Category: Blog

Residential moves, like any other, pose risks to your belongings.

Residential moves typically aren’t covered by insurance, but by valuation, which is a predetermined amount shippers agree to pay toward any damaged, lost or stolen items while your possessions are in their care. You may also purchase Goods in Transit insurance through any regular insurance agency. Using your homeowner’s insurance policy to cover items damaged during a move usually isn’t recommended, as the claim will be counted against your insurability and these policies typically cover only 10 percent of your damaged goods.

Here are three common types of valuation coverage provided by moving companies:

1. Lump sum value coverage is often available in increments of $1000. When lump sum, or “assessed value” coverage, is an option, it’s usually an add-on and not included with typical valuation plans. This is useful for households with especially valuable property.
2. Full-value protection normally comes with deductibles and a plan minimum. These plans cover replacement costs for all of your valuables. However, fees can apply so make sure you’ve secured enough coverage to pay for administration costs and replacing your items.
3. Declared value is the most common type of valuation available through a moving company. It assesses the value of your goods based on per pound of weight, and traditionally it doesn’t offer much coverage. If your claims go over this amount, they will likely be denied, so make sure you read the fine print before you file.

Click this link or call 803.786.1090 to ask our friendly moving experts at Nilson Van about the valuation coverage available for residential moves. We are here to answer your questions and provide the service you need to make your move a success.

Moving in the military isn’t as complicated as you think.

Moving in the military really boils down to two things: what you’re allowed to take to your new location and how much the military will pay for you to move to your new location. There’s a difference, so it’s important to work with an experienced company that takes time to go through their policies with you.

Consider the following situations where your belongings might be left behind:

• The military doesn’t mess around with weight restrictions. All military moves are limited by a certain weight limit, and the amount is determined by your military grade and the type of your assignment. Obviously, an E-3 on temporary duty is going to need to bring fewer items from home than someone who’s been on the job for 10 years and is moving an entire family. You can find out your weight restrictions from the moving office at your current base.

What about professional gear? Some of the items you use for work can get pretty heavy, so in select situations, certain officers are able to get 2000 lbs. of extra allowance for moving supplies and training materials directly related to their jobs. Any other overage will be left behind. In certain situations, you can risk your entire shipment being held hostage while you struggle to cover extra fees, so don’t assume you’ll be an exception to the rules. Most likely, you won’t be.

• Neither the US or foreign governments allow just anything to pass their borders. Each country has its own list of items that can’t leave the country, as well as items they don’t want to let in. Reasons vary, but it can be incredibly difficult to cover all of these restrictions. Working with professionals really helps in terms of identifying contraband.
• In addition, regulations and insurance coverage won’t allow certain items to be moved. Living plants, combustible materials, garbage and certain other items aren’t allowed to be packed and shipped commercially. Your moving company can provide you with a list of items you’ll need to ship to your new home.

Request a quote whenever you’re moving in the military. Nilson Van can provide you with an accurate estimate, and they can help you adhere to applicable laws.

Moving internationally takes a distinguished plan of attack.

Moving internationally presents its own challenges, but planned appropriately, you can safely and easily move your belongings from one country to another. Working with experienced movers with their own partners in your intended new location can be of great benefit. This is especially true in areas with many restrictions for what can be moved across borders.

Using these tips, you can ensure your belongings survive your international move:

• Hire professionals to handle the packing. Professional moving companies have many services. Instead of trying to save money by sticking just to moving your belongings, consider having the pros pack for you as well. They have all the necessary supplies on hand, they understand the best way to pack and this will help meet the standards of moving goods out of your home country and into a new one.
• Schedule a quote several weeks in advance. A reputable moving company will ask to see your home before giving out a guaranteed estimate. Otherwise, you’re working with a ballpark figure and those ballparks can change dramatically between a phone call and your moving day. Clean your home, pare down your items and then call the movers of your choice for an estimate. During this visit, you may learn some of your belongings—like that oak dress with rosewood inlay—can’t be moved out of the country, giving you a chance to make arrangements to store it or sell it to someone else.
• Follow the experts’ advice. Experienced moving companies have learned a lot through trial and error. They typically provide you with moving guidelines and a rough schedule. Pay attention to these instructions if you want to receive your goods as soon as possible once you’ve completed your move.

If you are moving internationally, click this link or call 803.786.1090 for a free quote from Nilson Van before you get started.

Commercial moves include supplies and equipment you might not know about.

Commercial moves aren’t much like residential moves. There are very few circumstances where you wind up moving the same kinds of belongings from one type of job to another. Even offices that have large, bulky equipment to move, and partitions of the like you’d never see in a traditional home, will have special needs. Cubicles and office furniture can both pose headaches unless you have the right plan of action.

Columbia business owners should consider hiring these jobs out, but if they have to rely on staff, the following tips can make it easy to move cubicles and extra bulky office furniture:

• Provide staffers plenty of sturdy boxes, dunnage, and tape to securely pack all of their items. Packing everything in boxes is an easy way to save time, prevent damage, and stay organized. It also allows you to make the most of your moving vehicle’s space. Don’t leave floor lamps, plastic plants, large light fixtures and similar items loose. Use boxes for everything you want to move to your new location, and make sure your staff labels them appropriately.
• Disassemble all the furniture, and pack pieces together. Use smaller boxes inside larger boxes to store furniture hardware or smaller components like wheels. Large pieces can be packed into larger boxes which are then labeled and taped securely together.
• Remove shelving and desktops from cubicle walls. These pieces should be packed into boxes and clearly labeled by number. A corresponding number should be assigned to each partition of cubicle wall.
• Cubicle walls should be disassembled, beginning with the outermost walls. This helps to keep walls organized. It’s also a more secure method and prevents walls from falling apart and causing damage or injuries.

 

Residential moves pose some awkward challenges for novices.

Several common household possessions can make residential moves more difficult than expected. Pictures are just one. Thankfully, the experts at Nilson Van have the following tips for packing these challenging items and making sure they stay safe on your way to a new location.

Follow these five tips for securely packing pictures:

1. Stock up on four-way mirror cartons and paper pads.

No job is done best when performed with the wrong tool, so get the moving supplies made for protecting pictures. Four-way mirror boxes are thinner than standard moving boxes, and come apart in four pieces to fit snugly to any sized picture frame. Paper pads are made of three-layers of paper that are thick enough to provide support while staying affordable. You can also use thin blankets or moving pads for wrapping pictures.

2. Wrap up your framed picture like a holiday present.

Using a paper or moving pad, or a light blanket, lay your picture down, wrap the pad around all the sides and then secure sides and seams with tape.

3. Mark the glass side of the wrapped up picture.

This can easily be done by writing “glass” on the appropriate side of a paper pad or on the tape securing a moving pad or blanket.

4. Put together a four-way carton and lightly fill with dunnage.

Each of the boxes four pieces should be constructed and secured with tape. Make sure to cover the seams. The bottom two pieces should be slid together, with the last two added once the frames are in place. Dunnage, or any type of packing, such as popcorn peanuts, crumpled newsprint or bubble wrap, should be put in each of the four built pieces to cushion the frame.

5. Secure pictures in boxes.

Two frames can be placed in each box, with their backs to each other. If a glass frame must face another picture, be sure to place an extra pad between them. Once placed inside, each top piece of the carton should be slid on carefully. The sides should be adjusted until they fit snugly around the pictures. Finally, tape should be used to secure the shape, including covering all seams. Clearly label each box with the name of the room where you want it unloaded.

Schedule an appointment with Nilson Van for residential moves involving picture frames and other awkward items. Our moving professionals have the supplies and the knowledge needed to pack your possessions quickly, securely and to keep them organized during your move. Click this link or call 803.786.1090 for a free quote for your next residential move.

Learn how to reduce your storage expenses when moving in the military.

Moving in the military often includes temporary storage when you’re overseas. There are items you can’t move out of the United States—because of export laws and because it would be too expensive. You can store those items while you’re away at no expense to you as long as you follow a few simple measures.

Make sure you get the best value from your storage company by following these steps:

• Choose a company based on credentials. If you’ve been surprised by your moving orders, you may want to get things scheduled and out of the way. Just make sure you take the time needed to find a company with experience in storing goods, as well as moving them. You can work with two different companies, but with the quality options available in the Columbia area, there’s really no need. Talk with companies, make sure they can handle the job and then get your plans squared away.
• Watch weight limits. The military will pay for up to 18,000 lbs. of your goods to be moved and stored. Certain members will be able to receive an additional 2,000-lb. allowance for business materials. However, whether you’re at an 18,000- or 20,000-lb. limit, you are responsible for any overage. Talk to your shipping company about determining the weight of your goods and how they handle billing for any amount over your limit.
• Schedule multiple services, if needed. Chances are, you’ll be taking some of your belongings with you on your move, even if you also need to hire storage. The military will cover more than one shipment, but the weight limit is cumulative. If you’re over your weight limit before your move is complete, it may be in your best interest to pare down your belongings.

Click this link or call 800-845-2682 to schedule a time with Nilson Van to get a free quote the next time you’re moving in the military.

Understand the restrictions and potential ramifications that come with moving internationally.

Just like there are goods US companies can’t sell to other countries, there are goods you can’t take with you when moving internationally. Whether you are aware of these restrictions or not, if you are moving these goods they may be detected during shipping and seized by the government. Similarly, there are items that cannot be shipped into the country you’re moving to that might be held by their customs department.

Here are the steps you should take if your goods are seized:

• Determine who made the mistake. Anyone is capable of making a mistake, and customs policies change regularly. It can be hard for workers and shipping companies to keep things straight. If professional movers packed and shipped your items, you should be able to file an insurance claim. The company may also be able to communicate with customs to have your items returned.
• Request the return of your items. Whether customs made an error, or you knowingly shipped something you should have kept at home, you may be able to have your property released to a trusted family member or friend. Customs receives these requests on a regular basis, and a good number of people are successful. Customs is much more likely to return, say, a guitar containing a type of restricted wood than they are a pallet of counterfeit purses.
• Seek legal representation. If the seized item is important or was seized in error, or if you’re facing legal consequences for breaking import/export laws, you may need a lawyer. A professional moving company may be able to connect you with someone experienced in custom disputes.

Click this link or call 800-845-2682 to contact Nilson Van to learn which items may cause problems when you’re moving internationally.

Learn the best way to kick start commercial moves.

Business owners can help make commercial moves faster and easier by employing a professional moving company. Not only can they safely shift equipment, furniture, and supplies of every size, but they can also help with packing. You provide your expertise to those in need, so don’t ignore the resources available to you when it’s time to use them.

Here are three benefits to hiring a commercial moving company to pack your business:

• They have experience. Professional movers have years of training and experience with moves of all sizes. Knowing the best way to pack and organize isn’t second nature. Much is learned through trial-and-error, as well as industry peers and the experience of on-the-job mentors. Your staff likely has little experience moving, and more than likely, they don’t want to.
• They have insider knowledge. Along with experience come tricks of the trade that allow for cheaper, faster packing and moving jobs. For instance, many laymen assume professional packers go overboard with boxes, but the truth is these boxes offer several benefits. Boxes help keep track of like items, which prevents things from being lost and makes unpacking easier. They protect items from damage during relocation. They also make things easier to stack in a moving van, which makes it possible to fit more inside a smaller moving vehicle, saving money for you in the process.
• They have insurance. One of the biggest benefits to hiring professionals for this job is the security of insured work. If something goes wrong and your employees are doing the hefty lifting, damages are on you. With a professional mover, your losses are covered.

Click this link or call 800-845-2682 to contact our expert team at Nilson Van in anticipation of any Columbia-area commercial moves.

Learn the easiest way to make residential moves more enjoyable.

Residential moves can tax your body, your wallet, and your nerves, but there is a way to make them less harrying. Hire out your packing to a professional moving company.

Here are just a few benefits to hiring someone to pack for your move:

They have the right tools for the job. Moving companies have endless reams of bubble wrap, 20 lb. rolls of packing tape, and plenty of boxes. What supplies do you have on hand? Many homeowners run to the grocery store, and grab old boxes for moving, never thinking about the pests they could be moving right along with them.

Your possessions are safer. Professional packers are trained to wrap your items in the safest way possible, and they have the practice and experience to do the job right. What about you? When was the last time you moved? How many breakables did you own, and how did you secure them? Professional packers and movers also carry insurance, so if anything gets lost or damaged, you can easily have it repaired or replaced.

Your stuff takes up less room. This is a benefit many homeowners ignore at first glance. Sometimes, you pay less for your move if you’re able to fit your items into a smaller moving vehicle. Packers can help you pay for their services simply by allowing for price cuts elsewhere.

Unpacking is easier. When pros handle the packing, they tend to keep things well organized. Items are packed in sensible ways, by room or with similar items, and labels on boxes are large and clear. This means fewer headaches once you get to your home.

Residential moves are often determined by how well you pack. Protect your possessions and your pocketbook by hiring the job out to the pros at Nilson Van; contact us for a guaranteed quote for residential moves.

Learn how to handle expensive items when you’re moving in the military.

Moving in the military isn’t as complicated as it might seem, but like anything, it’s nerve-wracking until you’re familiar with how it works. You have many options when it comes to a military move, from full-service movers who will pack and unpack to the ability to handle the whole thing yourself and be reimbursed. But what happens when you have professional gear to move along with your personal items?

Professional movers protect your most sensitive possessions in the following ways:

Moving companies abide by state, federal, and international law.

It’s easy to make a mistake if you’re moving by yourself. Professional moving companies know the laws front and back. They don’t want to be sanctioned or fined, and they don’t want to lose their insurance. At the start of the move, they’ll ask you about specialty items. As long as you declare your pro-gear, moving it safely, securely and most importantly, legally, should be no problem.

Moving companies are experienced packing all kinds of gear.

Unless you’ve worked for a moving company, you couldn’t imagine all of the wacky things they’ve been hired to move. Pianos are the least of their worries. So is your gear. No matter what size or shape of items you’ll be moving, you can rest assured that your professional mover can package it securely and protect it during a move. They’ll also be able to track it accurately, so there’s no fear of items becoming lost from one place to the next.

Moving companies have insurance.

Professional movers have insurance that covers lost and damaged items. However, there are a few caveats. First, you have to honestly declare what you’re shipping. Second, you have to pack it securely. Fraud or negligence will nullify an insurance claim, but hiring those jobs out to the pros is affordable, especially when part of a military move package.

If you’re near Columbia, SC and are moving in the military, contact Nilson Van to handle your specialty gear.