Whether it’s interstate or intrastate, many people find the notion of moving homes as a harrowing ordeal. 

Bringing along valuable items with you compounds that sense of worry. Oftentimes, you can’t help but feel a looming risk that things may go wrong during the transport.

Fortunately, there are ways to ease your qualms. Here are six tips for moving valuable items.

1. Hire a removalist

If you hate the stress of moving, consider hiring professional removalists like Muval's Brisbane removalists to ease your burdens. They’ll handle any and all types of large furniture for you, allowing you to focus on other administrative moving duties. With a professional removalist, you won’t have to worry about poorly packaged goods or the amateur handling of your furniture. They’re pros for a reason.

Aside from relocating your valuable items for you, they also offer prompt and clearly communicated services to help you out. 

2. Keep a separate pack with you

Bring your important documents in the same car as you. This means you should carry along a separate bag kept close to you to store your passports and other documents. If these items are particularly valuable, bring a lock safebox to protect any damages and wear for high-value items. This can help give you a much-needed peace of mind that you deserve during moving day.

3. Get a good insurance plan

Wouldn’t it be awful if your stuff breaks during transport? While they’re highly unlikely to happen, there’s always the looming possibility of breakages during the move. 

If you hire removalists or movers, it’s a good idea to have an awareness of their insurance plans. Many great removalist companies offer basic insurance for their services. These can be used when they break items due to their negligence. Some companies also require you to fill up a declaration form of your inventory to fully realise your insurance — so be prepared for that.

Once you have a proper insurance plan, you can expect it to cover your items as it’s in transit. More premium plans may be available depending on the removalist service you choose to purchase.

4. Have a checklist

Before any move, it’s a good idea to put your thoughts on paper so that you won’t forget anything. Moving is an incredibly taxing activity, even more stressful than a divorce according to a published survey. For full preparation, a great idea is to prepare a comprehensive list of all the items you intend to bring. 

Don’t just limit your checklist to the activities you have before the move. You’ll consult it after the move as well, and it’ll be useful for double-checking once you’ve started to settle in your new home. Besides that, a checklist is also helpful for the removalists to keep track of the items you have with you.

5. Keep emergency cash nearby

The truth is: moving can incur a lot of miscellaneous fees. Accidents may happen as well.

It’s always a good idea to have some extra cash stored in a secure, well-hidden spot besides your wallet. Don’t underestimate the mental stress you’ll go through during moving day — it’s really easy to get sidetracked and forget about the essentials. While you can store a good chunk of your money in your wallet, allocate a smaller percentage of cash in more secret compartments of your bag or person. Over preparation is better than under preparing.

6. Duct tape your boxes

You may have recycled boxes from the store from down the road. Or you may have bought them specifically for the move.

While they may seem sturdy and durable, many valuable items weigh a lot and can apply much more pressure than the boxes can handle. So, add padding to the boxes — this will prevent any breakages and piercings from happening. Aside from that, also wrap a strong layer of duct tape to seal the boxes tight. This will not only protect items from breaking, but it can also safeguard your belongings from any would-be thieves.