NYC moving tips - List of things you should move yourself

The average American moves approximately 11 times in life. This is a lot of loading and unloading of moving trucks. But in addition to the costs associated with all these transfers, it is always a week or two of worries until you make sure that your most valuable things have passed through the whole city or country in one piece. The fact is that not everything needs to go by truck. Moving many of your valuables can be done by you personally. Regardless of whether you don’t want to break your grandmother’s antique mirror or lose important documents, there are several things you should move yourself.

Regardless of the quality and professionalism of your moving company, there are some items you should move yourself. Entrusting your valuables to anyone could be very risky, so we highly recommend that you take care of them personally. In order to have your belongings safe and sound at your new place, make sure everything is packed and transported correctly and carefully. No matter how professional service your movers provide, some special items need to be transported by the owner. Keep some important items by your side all the time on a moving day.

Why should you move some things yourself?

Most household items are just items that make your life easier and more comfortable. So, when the time comes to move your home, all these things just fit into boxes and fall into a moving truck. If you decide to hire experienced services for your move, you will save a lot of time and avoid headaches. Especially if you carefully study your options and choose a reliable transportation company, such as Dumbo NYC. Reputable movers will deliver your things to the final destination intact and perform all the moving procedures quickly and expertly, so you are unlikely to encounter any troubles.

But if you think about it, there are some special things in your ordinary household. Basic necessities, which you cannot do without even for a day. Or your treasured property, reminiscent of happy moments and loved ones. Some objects have such sentimental value that even the thought of parting with any of them is unbearable and even painful. Others are too important, and their absence at any time can cause big problems. These are things that you should never entrust to movers, no matter how reliable they are.

What are the things you should move yourself?

Other than your essential box, there are some other possessions of yours that you should take with you on a moving day.

Documents

You never know when you will need your personal documents during the relocation process, so have them on hand anytime. Save all moving-related receipts along with your passport, ID card, driver’s license, medical records, school records, birth certificate, bank documents. Some of the expenses are tax-deductible. So if your move is work-related, you can claim moving expenses on your tax return. Whether you are moving on your own or hiring professional movers, find the easiest way to carry all important documents with you.

No one will steal or damage your documents on purpose, but sometimes accidents can happen. In addition, you may need your passports, driver’s license, medical documents, birth certificates, insurance policies, car registration, before the movers arrive at the new location. Make sure that your documents are always with you, and that you don’t leave anything important or mistakenly load it into a truck.

Hazardous and perishable objects

There are many hazardous materials that most moving companies do not allow to transport by truck. So you really have no choice, those are the things you should move yourself.

Items such as certain firearms, fireworks, propane and kerosene containers, household bleach, and paint cans are generally prohibited. But other items that you may not have considered, such as car batteries, chemical kits, cleaning solvents, fire extinguishers, and even nail polish, are also usually persona non grata in a moving van. Contact your moving company to find out which items they will not transport. Also, check the Internet to see if you can move all of your dubious items across national borders.

Dispose of unwanted chemicals properly, use remain food before the moving day or give it to a local food bank. If you can find a safe way to move some of these items, you are free to do that as well. Apparently harmless items may cause irreparable damage to some items or the whole shipment. Make sure your household items are covered by the proper type of insurance in case something gets lost or damaged.

Heirlooms

Items of sentimental value usually remind you of very important persons or special events. So losing them will certainly cause a lot of pain and stress. Your grandmother’s vase, grandfather’s cigarette case, family portrait are not likely to be stolen, because they usually don’t have monetary value, but they can easily get lost or damaged if not packed and transported properly. If you are not ready to take that risk, move the heirlooms yourself. Safely packing and protecting similar items should be your priority, since they are irreplaceable. Your movers will give you tips on how to pack and protect items of sentimental value during the relocation process.

Items of high sentimental value are indispensable, so take care of family heirlooms, art objects, favorite souvenirs and other things reminiscent of something or someone important in your life. If you can transport them yourself, do not think too much, just take them! Even if some items are difficult to move, their safety will pay off the effort.

Jewelry

Even if your silver necklace does not have a family history, you would not like to lose it, right? On the other hand, jewelry is likely to get stolen or just to disappear if transported along with other items. Usually expensive and small items may get lost as well as damaged during the relocation process. So make sure to take them with you when moving. Do not risk unnecessarily – jewelry is one of the things you should move yourself.

Electronics

Electronic gadgets are very sensitive, and extremely high or extremely low temperatures may cause serious damage. Especially during long-distance moves if you are transporting them in a moving truck with other household items. On the other hand, if you are moving expensive electronics in your own vehicle, you can adjust the temperature and move them safely. Furthermore, in case you decide to move your laptop or camera with you, the trip can be much more exciting. In order to kill time, watch a movie, listen to music and keep track of your household belongings and the moving truck.

Also, sensitive electronics can be easily damaged and stolen. Take along a laptop, digital camera, smartphone or any expensive electronic devices you own. Keep in mind that even digital photo frames and stereo headphones can be missing, while DVDs and games top the list of stolen items while moving.

Collectibles

Even additional insurance will not make you stress-free if you run the risk of losing a valuable collection or valuable antiques. Even the inexpensive things that you liked to collect, such as postcards or seashells, are probably for some reason dear to you, so if they are not too bulky, they are one of the things you should move yourself. Find enough space in your car or hand luggage for this beautiful centuries-old mirror or box with foreign coins that you have been collecting for twenty years.

If some of the antiques fit in your own vehicle, make sure to transport them personally. You should not transport artwork on a moving truck since those items are very valuable and sensitive. Some smaller pieces of art may fit in your car, but if you are moving long-distance, consider shipping them by air. Make sure to pack them in the special crates and protect them with a lot of padding and bubble pack.

Survival kit

There is a high probability that movers will not appear in your new place within a day or two after you. And after they do, they will need some time to complete their unpacking services. You do not want any important items stuck in the truck while you set up your new excavation. Pack the Survival Kit, a box with all the things you need before the truck arrives, including:

• Electronic chargers
• Medications
• Toiletries and toilet paper
• Change of clothes
• Toys for children
• Water and pet food
• Tools to start the home setup
• Some non-perishable food
• Batteries
• Powerboards
• Flashlight
• Pillows and blankets
• Plastic dishes and paper plates
• Board games (until the TV arrives and the cable is connected)
• Swiss army knife to open all your future boxes

Beyond the price

Here is a short list of precious things that you certainly do not want to entrust to anyone, because their well-being is more important than anything else:

• Children – it can sometimes be tempting to put children in a box and close the lid for several hours, but, nevertheless, you probably want to move your little angels yourself;
• Pets – your little animal friends are part of the family and you need to take care of them. There are specialized animal transport companies. But you are better off transporting your favorite animals yourself and treating them with responsibility and love;
• Plants – They really are among the things you should move yourself. And with proper treatment, plants have a good chance of survival, so take appropriate measures when packing and moving plants.

If something valuable can be stolen, or inadvertently damaged, or simply lost during the move, remember that your negligence is to blame. Because valuable items are simply things you should move yourself. Not only will moving these items on your own save you some money, but you will also worry less whether your most valuable items will arrive safe and sound.