Moving can be strenuous, and packing fragile and valuable items during the move makes it even more stressful. For instance, you might discover that you are unsure of the ideal way to pack fragile belongings. You worry that the delicate objects will shatter, or that you will misplace them.
As these are all valid fears, handling fragile and valuable
items when moving often requires professional help. Professional movers make
certain that all your items are intact upon delivery, thus ensuring peace of
mind.
What is considered fragile or valuable?
The first step when moving items is identifying fragile and valuable items. However, what exactly is considered fragile or valuable? Fragile items or goods like chinaware, glasses, artworks, porcelain, mirrors, guitars, and electronics are easily broken or damaged.
Valuables, on the other hand, are subjective. You decide what is precious to you, but valuables often revolve around these items: old magazines, legal documents, jewelry, antique furniture, old chinaware, books, medals, rare coins, and cassette tapes.
They are precious possessions that have been passed down
from one generation to another for posterity. So, it is understandable that you
will want to find a secure way to move them.
The Importance of Hiring Professional Movers
Professional movers are companies or individuals with experience in packing, loading, transporting, unloading, and arranging goods. A professional moving company is essential to a stress-free move because of these key advantages they offer:
1. Efficiency: Since they are experts and with experience, they
will efficiently pack your belongings, saving you time and stress.
2. Comfort: Handing your moving plans to professional movers
gives you peace of mind. It means you have nothing to worry about because the
professionals are at work and they will perform their duties efficiently.
3. Convenience: A professional moving company handles packing,
loading, transporting, unloading, and unpacking your items. As a result, you
can focus on other aspects of your life and spend your time conveniently.
4. Flexibility: If you need to move on short notice or at a
busy time of the year, professional movers can work around your schedule. They
can also solve problems that would have been difficult otherwise.
5. Safe transport: With professional movers, you’ll have no
security concerns. When a truck carries valuable goods, security tailing and satellite
monitoring are enabled. There is also insurance available on your items.
6. Storage: If you are still getting ready to move to your new
space, a professional moving company can store your boxes until you are ready.
7. Proper equipment: Moving companies have all the necessary
professional equipment to pack, load, transport, unload, and unpack various
items.
The Pre-move Preparation
Moving to another space with fragile and valuable items can
be a hard task, but there is a solution: a pre-move plan. This can include the
following steps:
1. Sorting: Assess every piece you have that is highly valuable, fragile, or otherwise. You want to take note of their size, fragility, weight, and transport requirements.
2. Carefully wrap items: Wrap your belongings scrupulously
after sorting them to avoid breakage. Using bubble wrap or packing paper
reduces the risk of chips, scratches, cracks, or other damage.
3. Cushion the box: In cases where the boxed items leave the
room use soft materials to fill those spaces. For example, if you pack some
chinaware into a box and notice any space, ensure to cover it. Leaving the
space as it is can lead to items breaking in transit.
4. Label your box: This helps professional movers know the
content of the box and how to handle it.
5. Package your boxes properly: Be extra careful when packaging
your boxes to avoid mistakenly spilling their contents while moving.
Customized Packing Strategies
It is advisable to invest in quality materials for packing fragile and valuable items. If you pack a vase in a box that cannot hold such accessories, it is bound to get damaged. You can consult a professional to get the specifics on which boxes you should use.
As well, before placing cups in boxes, for example, stuff
them with tissue paper. If you move items like lamp bases or pictures, you can
use brown kraft paper or wax paper for oil paintings. Furthermore, you can use
non-tarnish paper for wrapping brass or silverware.
Secure Transportation and Handling
After packing and loading, transportation comes next. Here’s
how to ensure a secure process:
Loading and Unloading Procedures
Before loading, ensure there are no spaces in the vehicle, as this can lead to damage. Do not place big boxes on smaller ones when you load your items. Additionally, don’t stack boxes too high to prevent them from falling.
After loading, you can take pictures or make a video that
shows the condition of your goods upon leaving. When they arrive on the other
side, check if the arrangement remains intact.
Securing Items in Transit
There are securement devices that moving companies use to
ensure your things get to you safely. For example, they use tie-downs to strap
items on one side and then across the other. The government does not allow the
use of unmarked tie-downs. All moving companies must have a belt with their
business name and the maximum working load limit.
Specialized Equipment and Vehicles
There are special equipment and vehicles that make moving more accessible and efficient, such as the following:
1. Industrial trucks: Although unlicensed to move on public
roads, industrial trucks are a more flexible transport method.
2. Conveyors: Conveyors make it easier to move materials or
items from one point to another frequently.
3. Cranes: Within a restricted environment, cranes can
transport loads through irregular (horizontal and vertical) pathways.
4. Yard ramps: This is movable metal equipment that aids the
easy unloading and loading of items.
5. Manual handling equipment: This includes smaller tools like
pallets, screwdrivers, trolleys, or sack trucks.
Insurance and Liability Coverage
Having moving insurance and liability coverage can be a game-changer. Moving insurance covers damage or losses during a move. Securing an insurance plan can be helpful if you worry about losing valuables while moving.
Moving companies typically offer one insurance coverage. However, when it involves going to a different province, it is obligatory by federal law to offer the following types of coverage:
1. Complete value protection: The moving company takes full
cost responsibility if your items are damaged or lost while in transit.
2. Released value protection: This provides minimal protection
at no additional cost. You will only receive 60 cents per pound for one item.
3. Separate liability coverage: Some moving companies offer
separate liability coverage using a third-party insurance company. This usually
attracts additional fees. While the company is still responsible for covering
loss, the insurance company covers a certain percentage, too.
Post-move Care and Unpacking
After arriving at your new location, it is time to unpack. This might be a much easier route since unpacking tends to be therapeutic. The first thing you want to do is clean your new space. Since the boxes are labelled, place each box in the room you want the items to be in.
Place soft towels on the floor before putting the boxes down. This way, if anything drops while unpacking, there will be no damage. Carefully open the boxes with the correct equipment, such as scissors. Now, remove every form of padding from each box and set it aside.
Next, remove all bubble wrap or other forms of covering and
inspect for damages. If you notice any breakage, take a picture or record a
video. You will need it later to file a claim. Unpack and inspect all the other
items and put them where they should be.
Should you hire professional movers?
If you value your items and want to avoid handling them yourself, hiring the services of professional movers makes all the difference. They are experts, have experience, and are insured.
Save yourself the stress and time of packing for a move.
Unpacking items yourself is better than packing them on your own. So, follow
the tips in this article, do some research, and reach out to a professional
moving company today.
