Category: Blog

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.

If only moving to a new country was as easy as they make it look in the movies. Unfortunately, it involves more than packing some large suitcases and hugging your friends goodbye at the airport. There are a lot of steps involved, and it can feel more than a little overwhelming.

What is the best way to begin the process? Take it one step at a time. We have three things to do before moving to a new country to help you get started on the right foot.

#1: Start Planning Immediately

The sooner you create and follow a plan, the smoother the entire process will go. The plan should include anyone helping you move, an international move checklist, and a schedule to help you stay on track with each task.

#2: Organize Your Documents

It’s essential to know as soon as possible what documents and paperwork you will need for the country to which you are moving. Contact immigration right away to get the list of required paperwork. This will give you ample time to collect the documents and get the process rolling. It’s never a good idea to put this task off to the last minute because delays are inevitable.

You’ll also need to collect legal and personal documents like passports, birth certificates, and medical and education records. Keep them in a safe, easily-accessible place so you will have them when you need them.

#3: Contact Experienced International Movers

No need to Google every question you have about moving to another country when our reliable international movers are here to guide you. From creating a customized moving abroad checklist to packing and transporting your belongings, we take the stress and hassle out of the process of moving to a new country. We can even help you unpack and get settled once you arrive at your destination.

Ready to tackle this upcoming move? Take a deep breath and get in touch with our friendly team at Nilson Van and Storage to schedule moving services with the best international moving company in the area.

Is moving food a good idea for your upcoming relocation? You may be trying to determine how much of your food you can or should pack up and haul to your new residence. While no one wants to waste food, you should know a few things when it comes time to pack food for moving. Let’s dig in…

Top Tips on How to Move Food

Here are the best strategies for moving food:

#1: Eat as much as you can before the move.

Go ahead and have a cleaning-out-the-freezer dinner party. The less you have to transport, the easier it will be for you.

#2: Pack only food items you think will travel safely.

If you transport frozen or refrigerated food a long distance, you may risk food safety issues unless you have the proper storage equipment. If there’s any question about food safety, it’s better to err on the side of caution. One option is to hire a refrigerated truck for the transport if you have large quantities of frozen or refrigerated food that you don’t want to lose. They can make your task to pack a fridge for moving much easier and safer.

#3: Avoid moving canned goods—they weigh a lot!

Because canned goods are heavy, they can add quite a bit to your moving expenses if your rate is based on weight. Further, canned goods are cheap, so it will likely cost you more to move them than the food is worth. A better plan is to donate canned goods to a local shelter or soup kitchen.

Keep in mind—these tips are for people who want to learn how to pack up their own food for a move. If you are using a moving company, check with your coordinator about their policy for transporting food. In some areas, laws prohibit companies from moving perishable goods.

For more tips on moving food, strategies to pack a fridge for moving, and other best practices for your upcoming relocation, reach out to the friendly experts at Nilson Van and Storage.

If you’re facing a corporate or business relocation, what you need are company move money-saving tips. Moving an office is a huge undertaking, and watching the bottom line is a priority. We’ve got four ways you can save money when moving your company.

#1: Plan, Plan, Plan

Planning and scheduling as far ahead of your move as you can is critical. The closer to the move date you schedule your moving company, the more you’ll pay. Get a free estimate and book it as soon as you know your move date.

#2: Move During the Offseason

A relocation during the peak moving seasons, which include summer and the end of the year, will be the most expensive. Move during the offseason to save your company money.

#3: DIY Packing

You should leave some items to the professionals, like technology and fragile electronics. But most items from personal belongings to office supplies can get the DIY treatment. Get your staff on board with packing those items to save on professional packing services.

#4: Stagger Your Move

Being off the grid even for a few days can be costly to a business. Staggering your move to leave a skeleton crew at your old location while another group moves is an option for keeping your daily operations intact and will help you save money during a company move.

Every business is different with different needs. For customized money saving strategies for your business relocation, contact the experienced team at Nilson Van and Storage.

If you’re planning a move soon and need to put some of your belongings in storage, you could benefit from some simple summer storage tips. If technology is on the list of items going into a storage unit, there are some precautions you can take to protect it from the summer heat.

Tip #1: Understand the Different Types of Storage

Most storage facilities offer two types of units – climate-controlled and non-climate-controlled. Knowing the difference before you sign a contract is critical, especially if you have sensitive belongings that include electronics and technology. Without climate control, your items could encounter moisture, condensation, mold and mildew, and extreme swings in temperature. Technology must be in a unit that has heat in the winter and AC in the summer, as well as sealed walls and interior doors to keep the weather and moisture out.

Tip #2: Pack it Right

Proper packing will help keep your technology safe while in storage. When packing items in boxes, ensure there is plenty of packing paper and cushion around fragile components to provide extra protection. Don’t leave extra space at the top of packed boxes or the boxes can crush when stacked. Packing tape will help secure the boxes to protect the contents.

Summer storage risks can affect your belongings, especially your technology. Taking precautions can help protect those costly items and ensure they come out of storage in the same condition they went in. For packing, moving, and storage solutions that you can count on to keep your belongings safe any time of year, contact Nilson Van and Storage.

Moving to a new home is stressful but moving with pets takes it up a notch. They can get very anxious and confused by the increased activity, boxes and packing paper, things out of place, and routines disrupted. There are some ways to reduce the stress for both humans and animals. These three tips for moving with your pets can help.

Tip #1: Create a Pet Kit

Losing track of your pet’s food and supplies during a move is less than ideal. Instead, pack a kit full of their things, including toys, food, blankets, beds, and treats. Whatever they need to be comfortable and for you to take care of them should go in a separate bag or box that goes in the car with you.

Tip #2: Send Them to Daycare

Nothing is more stressful to an animal during a move than being stuck in the middle of the action. It can also make the process more difficult because they tend to get underfoot or can escape out the door as movers come and go while loading the truck. Send your pet to daycare, boarding, a friend or family member’s house, or lock them in a room away from the commotion.

Tip #3: Give them Time to Settle In

Just like people, pets need time to adjust to new surroundings. They might be restless and anxious in their new house, wondering where they are and when they’re going home. Get them settled by putting down their familiar beds, toys, and food dishes. And try to stay calm and give them lots of extra attention.

If you have pets and are planning a big move, don’t forget to pay attention to these tips and basic moving your pet guide to make sure they are as low-stress as possible. For more information, a free move estimate, and to schedule our team of moving professionals, contact Nilson Van and Storage.