Making the choice to have a small move instead of a large move when you are just going locally or don’t have a lot of items to move is a smart choice. However, if you’re moving some fragile or high-value items, then preparing properly is crucial. This can be the difference between peace of mind and panic.
Considering small moves are any under 2,000 pounds, after all, you might still be shipping sensitive items with many others, meaning they can be damaged, so learn what you need to know to take special care to prevent this.
Why Fragile Items Deserve Special Attention
The fragile items you’re looking to ship often have emotional or financial value attached to them. Art and antiques, for example, may not have a large monetary value, but they might hold irreplaceable worth within your heart.
Other items like electronics and collectibles can be quite costly to fix or replace, which creates another issue entirely. Rough handling, poor packing, and temperature changes can all lead to damage if you aren’t careful, which is why learning to ship items safely is crucial.
Choosing the Right Shipping Partner
When getting ready for your small move, the most important thing is to choose the right shipping partner.
You should look for a company that has experience with specialty items, custom crating or professional packing options, climate-controlled shipping, and item tracking or white-glove delivery services. This will help increase the chances that the sensitive items you’re shipping are not damaged.
Packing Tips for Fragile Items
Regardless of whether you are tackling a small or large move, there are some packing tips for fragile items that can help protect your goods:
- Always double-boxing and use padding
- Label all sides of boxes clearly with “FRAGILE”
- Avoid overpacking a single box, as this can increase the risk of it breaking
- Use glassine, corner protectors, and custom crates for any art
- Avoid putting bubble wrap directly on painted surfaces
- Wrap legs, corners, and joints on any antique furniture
- Disassemble furniture if possible
- Remove batteries and accessories before packing away electronics
- Use anti-static wrap and original boxes if they are available
Taking the time to handle the above quick tips can make a major difference in whether or not your goods arrive broken. Most moving mishaps are due to improper planning at the end of the day, which can lead to a slew of issues.
Always ensure you have properly planned out your move from start to finish so that you can successfully get all your items to one place in one piece.
Insurance and Documentation
Regardless of how well you pack something, accidents can still happen. This is why you need to take steps for insurance by documenting everything you ship ahead of time. Take photos and write detailed item descriptions for each item.
If you are shipping high-value art or antiques, consider getting them appraised ahead of time so that insurance knows their value if they get lost. Nobody wants to lose their precious goods in transit, but things can be unavoidable. Insurance can only help you if it knows exactly what was lost, what the damage was, and the value of the item.
What to Expect from Professional Handling
Hiring professionals to tackle the tougher parts of your move is an excellent starter that can save you time and effort. Some of the common services included with professional handling are:
- Custom crating and protective measures
- White-glove pickup and delivery
- Real-time updates and shipment tracking
- Increased accountability with professional services
Pricing can vary pretty significantly across different professional moving companies, so it’s important to find a provider who meets the middle point of your needs and budget. Take the time to research different moving companies to ensure you are getting the best possible service for your needs.
Prepare for your move thoughtfully
Fragile items don’t need to be a moving nightmare so long as you take the time to plan out how to transport them. When it comes to small moves that involve big-value pieces, experience and care are non-negotiable. If you aren’t handling the move yourself, look up reviews of companies in your area so that you know you are getting the best service.
Many organizations offer item shipping pages or quote request forms that can help you narrow down what to expect from a cost perspective so that you don’t exceed your budget trying to move your valuables.
