Heirlooms, art, jewelry, and antiques. Oh my! Maybe you spent your life accumulating these treasures that represent your taste, success, and growth as a person. Perhaps, they’ve been in the family for centuries. No matter how you came to own your high-value items, protecting them during a move is of utmost importance. To avoid the heartbreak of opening a package and finding that special something irreparably damaged–you might want to recruit some professional help. 

Maffucci Moving, with our extensive experience and expertise, is ready and willing to help you handle all your moving concerns. From planning to packing and loading trucks to reassembling furniture, our team of experienced movers can do it all. For over 100 years, we’ve been taking our streamlined, reasonably priced relocation services all over the Northeast. 

Step 1: Identifying Specialty Items

Maybe you’re unsure what qualifies an item as “high value.” That’s okay! Because we know. Generally, a high-value item is anything worth $100 per pound or higher. For instance, any fine art you own belongs to this category. Other examples of items with high value that require specific packing techniques to ensure their safety during a move include: 

• High-end exercise equipment
• Crystal
• Fine China
• Sterling silver, and precious metals
• Figurines/statues
• Precious stones and gems
• Oriental rugs
• Pianos
• Furs
• Rare collectibles
• Formal attire

Step 2: Avoiding Mistakes with Specialty Items

Once you’ve determined which items in your collection need to be set aside for proper preparation, ensure that you take a thorough inventory. This includes documenting and photographing each high-value item before packing them as visual evidence is crucial to prove the item wasn’t damaged beforehand if the worst-case scenario occurs and you need to file an insurance claim. Your inventory should include each item’s description, pre-move condition, and serial number (if applicable). If you have copies of an appraisal that was done or the purchase receipt, keep those as well to establish value. 

To do your part to keep mistakes from happening to your valuable items during the move, remove any hardware that could break in transit. Place the removed hardware in a bag and keep it near the item for easy reattachment once you’re all settled in. Once everything is packed, ensure all the boxes are right-side-up to minimize shifting during loading. 

Step 3: Packing Specialty Items

Gather the required materials once you’ve done all you can to ensure there won’t be any mistakes while packing. Always use high-quality materials when packing high-value items. We’re talking about:

• Bubble wrap (anti-static)
• Acid-free tissue paper
• Packing peanuts
• Sturdy boxes
• Packing tape
• Foam padding
• Moving blankets
• Glassine paper (for artwork)

Pack each item individually with lots of protective padding. Remember to label each box clearly as you load items, ideally using Maffucci’s customized packing solutions. Mark boxes with their contents and handling instructions as well. For example, if there’s a fragile item, write “Handle with care, FRAGILE” on the side. This is the easiest way to move your items carefully and correctly.

Customized Crafting Options

Consider custom crafting options, such as a heavy-duty wooden crate for your most high-valued items. These options are particularly beneficial if you need to move them long distances, as they will give them the best chance of arriving undamaged. Custom crating options are beneficial for particularly fragile items, providing an extra layer of protection. While they may come at an additional cost, they are a worthwhile investment in the safety of your items.

Most crates can be specifically designed to fit your item based on its type and size. Consider getting valuation insurance that offers complete coverage based on the value or released value insurance, offering coverage based on $.0.60 per pound. To help you make an informed decision, we offer an item valuation calculator that provides an accurate estimate of the value of your items. This tool ensures that you receive fair and accurate coverage for your high-value items, giving you peace of mind during the move. 

Step 4: Transporting Specialty Items

After packing everything, the only step left is to transport it to your new home. To prepare specialty items for transport, double-check your packing. Ensuring that each item is individually and securely packed is the best way to keep it safe on the truck. You can take smaller valuable items, such as jewelry and books, in the car. Pack as much as possible into it to save space in the moving truck for more oversized, heavier items and give yourself peace of mind that they’re safe. 

Of course, the best method for moving high-value items is to entrust them to professionals. Our team is trained in moving specialty items, including Grandma’s old piano, as safely and securely as possible. We utilize sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, customer crates, and detailed inventory sheets to keep track of each valuable item during the move and ensure it stays looking just as it did when packed away. Your items are in our safe hands. 

Accredited by the Better Business Bureau, ProMover status, and with hundreds of positive reviews from past clients on our side, Maffucci’s services are hard to beat. We have experience handling countless relocations of delicate items for families and individuals. You can always trust us to complete the job on schedule and to your satisfaction. 

Maffucci Moving: High-Quality Movers for Highly Valued Items

Congrats! You’re ready to move into your new home, high-valued items and all. Once you’re ready to begin unpacking,  place items on a soft surface while you check them for damage. If you find any, be sure to take pictures for insurance purposes. Want some help unpacking? Maffucci will gladly step in! Our professional movers will handle each item with the utmost care. 

Ready to make your move with confidence? Contact Maffucci Moving today for a personalized consultation and expert assistance in safely transporting high-value items. Let us handle the heavy lifting while you enjoy a stress-free relocation!