Moving Tips

Are you preparing for an upcoming household move? The chances are good that you have some prints and framed artwork that you will need to prepare and pack. Packing artwork and prints can be tricky. You need to start with the proper moving supplies to get the job done right and avoid damage to your fragile pieces. 

Continue reading to find out how to pack artwork for moving so you can take it with you and display it in your new home. 

Artwork Packing Checklist

To get your art pieces, prints, and framed photos to your new home safely, you will need to protect them before packing them on the moving truck. 

Here are some supplies you’ll need.

Supplies Needed

• Flat picture box or specialty moving box
• Corner protectors
• Packing paper
• Bubble wrap
• Acid-free paper
• Plastic Wrap
• Painter’s Tape
• Packing tape
• Markers and Labels

Avoid Using

• Non-archival quality tissue paper for wrapping fine artwork
• Styrofoam peanuts
• Second-hand filler (newspaper, plastic bags, etc.)
• Garbage bin bags

Keep reading for tips on packing framed artwork and wall art. You may need different supplies depending on the style of your art pieces.

Inventory Your Art

From ceramics to crystal, and prints to paintings, create an inventory of your art. Cataloging your art, including photos, will help you keep track of everything and, in case of any issues, have the information you need for any claims.

Packing Artwork

There are many different types of art. Following are some ways to pack them. Follow these basic ideas for other artwork as well.

Preparing Framed Artwork

If your artwork is framed, you can keep it in the frame.

If your artwork doesn’t have a glass face, Wrap it in acid-free paper and then with plastic wrap to protect it from moisture. Do not use newspaper as packing material for exposed artwork because the ink can transfer. Place protective corners over the plastic wrap to protect the frame’s edges.

Use bubble wrap as cushioning between the pieces. Place several layers of bubble wrap horizontally and vertically, then carefully tape it to secure it in place (do not tape the artwork or frame itself.) 

Next, add padding like crumpled packing paper in a sturdy box to keep the art from shifting around. Also, add packing paper to the sides so that the art is secure in the box. 

Packing Loose Artwork

For items not in frames or on canvas, use acid-free paper to wrap them around the piece. Use acid-free tape to secure the acid-free paper to itself. Place the art between two foam core boards bigger than the wrapped artwork, using painter’s tape to keep it from sliding around. 

Put them in the moving box, making sure the pieces are cushioned with packing paper. The cushioning should be on all sides, the top, and the bottom of the box. This will absorb shocks from inadvertent bumps and drops.

Storing Artwork

How to pack art for moving: Packing artwork for long-term storage

When packing artwork for moving and long-term storage at storage space, ensure that the storage facility offers the necessary conditions to ensure that the paint, frame, or canvas works will not be damaged. A storage space that isn’t climate controlled appropriately can cause damage to paint and canvases.

When looking for a space to store your artwork, ensure there won’t be any significant temperature changes inside. Ideally, your storage solution will also reduce humidity and moisture levels since dampness can damage canvases and paper. Also, ensure that artwork is stored in a space without direct sunlight.

Packing Artwork for Moving

Prepare your artwork correctly for moving — it’s worth the time. Having the proper supplies and hand is essential. 

Finding the ideal mover is also essential and they can help you prepare, pack and move all of your artwork safely. Contact us today for a free quote.

We infrequently need to work on our homes’ plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, and other household appliances and equipment. When we move, we tend not to take the time to learn about these systems in the new home before we move in. Usually, if the home inspector tells us everything is in working order, that’s the end of the conversation.

A Good Home Inspector

A home inspector looks at a home’s structure and mechanical systems to provide you with a clear picture of their state. Along with the assessment, the inspector should be able to provide some direction for needed repairs and updates. 

As the home buyer, you should accompany the inspector, ask questions and take notes on where things are located. A good inspector will take the time to answer any questions, provide insights that you might not have thought to ask about and provide a detailed report.

Equipment Owner’s Guide

An owner’s guide is important for maintaining and performing minor repairs to household mechanical systems. If the previous owner does not have the guides, obtain the equipment’s brand, model number, and manufacture date. Most brands have owner’s guides available online in PDF format that you can look up. Review these and familiarize yourself with the basic functions of the equipment.

Perform an online search for user reviews and recalls. What you find can help you prepare for potential equipment issues. It is common for people to ignore or not be aware of product recalls.

Local Ordinances

For most municipalities, there are local ordinances regarding household mechanical systems. While local contractors should be well-versed in these, homeowners who plan to make any changes will benefit from becoming familiar with them as well.

Things like replacing a water heater may not require an inspection, but relocating it (even by a little) may. These nuances can trip up homeowners and yet are easily avoided with a little research.

How Different Can It Be?

If you are new to home buying, the household mechanics are also new. But, if you’ve lived in a single-family home for a while, you may feel as though you already have a handle on it and can deal with the systems after you move. 

Let’s start with a simple thing. Heating, ventilation & Air conditioning (HVAC system) control panels are incorporated into the household thermostat. Most thermostats have a “fan only” setting. But, if the HVAC system is not wired for “fan only,” that setting has no effect. This can be different between two houses in the same neighborhood as well as across the country.

Different parts of the country can have different systems. For example, heat may be supplied electronically or via natural gas or oil. Each method has requirements. Moving from the southwest to the northeast can present unfamiliar mechanical systems.

Moving from the northern states to Florida means experiencing mechanical systems that are installed in very different locations. In the north, everything is well insulated indoors to protect from the cold. In southern states like Florida, there are more options for installing and maintaining systems. 

If you are moving long-distance and cannot be present with the home inspector, you should request photos of the mechanical systems and where they are located. You should inspect these systems yourself at the earliest possible time to become familiar with where they are and their accessibility. Don’t wait until there is an issue to determine where they are and how to get to them.

Ready to make a move? Contact us for a free moving estimate.

A homeowners association (HOA) is an organization that manages and regulates a community or neighborhood of houses or condominiums. An HOA aims to establish and enforce rules and guidelines to maintain a uniform and desirable appearance of the neighborhood, ensure the common areas and amenities are maintained, and help preserve property values.

Quality of Life

The importance of homeowners associations lies in the fact that they provide a framework for cooperation and collaboration among community residents. By establishing rules and regulations, the HOA can ensure everyone is on the same page regarding maintaining the neighborhood’s appearance and quality of life. This can lead to a greater sense of community and a higher quality of life for all residents.

Property Values

HOAs also help to protect property values by enforcing rules and guidelines that prevent residents from engaging in behaviors that could negatively impact property values. For example, an HOA might establish rules regarding the types of buildings or improvements that can be made to a property, or rules regarding the types of businesses that can be operated within the community. By enforcing these rules, the HOA can help maintain a consistent level of quality and desirability within the community, leading to higher property values.

Common Areas

Beyond rule enforcement, many HOAs are also responsible for maintaining common areas within the community. The scope of these responsibilities varies by HOA but can range from mowing grass to maintaining streets and some structures such as community centers, pools, or parks. 

Non-Governmental

While some HOA activity may appear redundant with local governments, Home Owner’s Associations are non-governmental organizations. They are established, and their enforcement power is granted contractually.  When moving into a community with an HOA, part of the legalese is an agreement to abide by the HOA covenants and by-laws. Property can only be transferred to new owners who agree to this as part of the property sale.

Know the HOA Covenants & By-Laws

Before finalizing a new home purchase, buyers should obtain the HOA covenants, read them thoroughly, and ask any questions that arise. Failure to understand the rules of the community can lead to conflict with neighbors and potential fines from the HOA.

Ironically, one of the attributes that may make a neighborhood aesthetically appealing to new buyers can also be a source of frustration once they’ve moved in. Some HOAs regulate the colors of elements of the home, the types of exterior lighting, or plants. This has the impact of creating a visually appealing community. But, once moved in, a homeowner may want to paint trim a color the HOA disapproves of or wants a certain type of tree that is unacceptable to the HOA. This leads some homeowners to conflict with the HOA and their neighbors.

As mentioned above, Home Owners Associations are responsible for enforcing the adherence to the Covenants & By-Laws. Since these are non-government organizations, the enforcement is done through fines and, if necessary, court. If the Conenants may be too restrictive for a potential homeowner, it would be best to look for neighborhoods more aligned with how they would like to live. 

Once you are ready to move to your new community, let us help you. Contact us for a free moving quote.