Author: splashme@splashomnimedia.com

A move to a new home is exciting! But it’s also stressful and a lot of work. Moving from one town or state to another is hard enough, but moving to another country takes the process to another level. Being prepared is critical to reduce moving stress. The first step is to make a list of necessary items to take and items to leave behind. Whether you’re taking a short-term adventure or making a permanent move, we can help you move across countries with this checklist.

Travel Light – Leave the Furniture Behind

Companies set international moving prices by weight, so the less you take, the easier and more affordable the move. It’s tempting to take everything from your old home and transfer it to your new house but think twice before loading up your antique buffet and 10-foot dining room table for an international move. For the price of moving those items, you could potentially replace them when you get there. If a piece holds sentimental value then you can consider taking it with you; otherwise, sell, donate, or store your other furniture.

Toiletries Do Not Require Expensive Shipping

Of course, you’ll want to take your toothbrush, toothpaste, and the toiletry items you use daily, but there are many toiletry and personal care items that you can and should leave behind. Liquids are not allowed on any type of move, so don’t plan on taking those items with you.  

Leave the Bedding and Linens Behind

Taking your favorite comforter or blanket is reasonable, especially if you can use it as packing material for other items. However, taking extra sheets, blankets, towels, and pillows is not recommended. Not only will you end up with more stuff than you need, but you’ll spend way more than you want to on moving costs to get them to your new home.

Store the Files and Paperwork

Take your passport, visa, birth certificate, driver’s license, and medical certificates, and leave the rest behind. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have some of that paperwork with you. An easy solution is to digitize it before you go. Scan anything important and save it to the Cloud or an external storage device and leave the hard copies in a file in storage or shred them if you don’t need them and let them go.

You Won’t Need Your Vacuum

You can leave your vacuum, blender, mixer, curling iron, and electric razor behind. Why? Because they’re easy to replace wherever you go, and you’ll most likely need one with a different plug. Many countries outside the U.S. use different types of outlets, so your household items won’t work overseas. Unless you are willing to purchase an adapter for all of your corded items, leave them behind.

Moving to another country is exciting, scary, challenging, and fun, and a lot of work. Leaving behind unnecessary or easily replaceable items are both ways to reduce the stress and cost of moving to another country. The easiest way to relieve international moving stress is to hire a moving company with extensive international moving experience. Contact the Nilson Van and Storage moving team today for a free estimate and some handy guides to help you prepare for your big move.

No matter how many times you receive a PCS, the process of moving can be overwhelming. The best way to beat that feeling is by getting organized. A permanent change of station can be exciting and stressful, but having a checklist is a great way to stay in control without pulling your hair out. We’ve compiled a handy pcs moving checklist that will keep you coordinated without adding another complicated component to your to-do list.

#1: Connect with the Base Transportation Office, Finance Office, and Family Center

Schedule a meeting with the office in charge of relocation for your branch. At the meeting, gather information, including the moving options available based on your rank and family size. They can help you determine whether a DITY move or having the military provide movers is best for your situation and can assist in making the arrangements for your move. In addition, the finance office can tell you what relocation benefits you can take advantage of, based on your eligibility. You’ll also want to contact the family center at your new base for information on any assistance programs they offer at your destination and for helpful guidance on the new community you’ll be joining.

#2: Get Your Paperwork in Order

The military handles your move orders, but you need to make sure you carry copies with you and have all your other paperwork ducks in a row. If you’re going overseas, don’t forget to get and update all family members’ passports. You’ll need driver’s licenses and identification cards if you’re staying in the U.S. Ensure you have copies of dental and medical records for yourself and all your family members, including immunization records. Hand-carry birth certificates, social security cards, and marriage licenses and/or divorce decrees with you to your destination. If you have kids, get copies of their school transcripts. Other paperwork to have on hand includes wills and power of attorney, shipping and storage documents, insurance policies, real estate titles and deeds, and copies of income taxes.

#3: Start Culling and Packing

Start purging, and get rid of, sell, or donate any items you don’t use or need. Be sure to have clothes clean and folded, dishes clean and in cupboards. This makes It easier for the packers to pack. The lighter the load, the easier the move. Don’t wait until you get to your new home before decluttering. Put together a box of essentials to carry with you in the car or plane and mark the box so you know to open it first. Bring a carry-on bag with clothing, toiletries, essential documents, and personal items so you have easy access to what you need. Remember if you pack anything, leave the box unsealed so the packers can inspect it.  Plan on the packers coming prepared to pack all that is relocating.

#4: Work with an Experienced Moving Company

Some military members use the DITY method when changing bases, which is great for some people. But for others – especially those with limited time, a family, or a large household – it’s less stressful, more efficient, and more affordable to work with a moving company for a successful PCS. In addition, they can help you with your pre-move assessment, full packing services, shipping, secure storage, and even unpacking. 

Frequent relocations are part of the job for military personnel, but that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult and stressful. Using a moving company with extensive training and experience handling PCS moves is vital to an easy and smooth process. If you’ve got PCS orders, don’t wait to reach out to military relocation professional. Contact Nilson Van and Storage for help and guidance with everything you need for your relocation. We hope this PCS moving checklist makes your move go smoothly!

Your business is your single biggest investment. So when it’s time to move to a new location, you don’t want just any moving company taking care of your assets. Use these tips to find the right commercial moving company.

Make Sure They’re Licensed

Anyone can build a website, buy a truck, and call themselves a moving company. But do you want those guys handling your electronics, office furniture, and equipment? Probably not. When hiring a moving company, check to ensure they have a license, which also ensures they have insurance and experience to do the job without leaving you liable.

Check Their Reputation

It’s easier than ever to check the reputation of any company you do business with, including commercial moving companies. Ask for referrals from business associates, check the Better Business Bureau, and look at online reviews before committing to a company.

Know Their Affiliations

Many independent moving companies have affiliations with larger van lines that help support them in equipment, training, and certification. These affiliations let you know they have met the criteria and standards set by the national brand name moving companies, so you know your move isn’t in the hands of an inexperienced rookie.

Find Out Their Specialties

Some moving companies specialize in various types of commercial moves such as appliances, large-scale manufacturing equipment, high-end technology, or customer service centers. Do your research to ensure you’re working with a company with the experience you need for your industry, company, and specific needs. Make sure you have a representative come to the site and do a walkthrough, so they are able to see the specific items to be relocated. They should also view the destination site as well.

Your representative can assist with the proper logistics on your relocation, so all goes as seamlessly as possible, with very little interruption to your clients.

Hiring the right movers for any relocation is essential to a successful move, especially for business and corporate moving. Contact Nilson Van and Storage for reliable, knowledgeable, and experienced commercial moving.

As a business owner, relocating to another state means also relocating your business. No matter the size of your company, moving it can be a complex process. The good news is we’re here to help. With these three tips for corporate interstate moving, you’ll be ready.

Tip #1: Start Early

Even if you think you have plenty of time to prepare, always err on the side of caution. Planning the logistics of interstate relocation can take longer than you might imagine. Make sure you have all your ducks in a row regarding the legal details, securing a property, and ensuring your employees are ready for their relocations.

Tip #2: Manage the Details

Put together a moving plan as soon as you can. Map out details about who is going with the company, positions you’ll need to fill when you get there, what equipment and furniture is going and what isn’t, the final move dates, and when you need to be out of your old building and offices. Organize a committee of employees to help with the plan so they can feel included in the process and assist with all the fine details of the planning.

Tip #3: Get a Moving Company on Board Early

The best way to make corporate interstate moving go smoothly is by hiring a moving company to help. Reliable, experienced corporate movers know how to help you plan, can do all the packing to secure your equipment, and can even provide short-term storage if there’s a gap between your departure from your old property and arrival in your new one.

If you’re relocating your business to another state, don’t fly by the seat of your pants during the process. Instead, get a team of professionals in your corner as soon as you know the move will happen. Contact Nilson Van and Storage today for a free quote and all the support you need from their corporate relocation team.

Are you working toward a business or office relocation? No matter how small or large your company, the need for storage could be a factor. Here’s what you need to know about self-storage vs. warehousing and if storage in a warehouse is the best option for your company.

What is Self-Storage?

Many Americans have more stuff than they can fit in their homes, which is why self-storage is so abundant. But self-storage can work for businesses too, including during a company relocation. If you have a gap between your move-out and your move-in dates, storage is a great option for keeping furniture, electronics, equipment, and office supplies. If your new location is in the middle of renovation when it’s time to move, a storage space can house any extra stuff until you can move it into the new building. The drawback to self-storage is that you must do it all yourself or hire a moving company to move things into the space now and then again to move it back out of the storage unit later.

What is Storage in a Warehouse?

Warehousing is like self-storage because it offers space to securely store office equipment and supplies during a business or company move. Whatever the reason, be it a timing gap or excess furniture, warehousing is a great solution, especially when your moving company is the one offering it. They will move your items to their warehouse and keep them safe and secure until it’s time for them to move them to your office location.

To find out if self-storage or storage in a warehouse is the right option for your company during a relocation, talk to moving professionals with experience to guide you to the right decision. Contact the moving experts at Nilson Van and Storage to find out more.

Could a job relocation be on your radar? Before you pack the car and hit the road, there are some significant factors that you should think about before deciding to stay or go. Here are four things to consider before a job relocation.

#1: The Cost of Living

A new job can be exciting and full of promise, but not if you end up with a pay cut due to an increased cost of living. Before committing to relocating for work, research the cost of living in the new location and compare it to where you live now, your current income, and how the salary offered might impact your lifestyle.

#2: Schools in the New City

Sure, the new job sounds great, but how will it affect your kids? Look at the schools in the area in and near your new job’s location. You might want to reconsider the job offer if the schools are not up to your expectations.

#3: Advancement Opportunities

With any new job or promotion, it’s vital to look at the job itself as well as how it will affect your career trajectory. Understanding advancement opportunities, or lack thereof, will help you make an informed decision about whether the relocation is right for you in the long term.

#4: Do You Like the Destination?

The most important factor to consider when weighing the pros and cons of a job relocation is whether you want to live in the new location. Do you like the weather and the climate? Is it too urban or too rural for your lifestyle? Does it have access to recreation, culture, restaurants, and other activities you enjoy? Will your family be happy and thrive there? Before deciding, you should spend time there to be sure it’s a good fit.

If a job relocation is the right move for you, let the experts help you get there. Contact Nilson Van and Storage for a free estimate.