Category: Blog

When packing for a move, the number of potential packing mistakes is almost endless. Over the years we’ve discovered the most common ones and how to avoid them. By packing properly, you avoid breakage and save time upon arrival at your new home. Know about these seven common packing mistakes and avoid the pitfalls of them:

1.Broken Items Incorrectly Wrapped

When you are packaging breakables, it is necessary to wrap each item individually and use additional packing materials around the edge of the boxes to avoid broken items and chipped edges. Use household linens to line boxes, and invest in large amounts of packing paper to protect your household goods.

2.Items Soiled in the Move

The reality is that you are likely moving some things that are less clean than others. To avoid dirt and grease from bikes and tools transferring to sofas and mattresses, cover all upholstered items completely. Your professional movers should be able to provide the proper materials to cover them

When packing dishes and other items, resist the urge to use newspaper to wrap them. Ink from newsprint transfers to dishes and will result in you needing to spend extra time cleaning them on arrival at your new home.

3.Not Properly Protecting Your Items

Invest in a variety of sizes of boxes to adequately protect large and bulky items. If you choose to use a full-service mover, they will provide all the necessary boxes.

4.Melting Items

If you are a candle lover moving during warm weather, there is a big possibility your candles will melt during the move. Pack them individually, away from linens, wood, books and anything else that could suffer damage from melted wax.

5.Leaking Items

Don’t pack electronic items or anything sensitive to liquid with items that could leak. For kitchen packing, most people will pay attention to such things, but remember that there are also things in the bathroom and garage that leak. Decorative items like snowglobes can also break and leak during moving and destroy items packed with them.

6.Random Boxes

Organize what will get packed to avoid frustration when unpacking. Before movers come, ensure good organization with everything at least in the room it belongs in. This will make things easier to find when you arrive at your new home.

7.Disorganization

You can save money and time by purging before you pack. How much you have to move determines your moving rates. Getting rid of unused items and decluttering will help tremendously in the amount of effort the move takes and how much it will cost.

Avoid packing mistakes completely by opting to use a full-service mover. Contact our team of professionals at Nilson Van & Storage today and get all the details of what we can do to make your move as smooth as possible.

Your moving company can take the stress out of your move and help you manage an overwhelming experience. However, no two moving companies are alike. So what should a customer do to get the most out of their moving company? We’ve found six foolproof tactics to maximize the process:

1. 1. Treat your movers with kindness. Welcome them into your home and have a variety of snacks and drinks available for them.
   2. Communicate with them about your expectations for the move and then let them do their jobs.
   3. Get organized before they arrive. Everything should be in the correct room. Any downsizing and decluttering should be complete. This will expedite the efforts to get your home packed.
   4. Label items that will go to an alternate destination, like storage. Movers can deliver to more than one final destination, but these very clear labels make sure items get to the proper place.
   5. Disassemble furniture to save time. Your movers can spend their time taking apart your furniture, or they can focus on more important things, such as packing boxes.
   6. Be ready for the moving company to start when they arrive on the scheduled day. This means being out of bed and dressed. Breakfast should be over. Children and pets should be elsewhere to make things easier for everyone.

Get the most out of your moving company by using these foolproof tactics. To get moving services you can trust, you need a company that has experience on its side. Contact our expert team at Nilson Van & Storage now to get a quote on your next move.

Up your level of protection on your belongings by purchasing moving liability coverage before your next residential move.

Did you know that your homeowner’s policy does not cover you if you are in the process of a residential move? Professional movers do provide liability coverage on your items but the company may not cover every type of occurrence or to the full replacement value of your possessions. Before your next move, you should explore the benefits of moving liability coverage.

The Basics of Moving Liability Coverage

Moving liability coverage covers your possessions while they are in transit from one home to the next. It goes above and beyond the standard insurance that comes from your moving company. It allows for the replacement cost of your items and is well worth the investment. For a small percentage of the value of your goods, you can have peace of mind.

Shopping Around for Moving Liability Coverage

If you’re in the market for moving liability coverage, it is important to shop around and get a variety of prices. While some moving companies offer moving liability coverage through other companies they have a connection to, most states do not allow it, as they see this as a conflict of interest.

An online search for moving liability coverage will produce a variety of companies who specialize in covering the risks of moving. Get no less than three quotes on your policy. Be sure to compare and contrast not just the actual price of the policy but things like deductibles and exclusions as well.

Before choosing the company you will do business with, do some research on it. By contacting the Better Business Bureau and independent ratings companies like AM Best and JD Power and Associates, you will be able to find out how easy the company is to deal with, how financially stable it is, and its reputation for caring for its clients.

Moving liability coverage is a smart investment. Before your next residential move, take a realistic inventory of your belongings and find the right moving liability coverage company to protect what you have worked so hard to purchase.
Contact our team of moving experts at Nilson Van now to learn more about how we can make your next move easier.

Discover the stress-free benefits of hiring professional packers for your upcoming residential move.

A residential move can be a tremendously stressful event, one that can be physically and mentally challenging. It can consume weeks or months as you prepare for the big day — and even more time if you intend to handle the move on your own. That’s why professional packers are the way to go. They free you up to take care of the things that only you can do.

Some of the benefits of hiring professional packers for your residential move include:

• They know exactly how to pack everything. Because they have extensive experience packing up homes, they are masters at fitting everything securely into the right sized boxes to prevent breakage and loss.
• Professional packers have an inventory of packing supplies, so you never have to worry about running out of supplies and needing to go shopping for more.
• Because they have no emotional attachment to your “stuff,” they can quickly box up your items based on the room.
• You will prevent yourself from getting physically exhausted when you hire packers. It can take long hours and even weeks to pack up your home when you do it yourself. But a team of packers can easily do everything in a day, as they simply pack everything and don’t organize or downsize as they go.
• With professional packers, you will have more free time to take care of the many things you need to handle of when moving.
• Professionally packed items come with liability coverage.

Professional packers can be the most important investment in your upcoming residential move. Connect our team of moving experts at Nilson Van to find out how we can streamline your moving process.

A successful office relocation is all about timing.

Planning and executing an office relocation is a major undertaking. While most offices have significantly less stuff to move than a household, what makes an office move more complicated is the potential disruption to your business. Knowing when to plan an office move is critical to avoid such disruptions. Here are some factors to consider as you prepare to relocate:

Choose a Downtime for Your Office Relocation

When you are looking to move your office, plan it around a natural downtime. If your business has seasonal peaks and valleys, such times should be easy to identify. When fewer customers are reaching out to you, your moving day will be smoother and less disruptive to your bottom line.

Consider what your downtime during the week is when planning the actual day. Most businesses have a typical Monday to Friday schedule and find that a Friday afternoon or even weekend move works best when relocating offices.

Make Sure the Professionals Are Available

Before fixing the date of your move, ensure the professionals you need for a successful move are available. This includes an experienced office moving company, a computer technician, and business telephone installers. These people are critical to the success of your move and will ensure there is minimal if any disruption to your day to day tasks.

If one of them is not available on your ideal move date, you may want to consider a new date. Moving and needing to wait for computer connections, furniture, or telephone service can cause major business interruptions.

Scheduling your office relocation is an exercise in juggling schedules and analyzing when the move will be least disruptive to your organization. Contact our expert movers at Nilson Van now to find out how we can help with your upcoming office relocation.

Making plans for moving in the military? Get inside pointers for military moves from experienced movers.

Military families face moving in the military again and again, so much so that they can often give pointers to the average family to help streamline the process. However, new military families or those who haven’t moved in a long time may need some tips. With military moves, whether you choose to orchestrate the move yourself or let the military handle it, the upside is that you can rely on professional movers. That takes a huge stress off you.

Here are some tips to help streamline your upcoming military move:

• Typically, you get plenty of notice that a PCS or permanent change of station is coming. As soon as you learn of your orders, it’s time to purge. Even if your last move was as recently as two or three years ago, there is likely an abundance of stuff that you can get rid of to make the move easier and more efficient.
• Don’t pack. The professional movers will open up your boxes and repack them. This is to ensure all items have proper protection, as the moving company has liability coverage on everything they pack.
• Clearly label anything you do not want packed or place it all in a “safe” place. Packers will pack everything. So make sure you have necessary items pulled aside before their arrival.
• Have a first-day box that travels with you, not the movers. Include items you will need as soon as you arrive at your new home — toilet paper, snacks, towels, shower curtain, hygiene items, disposable plates and cutlery, snacks and more.
• Make things easier upon arrival at your new home by marking boxes with colorful duct tape to designate the room the box should go to when carried in. Further categorize boxes with a marking that reminds you which boxes you should open first.
• Be very organized about your move. Keep all your documents and notes in one central location. Call to schedule utility disconnections and hook ups at the new location early. If you have school-aged children, know what you need for school registration and have those documents readily available. Do some research on your new town to get a feel for the area.
• Know the additional restrictions that apply to military moves overseas, so you don’t encounter surprises.

Get more information on moving in the military from the experts at Nilson Van & Storage by visiting us online.

As you plan for your residential move, it’s important to take steps to protect your furniture and appliances from the bumps, scratches and damage that can happen during transport. At Nilson Van, we’ve heard some horror stories about moves gone bad when items were vulnerable during the move and suffered damages — sometimes irreparable.

Let’s cover a few of the important steps you can take to ensure your belongings stay safe on the trip to your new location:

• First and foremost, the most important step you can take to keep your furniture and appliances safe is to hire professional movers. Movers have the training and experience to handle even larger items. They know how to prepare them for transport and deliver them safely. Working with friends, family, or other people without professional experience in residential moves can be a costly mistake.
• Unplug appliances at least 24 hours before the moving day. This will give them time to drain if necessary. If you neglect this step, you could have a major mess on your hands.
• Secure appliance and furniture drawers, shelves, racks and cords. Leaving these items loose can cause problems on moving day. You can use tape, ropes, bungee cords or plastic wrap to make sure everything is tight and secure.
• Acquire the right supplies. Make sure you have boxes of all sizes, bubble wrap, tape, blankets and other cushions to move larger items. Keep in mind it can be a hassle to track down these items on your own. But when you hire the right moving company, they’ll bring these packing items with them.

No one wants to have to replace furniture and appliances after a move. Moving is expensive enough as it is! By taking the necessary precautions, you can get everything to your destination in one piece, so you can make your new place a home as quickly as possible.

Contact our expert moving team at Nilson Van today for help getting your furniture and appliances ready for your residential move.

When it comes to moving, few tasks are as complicated as the international move . Packing up your belongings and moving to another country involves a lot of research and planning. One major cause for confusion is figuring out which items will need to clear customs when you arrive in your new country.

Here’s a quick guide from the pros at Nilson Van to help you get some clarification on what to expect to clear customs:

5 Steps to Get Through Customs Successfully

First, you will need to secure an estimate or quote for your move, and then select your moving company with experience in international moves. This step is important, because once you have your mover lined up, they will be able to guide you through the process and help you with clearing customs when the time comes.

• Find out the duties and taxes for which you will be responsible for going through customs; make sure you have the most recent list, because they often change without notice.
• Inquire about the customs clearance office or company with which you will be working at your destination. Call them in advance with questions to ensure there are no surprises.
• Each country’s customs process is different, so don’t assume if you have navigated it in one destination you will be fine for another.
• If you are bringing pets, you will typically need to show proof they have a microchip.
• Each country has a list of commonly restricted items. Check with your destination to make sure you aren’t trying to bring any items on the list.

Let Nilson Van Guide You Successfully Through Customs

You will want to have our team of international move experts on your side as you prepare to clear customs. We know the ins and outs of the process and will help you to learn everything you need to know about the customs in your destination country. Visit us online today to get your free quote.

Oh, the office relocation — it’s a mixture of excitement, chaos, and stress — potentially a whole lot of stress if you haven’t planned properly. But our pro moving team at Nilson Van is here to help you get organized for the big move. Our decades of experience have shown us that if you fine-tune your moving checklist and have the right movers in place, you will be able to eliminate most of the stress and chaos, and focus instead on the excitement.

Let’s take a look at three important items you need to have on your office relocation checklist.

A Moving Timeline

To ensure everyone in your office is on the same page, it’s important to provide a packing and moving timeline for your staff. Provide a document that includes the dates they will need to pack up their belongings and prepare their computers and desks, as well as the final date they will be working in the existing office. By keeping them in the loop and outlining the expectations you have for their participation in the move, you will avoid confusion and chaos.

Wrap Up the Desks

An easy way to secure desks and filing cabinets, including the items inside them, is to wrap them up with plastic wrap. If they can lock, do that first, but using the wrap provides another layer of security. It’s much easier to do the “wrap-up” than it is to have each employee unload their desks and cabinets into large boxes.

Use a Labeling System

Another great way to stay organized is to use a consistent labeling system on each piece of furniture and equipment. The labels will correlate with the doors at the new office location, so there is no confusion as to where each piece will go.

Get Your Office Relocation Right with Nilson Van

Let us put our seven decades of moving experience to work for you. Contact Nilson Van today to get a quote for your office relocation. Visit us online or call 800-845-2682.

A military relocation can be a stressful time. But when you have the right moving company working for you, it can make the difference between smooth sailing and a chaotic, frustrating transition. There are certain things to watch for as you consider different moving companies to facilitate your move. Here are the top considerations.

Does the Company Specialize in Military Moves?

A military relocation isn’t the same as any other type of move. Look for companies that list military relocations as part of their specialized services. Check their website and online reviews to see if they have the information available to show they know what they are talking about when it comes to moving in the military.

Does the Company Hire Experienced and Trained Movers?

While the company may sound great on paper, it’s important to know they hire professional movers who have the proper experience, training and background checks. The last thing you will want to worry about is sketchy or inexperienced movers. Don’t be afraid to ask the company about the individuals who will be providing the moving service and what their background information and training include.

Does the Company Have Good Communication and Customer Service?

You should be able to tell as soon as you connect with a moving company whether they will have the communication style and customer service to meet your expectations. Ask questions and request timelines. Make sure the company seems competent before you sign any paperwork hiring them for the job.

Our Expert Movers at Nilson Van Are Ready for Your Military Relocation

In your search for the best movers around, we know you will discover you can get the best of the best at Nilson Van. We have been helping members of our military move for more than seventy years. That’s a long time, and we have many satisfied military clients to prove it.

Visit us online today to learn more about the benefits of choosing Nilson Van for your next military relocation