Moving valuable items can be a nerve-wracking part of any relocation. Whether it’s cherished family heirlooms, essential business assets, or fragile collectibles, safeguarding valuables requires careful planning and the proper techniques. At Winter Moving & Storage, we’ve been helping customers protect their most precious items for over four decades. Here are expert strategies to ensure your belongings reach their destination safely, especially if you’re moving within Northwest Arkansas or anywhere across the United States.
1. Inventory Your Valuables
Creating an inventory list of your valuable items is the first step in keeping them safe. Document each item’s description, current condition, and estimated value. Taking photos or videos of valuables, especially for high-value items like electronics, jewelry, or antiques, can also be helpful. This helps keep track of your belongings and provides a reference for insurance claims should anything happen during the move.
2. Invest In Quality Packing Materials
When moving valuable items, it’s essential to use high-quality packing materials. Here’s what you’ll need:
Sturdy Boxes
Choose boxes that can withstand movement and weight, especially for heavier items.
Bubble Wrap and Padding
Protect fragile items with bubble wrap, foam, or packing peanuts to prevent breakage.
Specialty Boxes
Electronics, artwork, and glassware often require custom-fit boxes. Speak with Winter Moving & Storage about specialty options for these items.
Packing Tape and Labels
Ensure boxes are securely sealed and labeled with “Fragile” or “Handle with Care” to alert movers.
3. Secure Your Items Properly
If you’re packing yourself, ensure each item is packed tightly to avoid movement. For fragile items, wrap each individually and add padding layers between them. Use dividers in boxes for glassware and other breakables. For electronics, remove any loose parts and use anti-static bubble wrap. Place heavier items at the bottom of boxes and lighter items on top, ensuring even weight distribution.
4. Consider Specialty Crating For High-Value Items
For items such as artwork, sculptures, or antiques, consider specialty crating, a method where custom-made crates are designed to fit each piece exactly. Winter Moving & Storage offers professional crating solutions to protect high-value items during the move. These custom crates add an extra layer of protection and security, minimizing the risk of damage.
5. Insure Your Valuables
Moving insurance can provide peace of mind when it comes to protecting valuables. Generally, two types of coverage are basic coverage based on weight and full-value protection covering replacement or repair costs. Winter Moving & Storage offers both options to protect your items financially. Before moving, review your options and select the coverage that best suits your needs and the value of your items.
6. Label Your Boxes Clearly
Labeling is one of the simplest ways to keep track of valuable items and ensure they are correctly handled. When labeling boxes, be as specific as possible. Avoid indicating that a box contains high-value items, but do use general labels such as “Fragile,” “Electronics,” or “Handle with Care.” This way, your movers will know to treat these boxes with caution.
7. Keep Essential Valuables With You
While Winter Moving & Storage is equipped to handle valuables, certain items are best kept with you during a move. Essential documents, heirlooms, jewelry, and small electronics are often better transported by you. This ensures that you have immediate access to these items and can monitor them closely.
8. Choose A Trusted Moving Company
Selecting a reputable moving company is the most crucial step in protecting your valuables. As an award-winning Atlas Van Lines agent with over 40 years of experience, Winter Moving & Storage has a proven track record of handling moves professionally and carefully. Our experienced team is trained to manage every moving aspect, from packing to transport, ensuring your valuables are safe.
9. Communicate Special Requirements To Your Movers
If you have items requiring extra care, discuss these requirements with your moving team. Winter Moving & Storage provides customized moving plans tailored to meet your needs. Letting our team know about special requirements ensures we handle these items appropriately.
Trust Winter Moving & Storage To Protect Your Valuables
Preparation and choosing the right moving company make all the difference when moving valuables. Winter Moving & Storage is committed to delivering a safe, smooth moving experience for each customer. Our team of experts in Northwest Arkansas and beyond understands the importance of handling valuables with the utmost care. Contact us today to learn how we can make your next move a stress-free experience.
