Moving house is stressful enough without having to worry about your fragile items getting damaged in the process. These belongings often hold emotional value or are irreplaceable, making it even more important to treat them with care. Here is our expert moving advice for successfully packing fragile items and getting them from point A to point B undamaged.
1) Don’t Rush
Be sure to plan your packing in advance so that you can really take your time ensuring that those delicate items are good to go. A rushed job can only lead to disaster, so why take the chance? Start with an inventory list of all fragile items so you can prioritize and track them during the packing process. If you have chosen not to enlist the help of professional packers (although it might be wise to consider this seeing as though they have the expertise and all of the right tools to get the job done right the first time), start packing your fragile favourites well ahead of moving day.
2) Make Sure You Have Everything You Need
Things like glasses and plates will require different packing materials than things like picture frames. So before you start, do your research. Just to be on the safe side, you will want to get your hands on essentials like bubble wrap, plenty of newspaper, small boxes in varying sizes, scissors and tape. It’s also smart to include items like foam peanuts, dividers, and specialty dish pack boxes that provide added stability and protection during transit.
Here is a short video to help you pack Artwork
Here is a short video to help you pack Dishware
Here is a short video to help you park Pictures
3) Don’t skimp on Packing Materials
Packing materials like boxes, packing paper and bubble pack are expensive, but when it comes to your fragile items, the extra few dollars can save you a lot more. Don’t skimp, add another layer and make sure your move is successful. When in doubt, double wrap. A little redundancy goes a long way when fragile heirlooms or collectibles are at stake.
4) Don’t Overpack
Even if you have gone the extra mile to ensure cushioning for the items, avoid packing too many of them in one box. This alone can lead to damage, especially on the journey to your new home. Weight can cause even sturdy boxes to buckle or shift under pressure, so aim for balance, and keep boxes manageable and well-cushioned throughout.
5) Label the Boxes as Fragile
If the movers are not aware of which boxes contain fragile items, all of your hard work could be in vain. Knowing this, do yourself a favour and be sure to label all of the boxes that need to be handled with care. Use bold, visible lettering on multiple sides of each box, and consider color-coding or stickers to draw attention to delicate contents.
6) Fragile and Valuable – Don’t do it yourself!
Professional packers know how to do this, their reputation is built on your goods arriving unbroken. If you want to make sure nothing breaks, hire your mover to pack fragile items for you. With access to professional-grade materials and techniques, movers are trained to anticipate shifting loads and rough handling across all stages of a move.
7) Crate Big and Valuable Items
Larger and valuable fragile items are often packed in custom designed wooden crates – professional movers will tell you what needs to be crated, measure the items, build and pack the crates and get rid of them once the item is unpacked in its new home. This is especially important for long distance or international moves that take longer and put more stress on your boxes. This custom crating solution is especially critical for items like antique mirrors, high-value art, or musical instruments, where standard packing simply won’t cut it.
Expert Care for Your Most Delicate Belongings
Want help from the professionals when it comes to packing fragile items? For world class moving and storage services, get in touch with Isaac’s Moving and Storage today!
From delicate glassware and antiques to artwork and electronics, we know how important it is to pack and transport fragile belongings with the utmost care. Whether you’re relocating across town, across state lines, or across the country, our trained professionals can handle everything from custom crating to full-service packing and climate-controlled storage.
Our experienced team is standing by to help you safeguard what matters most during your long distance move or international move.
