If your family is like most, you probably have some items in your home that you cherish above all others. And when you move, there’s always a risk that some of your things will suffer damage during the process. That’s why it’s so important to take extra precautions when packing, transporting, and even storing your valuables to ensure those items make it through your move unharmed.
What kind of precautions should you take? Read on for helpful tips and tricks that’ll help you protect your most prized possessions throughout your move.
Hire A Professional Moving Company
If you are worried about the condition of your valuables when moving them, it’s probably in your best interest to hire a team of professionals to help you pack and transport your high-end items. When you hire professional movers, you get access to a variety of services designed to protect your belongings and make your move as simple as possible. You can choose:
● Full packing services. This comprehensive service includes safe and secure packing of almost all of the things you own. The pros will not only pack your whole house, but they’ll also load everything onto the truck, transport your stuff to your new home, and unpack everything for you. Plus, they’ll get rid of the packing materials, too.
● Custom crating. Do you own anything valuable that might not fit in a standard moving box? If so, your movers can hand-build custom crates that’ll keep those items safe and secure throughout your relocation.
Hiring the pros also means you won’t need to worry about how much protective packing material you need or whether you’re actually packing your valuables safely. If you want the best protection for your pricey and irreplaceable belongings, having the experts pack your stuff is the only way to go.
Please note: If you’re considering hiring full packing services, you should be aware that professional movers cannot pack or transport certain hazardous items. Under some circumstances, they may also prefer not to pack or transport specific items, too.
For more information on the stuff your moving company can’t handle, check out our tips for moving items your residential movers won’t transport.
To view a full breakdown of all of the things your movers can’t or won’t pack or transport, check out this list of non-allowable items.
Use the Appropriate Packing Materials
Would you rather pack up your house on your own? Then you must make sure you’re using high-quality packing products and that you’re actually using the right materials for the job.
That means you’ll want to avoid using second-hand boxes you found behind your local grocery store, as well as random materials from around your house. Quality packing supplies are specifically designed to provide the right kind of protection for your valuable belongings — that’s why they exist.
Make sure the packing supplies you choose for your long-distance move can withstand all that goes into the transport process. Ed’s Moving Storage has the packaging you need, including bubble wrap, boxes, tape, and other supplies.
Pack Your Belongings Correctly
Aside from purchasing high-quality materials, you’ll also want to make sure you’re actually packing your belongings properly. That means using the appropriate size of box for the weight of the items you’re packing, as well as using enough protective material to cushion and insulate your stuff sufficiently. The more fragile the item, the more essential it is to pack it well. If you’re moving long-distance, boxes can get lifted, shifted, and stacked throughout their journey, so keep that in mind.
Need some packing advice? Check out our tips for packing electronics and glassware, as well as our step-by-step guide on packing small kitchen appliances.
Consider Climate-Controlled Storage
Do you think you may have to store some of your valuables when you move? Then you’ll want to seriously consider putting them in a climate-controlled storage unit.
This indoor storage solution maintains a consistent room temperature and humidity level to help prevent moisture- and temperature-related damage to vulnerable items. It also provides high-level protection from theft or vandalism.
Truly, there’s no substitute for climate-controlled storage. If you store your valuables in a standard, outside unit, there’s nothing to keep them from cracking, warping, or growing mold. There’s also minimal defense against temperature-related deterioration, as well as insects and rodents. If you need to store any of the following items, it’s in your best interest to opt for a climate-controlled unit:
● Wood or leather furniture
● Special collections or keepsakes
● Comics, magazines, etc.
● Portraits, photo albums, or other memorabilia
● Wine collections
● Musical instructions
● Artwork
● Expensive clothing
● Important documents
● Electronics and media (CDs, DVDs, records, cassettes, etc.)
For more helpful information on storing your stuff, check out Storage Solutions 101: What You Need to Know Before Renting a Self-Storage Unit.
Take Out An Insurance Policy
There are several insurance options available to you if you wish to protect your high-dollar or highly valued possessions during your move. All moving companies are, at the very least, required to offer you two different levels of valuation coverage: released value protection and full value protection. Many moving companies also offer higher-level coverage options aside from those required by federal law.
If you currently have homeowners or renters insurance, your policy may also provide some degree of coverage for your move. Contact your provider to find out whether you have coverage and what it entails. You can also purchase insurance through a third-party company that specializes in moving coverage. Shop around to see which provider can give you the best coverage at the right price.
No matter how skilled your movers are, you’ll want to take out moving insurance so that your possessions are covered in the event of any loss. Coverage is affordable and can give you peace of mind while your valuables are on the road.
If you have any questions about insurance, feel free to contact Ed’s Moving & Storage for more information. State Farm also has some excellent information on valuation coverage for your move.
Create an Inventory
Although it might seem like documenting every single item in your move isn’t necessary, it’s definitely a good idea. If you do end up needing to file an insurance claim because something incurs damage, it’s much easier to file that claim when you have proof of an item’s original condition.
Luckily, creating a thorough inventory is as simple as busting out your smartphone and taking photos of everything you plan to move. Sure, you can write everything down, but we all know photos are far easier and faster, and as the saying goes: A picture is worth a thousand words.
Keep Super-Precious Stuff With You
Even if you’re hiring professional movers and packers to shoulder the bulk of your move, it’s in your best interest to keep your most valuable belongings with you. And yes, that’s even true if you’re taking out an insurance policy.
In fact, many moving companies prefer not to move highly valuable items like heirlooms, jewelry, and expensive collectibles because they don’t want the liability. The bottom line is that if you’re hiring a moving company with years of expertise and the highest-quality packing and moving materials available, there’s still some risk involved.
Accidents happen, and no one can anticipate them, so take it upon yourself to protect the things you love most.
Choose Ed’s Moving & Storage for Your Tacoma Relocation
Trying to undertake a moving project all by yourself can be exhausting and time-consuming. That’s why our team at Ed’s Moving & Storage is here to help you shoulder the load! Our team specializes in full packing services, appliance moving, custom crating, piano moving, and much, much more. We handle small and large-scale moves for both residential and commercial customers throughout Tacoma, Washington, and the surrounding areas.
To learn more about our services or get an estimate, give us a call at 253-581-2446 or request a quick and free quote online, and we’ll be in touch!