Learn move you precious paintings.
If you are preparing for a moving and you have some valuables to transport, you should make a decision whether you are packing yourself, or you are hiring a professional moving company. Packing up yourself may save you money, but when it comes to valuables you are more likely to end up loosing much more. If your valuables are not packed properly, severe damages may occur. To help you with this decision, we offer you a few important moving tips that you need to follow for a successful move:
Get antiques and artwork appraised
Before you begin to pack or move you valuable items, you should get every item appraised. You can visit the American Society of Appraisers website and find a qualified appraiser near you.
Buy the proper packing supplies
Using the right packing supplies is a very important step of the relocation process. If you feel you can’t manage doing by yourself, call you mover and ask for packing supplies. Professional moving companies know the proper way of packing supplies and the latest packing techniques. You’d better invest some more money on protective packing stuff as an extra safety measure.
Wrap each of your valuable items individually
Remember, you don’t move ordinary belongings to put many of them in one place. You need to pack each of your precious items individually, using the proper packing materials. It’s a good idea to use bubble wrap, cushion foam, furniture pads. Movers use them to prevent scratches and any other damages. You have to pack every single valuable item separately according to its own unique requirements.
Framed artwork should be placed in boxes
After you had carefully packed all your artwork, you should place your paintings in special picture boxes. There is a great range of boxes on the market, but if you can’t find the size you need ask you mover to provide you with these moving boxes. Experienced movers will find the solution in no time.
Mirrors and glass need special attention
Mirrors and glass are quite fragile. The can be easily scratched and even broken. Put a packing tape across the front of the mirror in the shape of an “X” to keep the pieces in place in case the it breaks. Wrap you glass with bubble wrap or non-printed newspapers and fill the loose spaces in the boxes with packing peanuts. These valuable items need special care as they are fragile.
Make sure to label all the boxes
Most people often forget to label their boxes because it doesn’t seem so essential, but actually it can save you a lot of troubles. Write descriptive labels on your boxes and do mark the FRAGILE ones.
Load you items carefully
Finally, be extremely careful when loading/unloading your valuables. Although you have packed your items with protective packing materials, if you are not enough attentive during arranging things in the truck, something can broke.
If you have any doubts about moving valuables yourself, you better find professional movers that have profound experience in moving valuables. Such moving companies have the specific instruments for handling the particular valuable items.
You mention to “Wrap each of your valuable items individually” which is very easy to do with the right materials. Stretch wrap bundling film is easy to use, protects your valuables, and is cost effective. Bundling film only sticks to itself so it will not harm what you are wrapping and comes off easily when the time comes. You can find this product online for very cheap.
Hey Martin,
Great Tips! We appreciate your advice and we use your tips regularly to train new movers to know how to pack and load properly. Keep up the good work!