Category: Blog

When you are moving internationally, it helps to know what to expect.

While Nilson Van has been doing business for over 90 years in South Carolina, with select locations in neighboring states, we’re also active helping our customers who are moving internationally. We’re often asked to provide over-the-phone quotes on how much a move will cost. Call it daydreaming or planning for the best possible scenario, but people love to have a rough estimate of how much these kinds of endeavors will take at the very beginning of the planning stages.

The Problem with Phone or Online Estimates

While Nilson Van does not give binding quotes over the phone or Internet, we can speak in averages, as long as you realize how different one international move is from another. Not only does location determine the distance you’ll be moving, but the costs of services in-country, customs, and other price-relevant factors.

For instance, a 2-bedroom house is often estimated to contain 5000 – 7000 lbs. of furniture and belongings, while a 4-bedroom house is estimated to contain more than twice that amount. In reality, some 4-bedroom homes are small and sparsely decorated, so costs would be significantly different from what an online calculator might project.

Rough Estimates

Moving an average-sized 3-bedroom house from Atlanta, Georgia, to London, is expected to cost between $6000 and $8500, before insurance costs. How do you feel about that quote? Do you think it’s specific enough? These are the kinds of quotes you can expect from companies online, and in truth, they might have little in common with your actual costs.

When you’re really ready to start planning your adventure, it pays to prepare your household items and invite someone from a reputable company to visit your home for an estimate.

If you are seeking more accurate information on moving internationally, get in touch with the experts at Nilson Van.

What factors into the cost of major commercial moves?

The cost involved with commercial moves vary widely, so you shouldn’t expect a reputable mover to offer you any accurate quotes online. That can be frustrating for the person who wants to start planning, but relying on a rough estimate can easily blow your budget. It’s much better to ready your business for a guaranteed quote delivered in-person.

So what drives the cost of warehouse relocation? Take a look at the following, in order to minimize your costs:

• Size and number of items moved
• Supplies and equipment needed to securely move items
• Disassembly and reassembly of existing equipment
• Disconnection and installation of existing electronics
• Assembly and installation of necessary new items at new warehouse
• Required insurance, storage, and security

Experienced Movers Cut Costs and Avoid Problems

If you’re moving from select South Carolina, North Carolina, or Georgia locations, give Nilson Van a call. We’ll introduce you to a comprehensive warehouse relocation plan that helps you avoid common pitfalls. From needing proper permits to having onsite security at both locations throughout your move, we’ll help you reduce costs and downtime by helping you adequately prepare.

Most of today’s business owners are shifting locations because better spots are opening up at better prices. For these commercial moves, warehouse relocation plans should start roughly four months in advance. This gives you a chance to pare down your inventory as much as possible, but also to ensure your inventory tracking is in line to prevent items from being lost during transit or poor organization upon delivery. However, if you’ve experienced a fire, flood, or other disaster that is forcing an emergency relocation, we can use our experience to streamline your shift from one location to another.

When embarking on business relocations, work with the experts. Give us a call and we can come out and help get you get ahead of schedule with an estimate you can trust.

How can you make residential moves go as smoothly as possible?

Residential moves can be made much easier by following two simple steps. First, start to minimize your belongings so you will have fewer things to pack and move. Second, find a secure and organized way to get everything to your new home.

Cut Back on Clutter

According to Real Simple magazine, people only use around 20 percent of their belongings on a regular basis. That means that you have a whole lot of stuff sitting around that might not even serve a real purpose in your home, that’ll you’ll pay someone to move for you. Before you ask for quotes, go through your items. Envision your new home, what you’ll be doing in each room and see if you can find a place for each of your possessions in your new place. If you’re struggling to imagine when something will be used, it may be time to sell it or donate it to a friend.

Because moving companies charge based on the time it will take to pack and move your belongings, this decluttering stage will only make moving day easier. You can also significantly cut your expenses in the process.

Organize Your Packing

Once you’ve decluttered and cleaned your home, grouping your belongings for easy packing and moving is relatively simple. If you’re hiring a moving company to securely pack your items as well as move them, all you need to do now is leave contact information and meet the crew at your new property.

If you’ll be packing on your own, opt for medium-sized boxes; pack heavy items on the bottom and place like items together. Use blankets and throw rugs to protect furniture, and label your boxes with the names of the rooms you want them placed in when it comes to delivery day. Streamline the unpacking process by clearly labeling the rooms in your house.

Contact us for more tips to help you reduce the stressors related to residential moves. The South Carolina moving experts at Nilson Van are here to help.

Which storage should you choose when you’re moving in the military?

When you’re moving in the military, you often find yourself juggling last-minute transitions overseas. It’s not always practical—or cost effective—to take your possessions with you. Oftentimes, it makes more sense to store most of your possessions while you spend a year or two in another country. The right storage facility can make all the difference, so how do you choose one without having to do tons of research?

Here is a list of characteristics you will want your military storage facility to have:

They have the storage units you need.

It’s fairly easy to estimate the type of locker you’ll need based on the size of your home and whether you own many items. A full five-bedroom house, for instance, typically needs a locker that’s 10-feet by 30-feet. A one-bedroom apartment would generally require a 5-foot by 15-foot unit. Renting one unit instead of several smaller ones is a good idea because it cuts down on expenses per square foot.

They’re not open to the public.

Some storage facilities are owned by the company that moves your items, and the only people allowed on the property are employees. This greatly reduces your risks of a break-in or of a commercial storage facility accidentally putting your items up for auction. They’re often better packed and organized too, meaning you run less risk of loss or storage damage.

They offer specialty services.

If you’re storing sensitive electronics or musical instruments while you’re moving in the military, you can look for a storage facility that offers extra options, like temperature control. These units provide better protection for all your goods and will ensure all your gadgets will work fine once you get back home.

The next time you’re moving in the military, contact Nilson Van online, or give us a call toll-free at 844-668-3721. We’ll protect your property while you’re keeping us safe here at home.

How can you save money while moving internationally?

Moving internationally can be a huge investment, but how large the investment is really depends on the company you hire. Unlike moving companies looking to shift your belongings across state lines, international quotes often vary widely in price. What makes the difference might surprise you. There are ways to save money during an international move, though it all comes down to being selective with professional services.

Transportation Partners

Transporting your goods from one country to another can mean crossing oceans. Different movers work with their own ship and air transport companies, as well as partners in your new location who move goods from docks to your new home. These partners can make all the difference in whether or not your goods make it in one piece. Unfortunately, no matter how good moving companies are within our own country, they may not be reliable or affordable international moving choices given their partner networks.

Storage Facilities

Moving to other countries frequently means your possessions will wind up in storage for several weeks or longer. Governments take care to inspect shipments for contraband and to assess fees for moving certain goods inside their borders. Often, this is done to promote the sale of domestic goods, but people moving get caught up in the paperwork. You’ll be charged storage fees during this time. The cost very well depends on the type of storage you need. For instance, are you satisfied with a secure facility or do you also need one with temperature control? Storage can be one of the easiest elements of a moving contract to negotiate, and it’s one of the easiest places to save.

Moving, Storing or Buying New

There will always be those who feel selling your possessions or storing them at home when moving internationally is the best course of action, but having familiar items around you will help you stave off homesickness and actually make it easier for you to adjust. With affordable options like Nilson Van, there’s no reason to make that sacrifice, though paring down your items is actually another easy way to save.

If you’re moving internationally, don’t sacrifice everything you own. Call 803-786-1090 or request a free quote from Nilson Van, and start the next phase of your life out on the right foot.

Why do commercial moves pose such a risk to electronics? How to protect your equipment during business relocations.

Commercial moves involve many types of electronic equipment, and it’s common for certain items to be damaged or lost during business relocations. It’s easy to protect your business items when you’re prepared.

Safely and securely pack your electronics using the following tips:

• Gather Your Supplies – Besides just having boxes and packing tape on hand, you will need a few extras to make sure your electronics make it to their new location in one piece. Anti-static bubble wrap ensures no amount of bouncing will break your equipment, while moving blankets are often needed for larger pieces, like professional copies and printers. Zip and Velcro ties will help keep your cords separated while tags can help them stay organized.
• Remove Your Accessories – CDs, disk drives, and other components can be damaged or cause damage during a move. Remove them, wrap them, and then pack them in the same box as their accompanying equipment.
• Wrap Your Cords – When possible, remove your cords, wrap them and secure them with a Velcro or zip tie. Once labeled, you can place them alongside their corresponding electronics.
• Pack Everything in a Box – If it’s small enough, put every piece of equipment you’re packing in a box. Heavier items should be placed at the bottom with lighter accessories or similar items placed near the top. Especially large pieces of equipment can be wrapped in blankets and placed on dollies or moving pallets.
• Use the Right Equipment for Loading – Moving companies have endless gadgets at their disposal, so take advantage of them. Use dollies, straps, wooden crates, moving blankets, and most importantly, professional help. Commercial moves are rarely best left up to your employees.

When planning for commercial moves, protect your electronics by getting an expert’s assistance. Request a free quote today from Nilson Van – or call us toll-free at 844.668.3721.

What do you need to do to adequately plan residential moves?

Residential moves often take longer than expected without a detailed plan in place. Nilson Van helps you pull things together in record time, but you’ll still need several days to get your supplies, packing, and transportation in line. The following time frame is perfect as a common sense schedule for anyone looking to move to a new home, whether across the country or across town:

Eight Weeks to Go

The most important task to handle during residential moves is finding a new residence. Find a new house or apartment in your new locale. If you can’t do the search in person, working with a realtor can help. At the same time, you can start preparing your own home for sale or rent, or you can put in notice to your landlords.

Six Weeks to Go

Unless you’re moving in the dead of winter, you want to pick your movers at least a month in advance. That means leaving enough time to get estimates—real estimates. Getting a quote over the phone is worthless. Inviting someone to walk through your home, however, can result in a written estimate with a guarantee.

Four Weeks to Go

Begin preparing your home for packing. Deep clean room by room, and arrange your items in ways that keeps them accessible. If you’ll be packing yourself, now is the perfect time to start. Otherwise, just simplifying the organization of your things can help a lot.

Two Weeks to Go

Arrange for the cancelation of your utilities, your mail, and other services, as well as setting up dates for connection at your new address.

One Week to Go

Double-check your schedule with someone at your moving company. Make sure you know what services you’re ordering, how much time they’ll need to get the job done and what time of day they will be starting. If you’ve made any big changes since your initial estimate, you may want to ask them back for a second look.

The Night Before Your Move

If you’ve hired packing services, all you need to do is make sure you have a bag filled with essential clothing, toiletries, and important documents ready to take with you on the drive to your new home. Also, group your items together in sensible groups to make moving your things easier for the company.

The next day, all you have to do is meet with them and make sure they have the appropriate address ready to go, and leave a contact number where they can reach you in case a problem arises. It should take roughly 7 – 8 hours for professionals to completely pack a 3-bedroom home.

For help in planning residential moves in South Carolina, get in touch with the experts. Call toll-free 800.845.2682, or contact Nilson Van today to get your new life started.

How can moving and storage companies help you during a company move?

Moving and storage companies aren’t just experienced in the logistics of moving your business’s equipment from one location to the next. They can also pass on information they’ve learned from their other clients.

The following three tips will make your office transition easier than ever:

1. Use Visuals to Update Your Clients – Switching locations introduces the risk that you’ll lose customers. Why? Some people just aren’t invested enough to find out where you’re headed. Familiarity sells, so keep your customers informed through social media, email, or a newsletter. Show them pictures of your new place of business and make sure you reference well-known landmarks when directing customers to your new space.
2. Set Up Phone and Internet Services in Advance – First, find out whether or not the services you’re already using will work at your new property before you sign a lease. Then set up new services at least a month in advance to ensure you have time to address any problems.
3. Move at the End of a Workday – Do you want your employees around to pitch in? While they may not be the best choice to disassemble office furniture or pack up files, they can certainly pack and move their personal belongings , which means that much less to do for the move. Moving at the end of a workday is often best for this reason. Have movers show up about an hour after closing time and streamline the shift to your new locale.

Call Nilson Van for more tips from one of the community’s top moving and storage companies.

Where can you find reliable moving company ratings?

Before you invite movers into your home to give you accurate estimates, it’s important to check out moving company ratings and other information online. The moving industry has undergone tremendous regulation in the past ten years because of scams, and you don’t want to invite potential criminals into your home.

Visit these three sites before scheduling any appointments for estimates:

1. BBB Online – The Better Business Bureau keeps tracks of complaints that companies receive and the methods by which they resolved them. If you read the details of cases, you can get a good idea for the level of concern providers place on customer satisfaction, property protection, and timely work.
2. Yelp – Yelp is a review service, and you’ll find both good and bad experiences listed here. The trick is to read a fair amount of reviews. Keep an eye out for any reviews that seem fake or lack any detail about their experience.
3. Safersys.org – While not a review service, this website will help you get a better look at the official services a business offers. All you need are companies’ USDOT numbers, and then you can get a thorough look at their practices. Further, by contacting the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, you can make sure their insurance and licensure are current.

Contact Nilson Van today for all the information you need to check out our moving company ratings and legal status online.

What should you look for in an international moving company?

Commercial moving and international moving are some of the trickiest endeavors to take on, meaning professional assistance is needed when you’re taking on both of these challenges at once. Moving a business across national borders makes for a precarious endeavor that begins months before the actual move. And the preparation work doesn’t end with filing for the appropriate visas, licenses, and other paperwork.

The logistics of actually moving your equipment to a foreign locale may also take months of preparation, not to mention the time needed to physically move your possessions and get them all through customs.

Here are the most important elements to consider when hiring a company for an international commercial move:

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  Experience – Before you hire a company for an international commercial move, it’s important to talk with its former clients. Movers with appropriate experience will be able to connect you with businesses they’ve shifted across country lines. If they have no references, move along. You don’t want a business cutting its teeth at your expense.

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  Local partnerships – Many times international movers will only complete the first half of a journey and rely instead on partners in another country to complete the process. This is expected, but it makes checking references doubly important.

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  Licenses and insurance – You can go to safersys.org to see a company’s official list of services, along with the licenses and insurance they carry. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at 202-385-2423 for updated insurance information and at 202-336-9805 to check on a company’s license status.

You could also skip straight to one of the area’s most capable international moving companies. Contact Nilson Van for an in-person quote today.