90% of moving accidents are caused by improper packing. Someone doesn’t use the right material or doesn’t label a box properly, and wouldn’t you know it, an accident happens. Now, our everyday items like clothes and books are pretty resilient. They can take a bump or two without getting damaged. But, when you move fragile items, every little bump can lead to destroyed property. That is why you need to know how to pack collectible items safely so that they will survive your relocation.
Before you start packing
Like most projects, when it comes to proper packing preparations are essential. You need to make a plan for your relocation and find the right people to help you see it through.
Find the right movers
You will not be able to transport your collectibles safely without professional help. When you transport regular items, you can try and do it on your own. They are resilient and cheap. Therefore, even if you make a mistake it won’t cost you a lot. And you will make mistakes. That is the key point. If you try to move on your own you will damage or destroy your collectibles 99% of the time. What you need to do is to find one of the best moving companies Upper West Side offers and let them handle the relocation. Even if you are keen on packing yourself, they will give you valuable advice that will drastically reduce the chance of an accident.
Get packing equipment
You cannot pack yourself without proper packing equipment. It would be best that you start looking for it at least a month in advance. Only if you aren’t in a rush can you compare the quality of the packing equipment and find the best ones. What you will need:
Wrapping materials
By wrapping materials, we mean anything that goes directly onto the fragile item. These materials should be soft and easy to apply. Consider toilet paper, tissue, absorbent cotton, bubble wrap etc. Depending on the material the collectibles are made of you should look for appropriate wrapping materials. These are not supposed to protect your possessions from big bumps. They are there to keep your collectibles safe from vibrations. Before you start buying wrapping materials, consider what you have in your home. Clothes can be great for wrapping.
Padding materials
Padding materials are any materials that we put inside the container along with the item in order to further protect them. They do not have to be as gentile as wrapping materials. You are placing them there so that they will provide protection from harder impacts and bumps. They should be thick and dense enough to withstand a blow, but not so dense as to break the item. Padding materials can be pillows, crumpled paper, tear up cardboard, thick, woolen clothes, etc. Again, before you start buying, check what you have at home. It is both cheaper and greener.
Containers
Containers are pretty self-explanatory. They are boxes, bags or cases you are going to pack collectible items into. While cardboard boxes tend to the cheapest to find, you shouldn’t try to save too much money. Your containers need to be strong enough to absorb the impact from other items and to survive a fall. Make sure not to skimp on quality boxes when you pack collectible items, as you want to reduce the risk of accidents as much as possible.
Insurance
Even if your moving company is top notch and you have the best equipment with you, there are no guarantees that your move will go without issues. That is why you should get insurance for your possessions. While movers will offer you standard moving insurance, you should get a bit more insured. Standard moving insurance is calculated by a pound of weight. Therefore, a light, fragile item (such as collectibles) will not yield 1% of its original price through standard moving insurance. Go through the proper procedure for ensuring high-value items and make sure that you are as safe as you can be.
How to pack collectible items
Once you are done with preparations you can start packing. While we will give you a guideline to pack collectible items, we strongly suggest that you hire packing services NYC. Even if you try your hardest, there is very little chance that you will not make a rookie mistake. And a rookie mistake will cost you a lot when moving fragile items. Make sure to talk with your movers throughout the packing in order to minimize the chance of accidents.
Sort and plan
Start off by sorting your collectible items and making a plan for packing. Figure out which item will go in which box. The box should be big enough to contain the wrapped item and padding. Nothing more, nothing less. If the box is not the proper size, get a better one. This is why you need to start packing at least two weeks in advance. You need to leave room for mistakes.
Wrapping and packing
If you have a clear idea of what item goes where you should start wrapping. Take the appropriate material and wrap it gently around the item. Make sure to use tape so that the wrapping material doesn’t slip away during transportation. After that, place the padding material into the box, around the item. The material should provide enough protection from both physical impact and weather conditions. Keep the weather in mind especially if you are using storage facilities in Manhattan. If your collectibles are susceptible to weather damage, you can get a climate controlled storage unit.
Finalize the container
After the container has been filled, you need to close it, tape it and mark it. Take care that there is enough tape so that the container won’t accidentally open. Also, make sure that the label is clearly readable as visible. Your movers need to know what they are carrying.
