Moving is a difficult time, and with all the packing, loading, and unloading you want to make sure your belongings are safe. Here’s how to keep your valuables safe while moving!

Moving can be hectic because there are so many things to do, packing up your clothes and other items into boxes or suitcases, loading everything onto the truck, driving it over to its new destination (which could take hours). And then there’s unloading again, which usually takes even longer than loading did.

The truth is that in between these times when you’re not actually handling anything yourself, you spend a lot of time worrying about what might happen if something goes wrong – an accident on the road or damage to your belongings. With the number of people and activities involved in any move, it’s easy to consider this a possibility.

That said, there are lots of ways to keep your valuables safe and secure during the moving process. Here are some tips that will help you be sure your possessions arrive at their destination in one piece:

Keep an Inventory List

It may sound like a hassle at first, but having a detailed list of every single item you’re shipping can make it much easier to file claims following a move if something does get lost or broken. If you are hiring professional movers, it is best to maintain a list of items. Even if you are not hiring any professional moving company, having an inventory list will keep you organized and you can easily keep a track of all your items and boxes.

TIP: A good way for boxes you pack yourself is to number each one and keep the list on the top of the box.

Don’t Label Your Boxes “Fragile”

Instead, use a permanent marker to write this word (and any other relevant information) directly onto your belongings’ surfaces. It’s much harder for a mover to miss this kind of labeling – plus it can help in case the box does break open, so they’ll know exactly what’s inside before they throw it away.

Keep Electronics and Other Fragile Items With You

Many moving companies offer temporary storage during the move-in process. Unless you’re hiring some movers just to unload and load everything into the truck without going anywhere, this is a great option for keeping your most valuable belongings right by you throughout the day.

Hire Professional Movers

Obviously. If you’re moving across town, hiring movers is not very cost-effective; however, hiring professional packers and movers is much more affordable if you’re transitioning states (or even countries). 

When hiring professional movers,

  • Check their Better Business Bureau rating and ask for references from previous clients.
  • Make sure you know how much over time will cost and if there are any additional fees. For example, movers may charge an extra fee for stairs or elevators.
  • Be sure you have a clear idea of when they will arrive, and keep in mind that it may take longer than an hour or two to pack & load.
  • Make sure your home is ready ahead of time for them to enter (i.e., the doors are open, there’s enough parking available, etc.) so everything goes smoothly.
  • Do not be afraid to ask questions or voice any concerns you might have.
  • Movers want to get paid, so make sure you tip them well if they do a great job (15-20% of the total cost). Not only is this an appreciated thank you for services rendered, but it’s also a way to ensure that your next move will go smoothly because companies know how important good references are.
  • Don’t let movers pressure you into signing any documentation that states everything arrived in perfect condition. There is no reason why they should be asking for signatures before items are unloaded and inspected – this should happen after the truck has been emptied out and there’s nothing left inside it but memories. As a result, if damage does occur during transit, it’s much easier to prove the movers were at fault.

Don’t Underestimate How Much Stuff You Have

A couple of hours before moving day, take a walk through your home and make note of all those items piled up in corners or sitting around collecting dust. It might surprise you just how many small things there are! And all of these items could be easily damaged by careless movers. Taking this extra time before moving day will help you make sure that everything arrives at its new home undamaged.

Don’t Leave Valuables Unattended

If you have to leave valuables somewhere, ensure they are out of sight. By leaving them in your car or on the side of the road you’re making yourself an easy target for thieves. Also, avoid keeping all your money and credit cards together. Instead, separate these into different locations (i.e., wallet, bureau drawer, etc.) so you don’t lose everything at once if something does happen to get stolen.

Pack a Set of Clothes and Toiletries in a Carry-on Bag

Typically when we move – whether it’s just across town or to another country entirely – we pack enough clothes for about three days. And then we lock up our home and our belongings go on vacation until movers can arrive to complete the next stage of the journey. When that happens, you’ll need a place to stay while it’s all happening! So be sure to pack at least one or two changes of clothes into a backpack or carry-on bag so you don’t have to spend your first three days back on your feet wearing the same dirty outfit over and over again.

Don’t Let Your Belongings Out of Your Sight – Or Reach – For Even a Second

Movers having access to everything you own can be a serious temptation and an opportunity for them to take advantage of the situation and potentially cause damage while moving things around. Many movers will offer their assistance unprompted, so be sure you know exactly where all your items are at any given time during transport, so nothing is accidentally mishandled or misplaced.

Avoid Social Media While Moving

Don’t announce when or where you are moving. You should refrain from posting news about your pending move on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or other social media platforms. Please ensure your children do the same.

When you believe your social media accounts are only accessible to friends, you do not know who is viewing your posts. Once you’ve settled in, you can display it.

Right before the moving truck arrives, it’s a great time to be anywhere but social media. Take this time as your opportunity to disconnect from the world for a little while. If you’re scrolling on Facebook or constantly refreshing your inbox, there is no way you’ll be able to focus on anything else happening around you! So unplug and spend this time productively instead of hanging out on social media.

The most important thing to remember

Keep yourself safe and healthy above all else. Moving day should not be an excuse for treating yourself poorly. Whether that means skipping meals or ignoring physical discomfort caused by heavy lifting or long hours in one position. Make sure you’re eating well-balanced meals and getting enough sleep before your big day arrives.

Want more tips and tricks? Then stay tuned!

For any questions, suggestions, and feedback, feel free to send us a message on our contact us page.