Guide for packing collectibles for relocation

When the moving time comes, one of the most dreaded phases of the whole process is packing. There is just something about putting everything you own into boxes, careful not to break them, loading them up on the truck and waving them goodbye. When packing, you need to worry about so much – the right boxes, the packing materials, the safety of the items. When it comes to packing collectibles for relocation, the stress level rises. And while you should always call packing services Chicago to do the job for you, there are some things about packing your fragile items that you should know yourself. In this article, we will go over must-know things in detail.

Create an inventory before packing collectibles for relocation

One of the first things you need to do when you decide to move is to get the inventory list for your collection. This will help you decide what you will take with you and what you can leave in a storage. It will also be helpful in tracking down items you are moving, as well as help your collection in the future. Furthermore, an inventory list will be useful when doing appraisals and estimates when you are picking your moving company.

When making an inventory, it’s a smart idea to start with the largest items and work towards the smallest ones. The first thing you might write is stuff like armoires or dining tables. Take photos of them so you know exactly what conditions they are in before shipping. Also, take detailed measurements of them, so you can find proper crates or boxes for them. You will also want your huge antiques to fit through the doors of your new home. Otherwise, there is no point in moving them. This is especially important when packing musical instruments like pianos. They are expensive to move, so be sure you are able to accommodate their size.

Then, you can move to the smaller items. Take photos of all your jewelry, silver, and other collectible items. Make detailed notes of anything that makes them imperfect, so your movers (and you) will be aware.

Think about the insurance policies

The next thing you want to think about when packing collectibles for relocation is how you will ensure your items. These are precious things that you have been collecting, possibly, for years. You do not want something bad to happen to them. Items can sometimes get lost or broken during the long-distance transport, so getting insurance for them will be an easy fix for this. And even if you do have a homeowner or renter’s insurance policy, you should make sure that it covers the transport and unpacking of your items. Call your broker and ask all these questions.

Now, if you are moving with cross country movers Chicago, then you should also talk to them about the insurance policies they have. However, a lot of companies use the 60-cents-per-pound formula. What this means is that, if you have a 100-pound statue, and it gets damaged, you will only get a $60 reimbursement. Imagine that it was worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. This is not an insurance policy you would go with, right? This is why you need to talk to your movers and see what insurance they offer, and how you can upgrade it.

If you are moving interstate, then the federal government will require your moving company to have two liability options. These are Released Value (the 60-cents-per-pound insurance), as well as the Full Value Protection. What this offers is the replacement or repair of the items that get damaged or lost during a move. However, even these often have their limits. Maybe they will not exceed the value of $100 per the pound of the item, so make sure what’s in the fine print. For in-state moves, you should contact the office of your Attorney General.

Packing collectibles for relocation

Now that we have discussed inventorying your items and insuring them, let’s talk about actually packing collectibles for relocation. Even though you might have good insurance, the best thing you can do is to pack your items properly. This way, you will be almost certain that they will arrive safely at their new location. So, here’s how you pack your items.

First, use the protective wrap on them. The first layer you use will keep all your items both safe and clean. Depending on the items, there are different materials you will use. For example, you will want non-acidic archival tissue protecting your artwork, antique books, and fabrics. Stretch wrap, or foam wrap, is great for glass or wood. Just make sure that the wrap extends around the corners and the edges of the item as well. Finally, you can use cloth, but be careful. Soft materials can trap dirt, which in turn can scratch your furniture during travel.

Then, you will want to create another layer with blankets, foam and bubble wrap. This is here to protect your items from vibrations and small shocks, which are common during lengthy truck rides. Just make sure that you attach everything securely to the item. Finally, you put these items into something sturdy – that will protect them from the abrupt effects of the move. Wooden crates are great for this – and you can fill them up with more foam.

What to do with things that remain

Finally, when packing collectibles for relocation, you need to think about the items you are leaving behind. Simply, your budget might not allow you to bring everything you wanted with you. This is why you need to find some good, cheap storage in suburbs. When looking into a storage, there are certain things you need to make sure. The security and safety of your items are the priority. Make sure that the locks are good and there are cameras (or guards) around. The storage should also be safe from the environmental conditions – like rain, snow, heat, and moisture. Only when you have found the perfect storage can your items be safe, and waiting for you to come back for them.