When moving house, keeping your belongings safe so they don’t get damaged or stolen must be your priority.
Luckily, by taking some precautions, you can ensure that your items will arrive at your new place safe and sound and will continue to serve you for years.
Invest in quality moving materials and equipment
It may be easy to neglect packing, but this often damages your things! It is often tempting to go to your local shop for some boxes or reach out to the marketplace and get some used items for free, but that may cost you more.
Depending on the items you want to move, you must invest in sturdy, padded boxes that can hold what you place inside. While you can get away with getting alternatives for items such as bed sheets and covers or clothes, items that can be damaged should be protected.
Apart from sturdy boxes, you want to invest in bubble wrap, styrofoam peanuts and cushions that will help protect your belongings.
Label boxes and pack them with care
Start by assessing your belongings and organising them by weight and durability. Once you have a fairly good system, sort the heavier and lighter items into separate piles.
Get small, sturdy boxes for the heavier ones, while the lighter items can go into bigger packages. This will not only make it safer for the person in charge of carrying the boxes, but it will also help keep your items in one place.
You also want to ensure you fill in all the space in the boxes. For the job, you will require packing paper or bubble wrap that can cushion potential damages. Old newspapers can also do the trick, but you should not take risks if you have valuables stored.
You should get some styrofoam peanuts or cushions and place them at the bottom of the box for additional protection while carrying and moving.
Once you pack your items, or while packing, label them by writing the name of the room where you will place the box, not what it contains.
For example, if you write “PlayStation” on the box, someone will be tempted to run off with the package. If you write “Family Room,” the box’s contents will be less obvious.
Get moving insurance
Check with your home insurance agent to determine your insurance coverage for your move. Especially if you are moving valuables, consider purchasing additional coverage for those items.
You should also explore options from professional movers. Many removals companies also offer insurance to provide much-needed peace of mind. Take the time to review their terms and choose a business that best covers your needs.
Consider renting a storage unit
If you have small but important items you don’t need immediately, consider putting them in a safe deposit box or self-storage until you settle into your new home.
Keeping important documents, expensive electronics, and sentimental items that you would be sad to lose safely tucked away will make moving day less worrisome.
If you choose a house removals service for your move, you should check the storage options they offer, as it may be cheaper to use their combined services.
Keep valuable items with you
Alternatively, you can keep small items such as papers, medications, and jewellery in the car. Carry them in a bag and keep an eye on them.
If you use a portable safe to lock items, ensure it is always with you. Lockable containers for art and valuables are also available. Contact your mover if you are interested in exploring that option.
Hire a reliable house removals service
If you want your belongings to arrive in the best possible condition, it is essential to hire professional movers.
It may seem cheaper to transport everything yourself, but not knowing how to handle your belongings safely can cost you more in the long run.
However, be wary of inexpensive movers and ask to see their credentials first. You should also check to see if they are a registered company to ensure they are trustworthy, insured, and have the proper experience.
Since you will essentially be handing over your property to a third party briefly, you must be confident that you can trust them. Checking their online reputation is a good way to narrow down the list of companies you want to choose.
Document your belongings
It is easy to lose track of things during a move, and it can take time to unpack and find everything on the other side. Regarding valuables, it’s best to avoid this problem altogether.
So, make a list of your items ahead of time and take detailed photos so you can prove ownership. If an item is lost, stolen, or broken, you will need pictures for insurance.
Create a simple spreadsheet with columns for the name of the item, box number, when and how it was transported, condition upon arrival, etc.
To help you document everything, you can search for online apps that offer a detailed approach to keeping all the information stored and easily accessible in case you need it.
What to do if your belongings have been damaged during a move
If your belongings are damaged during your move, taking action as soon as possible is vital.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Document the damage. Take pictures or videos to prove what happened.
- Contact the movers. If the movers caused the damage, you must contact the company so they can investigate and file a claim.
- File an insurance claim. Contact your specific company to begin the claim process if you have moving insurance. Also, consult your insurance agent about what renter’s or homeowner’s insurance would cover in such a situation.
- Obtain repair or replacement. Once you receive compensation from your mover or insurance company, repair or replace your belongings.
Conclusion
There are a few steps you need to follow when it comes to protecting your belongings.
Remember that the cheaper option may cost you more at the end of your move.
To avoid stressing about your things, do not hesitate to invest in high-quality packing materials to protect your items before, during, and after the transportation to your new place.
Contacting a local removals company to help you pack and move all your stuff is a great alternative to save you time, effort, and money.
