Few things are as exciting and as stressful as a major home renovation. Whether you’re opening up your kitchen, transforming the basement, or giving your entire home a fresh new look, one thing often gets overlooked: what happens to all your furniture, art, and personal belongings during the process. Renovations create dust, noise, and humidity changes that can easily ruin valuable items if they’re not properly stored.
Covering the sofa with a tarp or stacking boxes in the garage might seem convenient, but it’s a risky move. The real key to a smooth renovation is planning where your possessions will go and how they’ll be protected. This is where professional movers and storage experts can make a huge difference. They understand that protecting your household items isn’t just about moving them out of the way; it’s about preserving their condition and value while your home is under construction.
Recognize the Hidden Dangers Inside a Renovation
Home renovations are filled with invisible hazards that can quietly damage your belongings.
Dust is the biggest offender. When contractors start cutting, sanding, or demolishing walls, ultra-fine dust particles spread everywhere. This dust can scratch wooden furniture, cloud glass, and dull the finish on leather or vinyl. It also settles deep into fabrics, leaving them stained and almost impossible to clean completely. Before work begins, it’s smart to move upholstered and delicate items out of the house or seal them tightly with professional-grade wrapping materials.
Vibration is another underestimated threat. The pounding of drills, jackhammers, and power tools doesn’t just shake the work zone; it travels through walls and floors. These vibrations can loosen joints in furniture, rattle decorative items off shelves, and even cause hairline cracks in art frames or glass. For fragile or high-value possessions such as antiques or electronics, the safest approach is to store them completely off-site.
Then there’s moisture. During renovations, it’s common to have open windows, exposed framing, or temporary walls that disrupt the home’s humidity levels. A sudden change in moisture can cause mould on fabrics and paper, warp wooden furniture, and even corrode metal components in appliances or electronics.
For added safety, consider installing a blind spot mirror to help you monitor potential hazards and ensure that everything in the space is accounted for. This is why simple temperature control isn’t enough; humidity must also be monitored closely.
Plan and Pack with Precision
Once you understand the risks, the next step is preparation. Think of packing as your first layer of defence. Start by taking a full inventory of your valuables. Use your phone to take photos and short videos of furniture, artwork, or any high-value items before they’re moved. These records will help if you ever need to file a claim for damage or loss.
Next, be selective about your packing materials. Cheap boxes or thin tape won’t protect against months of construction. Instead, invest in double-walled moving boxes or plastic bins for heavier and sensitive items. Plastic bins are especially useful for long-term storage because they’re more resistant to moisture and easier to stack securely. Wrap fragile pieces individually with bubble wrap or moving blankets to prevent scratches and shifting.
If your renovation involves moving bulky items like sectionals, large mirrors, or modular furniture, it’s worth hiring professional movers. Experienced teams can disassemble furniture safely, label all hardware, and transport it using the proper equipment. Movers often offer extra services such as junk removal or donation pickups, which can help you clear out unnecessary items before your project starts.
Choose the Right Storage Option
Where you store your belongings during the renovation matters just as much as how you pack them. Homeowners typically choose between two main options: traditional storage facilities or portable storage containers.
Traditional storage units, located in secure warehouses, are ideal for long-term storage and often come with professional oversight and consistent climate control. Portable storage containers, on the other hand, are delivered directly to your property, allowing you to load items at your own pace and access them easily when the renovation wraps up.
No matter which you choose, prioritize True Climate Control, not just temperature control. Many companies advertise “temperature-controlled” units, but that usually means only heat and air conditioning. True Climate Control manages both temperature and humidity, preventing condensation and mould growth. Avoid outdoor containers that lack insulation or ventilation; these can trap moisture, turning the unit into a breeding ground for damage.
When packing the unit, organize it strategically. Store items you’ll need right after the renovation, like small kitchen appliances or basic tools, near the front for easy retrieval. Label boxes clearly and keep a master inventory list. That extra effort will save you from digging through piles later when it’s time to move everything back in.
Coordinate Schedules Between Movers and Contractors
Timing is everything during a renovation. A lack of coordination between your contractor and your moving company can lead to chaos. Imagine movers showing up the same day the demolition crew starts tearing down walls.
To avoid that, get a detailed renovation timeline from your contractor, including start and end dates for major phases like demolition, flooring, and painting. Schedule your move-out a few days before demolition begins to give yourself a buffer in case work starts early or runs behind. Then, share that schedule with your moving company and set a move-back date that allows for any final touch-ups or cleanup.
Most reputable moving companies book out weeks in advance, especially during peak seasons. For local moves, plan about 30 days ahead; for interstate or larger projects, book at least 60 days before your target date. This ensures your movers and contractors aren’t working on top of each other and keeps the renovation timeline running smoothly.
Insure What You Store
Even the best planning can’t prevent every possible accident, so don’t skip the insurance conversation. Most homeowners are surprised to learn that their regular policy doesn’t cover belongings during moving or storage. By law, moving companies only have to offer a minimal level of coverage called Released Value Protection (RVP), which reimburses you at about $0.60 per pound per item. That means if a 100-pound dresser breaks, you’ll receive only $60 in compensation.
For real protection, upgrade to Full-Value Protection (FVP). This coverage requires your moving company to repair, replace, or reimburse you for the item’s full market value if it’s damaged. FVP usually costs about one percent of your total declared item value, a worthwhile investment for peace of mind.
If you have expensive or rare pieces, artwork, jewelry, or high-end electronics, make sure to declare their value in writing before moving day. Otherwise, they might only be covered at the basic rate. For extra security, especially during long-term storage, consider adding Third-Party Insurance (TPI). This type of policy extends protection to natural events like fires or floods, which standard mover insurance typically doesn’t cover.
Plan for Peace of Mind
A renovation should be a time of excitement and creativity, not anxiety over what might happen to your belongings. Taking a few extra steps to plan your packing, coordinate your timeline, and choose the right storage provider can save you from unnecessary stress and costly damage.
Partnering with a trusted moving and storage company can turn what might feel like a logistical nightmare into a smooth, secure process. Their team handles everything from disassembly and packing to climate-controlled storage and safe delivery once the dust settles.
Protecting your home’s contents during a renovation isn’t just about keeping things out of the way, it’s about preserving the investment you’ve already made in your home. When you plan your renovation storage strategy carefully, you’re not just preparing your house for what’s next; you’re ensuring your peace of mind every step of the way.
