Month: June 2016

One of the best-known facts about the military is that you will be moving in the military a lot. Military personnel are moved from base to base depending on the needs of their branch and their job, and it can be extremely difficult to settle in one place, only to uproot and go elsewhere a year or two later.

How Is Moving While in the Military Different from Moving as a Civilian?

Every year, more than half a million active-duty U.S. service members move in the United States. In general, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders are given for the summer months. Peak military moving season runs from late May through August each year, with the highest volume scheduled between Memorial Day and the 4th of July. It’s a good thing if you have children, as a move during the summer months will mean minimal disruptions while the school year is underway; however, it can be extremely stressful to attempt to get a move date that is optimal for you and your family.

Unless you’re living in government-provided housing, moving while in the military is similar to moving as a civilian. One major exception is your ability to call on your base transportation office. The actual agency that will handle your relocation will vary depending on your branch of service, but the sooner you apply for your specific move dates, the more likely you will have those dates approved.

Tips for Making Your Military Move Easier

Regardless of whether you are civilian or military, moving is never a simple task. But moving in the military brings up some unique challenges. In addition to meeting with the base transportation office, here are some tips for handling your military relocation, making the process easier along the way:

• Reach out to your new location’s family center. Learn everything you can about the area (if it’s a new area to you) and what it offers, as well as any relocation assistance programs offered by the center.
• If you live in government quarters, notify them as soon as possible about your new orders. Make sure you understand their requirements for clearing out your living space.
• Make an appointment with your base’s finance office. They will help you learn about any relocation benefits you may qualify for, as well as ease the financial strain moving may cause you.
• Make a checklist. There is no surer way of causing yourself unnecessary stress than not having things organized. Check out various sites like Military.com for examples of checklists you can use to keep on top of the details without getting too overwhelmed.

A Military Move Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult!

Unlike moving while a civilian, moving while in the military presents multiple challenges. One is that you may have a limited amount of time before you are required to relocate. Another challenge is knowing what to pack, where to store things you won’t need, and how to locate resources that will help you. Fortunately, there are both online and on-base resources that can assist you with relocation benefits, getting your optimal moving dates, and information about where you are moving to so you can acclimate to your new surroundings.

Here at Nilson Van & Storage, we want to help make your military relocation as smooth as possible. When you’re planning to move, contact us for an estimate. We will do a visual survey; this way if you are moving out of state we should be able to provide you a guaranteed priced quote. And not just a guess, based on minimal information. Contact our team of moving in the military experts to get started today.

Whether for business or personal reasons, if you are considering moving internationally, you know how difficult and exciting the process is. You know how expensive a move overseas will be, and you probably have an idea of what forms, documents, and other items you will need to have in order before leaving the United States. Or maybe you don’t! In either case, you can benefit from some professional support as you begin making plans.

When Should You Start Planning an International Move?

As with any other move, the sooner you can start planning, the easier it will be to prepare. Even though an international move generally involves crossing oceans as opposed to streets, you’ll still have many of the same hoops to jump through along the way. You will have to sort through belongings, sell or donate things you will no longer need, pack boxes, make plans for furniture, and contact a moving company to transport your belongings. Also, you will need to find out visa requirements for the country you are moving to, make sure all identification for family members is valid, and learn about the language, culture, and customs of your new home country.

Ideally, you will want to leave yourself 6-9 months to accomplish all of these goals. This length of a lead time allows you to fill out paperwork for identification cards, visa applications, and other things without having to scramble for them at the last minute. It will also allow you the maximum time to go through your belongings, consolidate what you are taking with you, and figure out how you are transporting things to your new home.

Tips to Make Your International Move Smoother

Are you still a little overwhelmed by what you need to do before moving overseas? Here are a few rough timelines to remember that will help ease the process:

• About 6-9 months before your move, research your housing options, school admission requirements for your children, and decide whether you will sell your current home or rent it out. You might also want to make a pre-move visit to your future home country.
• When it’s 3-6 months until your move, you should contact a moving agency to survey what you will be sending overseas. Also, make sure you have copies of all important documents stored in a safe place, notify your children’s schools of the move, make sure everyone is up-to-date on vaccinations, decide how you will handle your finances, and hold a garage sale for any unwanted items. Also, be sure you notify the appropriate organizations about your change of address.
• With 6 weeks or fewer to the big move, make sure your movers are ready to transport your belongings. You will want to make sure your address changes have been finalized, check your travel plans to make sure they are in order, and contact utility companies to have services terminated.

Moving Internationally Will Be Worth the Effort!

Ask anyone who has immigrated to the United States, and they will tell you it was a long and difficult process to move here. The inverse is true as well; packing up your belongings, uprooting your entire life, and moving overseas is just as long and difficult of a process. This is why it’s important to leave yourself ample time to get everything situated. By doing this, you are far less likely to forget any steps along the way. It will all be worth the trouble when you arrive at your new home in your new home country!

We here at Nilson Van & Storage look forward to helping you as you make plans for moving internationally. To get the process started, get in touch with our team of experts today.

As your business grows, it may eventually be necessary for you to go through a commercial move or business relocation to make room for new employees or departments. Unless you are a small, one-person business with a desk and chair, there will likely be a lot of office furniture to move between your old location and your new one. While it may be tempting to disassemble, move, and reassemble your office furniture on your own, this also increases the chances of injury. When relocating your business, you might consider hiring professionals to do the work for you.

Why You Should Hire Pro Movers for Your Commercial Move

If you have ever tried to move your desk by yourself, you know it’s heavy! Desks, filing cabinets, and certain types of chairs—all of these items can be prohibitively difficult for one person to move without risking serious injury. And even if you conscript your co-workers to help with the move, all you’ll do is put more people at risk of injury.

Furthermore, what about the building itself? All it takes is one errant desk corner hitting the wall just right and you’ve got damage to the building, which can get expensive to repair. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about either of these potential scenarios when you hire a moving company.

Moving companies not only have highly trained technicians, but they also utilize gear and equipment designed to make relocation safer and to prevent damage to the furniture or either building as furniture is transported. Movers will carefully remove and (if needed) disassemble your office furniture, transport it to your new location, place pieces where you tell them to, and reassemble any furniture that was disassembled.

How to Make Things Easier During Your Business Relocation

Relocating an office is never an easy task, regardless of whether you’re moving across the street or across town. But by taking these simple steps, you can make the transition as smooth as possible:

• A day or two before the move, give each employee a box for personal belongings. Have them wrap fragile items, place pens and other small items into envelopes to keep them from getting lost, and encourage employees to consolidate their boxes to save space. Also, encourage employees to take personal belongings home rather than keep them at the office during the move.
• Upright file cabinets may be moved with all contents intact, but lateral cabinets will need to be emptied. Also, remember to unbolt any cabinets that are gang bolted together.
• Remove and secure the contents of supply cabinets. Lock, tape, or tie the doors closed.
• Remove books from bookshelves, standing them on end in cartons.
• Complete packing before moving day, as only authorized personnel should be present during the move for safety reasons.

A Commercial Relocation Is Easier Than You Think!

You might think you need to do all the heavy lifting yourself when relocating your office, both literally and figuratively. However, inexperienced movers cannot only cause themselves serious injury, they can risk damaging both furniture and the building, leading to expensive repairs or replacements. If you want to save both time and stress, you should look into hiring professional movers to get the job done safely and correctly.

When you book a corporate move with us here at Nilson Van & Storage, know that you’re paying for peace of mind and a job well done. Our highly trained movers will take care of your office furniture every step of the way. If you are ready to schedule your commercial move with the experts, contact our team today!

When it comes to residential moves, most homeowners trust a reputable moving company to move their personal belongings. However, what happens if something goes wrong and your belongings are damaged in transit? Will the moving company’s liability be enough to repair or replace your belongings, or should you look into additional insurance? Is it even worth it if you’re just moving across town?

Understanding Company Liability and Residential Moves

Whether or not a residential move requires insurance beyond the company’s liability depends on your own personal preferences. All moving companies are liable for the belongings they are transporting, as per the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This means the company cannot damage your belongings and deny responsibility, but it also provides little protection or recourse for you should damages occur.

Moving companies provide two levels of liability: “full” value and “released” value. Full value liability comes at a cost, but it means the mover is liable for the entire value of your shipment, and they must repair, replace, or offer a cash settlement for any damaged items. Released value doesn’t cost you extra, but the company is only responsible for 60 cents per pound per item for damages. This means the company may only pay you pennies to replace damaged items worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Insurance Options Available for a Residential Move

So you’re ready to make the big move, and you’ve decided to add on additional insurance to the moving company’s liability, just in case something happens. Here are your primary insurance options:

• Some moving companies sell insurance offered by their affiliates. This is not possible in all states (check your state to see if it’s legal), and there is a chance of buying a bogus policy you won’t be able to recoup. Remember that, even if your policy is legitimate, the insurance company will be an advocate for the moving company, not for you. This means claims may be processed slowly, or be at higher risk of rejection.
• Most homeowner’s insurance companies will either provide coverage for moves already or add them to your policy for a small fee. Call your insurance agent to see what options are available to you under your homeowner’s policy.
• If your homeowner’s insurance doesn’t offer moving insurance, there are third-party companies that can provide it. Costs vary depending on the declared value of your belongings, and you have to keep the deductible in mind in the event nothing goes wrong during the move. Also, remember that as with insurance offered by moving companies, there are shady insurance companies that will take your money for a “policy” but never pay up in the case of a claim. Don’t get burned!

Insurance for a Residential Move…a Smart Idea!

It might seem a bit silly to pay for moving insurance when you’re only relocating a few miles away. However, damage can be done regardless of the distance traveled, so moving insurance may be a good investment for you if you have a lot of possessions with high dollar values. However, as with any industry, there are shady companies and scam artists waiting to take your money, so make sure you properly vet any company before signing a contract.

We here at Nilson Van & Storage look forward to assisting you with your move. Contact our team of residential moves experts to explore the best options for your situation.