Three Tips On How To Pack For Frequent Moves

Tips on Packing for Frequent Moves

Packing and moving can be overwhelming for those who are unprepared. If you relocate on a regular basis, whether for a transient job, research project, internship or study abroad experience, it’s important to have a streamlined plan for packing and moving. Even those who choose to relocate just for the enjoyment of exploration need a plan that makes moving frequently as simple and enjoyable as discovering new places. This list of tips from local moving company UF Mover Guys will make your frequent relocation to-dos a breeze so you can get to your destination with ease knowing that your packed items are in good hands with the best movers Gainesville has to offer.

Have A Moving Plan

The best way to start your streamlined pack-and-move process is to create a plan. A good place to create and keep this list is on your phone, where it’s readily available and easy to access from anywhere you find yourself. Having your list of essentials to pack will make your subsequent moves a breeze. Include contact information for your go-to Florida movers. Add a list of items you have to have on-hand and subcategories for where to pack each thing to keep your packing tasks concise and time-efficient.

Pack A Suitcase

Since you won’t have the luxury of going through your closet each day, packing a suitcase with a curated selection of outfits is essential. Before packing, go through your clothes and put aside go-to outfits for your trip. Pack with the average forecasted weather in mind for the time you’re away and the varied occasions you’ll need to dress for. Toss in any medications you may need on your trip along with your clothes. Packing well ensures you will have what you need with you, leaving the packed boxes for your Gainesville moving company to take care of.

Cultivate A “Camping” Mentality

Frequent moves can be disruptive because the majority of your belongings are packed away in boxes. For those who move often, packing just the essentials (similar to how you pack for camping trips), can help streamline the process and save time.

To start, curate a “camp kitchen” that includes a set of kitchen utensils, along with dish soap, a dishcloth and towel. Your “camp bathroom” should be composed of your essential toiletries, a face cloth, bath towel and a handful of laundry detergent pods. Last, assemble your “camp office.” This should include a computer bag with phone and computer chargers as well as minimal office supplies (pen, paper, etc.). These items should go into your car or in the suitcases and boxes that travel with you. The rest, packed away in boxes, can be left to trusted movers Gainesville, Florida, offers.

With each of your camp packs ready to go, you’ll have what you need to leave town quickly. Whether you’re shipping the rest of your items to your new destination or storing them locally for your return trip, a local moving company Gainesville, FL residents trust like UF Mover Guys will work with you to transport your loved possessions with ease.

Pro Tip: Try to make do with the “camping” supplies the week prior to and the week following your move, eliminating any need to access items packed away in boxes and getting you used to only using the essentials.

Picking A Reliable Moving Company

Choosing a reliable Gainesville moving service is imperative to ensure your packed items are in safe hands while being transported from place to place. Whether you’re moving to Gainesville or moving to a new location in town, it’s important to have a moving company you trust to help you transition.

UF Mover Guys maintains its status as the Gainesville moving company for all your packing and moving needs. We offer both long-distance and in-state moving help as well as  full-service packages that include packing and transportation of your items. In addition, we don’t charge you for travel or fuel for local moves! Our goal is to serve you. Contact UF Mover Guys today!

How to Manage Stress During a Move

Make the Gainesville Moving Process Less Stressful

Everyone knows that even with help from one of the best Florida moving companies, the moving process can still feel chaotic. You must ensure that everything from your old house is loaded on the truck, everything is brought to your house in one piece and you have time to unpack your belongings. With so many moving parts, it can be easy to get lost in the process but there are several different tips that can help you through the move.

Be Flexible

As you are searching for local moving companies Gainesville, FL residents trust, you should also be formulating a detailed plan to make sure that your old house is clean and you will have access to your new house when the moving truck arrives. Beyond that, it is important to accept the fact that things will come up. Perhaps new construction will cause you to be stuck in a traffic jam or you will have to stop at a pharmacy on the way to pick up medicine because one of your children are sick. Whatever the problem, plans can be adjusted to accommodate it.

Find Ways to Relax

When you chose which moving services you were going to use, you most likely selected them because they were well experienced and had a great reputation. Therefore, you should trust them to do their job. Let them do the heavy lifting on moving day. Consider starting off the day with yoga before the moving process begins. If you have to spend a long day in the car driving, take several breaks to stretch your legs, stretch and refocus. When you feel yourself worrying about what could go wrong, take several deep breaths and instead be in the moment with your loved ones.

Make the Experience Memorable

Contrary to popular opinion, moving doesn’t have to be miserable. Look for opportunities to make the experience fun. Keep your family entertained in the car by playing word games or the license plate game. When you feel yourself getting tired, turn on a playlist of your favorite music and dance it out. If you have a long drive ahead of you, don’t hesitate to make stops along the way. Your Gainesville movers will take care of unloading the truck, so stop at that enticing ice cream shop or visit that park you always wanted to take your children but never had time to before.

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.

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.

Things You Can Do Two Months Prior to a Move

Planning to move without prioritizing what needs to be done in a specific order can lead to a lot of stress and worry. Two months isn’t a long time to take care of what material possessions to keep, possibly leaving one job for another and business related areas that must be taken care of. Making an outline of everything that needs to be done can help ease those unnecessary worries. You most trusted Gainesville moving company is here to help you prepare for the moving day.

Eliminating Clutter From Your Life

Everyone has clutter surrounding the area they live in. Some of the items they value might be keepsakes, clothing, furniture, electronics and dinnerware. The best way to organize what is special and what can be tossed away is by making a list of everything that is packed. Once it has been boxed, the hardest part of packing is over. Anything that isn’t stored can be given away or sold.

Selling Is Easy

Many of the items you don’t want to haul can be sold in a yard sale or garage sale. One man’s junk can be another man’s treasure so always keep that in mind before you decide to trash anything. Organize and label all the items you want to sale with a price label and check off list so you can keep up with what is sold. You might decide to list a few items online at popular selling sites, like Craigslist.com, to make more money.

Deciding Who Will Be Helping You Move

The distance you will be moving will have a heavy impact on the cost and the people that you hire to do the move. Long distance requires the help of professionals that cost money. Short distance moves might require nothing but a large pickup and a few friends. For longer distances, you will have to shop around to find a local company that will give you the best rates.

Smaller Is Better

Having a few friends over to help you take items apart can make the process much easier. Tables, electronics and outdoor furniture are among some of the items that can be broken down to box. Moving boxes are easier than trying to move heavier items that can be bulky and awkward. Simply make sure that everyone keeps up with all the parts that go with each item. Gainesville movers would rather load nice packages over large items that needed separating.

Paper Or Plastic

You can use plastic shopping bags to store items that you feel are too delicate to store inside cardboard boxes. You can find enormous supplies of broken down cardboard boxing at dollar stores. They are notorious for having a large amount of them. Your best chance is checking these types of stores first since they won’t bale the cardboard with wiring.

Research Where You Plan To Live

This really should be the first thing that you do to see what kinds of opportunities are available where you plan to move. Things you might think about are the crime rate, population, school districts, recreation and public facilities. These are very important features that will mean the difference in your happiness in the new area.

Give Away What You Don’t Need

The very last thing you should do is make sure that everything packed is going to have a useful purpose once you do move. If you decide to leave a few extra items, you can always donate them to charity. After all, giving is a great thing to do to help those less fortunate.

Decluttering: What to Get Rid Of During A Move

Moving is almost always an exhausting feat, but a wise approach can dramatically simplify the ordeal. The easiest way to streamline a moving experience is by removing all excess. Anything that is non-essential can be discarded. This will make the entire job much easier, but you need to know which items to remove. To make relocation a happier time, the following guide explores belongings that can be donated or thrown away.

basement-finish-before-after-01

What To Declutter Before You Move:

Magazines, Newspapers and Periodicals

Printed subscriptions are fun, but they can quickly accumulate a lot of extra weight for movers to handle. Furthermore, their tiny size makes it easy for disorganization to ensue. Avoid scattered messes by recycling old publications. This will make room for the next issues that will be arriving at your new address. Do not worry about losing any information, especially since most publishers back up their content online.

Books

book clutter

These may not be issued as regularly as the previous items, but they are just as digitally accessible. E-readers can contain an entire bookshelf, and the knowledge will be permanently stored in your pocket. The need to lug around boxes of books is over. Any release that has a digital backup can be given away before the big move. More drastic measures can be taken as well; in fact, a whole literature collection can be exchanged for a library card. Take the extra books there as a gift to the community.

Music

Songs are no longer solely stored on clunky hardware like records and CDs. Digital alternatives are everywhere. The Internet has copies of almost every track in existence, so rip the music and dump the discs! Obsolete media should be eliminated. Get rid of the cabinets full of cassettes and 8-tracks. Trade the cases of music for an MP3 player, or simply buy a hard-drive just for tunes. The movers will thank you when the time comes.

Furniture

Relocation offers the perfect chance to measure the worth of your furniture. A discerning eye will help you figure out what items belong in your new home. If your new place is furnished, then your old furniture can be moved to the dumpster. Gainesville movers will help you decide what is worth bringing along for the ride. They will carry anything you want them to, but it is smart to give bigger accessories a second-thought. Huge pieces are nothing more than baggage in the long run.

Antiques

Avoid the risk of damaging fragile goods by selling them beforehand. While moving companies in Gainesville are adept at handling sensitive items, it may not be worth the extra stress and hassle. There are huge markets for old goods, and the sales can help you recoup some of the losses incurred by moving, which is never free.

Artwork

In a similar vein, artwork collections should also be narrowed down. They can be quite valuable, so there is no reason to risk possible damage. As a general rule, visual pieces serve no conventional function besides entertainment, so they should be considered expendable unless sentimentality overrules judgment. This rule especially applies to large canvases, gigantic sculptures and installation pieces. It is very easy to find receptive audiences for creative works, and the extra room will be incredibly refreshing.

Electronics

These days, people acquire gadgets at a rapid pace. Upgrades are continuously released, and new models often lead to older ones being retired. Most of these obsolete devices simply linger around purposelessly. This culminates in quite a mess; therefore, the best route is to eliminate all electronics that aren’t current.

 

For any more tips, or help with your move go more smoothly, contact UF Mover Guys today!

declutter garage

Short on Moving Supplies? UF Mover Guys Offers Boxes!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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