Month: September 2015

Moving in the military can be much cheaper than you’re expecting.

Moving in the military is surprisingly inexpensive, even when you hire full-service movers. In fact, you’re more likely to suffer from bloated expenses and nasty surprises when you try to manage things on your own. It’s important to remember that money spent directly on supplies, moving van rentals and gas isn’t all you aim to lose with a DIY move.

Consider all the benefits a full-service mover has to offer:

• Expertly designed schedules keep your move on track. Military moves can be nerve-wracking, especially the first time around. Learn the ropes with an experienced professional. From start to finish, they’ll keep you on course.
• Packing services allow for maximum protection and efficient shipping. Moving companies don’t just have all the supplies and equipment needed to move your belongings, their workers have been trained on the best way to pack. This helps the job go faster, and because every inch of van space will be utilized, the moving company will likely be able to use a smaller truck or van with lower operating costs.
• The pros make it easy to split shipments. If you’re moving in the military, you may need a portion of your items placed in storage or sent home to your parents. Splitting shipments is easy and affordable when the pros are part of your plan.
• Moving companies can often offer you secure short-and long-term storage.Instead of having to find your own storage units, when it’s needed, your moving company can provide you with a security storage location for your belongings. You can often get specialty services as well, like temperature-controlled units, at a big savings.
• You’re reimbursed for lost and broken items. Nilson Van is a trusted name in the moving business because we don’t just do an outstanding job, we stand behind it with a guarantee. If your load is lost, stolen or damaged, our coverage will help you recover your losses. That’s a safety net you won’t have if you’re doing everything on your own.

Call 803-786-1090 to talk with an expert about moving in the military or visit Nilson Van online for more information today.

Moving internationally can come with some nasty surprises.

Moving internationally isn’t child’s play. If you’re moving out of the country, you already know that there’s a mountain of paperwork waiting for you. What you might not be prepared for is the flood of fees you’ll be facing just by bringing your belongings along. It’s not a problem as long as you’re prepared.

Consider how a country determines import fees and ways you can lower them:

• Have you established residency yet? Most countries allow long-term visitors the ability to avoid import charges, but you’ll have to have established residency first. The process varies greatly between countries, as do customs charges. Play your cards right, and you won’t have many imports to claim at all.
• Do you need your belongings right away? Some items are necessary for day-to-day living. The presence of others can be postponed while you wait for residency status to kick in. Before making any decisions resulting in big charges, first consider what it would cost to buy temporary stand-ins for a few months in your new location. It may be worth the wait.
• Have you considered short-term storage? For those who would benefit from waiting, your moving company still has a lot to offer. For instance, you can schedule a multi-leg move, with essentials shipped straight away while all those other items are moved into short-term storage. Once your residency status is secure, you can have them shipped over at pennies on the dollar.

Visit Nilson Van to learn more about moving internationally, or call 803-223-9736 to inquire about all your moving options.

Keep business relocations simple by working with the right partners.

Who said business relocations have to be complicated? You can keep your finger on the pulse of your new employee’s move with very little effort by working with a reliable network of packing, storage, and moving service providers.

The process of keeping track of an employee’s shipment can be fairly simple. Just ask your movers the following questions:

• Do you have a tracking system? You’d be surprised at the big name moving companies with no tracking system. They dispatch trucks but have no way of determining where they are until they reach their final destination. This leaves you in the precarious role of having to waste precious time on the phone waiting for information a company like Nilson Van could give you with the push of a button.
• How can customers track their shipments? Our program relies on names, order numbers, and other protected information to keep tabs on moving vans. This allows for the use of an automated system capable of telling people where their belongings currently are and where they’re headed. Any problems can be identified right away, and corrections—though rarely needed—can be instituted immediately.
• Who is allowed to check this information? As the employer, you may have reason for tracking shipments, but many times it’s more efficient to let your employee look up this information. Unfortunately, some companies refuse to give this information out to anyone but their direct clients—meaning, in some cases, employers. Other moving companies have very lax rules on confidentiality and will tell nearly anyone whose items are being moved, where they are going and maybe even give them details of shipping container contents.

Visit Nilson Van online or call to inquire about our tracking program.

Residential moves are much easier with help.

Residential moves don’t have to be hectic. Start life off in your new location on the right foot. Hire out packing and moving services so you can stay focused on the other elements of getting settled in your new home. It’s more affordable than you think, and you’ll find the process amazingly easy with a few simple steps.

For instance, if you hire packing out to a professional moving company, all you need to do is the following, to ensure your belongings reach their destination in perfect condition. Here are some tips that will help you:

• Clear out clutter. Moving presents the perfect time to pare down your belongings to just those items you really want to keep. Hold a garage sale, donate or throw out possessions you know are taking up space in your house but not adding to your life. Once these are cleared out, you’ll have less to pack and move. Your space will also be more open, allowing packers easier access to your important items.
• Prepare appliances. Make sure the fridge, freezer, washer, dryer and other appliances are clear of food, water, and belongings. They need to be safe to move without the risk of them damaging other items by leaking on the floor.
• Find a babysitter or pet sitter for moving day. Unlike contractors who work on areas closed off to the rest of the house, packers and movers work throughout your whole house. They also keep doors open to expedite moving and sorting, and they’ll be dealing with some big, bulky items. Having children and pets underfoot is a risk for everyone.
• Label generously. One of the biggest advantages of hiring out a moving job is the ease with which you can unpack. Give your packers direction, and yourself a leg up, by labeling items based on where you want them to end up. Also label any items you don’t want the professionals handling and anything you don’t want moved to your new location.

Residential moves are surprisingly quick and easy when you take full advantage of the services available to you. Call 803-223-9736 to schedule packing and moving services in or around Columbia, SC.