Month: May 2015

Learn the easiest way to make residential moves more enjoyable.

Residential moves can tax your body, your wallet, and your nerves, but there is a way to make them less harrying. Hire out your packing to a professional moving company.

Here are just a few benefits to hiring someone to pack for your move:

They have the right tools for the job. Moving companies have endless reams of bubble wrap, 20 lb. rolls of packing tape, and plenty of boxes. What supplies do you have on hand? Many homeowners run to the grocery store, and grab old boxes for moving, never thinking about the pests they could be moving right along with them.

Your possessions are safer. Professional packers are trained to wrap your items in the safest way possible, and they have the practice and experience to do the job right. What about you? When was the last time you moved? How many breakables did you own, and how did you secure them? Professional packers and movers also carry insurance, so if anything gets lost or damaged, you can easily have it repaired or replaced.

Your stuff takes up less room. This is a benefit many homeowners ignore at first glance. Sometimes, you pay less for your move if you’re able to fit your items into a smaller moving vehicle. Packers can help you pay for their services simply by allowing for price cuts elsewhere.

Unpacking is easier. When pros handle the packing, they tend to keep things well organized. Items are packed in sensible ways, by room or with similar items, and labels on boxes are large and clear. This means fewer headaches once you get to your home.

Residential moves are often determined by how well you pack. Protect your possessions and your pocketbook by hiring the job out to the pros at Nilson Van; contact us for a guaranteed quote for residential moves.

Learn how to handle expensive items when you’re moving in the military.

Moving in the military isn’t as complicated as it might seem, but like anything, it’s nerve-wracking until you’re familiar with how it works. You have many options when it comes to a military move, from full-service movers who will pack and unpack to the ability to handle the whole thing yourself and be reimbursed. But what happens when you have professional gear to move along with your personal items?

Professional movers protect your most sensitive possessions in the following ways:

Moving companies abide by state, federal, and international law.

It’s easy to make a mistake if you’re moving by yourself. Professional moving companies know the laws front and back. They don’t want to be sanctioned or fined, and they don’t want to lose their insurance. At the start of the move, they’ll ask you about specialty items. As long as you declare your pro-gear, moving it safely, securely and most importantly, legally, should be no problem.

Moving companies are experienced packing all kinds of gear.

Unless you’ve worked for a moving company, you couldn’t imagine all of the wacky things they’ve been hired to move. Pianos are the least of their worries. So is your gear. No matter what size or shape of items you’ll be moving, you can rest assured that your professional mover can package it securely and protect it during a move. They’ll also be able to track it accurately, so there’s no fear of items becoming lost from one place to the next.

Moving companies have insurance.

Professional movers have insurance that covers lost and damaged items. However, there are a few caveats. First, you have to honestly declare what you’re shipping. Second, you have to pack it securely. Fraud or negligence will nullify an insurance claim, but hiring those jobs out to the pros is affordable, especially when part of a military move package.

If you’re near Columbia, SC and are moving in the military, contact Nilson Van to handle your specialty gear.

If you are moving internationally, it is important to find the support you need.

Moving internationally leaves you in a vulnerable state. You’ll need help if you’re taking any belongings. Choose a trustworthy American company that has long-lasting relationships with foreign partners to lower your costs and your anxiety.

Consider all of the services you can get with a qualified international shipper:

Packing, Loading, and Shipping

Your American moving company can responsibly pack, load, and ship your goods. This is a godsend on any trip, but during an international move there are extra benefits. For instance, you may not know a piece of equipment or heirloom furniture can’t be shipped out of the country. Your mover can help you pinpoint these types of problems and avoid fines and potential legal fees.

International Freight Shipping

Whether you’re crossing borders or oceans, a reliable moving company can contract with an international shipping team to safely and securely move your items from one location to the next. Many times, your shipment will be bundled with others in large containers, so it’s imperative you work with an experienced company that already has a good tracking system in place.

Drayage, Moving, and Unpacking in Your New Country

You can expect to need help navigating the terms of your new country’s fees you’re charged for importing your belongings. You can also expect to need help moving those items from the docks or train yards to your new home. Experienced American moving companies often have international partners around the world. These businesses provide comprehensive moving services, just like here at home.

If you’re currently near Columbia, SC and are moving internationally soon, contact our friendly team at Nilson Van for a quote and for contacts. We have established relationships with trustworthy partners all around the world.

Discover how to make commercial moves more affordable.

Commercial moves can be tough enough without companies nickel and diming your bank account to death. Relocation packages help to keep your costs low, but they also provide extra benefits many business owners feel are indispensable. These packages help to keep your move organized, protect your workforce, and ensure your property is well cared for.

What’s included in a commercial relocation package?

Packing Services

Your employees aren’t professional movers. They have specialties of their own. If you use them for brunt labor, they could wind up resentful, and that’s the last thing you need when starting in a new locale. Worse, someone could be injured or pack items so poorly that company property is damaged.

For many reasons, it’s best to leave packing to the pros. Professional movers will ensure your items are safe, secure, and organized. This helps prevent damages, but also ensures none of your equipment is lost in transit. As an additional benefit, tight packing allows movers to use a smaller moving vehicle which can impact your costs.

Moving Services

Renting a moving truck is often more expensive than planned once time, mileage, insurance, gas, and supplies are added in. A comprehensive moving package will provide you with adequate transportation of your items, and you won’t have to worry about driving from here to there. All by itself, that convenience pays off for many businesses.

In addition, moving services generally include loading and unloading of all your items. If you’re dealing with heavy equipment, odd-shaped items or valuables, it’s almost always better to let a professional team handle the job. They have the experience to safely move your items, and they’re backed by insurance if there’s ever a problem.

Unpacking

A commercial relocation package often includes unpacking, furniture reassembly, and placement of heavy equipment and boxes right where they’re needed most.

Commercial moves in the Columbia area can be easy and affordable too. Get the best services at the lowest prices with a commercial relocation package. Contact Nilson Van for a quote on commercial moves today.

Learn the tips to simplify residential moves.

Residential moves can be fairly simple for those who are well-prepared. Having a plan definitely helps things flow easily from one home to another. Having the right tools on hand is also an essential part of the process. Moving without the right materials can lead to damaged belongings and wasted time. For example, having the right number and size of boxes can make all the difference.

Consider the following when deciding how many boxes you need for your residential move:

Ease of Transport

While it may be possible to cram all of your belongings into three appliance size boxes, it probably isn’t your best bet. First, the boxes would be tremendously heavy and take more effort to move than the savings would be worth. Second, it would be hard to organize your things in a way that protected them from damage. You don’t want to have to repurchase your belongings once you move to your next house, so take care when selecting your moving supplies.

Box Alternatives

Most everything you move should be stored in a box to make transport as easy as possible. Flat boxes are more stable when stacked on one another than when pushed in around loosely packed items. Even floor lamps are better off in a box, because it’s protected from the bumps of the road.

There are a few alternatives to cardboard boxes, however. Drawers can be packed with clothes and other soft items. Large pieces of furniture are often wrapped in moving blankets. Fragile or specialty items–like fine china and electronics—can be packed in containers specifically suited to their shapes.

Professional moving companies often recommend the amount of supplies you’ll need based on the size of your home and how long you’ve been there. The adage of “less is more” does not apply on moving day. When in doubt, opt for more boxes than you need. Not only will you have all your necessary supplies on hand, you’ll be more likely to pack in a way that is injury and damage free.

Preparing for a residential move is never easy, but having professional movers on your side helps. If you’re in the Columbia, SC, area, contact Nilson Van for expert help for residential moves.