How Do I Know How Large of a Storage Unit I Need?

Most Americans have a lot of stuff, and a lot of times, that stuff needs to go into a storage unit. When you look at your belongings in your home, it can be hard to figure out how much space you need for it. Take a look at some tips for figuring out how large of a storage unit you need.

Why Size Matters

A storage unit that is too small means belongings crammed in, leaving them vulnerable to breaking. It also makes it difficult, if not impossible, to access what you need when you need it. A storage unit that is too big, on the other hand, is just a waste of money. You want to find a unit that’s just right for your needs.

Size Guide for Your Stuff

Whether you’re putting a few things in storage to get them out of the way or your whole home’s worth of belongings needs storing, this handy guide can help you determine how much space you need:

  • 5’x5’ = a small closet
  • 5’x10’ = a small a walk-in closet
  • 5’x15’ = a large walk-in closet
  • 10’x10’ = an average-sized family room plus boxes or two small bedrooms plus boxes
  • 10’x15 = family room furniture plus three average-sized bedrooms and boxes
  • 10’x20’ = an average two to three-bedroom house including appliances and boxes
  • 10’x25’ = a three-bedroom house including appliances, dining room furniture, TV, couches, mattresses, and boxes
  • 10’x30’ = a three to five-bedroom house including large items like sectionals, appliances, mattress sets, and large boxes

Needing storage for excess items is fairly common. But if you’re moving and you need short-term storage, you need a moving company that can help you with both your relocation and your storage needs. Nilson Van and Storage is your go-to for everything you need for your move. Contact them today to find out more.

3 Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make During Your Next Move

Are you getting ready to move to a new home? If yes, you know that it can be stressful. To cut down on the stress and make things go smoothly, take a look at three mistakes you don’t want to make during your next move.

#1: Don’t Underestimate Your Budget

One mistake that can throw a massive curveball into your move is underestimating your budget. It’s critical to do your research and talk to moving companies, so you have realistic expectations when it comes to setting your budget. This not only includes the movers but also consider gas, mileage, hotel, food, and other expenses that can go along with a relocation.

#2: Give Yourself Enough Prep Time

Packing always takes longer than you think, and you always need more boxes and packing paper than you expect. If you’re packing yourself, give yourself plenty of time to be sure you aren’t scrambling at the last minute, which can lead to improper packing and breakage. If you’re worried about timing and supplies, consider having your moving company do the packing for you.

#3: DIYing Your Move

Moving a household from one place to another is more work than many anticipate, especially as you get older, your family grows, and the number of belongings you have increases. Relying on friends and a rental truck is not only unfair to your friends, but it’s often much more labor and work than you imagine. Instead of risking injury to yourself and damage to your friendships, be practical about the amount of work involved and hire a professional moving company instead.

If you’re prepping for a move, our movers can help it go smoothly and help keep you from making some common moving mistakes. Contact the pros at Nilson Van and Storage for your next move.
Social Media Post: Is a move in your future? Here’s what not to do.

Can Nilson Van Help You with Stuff Beyond Moving?

When some people move, all they need is a moving van, but others need help beyond just moving their stuff. If your move requires more help than just muscle and a hand truck, Nilson Van and Storage has got you covered. Here’s what they offer beyond moving your belongings from point a to point b.

Short-Term Storage

Not every move goes smoothly from one home to the next. There are often delays that prevent you from moving into your new home immediately. If you’re building a house, there could be a gap between closings as they finish construction. If you’re moving overseas, there could be a delay as you wrap up your business state-side before you embark on your journey. Or if there’s an unexpected delay or hiccup along the way, you might need a place for your belongings while you wait it out. Nilson Van offers short-term storage options for just these types of situations. Here’s what it includes:

  • A complete inventory of boxes, furniture, and other household goods
  • Insulated storage facilities with 24/7 security monitoring
  • Delivery of your belongings when you need them, where you need them

Automobile Transport

Many families and households have more than one car. If the logistics of getting your cars to your new home seem overwhelming, never fear. Nilson Van and Storage has automobile transport services. They can move or even store your car short-term during your relocation.

When you move, you often need more than basic moving services. Nilson Van and Storage can help with so much more than just a truck and a team. Contact them today to help with your big move.

What No One Tells You About Moving in The Winter

Moving is hard no matter the season, but moving in winter has its unique challenges. Though lots of people dread it, the good news is, it’s not as bad as everyone says. Take a look at what no one tells you about moving in winter.

It’s a Great Time to Move

Fewer people move during the winter months. Less demand means more availability when it comes to moving companies and flexible move dates. It also means the possibility of reduced seasonal rates.

You’re Still at the Weather’s Mercy

Even in the south, you’re still at the mercy of the weather, no matter the season. In the winter, you need to plan for possible delays. Not only could weather impact your timing, but there’s less daylight in the winter. Take that into consideration when planning a winter move and incorporate flexibility into your planning.

Protect Both of Your Homes

As you’re moving out of one home and into another, protect your floors and carpets. Winter is wetter, and there’s a greater chance for dragging mud in on shoes and boots, especially with the increased traffic of your moving company. Make sure they lay down protective plastic at the home you’re moving out of and the one you’re moving into.

Trust Your Moving Company

When you hire a moving company, you get their expertise, which includes knowing the ins and outs of moving in winter. Even in the colder months, Nilson Van and Storage has got your back when it comes to residential moves. Contact them today for a free estimate for your winter move.

How to Move Now that States Are Reopening

Moves and residential relocations may have slowed down due to COVID, but they never stopped completely. With states reopening and restrictions lifting, more people are feeling safe to make that move now. Here’s how to do it safely and without pulling your hair out.

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead is always critical to a successful move, but it’s more important than ever in our COVID world. Determining your move date so you can schedule your moving company is a great first step. You’ll want plenty of time to make sure whoever you hire is in sync with your feelings about safety protocols.

Be Prepared

Any move takes planning and preparation, but these days it’s more important than ever. With restaurants still offering limited service and stores following strict safety guidelines, it’s more difficult to make supply runs in the middle of your move. Having water, snacks, food, extra masks, hand sanitizer, and other necessities on hand ahead of time can make your move day easier and less stressful.

Hire the Right Moving Company

Protecting yourself and your family is your top priority. With COVID, it takes on a whole new meaning. Be sure the company you hire follows the safety protocols you’re comfortable with. Social distancing, wearing masks, and reduced contact make many people feel more comfortable. Talk to your moving company before you hire them to be sure you’re on the same page.

Life is a little crazier than usual these days, but states are reopening, and life is getting back to some sort of normal. If you’re moving to a new home, whether across town or across the country, contact Nilson Van and Storage to help make it safe, smooth, and hassle-free.

A Complete Guide to Office Relocation

Smooth office relocation is dependent on a few key factors. Get them right, and you’ll reduce the stress, increase the efficiency, and stay on budget. Here’s what you need to know.

Plan Ahead

As soon as you confirm your relocation, start making a plan. Six months out is the perfect time to put logistics in place. If you don’t have that much time, start as soon as you can. Begin by determining a move date, setting a budget, getting quotes from moving companies, and creating a plan to get you from point a to point b.

The Checklist

Never try to move an office, even a small one, without a to-do list. Include action items, deadlines, individuals involved, team member responsibilities, and tasks that need doing.

Communicate Internally and Externally

Keep the lines of communication with your employees open. Inform them of the plan and the status every step of the way. Ensure they know and understand their roles and responsibilities throughout the process. And be sure to inform your customers, clients, vendors, partners, and other external parties about your move so they know where to find you and when.

Rely on Your Moving Company

Once you get down to a month or two out, rely on your moving company to help you with the final steps in the relocation process. From packing office supplies and furniture to ensuring electronics, computers, and technology move safely, they’re the experts and can help make your move smooth and hassle-free.

Are you working toward an office relocation? Don’t make any moves without enlisting the help of the professionals at Nilson Van and Storage. Contact them today to lock them in for your move date.

3 Moving Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

Moving to a new home can be stressful, but there are ways to make it go smoothly without pulling out your hair. The best way is to avoid some common moving mistakes. Here are three of them you don’t want to make.

#1: Skipping the List

Failing to write a moving to-do list is a huge mistake. It might seem like the things that need doing are obvious, but in the hustle and bustle of moving, it’s easy to forget some critical things. Take some time to make a list. It will help keep you organized, reduce your stress, and make your move go more smoothly.

#2: Waiting Until the Last Minute

Get started as soon as you know your move date, don’t wait until the last minute to get organized. Movers get booked up, especially during the busy seasons. Waiting until the last minute can mean you can’t schedule your moving company when you need them. It can also mean you don’t have cable or internet when you get to your new home, your utilities don’t get transferred in time, and you don’t get your mail at your new address.

#3: Waiting to Pack

Packing up a house takes much longer than most people estimate. Don’t wait until the last minute to start packing. If you have to do it in a rush, you could end up with broken items, things you can’t find, and lack of organization when you get to your new home.

When it comes to helping you avoid rookie mistakes when moving, count on a professional moving company. Contact the team of experts at Nilson Van and Storage to help make your first move seamless and low stress.

3 Pointers When Moving with Several Automobiles

Moving with automobiles is pretty common. But what if you have more cars than drivers? If you’re moving across town, it’s easy to go back and forth and move your cars, but if your move is across the state or the country, the logistics get more complicated. There are ways to manage your move, however, including your vehicles. Take a look at three pointers from the pros.

1: Determine Your Move Date

The first thing to do is to determine your move date. Once you know when your closing is or when you sign your lease or when the kids start school, schedule your move with your moving company. Having the date down is critical.

2: Talk to Your Insurance Company

Most insurance policies cover incidents that could occur during a move, but it’s good to be sure. Contact your agent and verify your coverage for all of your vehicles, whether it’s a car, truck, motorcycle, jet ski, or snowmobile. Make sure it covers everything related to moving.

3: Consider the Costs

Many professional moving companies provide vehicle transportation services. Get an estimate from your movers on the cost of relocating your vehicles. It often depends on the size and weight of the vehicle, whether it’s operable, and the distance to your new home.

Are you moving and taking your automobiles with you? If you have more cars than drivers, you’re going to need some help. Nilson Van and Storage has got you covered. Contact them for a free estimate to transport your automobiles to your new home.

Getting Smart With: Storage Services and Your Next Move

Most people don’t think about storage services when they’re planning for a relocation, but it can be a smart move during your next move. Take a look at what you need to know.

Short-Term Storage

There are many reasons you might need short-term storage during your move. If you’re building a new construction home, you might need to store your belongings between the sale of your existing home and moving into your new one. You might need storage if your buyer requests a quick closing before you can move into your new house. Or you might sell your home before you’ve found your next one. All of these are reasons for smart storage options during a move.

Because You Never Know

If you’re moving to a new home, issues can arise when you least expect them. For example, if you’re moving to a state in hurricane territory during hurricane season, your move could face delays due to extreme weather. Your moving company can’t keep your household items on a truck indefinitely. Instead, putting them in secure storage is a better option until the delay, and the weather has passed. You never know what might come up, and when it does, smart storage services can save the day.

Not every relocation needs access to storage. When it does, you want to feel secure that your moving company is working in your best interest to find smart solutions to keep your belongings safe. Nilson Van and Storage has the experienced professionals and access to storage facilities to give you peace of mind during your move. Contact them today to find out more.

4 Ways to Prepare for Moving Electronics During an Office Move

Electronics are among the most significant considerations during an office move. The sheer volume of electronic equipment most offices have, not to mention the value of all of it, can make moving it seem daunting. We have four foolproof ways to prep all of it for moving day.

1: Pack by Room or Office

Don’t pack all of your equipment and stack it in one place. Pack it by room, office, or location. Packing this way will help prevent confusion as you pack as well as when you unpack at your destination.

2: Wrap Carefully

You do not want to get to your new location and find broken electronics when it’s time to get back to work. Wrap your electronics carefully with plenty of cushioning. If you happened to keep the original boxes, even better. Pack in them if you can.

3: Mark All Boxes

Nothing is worse in an office move than getting to your destination and not being able to identify what items are in which box. Carefully marking each box and piece of electronic equipment will ensure they get to the right location for the right person at your new office space.

4: Watch the Temperature

Make sure your electronics won’t be sitting in extreme temperatures during your move. A reliable moving company will be sure to watch the temperatures, so you don’t end up with damaged equipment.

An office move is a huge undertaking, and packing your electronic equipment can be overwhelming. Instead of using your valuable time and energy organizing this aspect of your move, leave it to the professionals. The experts at Nilson Van and Storage have extensive experience with office and corporate moves and can handle all of your electronic equipment packing. Contact them today for a free estimate.