Month: January 2019

Developing and adhering to a moving budget is a smart way to manage the costs of moving, but what about those hidden costs? It’s the unexpected and last minute costs that tend to drain your bank account (and/or savings) and leave you feeling frazzled. Here are some of the potential hidden costs to consider as you plan out your moving budget:

1. Insurance for the Move

If you use a professional moving company, they will provide the insurance coverage for you; however, the standard rate typically isn’t enough to cover replacement of many items. Additional coverage is often necessary for valuable and delicate items.

2. Cost of Cleaning and Fixing Up Your Former Home

Whether you are selling or renting out your old home, repairing and cleaning it will be tasks to make sure are on your to-do list and included in your budget. You may be handling the tasks on your own or planning to hire them out—either way, there will be expenses to build into your moving costs.

3. Cost of Travel

Your boxes aren’t the only items moving to your new place—so are you, your family members and any automobiles you have. You may need to pay for tune-ups and or repairs for your vehicles before you leave, and you will definitely need to pay for plenty of gas to get you there. If the distance long, you may need plane tickets and/or hotel stays as well.

If you want to get an accurate picture of what to expect for the costs of moving, including the hidden expenses, contact our team at Nilson Van & Storage now. We will help you to get ready for you move and provide professional moving advice and assistance when you need it most. Connect with us online now.

Moving with pets brings with it a set of challenges above and beyond the normal tasks of a residential move. Moving with cats? Well, that’s in a category all its own! Anyone who has cats in his or her life knows that the idea of moving and disturbing the peace and routine for a cat can be a recipe for a super stressful time.

Check out these three tips for moving with cats to bring the stress level down for both you and your feline:

Tip #1: Prepare Your Cat for Moving Day

You can begin to familiarize your cat with the idea of moving and having some disruption in their environment and schedule. Doing this in advance can minimize stress when it is go time. For example:

• Gradually encourage your cat to spend more and more time in the carrier. If he or she is rarely in the carrier and suddenly has to spend the entire day in one, that’s going to lead to one unhappy cat. By letting your cat check out the carrier a little bit each day (preferably while enjoying a treat), you can help her not to be as irritated.
• Let your cat play with the moving boxes. Being around them before moving day will help cats not to be so skittish and concerned about the invasion of boxes when it’s time to pack.

#2: Protect the Cat’s Routine

Like a child, maintaining routine for your cat during a move is a smart idea. Routines bring comfort and consistency and will help to counteract any anxiety the cat may be experiencing.

#3: Contain the Cat

On moving day, as you or your movers are loading and unloading the truck, it can be far too easy (and tempting) for the cat to bolt out the door or become injured by heavy boxes. Whether it’s time to put the cat in the carrier with a treat and a toy…or you decide it’s best to put them in a bedroom with the door shut, containment is the most effective way to keep the cat safe and secure.

Need more tips for moving with a cat? Get all the advice you need for moving with pets from our team at Nilson Van & Storage. Call 800-845-2682 or connect with us online now.

The residential moving process doesn’t need to be a chaotic, overwhelming event. However, far too many people attempt to move without a plan, and that’s how it becomes chaotic and overwhelming. Take a proactive approach for your upcoming move by creating and sticking to a packing and moving plan.

From packing up the first box to unloading and arranging items in your new place, there is a certain order you can follow to alleviate stress and hassle.

Here are some highlights from the moving experts’ ultimate moving to-do list to streamline your residential moving process:

2 Months Prior to the Move

• Create a packing and moving strategy and schedule certain tasks on certain days to keep you on track week to week.
• Obtain quotes from dependable moving companies; if you aren’t sure where to turn, ask friends for recommendations and search for highly reviewed and rated companies online.

One Month Prior to Move

• You hired your mover last month, so now it’s time to check-in with the company to confirm the moving day details.
• If your moving company is handling the packing, you won’t need to worry about supplies. However, if you are going the DIY packing approach, make sure you have plenty of the right supplies lined up and ready to go for moving day.
• Contact utility companies to disconnect internet, cable, electric and other utility services once you are gone; don’t forget to set up utilities for your new place.
• Create an inventory of your belongings in order to keep track of everything during the moving process as well as to help you determine how much moving insurance coverage you will need.
• Plan where items will go in your new home and make a packing and unpacking plan based on where you intend to move furniture and other items.

A to-do list will certainly help you out during the process, but to have the most streamlined and efficient residential moving process, reach out to the pros at Nilson Van & Storage today.

If a residential move is in your future, throwing out unnecessary items should be on your to-do list. It’s common to accumulate a lot of stuff you don’t really need. In fact, the longer you have lived in your home, the more belongings you may have crammed away in closets, in the garage or in boxes in the basement.

Of course, if you are super organized and on top of things, you will not have as much as a self-proclaimed packrat or “hoarder” who can’t bear to let go of items even if they don’t serve a purpose. Still, nearly everyone can thin out personal possessions prior to a move, especially once you consider it can lead to decreased moving costs.

A portion of your moving funds will go to boxes, the weight of the items you move, and labor for each box you bring along. Plus, the fewer things you move, the less you must spend time unpacking at your new location.

Let’s take a look at three things you may want to throw out before your residential move:

#1: Books

Books are heavy and take up a lot of space in boxes. If certain books have sentimental value (or real value), go ahead and keep them—but only the ones you are certain you can’t let go. Otherwise, give them away.

#2: Clothes and Shoes

Everyone has those boxes of clothes or shoes that they rarely if ever wear. There’s no need to bring them along on the move. Donate them and free up yourself and your boxes.

#3: Coffee Mugs and Cups

It’s common to accumulate quite a collection of mismatched coffee mugs and cups; however, moving them is pointless. You can inexpensively replenish your collection with matching mugs and cups once you arrive at your new home if necessary. Or, if you are like most people, you can afford to get rid of ALL the mismatched and cracked items and will still have more than enough for your family.

Need help planning for your residential move? Connect with our team of moving pros at Nilson Van & Storage today.