Protecting Your Valuables During a Move

Moving is a costly undertaking. And really, it shouldn’t be. Destroyed possessions get VERY expensive! Therefore, whether you hire a professional company to help you relocate or plan a DIY (Do It Yourself) adventure, keep these handy tips in your pocket to protect your goods.

Use the right-sized boxes. Small boxes are ideal for heavy, dense objects like books, and larger ones are preferable for lighter items such as pillows and comforters. A large, heavy box is more likely to split or crush items, so keep an eye on each box’s size-to-weight ratio. A good rule to implement, the heavier the article, the smaller the box. TIP: To keep costs down, Craigslist, Facebook Swip Swap, and Facebook Garage Sale Groups offer boxes at great prices, sometimes even free.  

Remember the tape and markers. Purchasing ahead of time one or two tape guns with plenty of rolls of packaging tape will make for a smoother packing process. Multiple permanent markers also need to be on the shopping list. Having these supplies ahead of time will make the process go much faster.

Fill until it’s still. If a box is rattling around, you’re risking damage. Fill in the space with towels, padding, or other cushioning items to isolate the valuable contents from stop/start or shaking motions. One client shared with me that they never pack a box of only towels; instead, they set the towels aside to use as packing material.

Add padding to dishes. Place bubble wrap or packing paper between dishes and wrap bundles of four or more with extra padding. Be sure to pack dishes on their sides to mitigate the hazard of shattering from an accidental side impact! Filling the bottom and top with padding will provide an additional layer of insurance.

Don’t flatten out your flat screen. Spend the money on a special packing box for your flat-screen LCD or plasma TV. Having the original shipping box is best, but an aftermarket die-cut foam-supported kit will save you the hundreds (if not $1000+) in replacement costs. (Also: Don’t lay the TV flat or stack any boxes on top.) 

Tape in the reinforcements. Taping around the top and bottom edges will support the areas where most of the load is distributed.

One box, one room. To create easy unpacking, pack the same room in the same box. It is best not to mix or co-mingle your rooms. 

Keep tiny things with significant value to yourself. For example, keep your grandmother’s heirloom necklace, vital financial/legal documents, or special family photo collections safely on you. Anything small and irreplaceable should be set aside and kept with you during the move. 

I love the excitement of my client’s move. Hopefully, these moving tips will help that happen. Need an agent to help you find that perfect home for your valuables? Get in touch with me today! 

Kim Shaw

(928) 710-9148