Should You Move Some Items Yourself?

What Every Homeowner Should Know.

When preparing for a move, most people focus on packing boxes, scheduling movers, and organizing logistics. However, there’s another important question worth considering: Are there certain items you should move yourself rather than place on the moving truck?

The answer is often yes.

While professional movers are trained to safely transport furniture, household goods, and delicate belongings, many homeowners feel more comfortable personally transporting a small number of especially valuable, fragile, or irreplaceable items. Understanding which items may deserve extra attention can help reduce stress and provide additional peace of mind during your move.

Items You May Want To Move Yourself

Many customers choose to personally transport family heirlooms, jewelry, important documents, photo albums, collectibles, firearms, prescription medications, and small valuables. These items may not necessarily be fragile, but they are often impossible to replace if lost or damaged.

Items such as passports, birth certificates, legal documents, wills, financial records, computer backups, family photographs, and sentimental keepsakes are often best kept with you during the move. If an item would be devastating to lose, it’s worth considering whether it belongs in your personal vehicle.

Some homeowners also prefer to transport small antiques, artwork, crystal, fine china, musical instruments, or other treasured possessions themselves.

How To Pack Valuable Items Properly

If you decide to move certain items yourself, proper packing is essential.

Use sturdy boxes that are appropriately sized for the item. Avoid oversized cartons that allow belongings to shift during transportation. Wrap fragile items individually using packing paper, bubble wrap, foam sheets, or moving blankets. Fill empty spaces in boxes with cushioning materials to prevent movement.

For framed artwork and photographs, consider specialty picture boxes or padded picture sleeves. Small valuables should be packed securely in containers that can be stored out of sight inside your vehicle. Important documents should be placed in clearly labeled folders or waterproof containers.

If you’re transporting electronics, keep them upright whenever possible and avoid exposing them to excessive heat or cold.

Most importantly, never place valuable items in a location where they can slide, tip, or become crushed during travel.

Professional Movers Can Pack These Items Too

While many homeowners choose to transport certain belongings themselves, it’s important to remember that professional movers are experienced in handling delicate and valuable possessions.

At Cowboy Moving & Storage, our professional packing teams are trained to protect fragile artwork, antiques, collectibles, glassware, electronics, and other specialty items. We use professional-grade packing materials and proven techniques designed to minimize movement and maximize protection during transport.

Many customers are surprised to learn that professionally packed items often receive greater protection than items packed by inexperienced homeowners. Our experienced crews understand how to properly cushion, wrap, secure, and load fragile belongings for safe transportation.

Should Fragile Items Be Loaded Last?

In many cases, yes. Items loaded last are often among the first items unloaded at the destination. This can reduce handling and make it easier to place valuable or delicate items in a secure location immediately upon arrival.

However, professional movers don’t simply load items based on unloading order. Proper weight distribution, stability, and protection are all critical considerations.

Experienced movers carefully position fragile items where they will be protected from shifting and pressure during transport.

This is another reason why working with an experienced moving company is so important.

Items Movers Typically Cannot Transport

Most moving companies cannot transport hazardous materials such as propane tanks, gasoline, paint thinners, fireworks, ammunition, or many household chemicals.

In addition, many movers recommend that customers personally transport medications, jewelry, cash, financial records, passports, personal identification documents, and highly confidential information.

When in doubt, ask your moving consultant which items should travel with you.

Trust Cowboy Moving & Storage

Since 1968, Cowboy Moving & Storage has helped Colorado families and businesses move with confidence. Our experienced crews know how to properly pack, protect, load, and transport everything from everyday household goods to highly valuable specialty items.

If you’re planning a residential or commercial move anywhere in Colorado, contact Cowboy Moving & Storage today for a free, no-obligation estimate.

Call (303) 789-2200 and discover why generations of Colorado families trust Cowboy Moving & Storage—The Recommended Mover.