Moving to a new home presents you with exciting opportunities to expand your horizons. While you may look forward to the day when you are finally settled in, you still have some work to do to get there. One of the biggest stressors that occurs during a move is worrying about your valuable possessions. Protecting your high-end belongings is easier when you know what to do to keep them safe.
Take an Inventory of Your Valuable Possessions
The first thing you’ll need to do is figure out which of your possessions needs special care. While your everyday plates can be placed in a box, you might want to be extra cautious about your irreplaceable fine china. The same may also be true about any speciality musical instruments, electronic equipment and antique furniture. Make a list of any items that you need help with moving, and take pictures of each item so that you have proof of their value if they get damaged or lost.
Know What to Take With You
Movers often recommend taking certain items with you. Personal identification documents, such as your passport and social security card, aren’t too hard to pack in your car. Or, you might use a safety deposit box for storage if you aren’t moving too far but will be staying in temporary lodging during your move. There might also be certain items that you don’t want to have on the moving truck. Typically, any liquids are best transported separately from your boxes and furniture. Try to use up bleach and other cleaning products before your move. If you have specialty wine or other products, then ask your moving team for the best way to pack and transport those items.
Hire an Experienced Moving Team
When it comes to expensive valuables, you may need to take extra steps to ensure that they stay safe. Trying to move a bulky piece of furniture or delicate equipment yourself leaves far too much room for damage to occur. Working with a company that specializes in high-end moving services offers you the benefit of knowing that a trained crew is moving your belongings. You also benefit from knowing that anyone who handles your possessions has been background checked and screened to make sure that they are trustworthy.
Use Lockable Moving Containers
With a reputable moving crew on your side, you’ll have less to worry about. However, you may still enjoy having the peace of mind that locking up your possessions provides. You can often find suitcases, duffle bags and fireproof boxes that allow you to lock up your smaller items. This helps you to know that thieves can’t access what is inside, which is especially important if you are driving any items yourself to your new house.
Pack With Intention
You might be able to toss the contents of your kids’ drawers into a box with few worries, but you’ll want to learn how to properly pack speciality items. You can often find boxes that are specifically designed for certain purposes. For example, using a clothing box with a hanging rod can protect your designer suits and dresses from getting severe wrinkles or tears. You can also find boxes for dishes that have extra padding to prevent breakage. If you can’t find a box for a delicate object, then use plenty of bubble wrap and packing paper to keep it cushioned. Old towels, blankets and clothing can also be used to protect things from breaking.
Avoid Advertising About Your Move
You might be excited to show off your new house, but hold off on posting those photos of you holding the keys just yet. Burglars often scan social media pages for information about people who may be leaving their homes vacant for vacations and major moves. For now, only tell the people who need to know about your move, and skip sharing information such as your move out date on public forums. If you need to leave your belongings in your house without supervision for any length of time, then take preventative measures such as setting a security alarm to deter theft.
You’ve worked hard for the things that you own, and you might even have items that hold far more sentimental value than they are worth monetarily. When you can’t replace an item, then you need to know that it is in good hands. Taking time to carefully plan for how to move your valued possessions allows you to relax and enjoy knowing that they’ll arrive at your new home in the same condition they were when they left your old residence. Now, all you have to do is start thinking of where you’ll put your grandparent’s antique china cabinet or hang your treasured fine art when you start setting your new home up.