When it comes to moving, not all valuables are antiques or expensive heirlooms. What you consider valuable may differ from what your friends and family treasure the most. So, whether it is a cherished collection of snow globes, a prized comic book collection, or any other precious keepsake, the safety of these items during a move is paramount. 

Our guide will provide essential tips and tricks for securely packing the items that mean the most to you. Join us as we dive into how to keep your collectables safe during the big move.

• Importance of Packing Valuables Carefully
• Top Tips for Packing Valuables
• How to Pack Different Types of Valuables
• Packing & Moving Valuables FAQs

Importance of Packing Valuables Carefully

Some people turn collecting into more than a hobby. They spend a great deal of time tracking down the rarest coins, dolls, magazines, you name it. 

These collections become incredibly valuable to them, so when it comes time to move, getting the valuables to a new place may feel daunting. You want to take every precaution to ensure they arrive in pristine condition.

This is where packing becomes super important, as your sentimental item must be carefully packaged and boxed to maintain its current condition during transit.

Top Tips for Packing Valuables

1. Create an Inventory

While packing your home, creating an inventory of all your household items is advisable. However, it is essential to document your most valuable possessions by making notes and taking photographs of their current condition. 

This is important because if any of them go missing or become damaged, you have the proper documentation to claim your homeowner’s or the moving company’s insurance.

2. Insurance

Before you transport any of your valuable belongings, you need to ensure that they are covered by insurance. Check to see if your homeowner’s insurance covers a move or whether your moving company offers extra coverage. If your collectables hold significant financial value, it may be worth investing in specific moving insurance.

3. Invest in Quality Supplies

Invest in sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and packing paper. Quality supplies ensure your collectables are well protected during the move. If you still have the original packaging for your valuable items, then make sure to use them. These boxes are designed to protect specific items and make packing easier.

4. Wrap Each Item Individually

By wrapping each item individually, you prevent the valuables from directly touching and potentially damaging each other. Delicate items such as glass and ceramics should be wrapped with extra protection, as fragile valuables are more likely to be damaged or broken during transit.

5. Label Boxes Clearly

Label the boxes that contain your valuable items with “Fragile”, “Handle with Care”, or “This Way Up” so that the individual who handles the box is aware that there are valuable items within the package and they need to exercise caution.

6. Hire a Reputable Removal Company

Place your trust in a reputable moving company specialising in packing, loading, transporting, and unloading precious belongings. For larger valuable items, using a removal company with the appropriate equipment and vehicle is essential for transporting your valuables securely. For smaller items, such as jewellery, you should transport them yourself so you have control over where they end up.

How to Pack Different Types of Valuables

Coin Collection and Currency

When packing a coin or currency collection, it is vital to keep the collection secure. Here is how to do so:

• Load your currency or coins into an album to keep them all together
• Wrap the album in paper or bubble wrap
• Place into a box on its own and fill any empty spaces with packing peanuts to minimise movement during transit.
• Label the box clearly, and take it with you while you travel so that you have control over its safety.

Vintages Toys and Dolls in Original Packaging

Whether your sentimental toys are new or have been with you since childhood, it is crucial to pack them properly to avoid damage during transit.

• Wrap each toy or doll box individually in acid-free paper. Acid-free paper will keep your items safe and prevent colours from bleeding onto the box or stripping colour from the box. 
• Avoid putting tape on the original packaging, as once removed, it can rip the box or take away some of its print or colour.
• Wrap each box in bubble wrap for added protection
• Cushion the box you are using for transportation with packing peanuts, place the valuables into the box, fill in any gaps and cover the top of the box with more peanuts.
• Label the box so that your removal company is aware of the contents.

Pottery, Ceramics, and Glass

Items made of delicate materials such as ceramic or glass will be the most fragile and require the most attention when packing.

• Wrap each valuable individually with a lot of paper or bubble wrap
• Avoid putting any tape directly on the item, as tape can pull off paint or cause damage to the valuable
• Cushion the bottom of your sturdiest box with packing peanuts before placing the item inside
• Place the item upright into the box. Delicate items are safer in a standing position as they are less likely to be crushed
• Add extra packing peanuts to fill any gaps and cushion the top of the box
• Mark the boxes “Fragile” and “This Way Up” so the mover knows the contents.

Posters, Magazines, and Documents

If you have original movie posters, prized magazines, or highly important legal documents to take with you, you must pack them properly to avoid damage.

• If you have original poster tubes, use these to store and protect your posters.
• We advise sealing collectable magazines and important documents in archival plastic bags. 
• To protect against water damage, you can wrap the sealed bag in bubble wrap or packing paper and seal it with tape. 
• Place these sealed goods inside a cushioned box and fill any gaps with packing peanuts for extra security.
• We recommend taking any necessary legal documents with you during the move so they can’t be misplaced.

Packing & Moving Valuables FAQs

How do you transport valuables when moving?

It is advisable to place your valuables in smaller boxes by themselves so that if they are being transported in a removal van, they can go on top of the load where they will be protected against crushing.

What if I need to store my valuables during my move?

At Guardian Removals, we offer a storage service that enables you to safely store your valuable belongings in our secured storage facility. We can provide short-term and long-term storage for your collectables enabling you to pack up the rest of your house without worrying about the safety of your most prized possessions.

How do you wrap valuables for moving?

Use robust materials such as bubble wrap and packing paper to wrap your valuables before placing them in a sturdy box. Avoid using cheap materials, such as newspaper, as the ink can stain original packaging, paintings and glass surfaces.

Move Your Valuables with Guardian Removals

At Guardian Removals, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive moving service. We go the extra mile to ensure your precious possessions are packed, loaded, transported, and unloaded while maintaining their pristine condition.

Our expert team will create a personalised removal service that suits your needs precisely while prioritising the safety of your valuable belongings. Contact our team today to discuss your moving requirements.

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