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 Pack Framed Artwork for Safe Move

Posted on: Thursday, March 12th, 2026

Moving framed artwork can feel a little nerve-wracking, right? You don’t want your favorite painting to arrive all scratched or worse, shattered. Using a trusted moving service in Richmond, VA, helps, but honestly, doing a bit of prep yourself can make everything go smoother. It’s kind of like giving your artwork a little bubble-wrapped vacation before it hits the road.

A few simple steps go a long way. Measure, wrap, and box your pieces properly. Sounds straightforward, but trust me, a tiny mistake can turn into a big headache later. You just want to make sure every petal, brush stroke, and frame edge is safe and snug during transport.

Gather Necessary Packing Supplies

Before anything else, gather your supplies. You’ll want picture boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, corner protectors, and packing paper. It sounds like a lot, but having everything ready first makes the process way easier. You don’t have to run around halfway through looking for tape.

A tape measure is really handy too. It helps you pick the right box size without guessing, which, let’s be honest, can save a lot of stress. Laying all your materials out first makes you feel organized, kind of like a mini moving checklist.

Measure and Prepare Artwork

Next, measure your artwork, including the frame. This part is important because you don’t want a box that’s too tight or way too loose. Wipe the surface gently to remove dust or any little bits that might scratch it while moving.

Check the back of the frame too. Tighten screws, remove hooks or wires, or anything that could snag or get bent. It’s a small step, but it can really save your artwork from damage. Plus, it just makes the wrapping process feel a bit easier.

Protect Glass and Frames

Glass needs a bit of armor, you know? Tape an ‘X’ on the glass to prevent shattering if it bumps around. Then, cover it with glassine paper or a protector sheet so scratches aren’t an issue.

Frame corners are tricky spots. Corner protectors help, and if there are any protruding decorations, add extra padding there. Finally, wrap the entire piece in bubble wrap or foam, then place it in a box. All these little layers make a huge difference.

Wrap Artwork Securely

Pick a sturdy box that’s slightly bigger than your artwork. Too much space is bad; it lets things slide, and sliding is never good. Lay the piece on a clean surface and wrap it in acid-free paper to prevent scratches.

Tape the paper in place, then add bubble wrap, making sure the corners are snug. Label the box “fragile”, so anyone handling it knows to be careful. These extra precautions might feel tedious, but your artwork will thank you later.

Select Appropriate Boxes

The right box is everything. Double-walled boxes give extra support, and if you can find specialized art boxes, that’s even better. They’re kind of designed to cradle delicate pieces safely.

Avoid boxes that are way too big; you don’t want your artwork bouncing around. Make sure boxes are clean and sturdy. Picking the right size and strength is an easy way to protect your framed treasures.

Seal and Label Boxes

Once packed, seal everything tightly with strong tape. You don’t want seams popping open mid-move. Label each box clearly with its contents and the room it belongs to. It’s a small thing, but it really helps when unpacking.

Add handling instructions like ‘Fragile’ or ‘This Side Up.’ And if you’re really organized, keep an inventory list. It’s kind of comforting to know exactly what’s inside each box. A few extra minutes here saves a lot of stress later.

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