Month: July 2016

If you’ve ever wondered what the best options are for transporting your vehicle in long distance residential moves, worry no more. Read on to discover the options available to help make this move less stressful for you and your family. Whether you have a car or truck, a personal or recreational vehicle, a new hotrod, or a grocery-getter with a lot of miles, you are going to need to get it there, safely and securely.

Thinking about Handling Residential Moves on Your Own?

You could decide to move the automobile yourself, but that could be difficult depending on what type of vehicle it is and what kind of condition it’s in. Also, if you have multiple vehicles, you could run into trouble finding enough drivers to help you transport.

You must also consider the cost of driving your own vehicle. There is the obvious cost of gas, but there is also the cost on your vehicle—wear and tear and mileage—as well as the cost of your time. One other thing to keep in mind: the unmeasurable cost on your health—driving long distances can take a toll on your body, your sleep, and your emotional state from the mental and physical stress.

Considering a Moving Service to Help with Your Residential Move?

If you haven’t considered a professional moving service yet, you should. While the benefits to using a moving service to help you transport furniture and other possessions are well-known, most people don’t realize there are transporting options for your automobile as well.

A good moving service can help you pack with care, help you move your belongings with you wherever you need to go, and can also transport your vehicles—all the while, making your move as easy and stress-free as possible. At Nilson Van, we are here to help you with any and all of your moving needs, including your automobile transport. Contact our team of residential moving experts to find out how we can help you with your long distance residential moves.

When moving in the military, unexpected issues are common. Whether you are moving yourself, your government office, or your whole family, these 10 tips will help make your next move easier:

1.Understand that planning is your friend

Don’t stress yourself out when you receive word for your next move, but definitely plan ahead. Have a plan in mind and put it in place, so once your orders arrive you will be ready.

2.Create a binder for important paperwork

You are going to need all of your paperwork in one place, and multiple copies of certain papers, like orders, birth certificates, social security cards, etc. Creating an organized binder will help keep track of all these important documents.

3.Don’t pack items you will need for the first day

You won’t be able to control what goes on and comes off the truck, or when. Instead, pack a freezer bag with these items and label them bathroom, bedroom, etc. Mark with an “X” and a note that says, “do not pack,” so movers know to leave it.

4.Lighten your load: Declutter 

Throw away anything that is broken. Donate or sell anything that hasn’t been used in two years (or since your last move) or anything that is unneeded or unwanted.

5.Get out your camera

Take a picture, or a photo inventory, of everything you are packing. In the event of having to make a claim due to loss or damage, actual photo proof will be your best asset.

6.Keep your packing liquid-free

Since you probably know by now that transporting liquids of any kind is prohibited, and since most of us don’t like to waste the things we buy, consider switching to powder items where possible once your orders arrive.

7. Use colored duct tape

Pack each box using a different colored duct tape designated to specific rooms or people in your home. This is especially handy for families with children and will make unloading the truck much easier for all people involved.

8.Pack and move important or expensive items separately.

Things can get broken or misplaced. Personally handling these valuable items and shipping them to your destination separately could prevent such accidents.

9.Pay the cleaning fee.

Don’t add to the stress of a move by obsessing over passing a cleaning inspection. Let a professional cleaning business take care of it for you.

10.Feel free to fire movers.

Always remember, if things are going wrong, or you don’t feel confident about your movers, you can contact the transportation office and request replacements.

If you are planning on moving in the military, contact our team of moving experts at Nilson Van & Storage today. We are ready to answer your questions and ensure you get the professional moving services you need.

Moving to another state can be stressful and complicated in itself, but who should you count on for help when moving internationally? You definitely shouldn’t just give your money (and possessions) to the first company you see. So how do you pick the moving company that’s right for the job? How can you trust you are picking a company that will leave you with a smile on your face and a job well done for this important move?

Here are 5 examples of what a reputable international moving company looks like:

1.The company has been around for a while.

If the company you are considering to move you to another country hasn’t been in business long, then you might want to be wary. Similarly, if you can’t find any buzz about the company, either in the Yellow Pages, online, or in any discussion forum, you should keep shopping. Reputable companies will have been around long enough to establish a good name in their local area.

2.Positive feedback or reviews.

Research the company, and consider where the reviews are posted and what the reviewer is saying. If someone posts a negative comment about something that isn’t relevant to what the company does, then obviously that comment shouldn’t be considered. Some negative feedback can be overlooked, as long as there is more positive out there than negative.

3.The company is BBB accredited.

Search the company name and address in the Better Business Bureau’s database. The BBB will track any negative reviews or any fraudulent activity, and will let you know how quickly those occurrences were resolved. A respectable business will have a rating of at least an “A,” but A+ is even better.

4.The company hires pre-screened employees and keeps customer satisfaction a top priority.

A respected company runs efficient screening and background tests for its employees, to ensure customer satisfaction is high.

5.The company is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce.

This is not a requirement to make a business reputable, but it is definitely a sign that a business is highly respected in its community. You can find out if a company is part of the local Chamber of Commerce by contacting the company directly.

Research any moving company you are interested in using, especially for something as significant and complicated as an international move. When you are ready to get serious about finding the right team to help you with moving internationally, contact our friendly team of professionals at Nilson Van & Storage.

When considering commercial moves/business relocations, it may be difficult to understand certain terms and conditions. It doesn’t help when most paperwork is written these days using legal terminology the average person won’t understand. If you have ever felt this way when trying to differentiate between a binding estimate and a non-binding estimate, you are not alone. 

Read on to get it all straight and discover what a binding estimate can do for your commercial move.

Binding vs. Non-binding: What’s the Difference?

A binding estimate simply means a guarantee on pricing with a contractual commitment. It means a moving company can’t charge any greater amount than what is specified in the estimate, even if additional charges occur during the move. On the other hand, a non-binding estimate means no guarantee on pricing and no contractual commitment. Cost can change based on inventory of customer goods, weight of shipment, services provided, and destination of shipment.

Understanding the 2 Different Types of Binding Estimates

The first type is “binding-not-to-extend,” which is most favorable to consumers because the consumer never pays more than the agreed upon amount, but can actually pay less than the estimated amount if the actual weight of the shipment is lower than the initial assessment.

The second type is the binding estimate, which can also be referred to as the “fixed price” estimate because the price stays the same regardless of varying weight or any other costs incurred. This is considered the fairest option for both parties.

Whether you’re looking for a binding estimate, a binding-not-to-extend estimate, or a non-binding estimate for your commercial move, make sure to research your options carefully and choose the best one for your company’s needs.

Nilson Van & Storage pledges to send a qualified professional to assess your needs and offer a quote that will be both accurate and clear. For more information on commercial moves and business relocations, or to learn more about our various moving services, contact our team today.