3 Ingenious Moving Hacks You Should Know Before Moving Day

Planning for a residential move can be stressful. Even if you are excited about the move, the idea of packing and moving may fill you with dread. We have three moving hacks to help you reclaim some sanity and save money too.

#1: Start Planning Early

Planning for your residential move months in advance will allow you to shop around for the best moving company rates. Plus, you’ll have time to organize your packing, which will make the entire move-out and move-in process easier. When you don’t wait until the last minute, you will also be more likely to save on early-bird deals for moving companies and packing supplies.

#2: Repurpose Existing Baskets and Containers

Using your existing wicker or wire baskets and other containers for packing can help you cut costs on moving boxes. Fill them with small houseware items for easy transport. Use towels and sheets to wrap anything fragile instead of purchasing tons of bubble wrap.

#3: Donate as Much as You Can

A new home is a fresh start, and now is a great time to donate any items you are no longer using. Go through closets and the kitchen to find anything you haven’t used in the last year. It’s far easier to donate to a local charity than to pack it up and stick it in your new closets. Plus, some charitable organizations may provide a tax receipt to save you a little at tax time.

Want to make your moving day truly hassle-free? Turn to the experts at Nilson Van & Storage. We have extensive experience facilitating smooth residential moves for our customers. From packing to moving, we can do it all to save you time and money. Contact Nilson Van & Storage now to request a free quote.

Moving Day: House Cleaning Checklist to Keep You Sane

As you plan for your upcoming residential move, including house cleaning tasks on your to-do list will ensure you cover all the bases. Whether you are moving in or moving out, starting with a clean home will facilitate a fresh start. Use this house cleaning checklist to keep you on track.

Dust Away

Use a microfiber cloth to dust each room in the home. Start at the top of the room and work your way down. Don’t forget to dust the window sills, corners, doors, baseboards, light fixtures, ceiling fans, and blinds. Dusting before vacuuming is ideal because dust particles tend to land on the floor as you go.

Clean the Floors

Vacuum and mop the floors and spot clean carpet stains throughout the rooms in the home. Use a specialized cleaning solution for wood and tile flooring surfaces.

Make the Windows Spotless

Use a glass cleaner or vinegar-water solution to clean the windows. Wipe the cleaner away with newspaper for a spot-free, streak-free shine.

Clean All the Bathroom and Kitchen Surfaces

Use an all-purpose cleaner to clean and disinfect bathroom and kitchen surfaces, top to bottom, including counters, sinks, showers, and tubs. Give toilets a thorough cleaning with toilet bowl cleaner and a scrub brush. Wipe away smudges on the outside of cabinets with a cabinet-safe cleaner.

Clean the Appliances

Use the self-cleaning option for the stove if possible. Otherwise, use a cleaning solution to scrub down the appliances, including the inside and outside of the dishwasher, refrigerator, and microwave.
Choose the team of friendly experts at Nilson Van and Storage to make the entire moving process hassle-free. To learn more about the best practices for residential moves or to schedule service with Nilson Van & Storage, connect with us online.

How to Properly Dispose of Confidential Documents Before a Corporate Relocation

Are you planning a corporate relocation? Give careful thought to your confidential company information. Companies spend time and money to safeguard their sensitive data during daily operations which shouldn’t change during a move. Here’s how to properly dispose of confidential documents.

A Good Old Shredder

A shredder is a tried-and-true way to dispose of documents you don’t want to get into the wrong hands. Planning for small batches with individual office shredders or large quantities with a professional document shredding company is essential. Communicate with your employees to ensure they comply and shred the right documents before they pack them up for the move.

Disposing of Electronic Data

Before you start loading your electronics onto a truck, be sure you backup or dispose of any confidential data. Work with your IT staff to ensure everyone is on board with what they should keep and what they should remove. And create a plan for disposal, not simply deletion.

Secure What You Want to Keep

Your company certainly has massive amounts of documents and data that you don’t want to destroy. Securing a location for the hard copies or backup for the electronic information before your move day is critical. Storage in a secure warehouse or secure servers is the best way to protect your information.

To ensure the security of your confidential documents, the safety of your electronic data and equipment, and smooth corporate relocation, you need an experienced moving company. To get your company to its new location, contact the experts at Nilson Van and Storage.

How to Prepare for Your Movers Before They Arrive

One way to make moving day easier is to properly prep for the arrival of your moving company. After weeks and maybe even months of planning, when the day arrives to head to your new home, you want to be ready for a smooth process. Here’s how to get ready.

Make Sure You Pack Everything

You should have all of your packing done by now. It’s vital that you don’t leave anything for the day of your move. Even a carry-with-you bag should be ready to go. Last-minute packing just slows down your movers and makes the day feel unorganized and takes longer. You can reduce your stress and increase the efficiency of your movers by having everything packed.

Parking for the Movers

Don’t wait until the moving truck pulls up to ensure they have space to park. Move your cars, ask the neighbors to leave room, and even put cones out to reserve a spot. If you need a parking pass from your community or city for the van for the day, be sure to secure that ahead of time.

Plan for Kids and Pets

Kids, especially younger ones, can make moving day stressful and hectic. Hire a babysitter or send the kids to a friend or family member’s house for the day. They’ll be happier out of the commotion, and you’ll be more effective without them underfoot. The same goes for pets. Take them to a kennel, daycare, or a friend’s house for the day to make sure they don’t get stressed or injured and to prevent any escapes.

Prep for moving doesn’t end when you’ve packed the boxes. Be ready for the arrival of your moving company, and you’ll be sure to have a smooth moving day. For more tips and to schedule your residential move, contact the team at Nilson Van and Storage.

4 Best Ways to Prepare for an International Move

Movers Packing a Kitchen

All moves have their challenges, but an international move requires even more planning and prep than one across town or even across the country. Before the panic sets in, take a look at four ways to prepare for your international move.

#1: Do Your Paperwork

Moving to another country requires more paperwork than a local or domestic move. Be sure your passport is up to date, that you have any visas required for you and your family, and that you have any official documents completed that your destination country requires.

#2: Create Your Budget

If you’re moving for work and your company is paying for your relocation, that’s a huge bonus. If not, you’ll need to create your own budget. Either way, be sure to stay within the budget’s financial limits, whether yours or your employer’s. A reliable international moving company can help you work through the numbers.

#3: Check Customs Requirements

Different countries have different restrictions and regulations regarding what you can and cannot bring with you. Check the customs requirements for the country you’re moving to before you start packing.

#4: Hire a Moving Company

Getting your moving company hired and scheduled is critical. What’s even more important is making sure that the company has experience with international moves.

Are you planning to move outside of the U.S.? One of the best ways to make it go smoothly from start to finish is to hire the right moving company. Contact Nilson Van and Storage for all the help you need to get from here to there without a hitch.

Take A Deep Breath: 3 Methods to Stay Calm When Moving

Movers Packing a Kitchen

Moving is hard even for those who do it often. It can be stressful and exhausting, and incredibly time-consuming. Instead of pulling your hair out, take a deep breath, and check out these three methods to stay calm when moving.

#1: Make a Plan

Planning ahead is a great way to reduce the stress of moving to a new home. When you’re winging it and flying by the seat of your pants, that’s when things get really nerve-wracking. Set your move date as soon as you can, interview and hire your moving company, create a schedule for move prep, and assign tasks to your family members for your moving day.

#2: Clear the Clutter

Clutter and unwanted or unneeded items make the move process harder, making it take longer, and leading to excessive costs. Clearing the clutter can simplify your move and reduce your stress at the same time. Go through each room in the weeks before you pack and toss, donate, or sell anything you no longer use or want. It’ll lighten the load and reduce your worry.

#3: Take Care of Yourself

The prep work is challenging, but moving day often brings the most stress for people. Taking care of yourself is a great way to make it easier. Make sure you have plenty of water and other beverages, snacks and lunch, and extra necessities like toilet paper and paper towels. Try to get plenty of sleep the night before and remember to relax and breathe.

A reliable moving company can help get you through the moving process with as little stress as possible. For the most experienced team in town, contact Nilson Van and Storage.

PCS: Everything You Need to Know for a Seamless Military Base Transition

Is it time for a military move? Have you gotten notice of a Permanent Change of Station? If yes, you’ve got a lot to do and plan for. As someone active in the military, you’re probably no stranger to moving from one place to another. But if you’re relatively new to the PCS process, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything you need to know for a seamless military base transition.

Travel

The military provides travel for you and your family and dependents. It includes transportation to your new station either by plane, train, or automobile. They will provide the ticket or the money to make the trip from your old station to your new one. You’ll also get money for meals and lodging, depending on the length of the trip and the number of travel days.

Moving Your Household

The government covers the cost of your household move using a weight limit based on your current rank and your family size and situation. It often includes the cost of shipping or storing your vehicle. It’s important to choose a reliable moving company with experience in military moves. There’s a specific process and paperwork that goes along with PCS, and an inexperienced company could make the move more difficult than it needs to be.

Are you preparing for a move from one station to another? You need a company that can provide everything you need, including pre-move assessment, packing, crating, secure shipment, and storage in transit. When you contact Nilson Van and Storage, you’ll find a company with extensive experience with military moves and can help you make a seamless military base transition.

4 Tips for a Successful Corporate Relocation

Corporate relocations happen for any number of reasons. Whether your organization is moving to a larger location or a smaller one, one across town or across the country, it’s a lot of work and takes careful planning. Before you dig in, take a look at these four tried and true tips for a successful corporate move.

Tip #1: Set a Timeline

Consider your move date and work backward. Remember to be flexible, as dates and plans can change. Be sure to announce the move to your team and get them on board. Include them in the planning and the schedule so they can plan their work accordingly.

Tip #2: Create a Budget

The larger the organization and the more equipment involved, the more expensive the move will be. Talk to a moving company experienced in corporate moves to get an estimate and work from there.

Tip #3: Communicate

Be sure to keep your employees in the loop with lots of communication as the plan progresses, especially if there are changes. You’ll also want to inform your clients, customers, and vendors of your move, including your new address and any delays or timing issues that could arise.

Tip #4: Trust the Professionals

A company with plenty of corporate move experience can help guide you through the process from start to finish. They can also ensure everything gets packed safely and securely, so it arrives at your new location without damage.

As soon as you know your organization is facing a move, make sure it gets off on the right foot. Contact the team at Nilson Van and Storage for a free estimate and all the support you need for a smooth corporate relocation.

Do NOT Pack These 4 Dangerous Items During a Move

Are you packing for a move to a new home? It’s easy to want to throw everything in boxes and get it over with. But be careful about what you’re packing. There are some dangerous items you want to be sure to leave out. Here are four of them.

#1: Anything Flammable

To avoid the potential for fire, don’t put anything flammable in boxes that are going on a moving truck. Things like gasoline, motor oil, lighter fluid, paint, and ammunition are no-no’s when packing.

#2: Anything Corrosive

You don’t want a spill in a box to damage your other belongings and cause a hazard. Keep acid, fertilizer, pesticide, cleaning solvents, and car batteries out of your boxes that your movers are putting on the moving van.

#3: Chemicals and Items Under Pressure

It seems normal to pack things like hairspray and nail polish remover, but it’s best to leave chemicals and materials that are under pressure out when packing. These types of items also include aerosol cleaners, ammonia, bleach, pool chemicals, and propane tanks.

#4: Perishable Items

While not inherently dangerous, it’s a good idea to leave behind, throw away, or give away any perishable items. Not only could they rot, spill, or crush, causing damage, but they could attract pests.

This is a short list of some dangerous or hazardous items most moving companies require you to leave out or move on your own. To find out more about what you can and cannot put on a moving van, talk to the experts at Nilson Van and Storage. Contact them today for information on residential moves and to schedule a free estimate.

4 Ways to Avoid Losing Your Things During a Move

Moving is never easy, but it’s even harder when you can’t find your things when you get to your new home. Are there any tips and tricks for staying organized and knowing where everything is? You bet! Take a look at these four ways to avoid losing your things during a move.

Tip #1: One Room at a Time

Packing willy-nilly is bound to lead to chaos and disorganization. When you pack one room at a time, it’s easier to stay organized and keep each room’s items together.

Tip #2: Label Your Boxes

Labeling your boxes is critical to finding everything when you get to your destination. Put as much detail on each box as possible, including which room it goes in. That way, your movers will know where to put it in your new home.

Tip #3: Pack Personal Items Separately

Those things you use every day should go in a separate bag or box. The box of personal items can go in your car, or it can go on the truck last and come off first. You’ll know where those important items are right away at your new home.

Tip #4: Consider Packing Services

Most reliable moving companies provide packing services as part of a residential move package. They will pack your belongings securely, so you don’t need to worry about breakage. They’ll also create a complete inventory, so you know where everything is, and you can unpack easily.

To make your move go smoothly, with easy access to all of your belongings when you get to your new home, contact the team of professionals at Nilson Van and Storage for a free move estimate.

Whether your move is big or small, our skilled movers are dedicated to helping you every step of the way, no matter where life takes you.