Tag: gainesville moving

Create a Floor Plan Before You Move

Creating a Floor plan

Have you ever gone through the dreadful process of rearranging furniture into many different arrangements in order to find the best one for the space? Have you ever found that one of your pieces of furniture does not fit through a doorway or up the stairs? If you want to simplify the process, take the time to make a detailed floor plan before you begin your Gainesville moving process.

How Will a Floor Plan Help You?

A detailed layout will give you an accurate estimate about how everything will fit in your new apartment before your Gainesville movers arrive. It takes all of the guesswork out of the process. When you look at a room without any of the furniture, it may appear bigger than it really is. If you take measurements of the walls and windows, you will be able to develop a drawing to scale for your new place. Once you see how your pieces fit, you can see if the arrangement works or if you will need to get rid of anything before you go through the hassle of moving it. With the assistance of your floor plan, you may discover that you will need to get additional furniture that will look better in the shape of your new living room. Overall, this method will save you time and effort because you will be able to rearrange the room to your hearts content without needing to actually move heavy pieces of furniture.

Wondering How to Make a Floor Plan?

There are several methods to create your layout design. If you opt to do it yourself, you can use graph paper and divide room, window and furniture measurements in half and then use each square to represent one foot. For a much more efficient method, you can use online software to do it for you. One possible tool is a website called floorplanner where you can use a map to recreate your home with a large variety of walls, windows flooring and furniture. If you prefer a software that is extremely customizable, use SketchUp. You can program the room dimensions and furniture in to produce a 3D model with notes. However, Room Sketcher may be more attractive to you if you prefer something a bit more simple but you will have a less ability to customize it.

Provide Your Moving Company with Your Floor Plan

Your detailed floor plan will not only assist you, but your movers as well. Once you complete it, give it to your Gainesville moving company who can use it to know where to put everything in your new apartment. At UF Mover Guys, our licensed and insured team works hard to safely move all of your possessions and personalize your moving process to your needs.

What to Pack Last When Moving

The Last Thing You Should Pack for a Move

Once you finally motivate yourself to being packing, you may just want to move from room to room until every box is filled. However, this method may lead to complications further down the line. Instead, before you begin packing, you need to consider which items you will need first and they should be stored separately.

Items You Need While Moving

Whether you are moving down the street or out of town, you will want to have access to several items during the Florida moving process. Most likely, you will find a few pieces that you have forgotten to pack. Therefore, you should be sure to bring an extra couple bags or boxes, tape and marker to store them. If you take any prescriptions or have allergies, pack your medications in a small bag so you can use them as needed. The Florida heat is particularly harsh so pack some snacks, water bottles and Gatorade to keep your movers refreshed. Other items you may need include phone chargers, paper towels, toilet paper and speakers for music.

Possessions You May Need Immediately

When you are packing boxes, be sure to load one box with essentials. Find this box immediately after your Gainesville movers bring it in so you will have access to various things you will require on your first night without needing to rummage through multiple boxes. In this box, you should include a change of clothing, towel, toiletries, bedding and clean sheets, basic cleaning supplies, flashlight, small tool kit and several kitchen utensils.

Pieces That Will Satisfy Your Office Needs

If you have a commercial property and are moving to a new location, you will need to box with items that you need immediately. Consider what files you will need to help current clients and do not place them with older paperwork. It may take a while for your computers and internet to be set up so you will want to find some work that your employees can work on without a computer. For your everyday office needs, pack some toilet paper, paper towels, paper, pens and of course the resources necessary to make everyone a round of coffee.

Moving Companies in Florida

A professional Gainesville moving company will make all the difference during your move. If you need assistance for a commercial or residential move, UF Mover Guys is here to help. We strive to make the process as simple as possible for you or your business. Contact us today for a free quote.

How to Move into an Apartment

Apartment Moving

Moving into a new apartment is an exciting process but it can also be an overwhelming task. There are a variety of moving parts that you must keep track of. In order to have a successful Gainesville moving experience, you will want to remain organized and consider these helpful tips.

Make a Schedule

Though you may not feel as if you have time to sit down and come up with a concrete schedule, it will save you much more time in the long run. When you attempt to “just wing it”, you may find that your Gainesville movers are only available certain hours of the day that does not coincide with the time you must leave your apartment. First communicate with the landlords in your old apartment and the one you are moving into to determine when you will have access. Then, relay this information to your moving company so they will be able to come at the correct time. If you do not live on the first floor, ask your landlord about your ability to book the elevator (if available) so you will be able to exclusively use it for a short period of time.

Label Boxes Clearly

Unorganized moving processes usually result in a chaotic mountain of boxes with no knowledge about where anything is. You can avoid this frustration by clearly labeling what is in each box as you pack it. Write what is inside on the top of the box as well as two of the sides so that you will not have to worry about rotating heavy boxes. Along with a description of the contents, also label which room they will go into. Then, when your Gainesville moving company is bringing in packages, they will be able to place them in convenient locations. You can even set up drop off zones within each room to ensure you will have enough room to place all of your boxes.

Leave Nothing Behind

Everyone has experienced that unexplainable feeling they are forgetting something when they are driving away from their house. You can avoid that by remembering these commonly forgotten items. Remember to check out of site areas such as the attic, your local storage unit, shed or garage. If you forget about these areas until you are packing up the moving truck, you will be greatly inconvenienced. Take time to consider local places that may have your items. Is your grandfather’s old watch at the shop getting repaired? Did you send your clothes to the dry cleaners? Make sure you grab these items before you leave. The same is true for friends. If you borrowed a movie from a friend or your neighbor has your favorite book, do not forget to give or retrieve them before you move.

Let the Movers Do the Heavy Lifting

When you are moving in or out of Gainesville, hire a Florida moving company that you can depend on. UF Mover Guys will offer a personalized moving plan for each customer that adheres to the regulations of your complex. Let our team at UF Mover Guys keep track of the moving process so you can worry about one less thing. Contact us today to get a free, no obligation estimate.

Disassembling Furniture Before a Move

How to Properly Disassemble Furniture

During the moving process, it can be difficult to move all of your possessions. This task becomes much more difficult if you have large, bulky furniture. Therefore, it is much more beneficial to take time to disassemble your furniture before your Gainesville moving company team arrives. When altering your valuable items, it is important to do it well.

Measure Furniture

Before you begin the moving process, take time to measure your furniture in order to determine if it will fit well within the moving van. Also, make sure your large pieces will be able to fit through door ways and hallways and the room at your new home each item will go in.

Analyze Furniture

Once you decide which pieces need to be disassembled, you need to look for disassembling points. Often, there are areas that are specific points where you can take them apart such as screws. This is especially true for bookshelves and desks. Sometimes, they are beneath fabric and you must thoroughly search them.

Get the Proper Tools

In order to properly disassemble your furniture, you will need to obtain the necessary tools. This includes items such as a hammer, Phillips head and flat head screwdriver. You may even need a small hex wrench, which will be helpful for tiny screws.

Consult a Manual

Some pieces of furniture may be easy to disassemble. However, others may be more difficult. Therefore, it may be helpful to read your manual. If you can not locate the manual, you may be able to find it online. Manuals will be particularly helpful for pieces that do not have obvious disassembling points.

Secure Hardware

After you remove the screws, it is important to keep track of the hardware. If you lose it, it will be much more difficult to find similar screws when assembling the piece of furniture again. Place the screws in small plastic bags and label with the accompanying name of the furniture, or you can tape the hardware to the furniture so you can find it once your Gainesville movers finish.

Disassembling your furniture may take time, but it will make your Florida moving process run much smoother. There is also more danger associated with carrying cumbersome furniture. You can accidentally drop it, which may cause an injury or damage your furniture and will then require repair costs. It will also make the task much easier for your Gainesville moving company.

How to Unpack Efficiently

The Efficient Way to Unpack

Unpacking your belongings can be one of the most exhaustive aspects to the moving process. It also has the potential to leave you with unpacked boxes months later. Therefore, it is critical to begin as quickly as possible and in an efficient manner once your Gainesville moving company has departed.

Label Boxes

If you write the correct room name onto each box, your Gainesville movers will be able to put each box into their corresponding room. This will save you time sorting time later. Similarly, tell your movers where to put each piece of large furniture because it will save you time and energy in the future.

Begin with Commonly Used Items

Before you move, place all of your essential items into a box that you will be able to easily access. This may include items such as a shower curtain, toiletries, towels, toilet paper, pillow, blanket, bed sheets and a change of clothing.

Plan Your Projects

It is important to plan out your projects to fit your schedule. This is especially true if you still need to work. Weekends are perfect for larger projects that take more time like setting up your media center. You can complete small tasks in the evenings after work so you can still make progress without tiring yourself out.

Unpack One Room at a Time

Finish each room before you move on to the next one. This will help you feel as if you are making progress. It may be helpful to begin with the kitchen so you can minimize the amount of meals you will need to get from restaurants. It is also vital to unpack your bedroom. This way, you will be able to put your bed together so you have somewhere to sleep. You can also unpack clothing that you will need to wear immediately.

Prioritize

Focus on the essential variables in each room. For instance, in your bedroom, you do not need to unpack winter clothing if you move in during the summer. Also, wait to decorate until after everything is unpacked. This way you will have access to your belongings quicker.

Make Unpacking Fun

Though your task may seem to be a bit daunting once your Florida moving company leaves, it does not have to be. You can find ways to make the process and time more enjoyable. Put on some music and invite friends over while you are unpacking. It also might be helpful to find rewards for tasks you complete. Go out for ice cream after you complete a large task or take a break and explore your new city.

Questions a Moving Company Might Ask You

When choosing a Florida moving company, there are many questions you will need to ask to find the correct one. However, there are also questions they will need to ask you. In order to properly prepare for your move there are several things they will need to know ahead of time.

Are you packing your things by yourself?

Movers will need to know the extent of the service you need. Some Gainesville moving companies offer to pack your items for you before they move them. This will help relieve you of the stress of boxing up your things while you are also organizing other variables of your moving process. If you are packing for yourself, it is important to make sure you secure all loose items before your movers arrive.

What volume of possessions do you have to be moved?

Your Florida moving company will need to know how much needs to be moved in order to help them figure out the level of difficulty associated with the job so they can factor it into their schedule and price.

What level of insurance do you require?

Moving companies will need to know what insurance you already have. If you have renters insurance, some of your possessions are already covered. Your Gainesville movers will also be able to provide you with a policy. If you do require insurance, your moving company will help provide you with a policy that works best for you. They will ask about any valuables you might be transporting in order to get a more accurate idea of how much coverage you will need. This way, if something does happen, your insurance will be able to cover the costs associated with that prized possession.

What is the basic timeline of your move?

Your moving company will need to know your expectations for when they will pick up your things from your old place and when they are free to deliver them to your new home. This will help them to know when they will have access to your items and will also allow them to figure out if your plans fits into their schedule in advance. At this time, they will also ask for exact locations and addresses of your two residences.

Will there be enough room for the moving truck to park?

If you live in an apartment or have a small driveway, there may not be enough room for the moving van. Therefore, they will be required to carry your furniture and packages farther. Movers will need to factor this into both their plan and their price for the service.

Does either location have stairs or an elevator?

You will need to let your movers know if you live on a floor other than the first one. This would be another factor that would influence the moving process. Stairs may require more movers or increase the cost of the moving process.

What is the distance between the two locations?

If you are moving a farther distance the Gainesville moving company will need to charge you more. Depending on whether you are moving to another city or to another street, you will pay different amounts.

Ask These Questions To Avoid Surprises in Your Moving Bill

How to Avoid Changes in Your Moving Bill

Preparing for a move always brings about a lot of questions. “How will we get our stuff to our new house?” and “How many boxes do we really need?” usually come to mind, not to mention the hows, whos, and whats of packing, cleaning, and repairing. But what should people ask movers before committing to a moving company?

What are all of the base and potential extra costs to hiring Gainesville movers?

This is a pretty obvious question to ask, but it’s the second part about extra costs that is most important. Local Gainesville moving company services are nearly always charged by the hour. Therefore, think realistically before signing on the dotted line. Unforeseen circumstances could make the move take longer than expected, and extra costs associated with over-time can add up.

In addition to over-time costs, there may also be fees for mileage, wardrobe box usage, or even double drive time. Make sure to fully analyze how much there is to move and what tools are needed to get the job done. That way, there will be no surprises.

Are my valuables going to be paid for in case of an accident?

Gainesville moving experts agree that while most moving companies are insured, it does not mean a customer’s belongings will be paid for in the event of breakage. Potential Gainesville movers should be asked not only what their breakage ratio is, but also if they offer any sort of protection for their customers’ valuables. Often times, when an expensive item is dropped or destroyed, it’s current value is estimated by the mover’s insurance company and may be valued for less than a customer thinks. Check to see whether some sort of damage insurance is included; it may be tacked on in the fine print of an estimate and not charged until the day of.

What are the payment terms?

Always ask how payment will be taken on the day of the move and only pay once all of your items are safe and accounted for. If a company tries to charge a large deposit or payment in full prior to the move, it may be a red flag. The same goes for exorbitant credit or debit card fees — most movers have card readers nowadays and can take plastic with ease.

When searching for the perfect Gainesville moving company, there will be many questions. Ask the questions outlined above to help avoid any surprises on the final bill and to ensure protection of your belongings. Additionally, many movers have restrictions on transporting certain items (such as medications, firearms, etc.). It is important to take note of any transportation policies to avoid a headache come moving day.

Unique Challenges Florida Movers Face

Moving Challenges Only Floridians Will Understand

If you are trying to move a large amount of furniture or office material in Gainesville, then you should understand some of the unique challenges that Florida movers face. If you do not plan on hiring a Gainesville moving company, then you should understand what kind of problems you will face without this professional assistance.

The weather in Florida is always unpredictable.

The number one reason that Gainesville moving is so hard is the weather. Even if the sun is shining brightly in the morning, you never know if you will run into mid day winds or a short rainstorm. Depending on what you are moving, you may have a problem getting a particular item into a new building safely without damaging it.

The traffic in Florida never lets up.

The great thing about hiring Gainesville movers is that they are also well versed in how to navigate Florida traffic. If you are going to a relatively remote place, then you may have to deal with the traffic conditions in the area. This can be frustrating and tiring. By the time that you get to your destination, you may not have the strength to actually unload and unpack all of your belongings. This can get incredibly frustrating if your truck rental has a time limit on it.

If you run into traffic, you may also spend more on gas money than you originally thought. Stop and go traffic is murder on gas mileage in Florida.

The Florida heat can sap your strength very quickly.

Even if you make it to your destination without a great deal of traffic, you still have to move all of that heavy furniture inside. The Florida sun can sap your strength more quickly than you might think. If you only have enough manpower to barely move your furniture and equipment, you may find yourself the victim of dehydration. Again, if you are on a schedule, this can cause you to incur late fees.

Moving Advice for Senior Citizens

Moving Tips for Seniors

After retirement, many senior citizens choose to move in an effort to downsize their living situation or to escape undesirable weather. Whether you’re moving to Florida from out of state, or are simply moving across town, the entire process can be a bit overwhelming. While moving to a new residence is a great way to enjoy a fresh start in a new environment, the moving process can pose a few challenges for seniors who may have more belongings than they ever dreamed or health issues that complicate moving day. As you plan your move, use these Gainesville moving tips to ensure your big move goes seamlessly from start to finish.

Get Help with Packing

Almost every move requires some purging, and you may already feel as though you are in over your head. Instead of throwing up your hands in frustration, consider getting help from professional Gainesville movers who can help you pack your belongings in an organized manner. This will allow you the time to sort through your items and decide which things you will donate to others and which you will keep. Consider donating items you rarely use or pass them on to relatives as heirlooms.

Avoid Moving Day Injuries

Sure, you might have once hoisted a mattress upstairs by yourself in your youth, but why risk doing that now. Moving day injuries are a common concern that can wreck your adjustment to your new residence. For this reason, you should enlist the help of a Gainesville moving company that has both the right equipment and know-how to safely lift and transport heavy furniture, boxes and other items.

Protect Heirlooms and Valuables

Over the years, you have likely accumulated more than a few treasures. Fine china, family heirlooms and valuable collectibles are all items that will require special treatment during your move. Unfortunately, these types of items are often the first to break when a person attempts to pack and move them themselves. However, a professional mover will know exactly how to move them in a way that decreases the chance of breakage.

As you plan your move, it is important to remember that help is always just a phone call away. While friends and family members may offer their assistance, it is important to remember that they can often be unreliable or unable to safely transport your belongings. By taking your time and utilizing professional help, you can make your next move an enjoyable experience.

Preparing for Movers Before Moving Day

Moving is something that many people dislike to even consider. This is especially true when there are several years of accumulation and everything must be removed prior to properly cleaning the property. People who move often, such as people in the military or large corporations, have found that careful preparation will help avoid personal and family stress.

Things To Do Before Moving Day

Confirm with your Gainesville Moving Company

Of course, the first thing you must do is contact someone such as UF Mover Guys to determine the total cost of the move as well as any special considerations, such as insurance coverage to provide for any damage to the belongings being shipped. Such a company is more than willing to provide advice on packing, the type of boxes to use, how large a transport vehicle will be needed, length of the haul and other pertinent information.

Pack One Room at a Time

It is much easier to handle one room at a time. Look through it carefully, discard damaged or unusual items, and select things to go to a thrift store or other charitable institution. Always use good boxes, either furnished by the movers or purchased from another company. When a box is carefully packed, the box should be labeled so it is put in the right place upon arrival. This avoids having to go through a number of boxes to find something that is immediately needed.

Can’t Pack Yourself?  Hire Us To Do It

Many transport companies can supply packers who will expertly pack your belongings. In this case, they will usually furnish the boxes and any needed packing blankets. However, again, it is important to discard unwanted items ahead of time, as they will pack whatever is there, even an empty plastic butter tub.

Purge the Unnecessary Items and Donate to a Local Thrift Store

Moving entails other things besides packing and disposing of things no longer needed. It is extremely important to notify the post office of your new address and inform your landlord, if you have one, that you are leaving. You should also notify your bank, have utilities shut off, cancel any regular events you attend and so forth.

Gainesville moving companies should be able to provide a checklist that will help immensely in doing all the things that are necessary when one changes residence. A contract will be drawn up that states the cost of the move, the mileage and dates for pickup and delivery. Whether relocating across town or to another city, it is important to deal with someone who has the experience in the field and a good reputation for their customer’s concerns.