find a moving company Gainesville, FL, residents trust. UF Mover Guys offer efficient and reliable services to make your moving process easier. Let us do the heavy lifting for you! Contact us today to learn how we can help you.

Smart Moving Hacks

Tips to Make Gainesville Moving Quicker

Let’s face it, no one enjoys packing, it is monotonous, time consuming and hurts your back. However, it is a task that must be completed one way or another. If you have to do it, you might as well look for ways to make the Florida moving process as seamless as possible. Here are a couple tricks that might speed things up a bit.

 

Utilize Towels and Sheets

Your linen will need to be packed anyway, so why not use them to protect your fragile items? Wrap vases and other breakables in these large pieces of fabric to keep them from breaking during the move. Not only will these items be protected, but you will save space by not needing to pack them separately. Additionally, it is environmentally friendly because you will not need to acquire as many other packing materials.

Color Code Boxes

When you are unloading boxes at your new residence, it can be confusing to figure out where each box goes. If you write the name of the room in a permanent marker, it can be difficult to find and read the label as you are carrying heavy boxes. Instead, color your boxes different colors according to their corresponding room. You can even use a variety of different colored packing tape to make the label more obvious in order to speed up the Gainesville moving process.

Pack Plates, Mirrors & Artwork Vertically

Traditionally, when we attempt to pack plates and other valuables, we stack them just like we do it in the cupboard. However, they are stronger and more stable if they remain vertical. Wrap objects like plates, mirrors and artwork and then place them in a large box so they are able to stand up. For mirrors and pieces of art, consider wrapping them in packing paper just as you would a present for superior coverage and support.

Keep Clothing on Hangers

It is quite time consuming to remove all of your clothing from their hangers, organize them in a box, pack the hangers separately and then rehang all of your clothing when you get to your new home. However, there is a much simpler method. Simply tie a group of hangers together with the clothing still on them. Then use plastic wrap or a garbage bag to secure all of the clothing, which your Florida movers will then be able to easily load into the truck. When you are unpacking, you can simply put the hangers in your closet and remove the plastic.

Use Soap to Fill in Holes

If you have several holes in your walls, but do not want to make the extra trip to the store for spackle, use household products. Take plain, white bar soap and scrub it over the holes in your walls. They will become filled quickly without the need for an unnecessary purchase.

Professional Gainesville Moving Companies

One of the worst parts of the moving process is attempting to carry heavy furniture out to the moving truck, especially in Florida. However, your move will be made much simpler if you allow Florida moving company to do it for you. Our team at UF Mover Guys will safely and efficiently move all of your belongings so you don’t have to.

Give Notice Before You Move Out

Properly Notifying Your Apartment Manager

No matter how much you enjoy your current apartment, unexpected life events happen. Do you suddenly have to move out of town for a job or family? Are you getting married? Whatever the reason, you will need to learn the proper way to notify your landlord in order to maintain a positive relationship and ensure a positive Gainesville moving experience.

Importance of Giving Notice

If you leave your apartment in negative terms, you may feel the effects for many years to come. In many ways, a negative experience with a landlord is similar to being fired from a job. Future prospective housing options will call your past landlords to determine whether you are a trusted tenant. However, if you leave a poor last impression with management, they will tell your new apartment manager negative facts that will greatly decrease your likelihood of getting your desired apartment. Notifying your landlord of your move with plenty of time will provide them with time to find a replacement and they will be less frustrated with you.

Review Your Lease

The key to renting from someone is to remember that your lease is a binding legal contract. Whenever you want to take a new step in regards to your relationship with your landlord, you must look over the fine print. Most likely, it will clearly state their policy on getting out of a lease early and how long your current contract is for. Also, be sure to keep track of rental cycles. Often, notice must coincide with the cycle so that if you provide notice in the middle of a month, it may take the remaining two weeks for the actual notice period to begin. It is always beneficial to provide more notice than necessary in order to be safe. Then you are free to begin scheduling with your Gainesville movers without fear of tension with management.

How Do You Give Notice?

In any relationship that involves the exchange of money or services, you must keep everything in writing. Therefore, you need to write a letter clearly describing your intentions. Be sure to write your full address with your unit number. One of the most important details is to write the date. This will help document when you provided notice. Then add the address of the management office. In the main part of the letter, you will want to include when you are planning on moving out, if you know of another tenant who wants to move in and whether you are going to thoroughly clean your unit in hopes of getting your security deposit back. At the end, you will want to provide your new address so they will be able to forward your security deposit to you. In order to give it to them, you can choose to do it in person, get delivery confirmation or send it by certified mail. Make sure that you keep a copy for yourself as proof.

Moving in Florida

When you want to end a rental lease for an apartment, it is not as easy as a simple conversation. You must follow your contract, keep everything in writing and do it in advance. Once this is completed, you will be free to hire a Gainesville moving company and begin packing without fear of repercussions.

Moving Out? Fix Any Damage First

Fix Any Damage Before Moving Out

Understandably, when you live somewhere for an extended periods of time accidents happen. You knocked over an entire glass of red wine on your carpet, your friend punched a hole in the wall during a dance off or you made a huge scratch in your flooring while moving your sofa in. While landlords will be understanding of minimal wear and tear, they will be less tolerant of other forms of damage. Here are several tips for repairs you can utilize before your Florida movers arrive.

Remove Scratches

If you have scratches in your hardwood flooring or scuffs on your baseboards, there are steps you can take to make them look like new. Use walnuts to wipe the scuffs away on your wooden surfaces. If this proves to be ineffective, you can purchase a wood colored marker from your local hardware store. Then use it to fill in the scratches until they disappear. In order to make your baseboards look like new, use Mr. Clean’s Magic Erasers. Wet them with water and watch the dirt and grime quickly disappear.

Repair Blinds

Blinds are quite fragile and can easily break. Begin by using a wet rag or paper towel to remove any dust or debris that have built up on the surface and you will be immediately surprised at the difference. If any of the blinds are bent, try your best to straighten them as much as possible. If you are unable to make them look nice, go to your local hardware store and purchase another set that are the same color and style. It will be cheaper to purchase them yourself rather than if your landlord does it for you.

Clean Stains

Hopefully, you have been trying to remove stains as they occur. After all, they are much easier to clean if they have not set in completely yet. However, you may have missed a couple stains once your Florida moving company removes all of your furniture from the area. Begin by applying baking soda to the stain and scrubbing it clean. If this fails, you might want to consider renting a carpet cleaner. You will be surprised at how nice your flooring will look when you are finished.

Fill Small & Large Holes

The majority of apartments and houses have a variety of holes from accidents or nails that held up décor. If the holes are small, there is a simple fix. Use spackle to fill them in, allow it to dry and then use sandpaper to make it flush with the surrounding wall. You can also use a bar of white bar soap as a cheaper alternative by rubbing it across the hole until it is filled in. If you have a larger hole, your job becomes a bit more complicated. Visit your local hardware store and purchase a repair kit. Place the patch on the hole, then apply spackle and sand it down.

Perform Repairs Before Your Gainesville Move

Remember that the more repairs you are able to perform yourself, the less your landlord will have to do. Any cleaning or repairs he makes will cost more than if you attempt to do them yourself. It may take time to thoroughly inspect and fix issues at your residence, but it will be worth it when you receive your security deposit back in full when you move out. To make your moving process as successful as possible, allow a Florida moving company to safely move your belongings for you.

Moving on Short Notice? These Tips Will Help

How to Handle a Last-Minute Move

Life throws us unexpected curve balls sometimes. When it comes to moving, time to plan is one of the most important factors in the process. But sometimes life does not pan out the way we want it to. If you find yourself needing to pack up all of your belongings and move on short notice, you will want to be as efficient as possible. Here are several tips that might help you during the Gainesville moving process.

 

Remain Calm

The key to adapting to your circumstances is to avoid excessive stress. Even if you are completely overwhelmed by your lack of time, tell yourself that everything will work out and you will get through this tough time. If you feel panicked, your ability to make wise decisions will be compromised. Further, your thoughts will be consumed by questions about how you ended up in this situation rather than what you can be doing to remain productive.

Create Timeline

Whether your timeline is for six weeks or six days, making a timeline is crucial. It allows you to clearly see everything that must be accomplished and prioritize different tasks. A well thought out system will also ensure that you did not forget anything. Each time you cross something off the list, you can feel relieved that you are making progress.

Declutter as Much as Possible

There are plenty of items that we all own that are damaged or are no longer used. When you are working on such a short amount of time, you need to be as efficient as possible. You do not have time to pack, transport and unload unnecessary items. Therefore, it is best to go through your items quickly and donate or dispose of any possessions that you do not use. Though you may think this is a time consuming process, it will save you time and effort in the long run.

Seek Help From Reliable Friends

When you are limited on time, you will need to acquire as much help as possible. Contact dependable friends and tell them of your dilemma. See if they would be available to help you in anyway during the process such as packing, cleaning or transporting your belongings. The more people you have, the less time it will take. Make sure that you thank them for their time and effort by providing food and drinks.

Hire a Florida Moving Company

Professional help will go a long way in speeding up the process. Whether you ask Gainesville movers to load and unload the moving truck or hire them to pack and unpack as well, you will be surprised at how efficient they can be. They have completed these tasks countless times so they know how to get them done much quicker than you can.

Moving Companies in Gainesville, FL

When you are in need of a Gainesville moving company, choose UF Mover Guys. We offer a variety of moving options so you can choose the one that will be most helpful for you. Our team is hardworking, dependable and friendly so when you hire us, you can trust the job will get done right. Avoid the stress you are feeling about your quickly approaching move and call UF Mover Guys today.

What You Need to Handle First After a Move

Florida Moving Checklist

Once you move, you have so much to do that it may be difficult to know what to tackle first. You might begin several projects at once which makes it harder to finish any of your tasks. It can also be quite easy to forget about various details. Below is a list of several things you will want to take care of sooner rather than later so you are not greatly inconvenienced.

Document Flaws

One of the important steps in the Gainesville moving process is to walk through and document any damage. Problems may include aspects such as chipped paint, cracked tiles, stains, burns, condition of sinks, tubs, and appliances, and poor caulking. Write a thorough list of flaws and take plenty of pictures. This account will help prove your innocence when you are moving out so you cannot be held accountable for any damage you did not do.

Unpack Essentials

Though you may be tempted to attempt to unpack everything at once, begin by finding the items that you will need immediately. Hopefully, you packed a specific box containing items such as sheets, towels, toiletries, medication, paper towels, toilet paper, soap and utensils. This way, you can proceed with daily life easily without needing to unpack everything or searching through various boxes.

Call Utility Companies

Contact your various utility providers such as power, water, Internet and cable to ensure that you have access to utilities when you need them. You will want to set up the router for your Internet at this point as well. This will allow you to take a break from unpacking to watch some Netflix or unwind at the end of your day on social media.

Measure Layout

If you have not so already, take measurements of your new residence. Measure the distance between walls, windows and doors. This will help you determine how your furniture will fit and what furniture and decor you will need to purchase to make your new place feel like home. Hopefully, your Gainesville movers will be able to drop off the furniture in the appropriate rooms for you.

Shop for Groceries

While it can be fun to eat out and try the local cuisine, it can quickly get expensive. Instead, visit the local grocery store and pick up food that is easy to prepare while your cooking utensils are still in boxes. You can also take this as an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the store you will be visiting frequently.

Update Address

Though no one enjoys paperwork, it is vital that you officially change your address. Visit the Post Office to update your new mailing address or update it online. This will allow them to forward any mail to you that gets sent to your old address. At this time, you can also notify your bank, credit card and online stores of your change in address. Do not forget to tell your friends and family as well so they do not accidentally send something to your old place.

Explore Your New Location

There will always be time to unpack, so make sure you spend time exploring the atmosphere in your new city. Go out to dinner at a local restaurant, spend time seeing the local tourist spots or visit small shops. These activities will help you to escape the pressure and monotony of getting settled while staying excited about living in your new location.

Be Purposeful After Your Florida Move

While there are plenty of projects you can take on once your Gainesville moving company leaves, it is vital that you think through the tasks you must complete in order to have a successful adjustment period. Review this list to make sure you are not forgetting anything.

Packing Tips for a Big Move

Packing all of your belongings into boxes can seem like a daunting task. However, just like many things, if you follow the correct steps, your Gainesville moving process will be over before you know it. Here is a list of several measures you can take to ensure your procedure goes smoothly.

Pack an Overnight Bag

Before you begin packing all of your boxes, set aside a duffel or small suitcase. Fill it with a couple changes of clothes, toiletries, pajamas and a few snacks. This will help you find essentials without needing to open multiple boxes to find toothpaste or a hairbrush. Additionally, you will want to assign one box to be opened first. Inside, it should contain all of the possessions you need to for the first couple days including bedding, towel, silverware, paper towels and a flashlight.

Collect Necessary Materials

Gather packing materials before you begin packing. First, you will need something to put all of your belongings in. Utilize any containers you already have such as plastic bins, suitcases and tote bags. Then head to your local hardware store where you can buy boxes or to the grocery store where you might be able to acquire some for free. Next, buy packing tape, permanent markers, bubble wrap and tissue paper.

Declutter

Spend time ridding yourself of unnecessary items. If you have not used or worn something in the last year, donate it. It is not beneficial to spend time packing, moving and unloading objects that you have no real purpose for. Take this as an opportunity to start fresh. Once you decide what you no longer want, decide what should be donated and what needs to be thrown away. You may even be able to sell furniture, electronics or clothing before you move.

Organize

As you begin putting belongings in boxes, pack them with items that are similar. For example, place all kitchen items in boxes together and then move on to each new room. This will make unpacking much simpler. Keep in mind that you will be living in housing that may have a different layout. Therefore, if you now want to put your DVD collection in your room instead of the living room, you will want to consider that when packing.

Label Boxes

Use a permanent marker to label not only which room each box goes in but what items are inside. As your Gainesville movers are unloading boxes, they will know which rooms they should place each one. Then, when you begin unpacking or are looking for a specific item, you will also have an idea about which box you are looking for. Further, you will want to write “fragile” on any box that has breakables. This will help your movers know which boxes they should be especially careful with and avoid placing them underneath heavier boxes.

Moving Company in Florida

After you finish packing, you will need assistance from a Gainesville moving company transporting your possessions to your new home. Let UF Mover Guys assist you by safely and efficiently load and unload your boxes. We can even do all of the packing and unpacking for you to make your job that much easier. Call us today to begin coordinating.

How to Have a Smooth Transition After Moving

Transitioning After a Move

There are a lot of steps involved in the Gainesville moving process. If you do not handle them properly, a somewhat complicated process can quickly turn into a difficult mess. Therefore, it is best to take care of everything correctly in the first place so that you do not have to continually fix mistakes.

Gather Materials

Before you begin the actual moving process, you will want to make sure you have all of the proper supplies necessary for a smooth move. In order to pack, you will need to get plenty of boxes, packing tape, permanent markers and bubble wrap. You can go to any large hardware store to purchase boxes or you can usually get some for free from grocery stores if you ask. Use the markers to clearly label each box with what room each one belongs in and what contents are inside. This will help you find items easier once you arrive at your new residence. You may want to rent or borrow a dolly to help you transport boxes in and out of your house.

Find Assistance

There is no conceivable way for you to consider moving by yourself. Therefore, you have the choice between asking your trusted friends to help or hiring a Gainesville moving company. In most cases, you will not need to pay your friends, but you should provide food and drinks while they are working. The advantage to hiring Florida moving professionals is that they are experienced. They know how to properly move your belongings quickly and safely. You can relax while your movers do the heavy lifting.

Take a Day Off Work

When you move to a new place, you may want to get right into the swing of things by focusing on your career. However, it is beneficial to take an extra day off of work after your Gainesville movers leave to get settled. Spend the day unpacking and making your new place feel more like home. If you have any extra time, spend it decompressing from the move or exploring your new area. While you may feel like this is unnecessary, you will be extremely grateful for it later. Once you are working, it will be almost impossible to find the time to unpack boxes when you are tired at the end of each day.