To help ensure that your items arrive at your new home in one piece, it’s important to know which items are most commonly damaged during a move and how to protect them.
The following are the eight most commonly damaged items during a move and tips on preventing damage.
1. Furniture (e.g. scratches, dents, or broken legs)
Furniture is one of the most commonly damaged items during a move. This can happen for various reasons, such as rough handling, improper packing, and lack of proper equipment. The common types of damage that furniture can have are scratches, dents, and broken legs.
Scratches can occur when the furniture rubs against other items or the truck’s walls during transportation. Dents can happen when heavy objects are placed on the furniture or bumped into hard surfaces. Broken legs result from furniture not being adequately secured or supported during the move.
Taking proper precautions to prevent these damages when packing and moving furniture is essential. First, it is necessary to properly wrap and secure the furniture with blankets or bubble wrap to prevent scratches and dents.
Secondly, it is essential to disassemble larger furniture items such as beds, desks, and wardrobes to make them easier to handle and reduce the risk of broken legs.
Lastly, hiring professional movers with the proper equipment and experience to handle delicate and heavy furniture items is advisable. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your furniture will arrive at your new home in the same condition as before the move.
2. Electronics (e.g. cracked screens or damaged wiring)
Electronics are among the most fragile and delicate items during a move. Electronics can incur common damage during a move, including cracked screens, wiring, and broken buttons.
For example, if a laptop or television is not securely packed and is bumped around in transit, it can cause the screen to crack or shatter, making the device unusable. Similarly, if the wiring inside an electronic device is not protected, it can become damaged, making it difficult to connect it to other components.
To prevent these types of damages, it is essential to properly pack and secure electronics in sturdy boxes with adequate padding. Devices should be secured with bubble wrap or foam to prevent jostling during transit.
It is also crucial to ensure that electronic devices are not stacked on each other in the moving truck, which could result in crushing or damage. Finally, electronics should be handled carefully during the move to minimise the risk of accidental damage.
3. Glassware (e.g. broken or chipped)
Glassware is one of the most commonly damaged items during a move. It is also one of the easiest to protect.
Two types of damage can happen to glassware: cracks and chips. Cracks occur when a piece of glass is struck with force, causing it to break along the crack. Chips happen when a piece of glass is hit by something sharp, causing it to break into small pieces. Both types of damage can be prevented by packing your glasses carefully and using padding around them to absorb any impact that might occur during transit.
The first step in protecting your glassware is selecting suitable packing materials for each type of object you are moving. Glasses should be wrapped individually in bubble wrap or newspaper before being placed inside cardboard boxes or other containers for transport.
If possible, you should also wrap them in plastic bags, but do not use plastic wrap alone. It can trap moisture inside your box and cause corrosion on metal surfaces instead!
Another tip for protecting glassware is to use layers of padding between fragile items like vases or bowls so they don’t bump together during transport. This method works especially well when using cardboard boxes as containers because they provide an extra layer.
4. Artwork and Decorative Items (e.g. frames bent or scratched)
Artwork and decorative items are the most commonly damaged items during a move. This is because they are typically fragile and difficult to pack. If you are moving with art or decorative pieces, there are some steps you can take to ensure that they arrive at their destination in good condition.
First, you should use professional movers to handle fine art and other delicate items. A professional mover will know how to properly wrap and pack these types of valuables so they can be transported safely without damage.
Secondly, you should not pack sharp objects with your artwork or decorative items. This includes knives, pins, scissors and other sharp objects that could puncture the wrapping material or scratch the surface of your valuables.
Thirdly, always use bubble wrap around fragile items before packing them into boxes so they don’t get crushed during transit.
Finally, if you have any loose pieces of artwork, such as frames or canvases, then make sure they are packed separately from other items, so they don’t get crushed during transit!
5. Kitchenware (e.g. pots, pans, or dishes chipped or broken)
Kitchenware items such as pots, pans, and dishes are delicate and can easily get damaged during a move. Some common types of damage include chips, cracks, or broken pieces. This can occur when items are stacked or packed too tightly, causing pressure that results in breakage.
Kitchenware is also vulnerable to scratches or scuffs, which can happen when items rub against each other in the box or when the box is jostled during transit. To prevent damage to kitchenware, it’s important to wrap each item individually in bubble wrap or packing paper to create a cushion and to place heavier items on the bottom of the box and lighter items on top.
Additionally, a sturdy box with enough space is a good idea to avoid over-packing and compressing the items. Finally, labelling the parcel as “fragile” and handling it carefully during the move will help to minimise any potential damage.
6. Fragile Items (e.g. vases, lampshades, or figurines)
Fragile items are the most commonly damaged items during a move and are the hardest to protect. The most common way to break a delicate item is by dropping it from a height. For example, this can happen if the item is accidentally dropped from a shelf or off a moving truck. They can be severely cracked or broken, particularly if they’re packed with other items not wrapped in bubble wrap or foam sheets.
Pack fragile items in a box or container large enough to prevent this damage so there’s plenty of room between the item and its corners. Using small boxes, use multiple layers of padding between each item. Alternatively, you can place your fragile items in a soft-sided bag or wrap them in newspaper before placing them in the box.
7. Books (e.g. bent covers or torn pages)
Books are often considered some of the most vulnerable items during a move. They can suffer from various types of damage, including bent covers or torn pages.
This can occur when the books are packed too tightly in a box or not secured properly in the moving truck. The corners and edges of the books can also get damaged when they come into contact with other items in the box or the truck. The spine of a book can also get damaged if it is not packed in an upright position.
To prevent damage to books during a move, it is essential to properly pack and secure them. Firstly, books should be packed in small boxes, so they are not too heavy and do not get crushed. Secondly, they should be packed upright, with the spine facing up. This will help to prevent damage to the spine and keep the books in good condition.
Also, books should be wrapped in protective material, such as bubble wrap or tissue paper, to prevent dings or scratches.
Lastly, boxes containing books should be marked as fragile so the movers know to handle them with care. Taking these precautions can help ensure that your books arrive at your new home in the same condition as when you packed them.
8. Appliances (e.g. denting or scratching during transport)
Appliances are one of the most commonly damaged items during a move. This is because huge appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers and water heaters are often too large to fit through standard doorways, requiring special equipment such as dollies or straps to be moved safely.
Refrigerators, in particular, can be damaged by being dropped or running into other objects during transport. It’s crucial to carefully pack all your food items into boxes before moving day, so they don’t spill out onto the floor when you open the refrigerator door. You should also remove any removable parts from your refrigerator before moving it, so they don’t fall off during transport.
To prevent damage to other appliances, such as washing machines and dryers, ensure that all hoses are correctly secured inside those appliances before moving them. If there’s any slack in those hoses, they could get caught on something during transport, causing damage to the appliance itself.
How To Choose The Right Movers To Prevent Damaged Items?
Choosing the right movers is key to ensuring that your items are handled with care and arrive at your new home in the same condition as when they left. Below are some tips that can help you choose a moving company that will provide you with the best service possible.
Research and compare multiple movers
Before selecting a mover, it is crucial to research and compare multiple moving companies. Look at their website, read reviews, and check their ratings to get an idea of their level of service and experience. This will help you determine which company can protect your items best during the move.
Ask about their insurance coverage
A reputable mover should have insurance coverage to protect your items in case of damage or loss. When choosing a mover, ask about their insurance coverage, including the type of coverage they provide and the amount they will reimburse if your items are damaged.
Look for a professional mover
Choose a professional mover with the necessary experience and equipment to safely handle your belongings. Professional movers will take extra care to prevent damage to your items, including wrapping and securing fragile items, disassembling and reassembling large furniture, and using high-quality moving materials.
Check for proper licensing
Always ensure your chosen mover is properly licensed and insured. Look for a moving company registered and has a good track record. This will ensure that you work with a professional mover who takes their responsibilities seriously and is committed to protecting your items during the move.
Request a detailed estimate
Before hiring a mover, request an exact estimate of the cost of the move. This should include a detailed list of the services included and any potential additional costs. This will help you avoid unexpected charges during the move and ensure you get the best value for your money.
Ask for references
Ask the mover for references from past clients to get an idea of their level of service and the quality of their work.
Reach out to these references and ask about their experience with the mover, including whether they experienced any damage to their items during the move. This will give you peace of mind that you are working with a trustworthy and reliable mover.
Look for a mover with packing services
If you are concerned about protecting your items during the move, consider choosing a mover who offers packing services. Professional movers who offer packing services will have the experience and equipment to pack your items securely and prevent damage during transport.
Consider the type of vehicle used
The type of vehicle used for the move can significantly impact the safety of your items during transport. Look for a mover who operates a spacious, well-maintained vehicle with proper padding and restraints to keep your things secure during transit.
Luckily, you can hire Sirius Removals for your moving needs. They have years of experience in the moving industry and are known for their high-quality services and attention to detail. As an interstate removals company operating between Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, and Melbourne, they have the resources and expertise to handle moves of any size and complexity.
With Sirius Removals, you can trust that your belongings will be handled with care and that they will arrive at your new location in the same condition they were when they left your old home. They have a team of experienced and skilled movers who use the latest moving technology and techniques to ensure your items are safe and efficient transport.
In addition to their high-quality moving services, Sirius Removals offers packing and unpacking services, storage solutions, and insurance options to provide you with peace of mind and a stress-free moving experience. So if you’re looking for a reliable and professional mover, look no further than Sirius Removals.
