What Should I Do About My Valuable Items?

Ask your moving team for a “High-Value” items inventory sheet. Use it to list anything worth $1000 or more. If you have items of extreme value, be sure to have them appraised and provide our driver with a copy of the appraisal. This will make filing a claim for loss or damage easier and lets the packers and movers know you have items of value that must be carefully packed. If a different team is unloading your belongings in your new home be sure they also have a copy of the inventory. This way should anything come up missing or damaged, the detailed inventory will make it far easier for your Richmond movers to try and locate the items or pay for their repair or replacement.

There Are Any Items That Your Protection Policy Does Not Cover?

Coin/ stamp/ card collections/ currency/ money. Appraisals/ Deeds/ Legal Documents/ Manuscripts/ Passports. Computer Backup Disks/ Software Licenses. Negotiable Instruments/ Receipts/ Stocks/ Bonds/ Tax Records. Jewelry/ Precious Stones/ Medications.

Are There Things We Can Do to Help Keep Our Moving Costs Down?

Decluttering, if you don’t use it or its broken get rid of it.Heavy furniture like pool tables and pianos should be sold, offered as part of your home sale, or offered to the new owner. Check to see if you can get a refund on any unused portion of your homeowners’ insurance or see if the balance can be transferred to your new house.Use garages sales, family, friends, and charities to dispose of usable items.Never ship things like lumber, wood, lawn and garden supplies, paints, any types of chemicals, or gasoline. Most are on the Do Not Ship list and the rest are just more dead weight. If it won’t fit in your new home, why ship it and pay for storage. Copy CDs/DVDs onto your computers and sell them. Don’t ship heavy garage/shop furniture. Use large planters to pack small things. Any deposits you are owed should be collected before you move. Same for any club memberships or dues.

Can I Deduct the Cost of Moving On My Taxes?

As your Richmond movers, we recommend you talk to a tax accountant or specialist to confirm what you may or may not be able to deduct. However, there are a few common costs that can be deducted in most instances such as: Packing, shipping/transportation, and unpacking. Shipping your car. Hotel expenses during the trip to your new home. Moving your pets. Many other deductions will be based on the reason you are moving, including: You are moving to start a new job. You will be employed full-time for at least 39 weeks during your first year in your new home. Moving because you are in the military or you are moving to another country because of work. Self-employed must work at least 39 weeks of year one and a total of 72 weeks during the first two years. Your new job must be at least fifty miles away from your old home and closer to your new one.

Are There Things I Need to Take Care of Before Moving Day Arrives?

Unhook and disconnect all appliances and electronics, mark cables for ease of reassembly. Clean and dry dishes to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Remove ink/toner cartridges to prevent leaks (this type of damage is not covered). Backup your computer files onto discs, the cloud, or an external hard drive. Clean and dry all appliances, water can freeze and cause serious damage. Remove any CDs or DVDs from electronics to prevent warpage that can lead to damage. Hang and fold your clothes, the packers won’t do this.

Are There Any Reservations I Need to Make?

If you are moving out of an apartment building, you may need to: Make sure there is room in the parking lot as many local moving companies use a truck that measures 75 feet long. If parking permits are needed, you may need to be the one to secure them. Reserving the freight elevator if there is one, or the main one if not to make things easier for the movers.

What Should I Leave Until the Last Minute Before My Richmond Movers Arrive?

Clean all perishables from the fridge and freezer, your grill, garbage cans, and unhook garden hoses. Get rid of anything you don’t plan to ship so you are paying to ship these items. Remove bedding from all mattresses. Remove loose items, liquids, and anything fragile from dresser drawers. Strip the walls of paintings, photos, mirrors, and window treatments. Pack your travel suitcases and keep them in a separate place to avoid the local moving companies putting them in boxes and on the truck. Leave all boxes you have packed unsealed for the movers to verify you aren’t shipping anything you shouldn’t be.

How to Safely Pack Table Lamps for a Move

Posted on: Thursday, January 22nd, 2026

Table lamps are some of the trickiest items to pack because of their fragile parts and awkward shapes. Getting them to your new place in one piece takes the right materials and a bit of patience. This guide walks you through everything from picking packing supplies to reassembling your lamps after the move. A local moving company will tell you that lamps are among the most commonly damaged items during a move when packed incorrectly. Follow these steps to ensure your lamps arrive safely and are ready to light up your new space.

Choosing the Right Packing Materials

Picking the right packing materials makes all the difference when protecting your table lamps. Bubble wrap works great for shielding delicate glass or ceramic parts. Start by wrapping the lamp base and any fragile sections individually with bubble wrap, then secure it with tape. Styrofoam sheets or packing peanuts provide cushioning inside the box and prevent items from shifting during transit. You can also use corrugated cardboard sheets to create a barrier between the lamp and the box walls. Make sure you grab a sturdy box that fits your lamp without leaving too much space or cramming everything in too tightly. Choosing the right materials from the start means your lamps arrive scratch-free.

Disassembling the Lamp for Packing

Breaking your lamp down into separate parts gives you much better protection during the move. Start by taking off the lampshade and unscrewing the lightbulb. Just make sure the bulb has cooled down before you touch it. Remove the harp next, which is the wire piece that holds the shade in place. Unscrew the finial (that decorative cap on top of the shade) and set it aside. Then carefully separate the lamp base from the stem or body. If your lamp has any other removable parts, take them apart as well to make packing easier. Toss all the small screws and hardware into a labeled plastic bag so you don’t lose them during the move.

Wrapping the Lamp Components Securely

Each lamp part needs its own layer of protective padding to survive the trip. Wrap the lamp base in bubble wrap, covering all sides, and tape it down so nothing slips. Use tissue paper to wrap the harp, finial, and lightbulb separately. This prevents scratches and minor damage. The lampshade needs a layer of bubble wrap, too, with extra padding around the edges since those dents easily. Tape everything securely so the wrapping stays put. Pack each component snugly so nothing shifts around during transport. Taking a few extra minutes to wrap each piece carefully pays off when your lamp arrives in perfect condition.

Packing the Lamp in a Sturdy Box

Picking a strong box that fits your lamp properly is half the battle. The box needs to handle bumps and movement without falling apart. Make sure the box is clean and free of tears or weak spots. Drop a layer of packing peanuts or bubble wrap at the bottom to create a cushioned base. Once all your wrapped lamp parts are inside, fill any gaps with additional cushioning material to prevent items from moving around. Seal the box with strong packing tape and write “FRAGILE” on multiple sides so everyone knows to handle it carefully.

Securing the Box for Transportation

A tight seal keeps the box from popping open during the move. Run packing tape across all the seams, both horizontal and vertical, for maximum hold. Use quality tape that’s at least 2 inches wide so it grips properly. Double-tape the bottom of the box for extra strength, especially if your lamp is heavy. Check the sides and corners for any weak spots or gaps where tape might peel off. A well-sealed box is the last line of defense against potential damage in transit.

Unpacking and Reassembling the Lamp

Once you’re at your new place, carefully cut the box open along the taped seams with scissors or a utility knife, watch that you don’t slice into the contents. Then follow these steps:

Lay out all the parts on a clean, flat surface so you can see what you’re dealing with.
Check each piece for any damage that might have happened during the move.
Grab the assembly instructions if you packed them with the lamp.
Put the lamp back together step by step, making sure each part is secure before moving to the next.

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