Category: Blog

How can you make residential moves easier on yourself and your family?

It is very common for individuals and families to make residential moves to other areas of the country for jobs, to be closer to family, or for all sorts of other reasons. But those moves can be stressful and difficult if you don’t think them through and plan ahead.

Fortunately, there is plenty you can do in order to make your residential move more efficient. Here are 3 packing tips to get you started on the right track:

1. Make Sure You Start Packing Up Your Home Early

Don’t wait until the last minute before you start packing. The chances are high that a lot of things in your home are items you want to keep but that you really don’t use every day. If it’s sentimental or seasonal, you can pack it up so it’s ready to move and out of the way.

As your moving date draws closer, keep thinking about what else you can pack up. The more you have in boxes, the easier it will be when you actually start to pack up the last things and get them onto the truck.

1. Boxes of a Uniform Size Make Moving a Household Easier

If you have a jumble of boxes and totes, it can be harder to fit them all in together. That could take up more space, and cost more. Instead, consider:

1. Buying boxes that are all one size, or only specific sizes.
2. Working with a moving company to provide boxes
3. Having a professional pack your things (you can still start early).
4. Talk with Your Moving Company Ahead of Time for Your Household Move

Just like you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to pack, you also want to start talking to your moving company early on in the process. That can help you schedule things better, get the moving date you want or need, ensure you can get your questions answered and make any adjustments needed to avoid last minute surprises.

When you are ready for more information regarding how to make your residential move easier, reach out to our team of moving experts at Nilson Van & Storage.

Moving in the military is unavoidable – but it doesn’t have to be a major hassle. Find out what you need to know.

When you are moving in the military, you have two choices: you can move yourself, or you can have the military move you. There are benefits to both options, as well as drawbacks. If you are moving in the military, it helps to know the benefits of moving yourself before you decide to have the military move you. You may just decide that doing it on your own is the better option.

Make Money Moving in the Military

If you move yourself, it is possible to make some money on the move. If you keep your costs low, your reimbursement from the military, which is based on weight and distance, could be more than you actually paid to move. Get an estimate from the transportation office on what you will be reimbursed. You don’t want to go over, because then you will lose out.

Taking Care of Your Belongings

When you move yourself, you are always in charge of your belongings. You won’t be sending them to get moved with an unknown company. You are bound to be more responsible and careful with your own belongings.

Move on Your Timetable

If you move yourself, you will be able to move on your own timetable. You won’t have to wait for movers to be available to pack, load and unload your belongings.

Pick Your Own Moving Company

One of the greatest advantages when you are moving in the military and you want to move on your own is that you get to pick your own moving company. You can decide which company fits your budget, which company you are most comfortable with, and which company works for your timetable.

When it comes time to relocate, you have two options for moving in the military. Learn more about the benefits of moving yourself when you are in the military. Simply contact our team at Nilson Van to get all the information you need to make a smart military move.

What if delays happen in residential moves? What do you with your belongings? If you can’t keep them in your current space and you can’t move them to your new place yet, you have a real problem on your hands.

When you are planning a residential move, things don’t always go as planned. Sometimes there are unexpected delays that can pose a big problem. Most notably, what do you do with your things when you have delays in your move? Fortunately, you do have options.

Storing Your Possession during Residential Moves

If you have an unexpected delay when you are in the middle of a residential move, most likely you are going to need to find some place to store your belongings. The easiest thing to do is to store your belongings with the company you have hired to help you move since many moving companies offer short-term storage.

You want to look for a moving company that helps pack your things for storage. They should take an inventory of your items so they know exactly how many boxes and other items are being stored. They should also offer you access to your belongings in case you need them during the moving delay.

Where Your Things Are Stored

Whether you choose to rent your own storage unit or have your moving company store your belongings, you want to make sure your belongings are stored in a secure environment. Ideally, the storage facility should be climate controlled and should also be monitored for security so that you know that your items are being well cared for.

Moving can be very stressful and time-consuming. The process doesn’t always go as smoothly as you would like. Sometimes unexpected delays happen and they can leave you in a real bind. But when you work with the right professional moving company, you can have the convenience and peace of mind you need to store your items if the moving process experiences an interruption.

Contact Nilson Van for assistance with your next residential move. Our team of moving experts can help you store your things if there is a delay in your move. It is our goal to make the entire process easy on you, so you can enjoy a low-stress moving experience.

Moving in the military can turn into a waiting game.

Moving in the military has its fair share of horror stories. Lost shipments, broken furniture, and surprise expenses are among the most commonly touted complaints. You know that family who waited more than a month for their beds to arrive? Those stories aren’t just urban legends. Delays happen, but there are simple ways to help prevent them.

Follow these tips to ensure your property arrives on time when moving in the military:

• Hire the right movers.

Nilson Van has “loads” of experience getting service members set up in their new homes. We’re a trusted, approved military mover, and we take that status seriously. Rest assured we’ll take care of your belongings.

• Stick to your schedule.

Stopping for burgers or to see the sights could have devastating effects on your delivery. By law, we’re unable to leave your furniture at your residence without someone in authority signing for your shipment. If you’re not at the agreed upon address, our only option is taking your load to a storage facility while we wait for you to show up.

• Ask someone to stay at your house.

Whether your spouse or parent flies ahead of your arrival or a friend agrees to help you out, it’s always a good idea to enlist someone in accepting your shipment if you’ll be late. Once in storage, it can take weeks for your belongings to be delivered because of backlogs caused by missed delivery dates.

Contact Nilson Van for more information on moving in the military and all the ways you can streamline the process. Say goodbye to stress and focus on what’s most important. We can also provide helpful tips for starting life out in a new location without any hiccups.

How do you prevent loss and damage during commercial moves?

Commercial moves can be fraught with problems. Lease issues, utility delays, and stubborn former tenants who refuse to vacate are just a few of the potential hiccups. One thing you shouldn’t have to worry about is lost or broken property. Work with a professional service so you have plenty of protection from bumps and drops.

The following packing supplies will help:

1. Billions of boxes: If your moving company packs for your commercial move, there’s no doubt you’ll be annoyed by the number of boxes they use. You may even get angry or worry they’re trying to scam you on material costs. They’re not. There’s a good reason behind using so many boxes; they stack easily in a moving van. They’ll also protect your belongings and make unloading faster and more organized.
2. Moving blankets: A moving blanket is a thick, often insulated blanket used to cover large pieces of furniture and office equipment. They’re useful when an object is too big for boxing or when damage is likely. For instance, an antique writing desk could easily be scratched or gauged by another piece of furniture. A moving blanket is perfect to protect the piece while not interfering with packing or unpacking.
3. Bubble wrap: Do professional movers use bubble wrap? Absolutely! The material cushions valuables of all kinds. Bubble wrap is also useful when filling empty spaces within larger boxes. This prevents packaged items from banging around while keeping weight as light as possible.

Contact Nilson Van for help with residential or commercial moves. We have the experience to protect your gear and get your business back up and operating in no time.

Did you know residential moves vary greatly in price?

Depending on how you handle each leg of your journey, residential moves can be very affordable. They can also double your budget. Because cost varies so widely, it’s important to get the best guideline possible for potential costs. Invite your mover to your home for an in-home estimate, and roll into your move well prepared.

In-House Estimates Don’t Lie

At Nilson Van, we perform estimates at your property for a reason. There’s nothing like seeing your belongings to know how much time, space and effort will be needed to move them. Specifying the size of your house or apartment really doesn’t help. A rough estimate can be made based on jobs of similar size, but until they see your furniture, your mover won’t know how much time your move will take.

What Happens When You Can’t Pay

Horror stories abound of people who couldn’t pay their moving fees. What happens next is largely determined by local laws and location. In some areas, movers have the right to put your property in storage until you pay off your bill. Others can tack on storage fees on top of that rate. What you considered a low estimate could count as highway robbery if you wind up using the wrong company.

Make sure you always ask for—and check—mover references. Ask about the expense, but also about moving time and property condition upon arrival. Value protection is an important factor in which company to select. Make sure it’s included somehow in your moving contract.

Contact us for a free quote on commercial or residential moves. Never trust a moving business that gives quotes over the phone. Insist they meet you in person, so you can head into the process well informed.