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.

What Items Should You Never Let Movers Pack?

Posted on: Thursday, January 22nd, 2026

Professional movers handle thousands of relocations annually, but certain belongings require your personal attention during any move. Even the best moving company in Richmond will typically refuse to transport hazardous materials, personal valuables, and essential documents for liability and safety reasons. Smart homeowners separate these restricted items before packing day to avoid delays and protect their most important possessions.

Keep Your Critical Documents Close

Your vital paperwork deserves special handling during relocation. Passports, birth certificates, social security cards, and marriage licenses should travel with you rather than disappearing into a moving truck for hours or days. Financial records, insurance policies, and medical files contain sensitive information that could cause major headaches if lost or stolen.

Pack these documents in a clearly labeled folder or secure briefcase that stays within arm’s reach. Bank statements, tax returns, and property deeds are nearly impossible to replace quickly, and you might need immediate access to prove identity or handle unexpected situations at your new home.

Hazardous Materials Stay Behind

Moving companies refuse to transport dangerous substances that could cause fires, explosions, or toxic exposure during transit. The list includes gasoline, oxygen bottles, lighter fluid, matches, propane cylinders, nail polish remover, paints and paint thinners, and fireworks. These materials violate transportation safety regulations and could put drivers and other cargo at serious risk.

Most household cleaners, aerosol cans, and automotive fluids also fall into this category. Check with your moving company for their complete prohibited items list, since policies vary between providers. Plan to use up these products before moving day, or arrange safe disposal through local hazardous-waste programs.

Personal Valuables Need Your Protection

Jewelry, family heirlooms, and collectibles represent both financial and sentimental value that insurance can’t truly replace. Expensive watches, engagement rings, and inherited pieces should travel in your personal vehicle, where you maintain constant oversight. Antiques and collectibles with historical significance deserve the same careful treatment.

Cash, credit cards, and checkbooks obviously belong in your wallet rather than packed boxes. Small electronics like tablets, laptops, and cameras contain personal data and cost thousands to replace, making them poor candidates for truck storage.

Medical Supplies Require Immediate Access

Pack all prescription medications in a separate bag that travels with you during the move. Family members might need immediate access to daily medications or emergency prescriptions, especially if moving day stretches longer than expected or complications arise.

Basic first-aid supplies like bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers help address minor injuries that commonly occur during heavy lifting and box moving. Keep these items easily accessible rather than buried somewhere in a truck full of household goods.

Essential Toiletries for Day One

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and deodorant help you maintain basic hygiene when your bathroom boxes might not get unpacked immediately. Face wash, moisturizer, and other daily routine items prevent that grimy feeling after a long day of physical work.

Pack these toiletries in a separate overnight bag so they’re available for your first night in the new space, regardless of how the unpacking schedule unfolds.

Electronics Deserve Special Handling

Laptops, smartphones, and gaming consoles contain valuable data and delicate components that don’t withstand rough truck transport. Use original packaging when possible or invest in quality protective cases with proper cushioning. Backup important computer files to cloud storage or external drives before moving day as extra protection.

Keep chargers and important cables organized in clearly labeled containers so you can quickly reconnect devices at your destination. Camera equipment, portable speakers, and other sensitive electronics benefit from personal transport rather than truck storage.

Customer Reviews Confirm These Precautions Work

Moving company reviews consistently mention customers who learned these lessons the hard way. Online testimonials frequently describe lost jewelry, damaged electronics, and delayed moves due to hazardous-material discoveries. Professional movers appreciate it when clients properly separate restricted items, since it prevents liability issues and keeps schedules on track.

Taking personal responsibility for these special categories protects your most important belongings while helping your moving team focus on safely transporting everything else to your new home.

Contact Us

Ready to experience a seamless move with Dunmar Moving Systems? Reach out today to discuss your moving and storage needs.

Address: 8030 Whitepine Rd, Richmond, VA 23237

Phone: 1-804-409-0790

Website: www.dunmar.com/contact-us

For a free moving quote, please visit our Get a Free Quote page.

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