Category: Blog

Residential moving requires serious planning, including knowing the best time to contact movers. You can’t wait until the last minute, or you might be stuck moving yourself in a rental truck. You also don’t need to book a year out because who can plan a move that far ahead? Your destination and how much stuff you have are factors but there are other things to keep in mind when booking a moving company.

The time of year makes a big difference regarding pricing and availability of moving companies. During the busy season, they’re going to cost more and have limited dates and times available because everyone else is moving at the same time. You’ll have more time during the off-season. A quick guide for reference includes:

• Moving in the summer – book at least eight weeks out if you can. You’re more likely to get the day and date you need for your move. Peak season runs from April through September, with the busiest months including June, July, and August when most kids are out of school.
• Moving in the off season – fall and winter are significantly slower than the summer months for residential moves. Except for the holidays, which are surprisingly popular for relocations, the cooler months are less hectic for moving companies. Two to eight weeks should be enough planning to schedule your move.

No matter when or where you’re moving, the best time to contact movers is as soon as you know your relocation date. Contact Nilson Van and Storage for a free quote and to get on their schedule as soon as you know the date you want to head to your new home.

Do you know how to safely pack your valuables? If you’re prepping for a move to a new home, don’t forget to plan for moving your treasures. Keeping them safe is more than sticking them in a box and hoping for the best.

Start With an Inventory

Moving valuables can be stressful, so it’s important to have an inventory. First, determine what’s valuable, both monetarily and sentimentally, and make a list. Next, take photos of each item, including at least two angles and any defining characteristics such as brands, labels, or stamps.

Pack Thoughtfully and Label Carefully

Labeling boxes when moving is critical to finding what you need when you need it at your new home. Be specific with your labeling, except when it comes to your valuables. For example, you can label books, pots and pans, office supplies, and coffee mugs, but don’t put a big note on a box that indicates it holds jewelry, family heirlooms, or a priceless baseball card collection. Instead, be vague or come up with code words for your precious items.

Hire Professional Packers

Some of your cherished and valuable belongings are bound to be fragile or delicate, and you want them to get to their destination in one piece. Hire a moving company that offers professional packing and has experience moving valuables. They can ensure that your items will be safely packed and protected from harm and gives you peace of mind knowing they’re in good hands in transit.

For residential moves that include any amount or size of valuables, count on the experts in moving and packing and contact Nilson Van and Storage for a free quote.

Moving in with your significant other is a big step and can be life-changing. Before you risk your relationship with poor preparation, take a look at our quick guide to cohabiting.

Compare Notes

Being on the same page is the foundation of a successful move when combining two households and lifestyles. It’s essential to consider your finances, how you’ll manage them, how you’ll combine them, and how you’ll resolve conflicts that arise when you can’t just hang up the phone to end them. It’s also important to talk about your belongings and furniture and what will make it to the shared space and what won’t. This can mean deciding what to keep and what to toss, and you might not agree on everything. Be honest and work on compassion and compromise in areas where you might not be in sync.

Talk Logistics

Residential moving is exciting, but it’s also challenging and stressful. This is especially true when two people are moving from two homes and combining them into a new one. Understanding the move process will help it go smoothly, as will working with an experienced moving company that can help you manage the logistics. Professional packing and scheduling to help you and your significant other arrive at the same place will take some of the stress out of the process.

When you’re taking the leap and moving in with your significant other, the first thing to do after celebrating the decision is to schedule your moving company. Contact Nilson Van and Storage for all the support you need to make your new togetherness a reality.

Residential moving is a challenge even in the best circumstances, which is why knowing how far in advance to hire movers is a key factor. Reducing the stress and headaches will make the entire process easier.

Moving in the Summer

Eight to ten weeks out is the best timing and will help ensure you get the crew, trucks, date, and timing you need. This is especially true during the busy summer months when most people tend to relocate. If you’re moving internationally, 12 to 16 weeks is even better if you can swing it.

Moving in the Off-Season

Residential moving companies book up any time of year, but outside of summer, you can schedule them closer to your move. If you’re staying in the same city or metro area, you can sometimes get away with booking two to four weeks before your move date. If you’re heading out of state, aim for eight weeks of lead time for booking a moving company. Are you moving internationally outside of the summer season? Three to six months is the average for moving to another country because they require much more than packing boxes and loading them onto a truck.

Moving is hard, but having a great moving company on your team can help ease the stress and make things go smoothly. Remember to book them as soon as you know when you’re moving to help ensure you get the dates you need and the company you want. Reach out to Nilson Van and Storage for all the residential moving information you need, a timeline you can work with, and a free estimate.

Whether you’re looking at local or long-distance moving, there’s lots of prep and planning involved, but there are big differences between the two. Here are the three major things to know about these two types of moves.

Moving Locally

Local moves are usually within a short distance. Technically a local move is generally within a 30-mile radius. However, local moves often go over that, sometimes up to 75 or even 100 miles, if the city or metro area is large or if it’s in the same state. When it comes to pricing a move, local or intrastate moves are usually by the hour, and the moving company determines the cost based on the number of trucks and movers needed to do the job.

Long Distance Moving

Interstate and cross-country moves are generally when moving to another state, usually 100 miles or more. Pricing for long-distance moves bases the estimate on the weight and size of the items going on the truck and additional insurance, gas prices, distance, and the number of trucks and movers needed.

Packing and Loading

In addition to price differences, moving local vs. long-distance also differs when it comes to packing and loading. Local moves tend to take place over one or two days, going short distances with items spending minimal time in transit. Movers still pack and load securely. However, long-distance moving requires greater consideration of how the load will shift and move as it travels across the country over many days.

Whether you’re planning to move a short distance or are facing long-distance moving, having the right team in your corner can make all the difference. Contact Nilson Van and Storage for all the move information you need and to get a free quote on your move.

Moving can be incredibly wasteful and anything but green, but eco-friendly moving is possible. So if you’re looking at ways to reduce your carbon footprint while still having a low-stress move, you’ve come to the right place. Here are three moving tips to make green moving easier.

Tip #1: Get Eco-Friendly Moving Supplies

Cardboard boxes are the biggest waste factor from moving. One way to green it up is by finding used moving boxes. You can ask neighbors and friends for theirs after their move or purchase them used. Regarding packing materials, you can reduce waste and negative land-fill impacts by avoiding plastic and foam peanuts and sticking to paper. Or, better yet, use towels, linens, and clothing, when possible, as packing material. And recycle both packing paper and moving boxes after your move.

Tip #2: Be Careful When Decluttering

It’s tempting to toss everything you don’t want to move in the trash, but there are better ways to ensure a green move. For example, have a garage sale, donate to a charity, or recycle items before automatically sending them to the dump. Many items are easily repurposed and appreciated.

Tip #3: Avoid Multiple Trips

Instead of making more than one trip from your old house to your new one, have a professional moving company assess your belongings and give you an accurate quote. Evaluating your home before moving ensures the right number of trucks and movers to complete it in one trip.

Taking care of the planet is critical, even during a move. If eco-friendly moving is at the top of your priority list, make sure you work with a moving company that feels the same. Contact Nilson Van and Storage for a moving company you can count on.

When is the best time to move when dealing with an office relocation? Any time you move your business, it’s tricky. There are several critical considerations. Here’s a quick guide to help you create a plan.

Will You Interrupt Business Operations?

It’s almost impossible to prevent at least some interruption to your business operations when moving and office. The key is to plan for the least disruption possible. Consider your slowest times, when you have the least staff on-site, when the fewest clients and customers rely on your availability, and pick a move date and time based on that.

Is the Infrastructure Ready?

Another consideration for an office move is the infrastructure at your new location. If the new facility isn’t complete, even the final details, it can make moving an office significantly more challenging. You don’t want your employees to navigate through ongoing construction, electrical, and furniture set-up. Plan your move around the readiness of the new location infrastructure.

When Will Your Budget Allow for the Cost of Moving?

If your company is large and has the financial means to move at any time, that’s a huge bonus. But if your business is small, your budget may dictate when you can move your business. The beginning and end of the year is often the most cost-effective time to move with more discounts available than at other times of the year. Availability of your moving company can also drive the cost, and choosing a time when they are not as busy may allow for reduced expenses.

Whether your company is sizing up or sizing down, an office move is a big undertaking, and knowing the best time to move is critical. Contact the team at Nilson Van and Storage today for more guidance that can help you plan well and make your move go smoothly.

Do you know how to pack a kitchen for moving? Knowing how to pack knives, how to pack large appliances, and how to pack utensils can make your move significantly less stressful. Here’s a quick guide you can use to prep your kitchen for the moving truck.

Having the Right Boxes

The kitchen is full of so much stuff, and so much of it has an irregular shape, which is why having the right boxes on hand can help smooth the process. Make sure you use heavy-duty boxes that can hold up the weight of dishes and cookware, as well as a variety of sizes to fit everything from the small stuff, like salt and pepper shakers, to the big stuff, like your stand mixer and your giant stock pot.

The Packing Order

Our advice is to start with the big stuff. Nest pots and pans together to fit as many in a pile in a big box as possible. You’ll have small spaces around the cookware to add things like spatulas, wooden spoons, and small cutting boards.

Next, move on to things like dishes and bowls. Be sure to cushion them with at least one sheet of packing paper in between each item and plenty of padding around the inside walls of the box. Use small and medium boxes for dishware to make sure the boxes aren’t to heavy to lift.

Extra dish towels can come in handy when you get to utensils and knives. Start by wrapping packing paper around them and then wrap a dish towel over the paper. This will protect the items and prevent any sharp items from cutting through the box.

Dealing With Appliances

Large appliances don’t need packing – they just need securing and loading onto the truck. Your moving company will do this for you. For your small appliances like blenders, microwaves, mixers, and crock pots, pack them in the smallest boxes they fit into. Secure them with plenty of packing paper to keep them from moving around in the box, and add towels or other soft items around them.

These packing tips can help get you through the kitchen packing process, but if it all sounds a bit overwhelming, consider packing services from your moving company. Reach out to the experienced team at Nilson Van and Storage today for a free quote on all your residential moving needs.

Corporate relocation is a significant move that requires a smooth transition to keep stress levels low and productivity high. If you are planning a corporate move in the not-so-distant future, it’s a good idea to get started now with a plan. Taking a proactive approach to your move will avoid delays and help all employees and stakeholders know what to expect throughout the relocation process.

How to Prepare for a Corporate Relocation

Beginning the process of a big business move is always the most challenging part. Where should you even start? Who packs what? It can all feel a bit overwhelming.

Fortunately, we have the first steps to help you go from no plan to a professional corporate relocation strategy.

Step #1: Find a Professional Corporate Relocation Team

Look for a moving company that specializes in corporate moves. They will be able to share a checklist and create a custom moving plan to help you and your employees get on the same page and be well prepared for the relocation.

Step #2: Ensure the Company Handles all the Necessary Transportation

Do you need to transport company vehicles? What about relocating employees? Identify your moving needs and check with the company about their services to ensure they can help before you move forward.

Step #3: Communicate with All Employees and Stakeholders

One of the most vital elements of a successful corporate relocation is communication with all managers, employees, and other stakeholders. When everyone knows the plan, knows what to expect, and understands their roles in the moving process, you will find the process goes much more smoothly.

Are you looking for a reliable corporate relocation company to help you with the next steps? You will be amazed by how Nilson Van and Storage can put your mind at ease and streamline the relocation process, from planning and packing to setting up your new business space.

Contact Nilson Van and Storage to get started with your corporate relocation.

When you’re moving to a new home, moving day can be incredibly stressful! Knowing how to prep and what to expect can make your move go smoothly without you pulling your hair out.

Moving Day Checklist

One way to reduce stress is with a moving day checklist to help keep you organized and on track. Here’s a list you can revise to fit your needs:

1. Wake up early – you don’t want to be snoozing when the movers arrive.
2. Eat breakfast! You’ll need lots of energy for the busy day ahead.
3. Pack last-minute and personal items and your belongings that are going with you and not on the moving van and set them aside.
4. Greet your movers and show them around so they can see everything that’s going on the truck.
5. Get out of the way! Your moving company knows what to do and how to do it. Let them take care of your things while you stand by to answer questions and make decisions.

What Happens When the Movers Arrive?

Once your moving team arrives, things will go quickly. They’ll get to your home at a prescheduled time, introduce themselves, check your home, and assess what is going on the moving van, and then they’ll get started. They have a lot of practice and a reliable process for putting furniture, boxes, and all your belongings on the truck so that it’s all safe and secure. You may get a written inventory of what’s on the truck and a bill of lading indicating your estimate and the arrival date and time of the truck, usually applicable only if you’re moving long-distance.

How to Prep

You can prep for moving day by making sure you’re as well-rested as possible, have beverages, snacks, and lunch available to keep your energy up throughout the day and make sure kids and pets are not underfoot while the movers are there. Your moving company will ensure everything goes as smoothly and as low-stress as possible.

When you’re ready to schedule your move, call in the company with over 75 years of experience moving families just like yours into their new homes. Contact Nilson Van and Storage with all your moving day questions and to get a free quote on your residential move.