Moving to a new home requires a lot of time and planning. It’s a lengthy process, and one that can take its toll as time goes on. In fact, some homeowners will lose concentration on some of the minor details, which can cause unnecessary headaches later on.
One of those details is in packing and storing valuable possessions for the move. A person’s most valuable items come in all shapes and sizes, and that can be one of the biggest difficulties in keeping them safe. Depending on the size of your valuables and the amount of possessions you need to pack, it’s easy to lose a few things during a move.
Losing a prized possession is one of the worst things that could happen during a move, and here are some of the ways to prevent it.
Choose the Proper Boxes and Packing Materials
After sorting through your possessions, determine what types of boxes or cushioning materials are required to protect valuables from the damages of breakage, moisture or pests. Clean containers and packing materials are essential. Luckily, StorageMart offers a wide variety of packing materials at a reasonable cost. The moving company you hired may offer them as well.
Some items like dishware or artwork will need specialized packaging. Dishware should be individually-wrapped to prevent damage, and there are several steps that need to be taken when moving valuable artwork to prevent damage. Line the interiors of these packages of cardboard boxes with plastic bags to prevent moisture damage, and label the containers with a bright red stickers that informs everyone that the contents are fragile.
Keep an Inventory of the Containers that Hold Valuable Items
Keeping an inventory is one of the best ways to make any move much easier. Use a notebook or a computer software program to keep track of the containers that have valuable artwork, jewelry or other items. A numbering system is one of the best ways to notice if a plastic tote or cardboard box is missing from your inventory of containers.
Separate Regular Containers from the Boxes that Hold Valuable Items
Separate the boxes that contain regular everyday items and the containers that are filled with valuable possessions. Place a large sign or yellow tape around the plastic totes that have your expensive or heirloom possessions. Talk to the movers about the best ways to protect these items from theft during the moving process.
Transport Valuable Items on Your Own
Rather than having the movers transporting your delicate sculptures or paintings, transport these items on your own while you are setting up your new home. Simply fill a vehicle’s trunk or its back seat with the plastic totes or cardboard boxes, making sure to cover the containers with an old blanket along with locking the vehicle’s trunk. After arriving at your new home, avoid unpacking the containers, but you should make sure to place the boxes in a safe location. If you’re worried about leaving the containers in a new home when you aren’t there, then rent a secure storage unit, or alternatively, store smaller items in a safe-deposit box at a nearby bank.
Specialty Insurance Policies
Check with a moving company or your home insurance provider to determine if you can buy a temporary policy as financial protection for your valuable items during the moving process. There are insurance policies you can take out on many expensive items, and are especially valuable for items that will not be necessarily going on the moving truck, such as your boat or other large possessions difficult to move. This is especially important when you are arranging a move that is hundreds of miles away because you may have multiple truck drivers. If a move to a new location requires several days, then the truck driver may stay at a hotel or a truck stop, and these are often the locations where thieves break into the moving vans to steal items that have value, including electronics and jewelry.