Category: Blog

Moving internationally takes a lot of planning and preparation. On top of learning new laws and customs, getting all of your addresses changed, and looking for work in a new environment, you also have to move your physical belongings.

When moving internationally, the planning stage is best performed at least three months ahead of time for a few reasons:

1. Your Items Will Need to be Packed for Long-Term Transport

Traveling overseas will require that your possessions are well-packed and secured for safe transport. This process takes time and requires significant planning to avoid costly mistakes.

1. To Sort Out Items You Don’t Need to Take with You

Although you may want to keep your old high school yearbooks (even though you’ll probably never look at them more than twice), there will be a lot of items that you just won’t be able to take with you. Giving yourself enough time to think about what you want to keep and what you can get rid of will prevent hard decisions on moving day.

1. To Find Transportation for Special Items

Your Monet collection will most likely need special handling during a long flight overseas (probably). For special cargo such as antiques, fine art, or even your pets, it’s best to plan their safe international move months ahead of time.

The amount of work that goes into international moves can make your head spin, but giving yourself enough time to plan your move will keep you from going crazy.

Nilson Van is well acquainted with moving internationally. Contact us today to ask how we can help you prepare for your international move.

Residential moves may require storage-in-transit options for a variety of reasons. Scheduling your move around specific deadlines, a home sale, or while your new home is being built adds additional challenges to the moving process. Any professional moving company will be able to provide you with a temporary storage solution to meet these potential challenges.

Here is a list of considerations for storing possessions temporarily during residential moves:

1. Storage Facility Security

Your moving company should be able to provide you with temporary storage options that offer 24-hour security and alarm systems. This ensures your items are safe during your move.

1. Climate Control

While not every situation calls for climate control, you may want to consider what items require special care during storage. Fine art and antiques usually require specific climate and humidity conditions to retain their quality.

1. Easy Access to Your Items

You may be storing items in storage longer than several weeks, and you might run into a situation where you’ll need to access some of your items again. It’s best to label items that you may need to access for your movers so they can store those items closer to the front in case you need to access them during your moving period.

1. Gas Fueled Equipment

If you’re storing equipment that holds fuel (gas tanks, lawn mowers, chainsaws, etc.), you’ll need to drain your gear of the fuel and oil before storing it in a storage facility. This is to ensure that storing your equipment doesn’t pose a serious risk of fire in the facility.

Temporarily storing your possessions is certainly an option with any professional moving company. Having a safe place to store your items will be one less thing to worry about during your move.

At Nilson Van, we provide you with safe options for temporary storage during your move. Contact us today to ask about our storage options for residential moves. We’re happy to help.

Dealing with the stress of moving in the military can be difficult. On top of uprooting yourself, and potentially your family, from your current residence, you’ll have to plan a move and make sure your belongings arrive at your new station safely.

To make your move easier, there are some questions you should ask a mover before booking your date to lessen the stress of your military relocation:

Is my preferred moving date available?

Asking your mover which days are available will guarantee you can move when you prefer. Relocations between May and August, especially around Memorial Day and the 4th of July, are difficult to book because these are the busiest moving times of the year. Ask your moving company what days they can accommodate your move.

What are shipping weight allowances?

If the military or a government-approved carrier is handling your relocation, you’ll be given specific weight allowances for your move. Your compensation amount depends on how many dependents you have and your rank, and going over this allowance can get expensive. Fortunately, your allowance may not include some of your military gear. Asking your mover about shipping weight allowances and items that are not factored into your final weigh-in can save you money in overage fees.

Am I protected against damaged, lost, or stolen items?

Any good mover will have some level of protection against damaged, lost, or stolen items during your military move. Be sure to ask your mover what options are available for protecting your personal items.

Will I be given a tracking number for my shipment?

With the high-tech GPS tracking gear you’re used to in the military, it’ll be frustrating if your mover tells you, “We can’t locate your shipment at this time.” Although we may not be able to give you minute-to-minute coordinates of your shipment, any A-list moving company should have up-to-date estimates of your last shipment location.

Are there restrictions on what I can ship?

Federal and international laws restrict various items from being shipped. Some of these items include aerosols, ammunition, loaded weapons (well, of course!), fire extinguishers, fuels, batteries, and many other items not listed here. For a full list of articles that a mover cannot transport for you, contact your moving company.

What will happen to my items if no one is available to receive the delivery?

Things happen. Cars get flat tires and delay travel times. Family members forget they have to be awake to receive important shipping deliveries at home. Whatever the reason is, you may find yourself in a situation where no one is available to receive your shipment. Ask your mover about their process in this situation and arrange for a plan B to prevent significant delays or additional storage fees.

Asking these questions before booking your move will prepare you for a seamless trip.

We’ve been servicing our military for the better part of last century, and we’re here to make the process of moving in the military easy and convenient. If you’d like more information about our services for moving in the military, contact us here at Nilson Van.

Shipping your valuables and fragile items during an international move can be tricky business. There’s much ground (and water) to cover. Keeping your items safe during the long ride will prevent you from finding grandpa’s pocket watch in pieces.

Here are six ways to keep your articles safe during an international move:

Consider leaving behind items of extreme personal value.

Keeping grandma’s old grand piano with you at all times might seem like a great idea. But if the thought of receiving broken piano keys in a box labeled “sorry” makes you shiver at night, it’s probably better to find a relative or friend who wouldn’t mind piano-sitting for awhile.

Buy the right packing materials.

For fragile items, using high-quality packing materials is a must. That old Grateful Dead t-shirt may work if you’re planning on moving across the street. However, for international moves, consider better quality packing materials such as corrugated boxes, wood crates, foam sheets, bubble wrap, shipping tape (nothing with the word “Scotch” in it), and void fill.

Learn the best packing techniques.

There are lots of videos on the Internet for the best packing techniques. One key principle is to “float” your item. Floating involves keeping your delicate article adequately cushioned, away from the walls of the box, with void filler and bubble wrap. Test your finished box by shaking it: you should hear nothing.

Start packing early.

Rushing through the packing stage of your valuables is a sure way to end up with shattered memories. Literally. Plan ahead when preparing for a long move and give yourself time to pack each item with care.

Consider international shipping insurance.

Nobody wants to add to the sad news of broken or missing valuables by hearing, “You didn’t buy shipping insurance?” Oooh. It hurts just to think about it. You can prevent this sort of heartbreak from happening to you by thinking hard about the value of your item. If it’s worth that much to you, insurance is the best way to pad against unforeseen problems.

If all else fails: leave it to the pros.

If the thought of packing fragile items yourself frightens you to tears, you can always let the pros handle it for you. Better moving companies provide expertise in packing and shipping the most fragile items, and some will even offer full replacement insurance for belongings that are dearest to your heart.

With these tips, your items can travel across the globe and arrive safely at your new doorstep.

Nilson Van knows what to do during an international move. With over 70 years of moving experience, we have the right tools to keep your items safe during your relocation. If you’d like more information about how we can help, contact us and get the details you need to prepare for your next international move.

As you stand at the doorway of your office building, gawking at the legions of computer keyboards and ergonomic chairs, you wonder: “How much are commercial moves?”

Every space is different, but there are some critical factors we use to price your move. Keep these price-impacting variables in mind and you’ll have more control over the final cost of your relocation.

Here are the six factors to remember for pricing your commercial move:

How Quickly You Need to Move

If you needed to be out of the building yesterday, and your landlord has sent you a courtesy memo with colored words, you’ll need a fast move. Faster moves usually require more trucks (if you’re hauling lots of items) and more movers. However, if your landlord is giving you a break and you have some time, you could save on the extra labor and truck hauls.

The Square Footage of Your Commercial Space

A 3,000 square foot office space will be less expensive than a cavernous 10,000 square foot building—unless you’re using 10,000 square feet to accommodate your collection of old fax machines. All five of them. Then we’d make some price adjustments.

The Need for Additional Packing

We could help you with packing your items if you need a hand. Some items are best packed by professionals to prevent damage, so that wouldn’t be a bad idea. But if you’re looking to save, packing most of the items yourself will factor into the final price for your commercial move.

Sensitive Equipment or Artwork

If you have expensive TVs or Picasso originals in your commercial space, these delicacies may require special handling. We may need extra padding, or our electronic moving service if your valuables require a secure transport. We wouldn’t want that 1911 Picasso original blemished by a loose 1984 IBM computer. That would just be wrong.

Furniture Disassembly and Reassembly

Furniture pieces are a particular consideration because they require some disassembly and reassembly. We do this to maximize the storage space of our trucks and make it easier for our guys to haul. If you have large workstations, cubicles, or sectionals, these will require more time and labor to move. If you are a carpenter or have one you could ask a favor of, doing this labor yourself before your moving day will save you the extra cost.

Potential Delays

Elevators are always great—except when they don’t work. A nonfunctioning elevator on your moving day means our guys will be doing calf raises down the stairs as they haul your items. Is there a scheduled street construction project on your moving day? The road construction could add delays to your move if we’re doing multiple trips. Take a moment to ensure your elevator inspection is up to date, and call your city construction projects department to make sure that your chosen day doesn’t lead to costly delays.

With these factors in mind, you’ll have a better understanding of how we price your move.

Nilson Van is no stranger to commercial moves. If you’d like to get more information about our services and how we can help during your commercial move contact us today!

Residential moves involve relocating most of the items in your home, but there are some items a moving company won’t be able to handle. While it may seem like an inconvenience (we’re a moving company, right?), there are four categories of items that are either best transported with you or left behind altogether for a safe trip.

Here’s a handy list of belongings that need special handling during residential moves:

Pets and Critters

Our moving trucks sail on the highways traveling with the items of your entire home. However, one thing our trucks don’t do is provide safe and comfortable conditions for animals. Your pets and critters would rather enjoy the crisp breeze of an air conditioner over the stuffy cabin of a packed moving truck. An occasional treat for the long ride would be nice too. It’s best to keep your pets and critters with you or in a designated pet transport during your relocation.

Plants and Flowers

Plants need water, sun, and love to thrive and stay lush-green. Our moving trucks don’t travel with their own sun or water supply. We could provide love, but in this case, love just isn’t enough. We advise keeping your plants with you during your move where they’d get the sunshine and water they need.

Hazardous Materials, Flammables, and Combustibles

While most people don’t store radioactive materials at home, there are many hazardous materials in your home that a moving company will not be able to handle during your residential move. Some items include aerosols, fireworks, ammunition, oxygen tanks, fuel, medical waste, paints, and many other items considered hazardous by the federal government. If you’re uncertain whether any particular object is categorized as being dangerous, just ask us. We’re here to help.

Food and Perishables

If you want to save the rest of that creamy chicken pesto penne until you get to your new home, we suggest an icebox and transporting it with you. It won’t be edible after a trip in the cabin. You’ll also want to empty your fridge of any perishable goods well in advance of your move, or donate any food you’re unable to eat.

Finding a safe way to handle these items ahead of your big move will make the whole process easy and less messy.

We’re always here to help at Nilson Van, and we delight in finding solutions for your most challenging relocation needs. No matter what size your move is, it’s the perfect size for us to handle for you. If you have questions about residential moves and how we can help, contact us today!

Do you know how to minimize your risks when moving internationally?

Moving internationally is an adventure, but there are several ways to feel less anxious during the process. Get your move off on the right foot by taking a few common sense steps. Responsibility #1 is learning about the legal issues surrounding your shift from one country to the next.

Here are three essential steps guaranteed to get you started on the right foot for your international move:

1. 1. Contact the Consulate

Visit the consulate or embassy for the country you’ll be moving to and request information on obtaining visas, work permits, and the rules for moving your belongings. Certain items may not be allowed to cross the border, while others will require additional fees to process. Be sure to get all the forms you need for customs, both for exiting this country and entering your new one.

1. 1. Collect Your Paperwork

Your passport is just one of the documents you’ll need to do day-to-day business in another country. Birth certificates, medical records, banking information, and tax returns will all be needed to secure housing and utility service and other activities.

1. 1. Hire an Experienced Moving Company

It pays to hire a mover with a history of successful international jobs under their belt. From packing to customs and finding local partners to unload your items at your home will be easier if handled by someone with experience. So much can go wrong that you really can’t risk handing the job over to novices.

Moving internationally? Contact our team at Nilson Van to get your moving services squared away today, and avoid needless complications.

Commercial moves require special protection. Do you know what to look for in a moving company?

Commercial moves often involve millions in assets, but even if you own a smaller business, it’s essential that the moving company you hire is prepared for the job. Insurance is complicated, but it’s not something you can gloss over when switching out one location for another. Making that mistake can bury your business in the event of a problem.

Here are some tips to consider when planning a commercial move:

Watch out for Weight-Based Coverage

Simply having an insurance policy doesn’t mean much in the moving industry, namely because there are different types of coverage. Some are worth their weight in gold, while others are worthless. Weight-based liability plans, for instance, often provide less than $1 per pound of coverage. Opt for plans with replacement value coverage instead.

Limit Your Liability in Case of Mover Injury

Some companies hire independent workers and skip the expense of worker’s compensation. That will leave you vulnerable in the event of an injury. It’s also a good sign they’ll cut corners in other areas, so make sure any moving company you hire has their own house in order before you sign a contract.

Understand Federal and State Moving Licenses

The US government requires all professional moving companies who shift goods across state lines to have DOT licensure. However, extra requirements are needed for companies operating inside South Carolina. Make sure your commercial movers have both US DOT and SCP-SC numbers, and check to make sure they’re valid.

Schedule business relocation services from a company you know can handle commercial moves. You can be sure we have the insurance and licenses required by moving companies operating out of South Carolina. Contact Nilson Van, and secure your moving dates today.

Appliances complicate residential moves.

Appliances aren’t just a hassle during residential moves because of their size. They’re also complicated pieces of machinery you can easily damage unless you do things right. Make sure you take time to prep your stove, fridge, and other appliances for moving day if you want them to work once they get to your new home.

The following are some tips to help you make the residential move process go as smoothly as possible:

Unplug major appliances at least 24 hours before your move.

This is especially true for any units that need to be drained, like a dishwasher, washing machine, freezer or refrigerator. These tasks take time, and if ignored, can make a mess of your entire shipment. Talk to your move about how to contain appliance-related moisture and smells well before moving day.

Clear and clean your stove and other appliances.

Not only will it be more enjoyable moving into your new home with sparkling clean appliances, cleaning your stove, fridge, and other items is a common sense way to prevent smells from affecting the rest of your belongings. Clean appliances are also easier to move, cutting down on your potential damages and injuries.

Secure all of your appliances doors, racks, drawers and cords.

Loose items cause damages, and they can also injure your moving crew. Unfortunately, this step isn’t as cut and dried as it seems. A few appliances need their racks removed and packed separately – like dishwashers. Washing machines are even more complicated, as their drums need securing, and the best way of doing so differs by manufacturer.

Contact Nilson Van for help getting your appliances ready and to learn more helpful tips for residential moves. From start to finish, we make sure your belongings stay as safe as possible.

Moving in the military is pretty simple once you have the basics down.

When you’re moving in the military, you have a few different options allowing you to hire the best companies for transporting your goods. You can even pay them to pack and unpack your belongings. This makes the moving process significantly less stressful at first, but you have to know the right ways to take advantage of it. Work with the right professional moving company, and you’ll save yourself a tremendous amount of work.

You’ll have the following options available when it comes time to hire your military movers:

• Government-approved carriers can be scheduled through the Defense Personal Property System. In order to make moving ultra-easy, the Department of Defense created the DPS. It connects service members with qualified movers, as well as expediting scheduling, tracking, and claim filing, when needed.
• The Personally Procured Move – or Do-It-Yourself Move – allows you to be reimbursed for funds you spend on an alternative moving company. Just remember, DIY moves aren’t covered by insurance costs, and the military won’t get involved if you have disagreements with the company.
• DIY moves also allow you to move your own belongings and get money back on top of your expenses. Move yourself, and you’ll be faced with the hassle of packing, lifting, and shifting all of your belongings, which may make your move to a new location extra daunting. What’s even more surprising? DIY moves can wind up costing you more than it would to hire professionals.

Click this link to schedule your move with Nilson Van today, and secure the best option when you’re moving in the military. With 75 years of experience, we have the professionalism and experience you need to make the most of your move funding. Visit us online or call 803-786-1090 to get a free quote.