What Out-of-Pocket Expenses Should You Expect for a Military Move?

Movers Arriving To A Home

Moving in the military has its own set of rules and considerations that set it apart from any other kind of relocation. Because it’s an inherent part of your service, there will be many costs the military handles, but some moving expenses will be on you.

Breaking Down the Costs of Moving in the Military

The armed forces look at certain things within a soldier’s service to determine what he or she will receive as their DLA or Dislocation Allowance. This is the amount of military based money a service man or woman will have to spend on their relocation.

DLA is money that is separate from the mileage, per diem and other finances that are set aside for a move of station. You can ask for an advance to help you manage your expenses, but the actual amount you’ll get is based on your rank and how many dependents you have when you receive your relocation orders or PCS (Permanent Change of Station).

Arming Yourself for a Change of Military Station

There are certain steps you can take to ensure you are ready to transition to your next post:

  • Know what the military will cover before you start your move by meeting with the Relocation, Transportation and Finance Offices of your division.
  • Find out what restrictions there may be in getting an advance on your DLA, per diem and other things, should you need it.
  • Confirm the various resources available to you should you need emergency funds during your move or go over budget.
  • Make sure all the paperwork necessary to expedite reimbursement and more is in order.

Making the Most of Your New Marching Orders

No matter how many times you’ve been through a military move, do legwork as if it’s your first. Regulations are ever-changing which means new rules may apply to your current transfer.

Meet with the different offices in your organization and talk to Nilson Van & Storage about your move ASAP. Our team has years of experience relocating service men and women, so contact us to learn more about how you can make moving in the military as smooth as possible.

4 Things to Look for When Choosing an International Moving Company

international moving company meeting with homeowners

If relocating down the street takes a lot of planning, imagine what goes into moving internationally. The logistics of handling it all can feel overwhelming. However, finding the right moving company to provide the support and professional moving assistance you need will make all the difference.

Demystifying the International Move

Ultimately, this move is like any other move. The preparation that goes into it may seem more complicated, but it can be manageable if you treat it like it is: a long-haul relocation.

Don’t let your mind go wild and create more stress and worry than is necessary just because your move includes the word “international.” Keeping it simple in your mind will make the tasks of moving easier to tackle. The fact that the move is to another country should make it all the more obvious that you need a professional moving company on your side. When you find the right company, you can rely on their expertise—this in itself can reduce stress and give you peace of mind.

What to Keep in Mind as You Choose the Right Moving Company

There are four questions you can use as your barometer when contemplating a company for your international move:

  1. Do they manage both loading and unloading of your belongings—working end-to-end?
  2. Do they know how to pack for an international move?
  3. Are they equipped to manage all customs and international paperwork for an easy global transition?
  4. Are they certified international movers who have a track record of relocating abroad?

Moving Internationally Doesn’t Have to Be a Nightmare

There are more things to think about, such as whether the company you’re considering is certified with FIDI, the organization that oversees international movers. As you take a look at the different companies, you can keep all of this in mind to help you decide on which mover to use.

Start investigating as soon as you know that moving to another country is on your horizon. Reach out to the expert at Nilson Van & Storage to get the support and professional assistance you need when moving internationally. Our company’s 70-year history in global relocation offers a level of comfort and expertise you won’t find with other companies.

How Is Cost Determined on a Business Relocation?

Mover Meeting With Businessowner about move

Putting together successful commercial moves or business relocation requires unique and detailed preparation. Part of that planning process is creating a budget for all of the many moving expenses. One thing to keep in mind is that cost prep involves more than simply getting a moving company quote. Businesses have a lot of moving parts, which is why to ensure you’ve covered all of your financial and operational bases, you’ll want to enlist some help from employees and members of your business team.

Rallying the Right Team for Commercial Moves/Business Relocation

Moving an entire company to a new location takes a lot of work. Keep the process organized by designating certain individuals to manage the logistics behind the move. Getting the necessary support and assistance behind the scenes can help you to keep your budget under control. This team can also help you to identify the prep costs you can expect for the move.

Designating Specific Tasks to Move Your Company Successfully

Moving a business can be a confusing process, but it helps to put a team of employees that places a priority on good communication. You can assign a business relocation project manager to oversee the entire project and delegate tasks wisely. The tasks you will find to be essential to your commercial moves include:

  • Interfacing with the new site manager for location specific costs such as deposits, utilities, parking, and amenities.
  • Running an inventory on existing equipment, tools, etc. as well as a list of what’s needed in the new space.
  • Working with the previous landlord to discuss move-out, cleaning costs, early termination costs (if they apply), etc.
  • Managing the man-hours of the actual move.

As the information from this collaboration comes together, you’ll start to get a better idea of just what your budget for the move will entail.

Getting on with the Business of Moving Your Company

Before you take the first step to moving your business, it’s a good idea to identify what you are willing to pay; then, plug in the actual numbers compiled by your team. Finally, you can take the quote from your moving company for the business relocation and fit the cost into your bottom line.

Did you know you can save time, hassle and money by working with a relocation specialist to create and stick to your moving budget? Learn more about what you can expect when it comes to commercial moves/business relocation from our team of moving experts at Nilson Van & Storage. With the right planning and assistance, before you know it you’ll be business as usual in your new offices.

How Long Does It Take Belongings to Arrive in a Move?

residential movers transporting belongings into home

Determining when your possessions will arrive at your new home depends on which type of residential move you are considering and the practices of the moving company you are using. Before you begin the moving process, it will help you to have a rough timeline of what will take place, so your move remains organized and your stress level stays as low as possible.

Understanding Residential Moves

Moving from one home to another can be stressful even under the best of circumstances. There’s a fair amount of planning that goes into relocation; sitting down with your moving company before you purchase packing supplies or take any other steps, will help you get answers to questions and plan accordingly.

Questions to Ask Before a Residential Move

Whether you’ve decided just to move across the street or all the way across the country, distance is only one thing that determines when your possessions will arrive at their destination. When you sit down with your moving company, there are some questions you need to discuss to help you know what to expect for the timeline:

  • Is the move a short or long haul move?
  • Will you require overnight or long-term storage?
  • Will you be doing the packing or will you be hiring someone?
  • Are there any special considerations such as unique items that need to be shipped a certain way, hazardous materials, etc.?

Discussing these and other issues will help you and your moving company to create a moving plan that meets your needs and schedule.

Research and Prep Time Make all the Difference in a Home Move

A prep meeting with your movers will prove to be time well spent and will give you a clear idea of when you can expect your items. The right moving team will take all important factors into consideration, so you can feel good about the timeline and have a plan set in place to give you peace of mind.

Set up a consultation as soon as you’ve decided to relocate so you can clarify the logistics for a smooth transition. Get more information on residential moves from our team of experts at Nilson Van & Storage, and you’ll discover just how easy it is to move out of the old and into your new home in no time.

Whether your move is big or small, our skilled movers are dedicated to helping you every step of the way, no matter where life takes you.