Moving Damage Protection Guide: How to Safeguard Your Belongings in Dubai

Why Damage Protection Matters During Every Dubai Move

Moving damage is the number one concern we hear from clients, and for good reason. A single careless moment can scratch a marble dining table, crack a TV screen, or chip an antique cabinet. In Dubai, where many residents own high-value furniture imported from Europe and custom-made pieces from local workshops in Al Quoz, the financial stakes are significant. The good news is that proper protection techniques eliminate the vast majority of moving damage. Our team has refined these methods over thousands of moves, and this guide shares everything we know about keeping your belongings safe during transit.

Professional Wrapping Techniques That Prevent Damage

Stretch Film Wrapping

Stretch film (also called cling wrap or shrink wrap) is a clear plastic film that clings to itself. Professional movers use it as the first layer of protection on almost every item:

• Furniture surfaces: We wrap dining tables, desks, and dressers entirely in stretch film to prevent scratches during loading and transport. The film protects polished wood, lacquer, and glass surfaces from direct contact with blankets, straps, and other items.
• Upholstered items: Sofas, armchairs, and mattresses are wrapped in stretch film to keep them clean and protect fabric from dust and dirt during the move. This is especially important in Dubai where construction dust is common along transit routes.
• Drawer and door security: Wrapping stretch film around dressers and cabinets prevents drawers and doors from swinging open during transport, which is a common cause of hinge damage and content spillage.

Bubble Wrap for Fragile Items

Bubble wrap provides cushioning that absorbs impact. We use it on every fragile item in your home:

• Glassware and dishes: Each piece is individually wrapped with at least two layers of bubble wrap before being placed in a box with dividers.
• Electronics: TV screens, monitors, and speakers receive bubble wrap coverage over their most vulnerable surfaces. For TVs larger than 55 inches, we combine bubble wrap with custom cardboard corner protectors.
• Decorative items: Vases, sculptures, photo frames, and ornaments are wrapped individually and placed in boxes with crumpled paper filling every gap.

Moving Blankets and Padding

Heavy-duty moving blankets are thick, quilted pads that protect large furniture during loading, transport, and unloading. A professional moving crew carries 20 to 40 blankets on every job:

• Wooden furniture: Every exposed wooden surface is covered with a moving blanket secured by stretch film or fabric straps. This prevents scratches when items shift during transport on Dubai roads.
• Appliances: Refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers are blanket-wrapped to protect their exterior panels. We also secure internal components (shelves, drawers, drums) to prevent rattling.
• Artwork and mirrors: Large framed pieces are sandwiched between two blankets, creating a padded envelope that absorbs shock from any angle.

Custom Crating for High-Value Items

For items valued above AED 5,000 or pieces that are irreplaceable, we recommend custom wooden crating. Our team builds made-to-measure wooden crates lined with foam padding for items such as:

• Marble and stone tabletops: Marble is heavy and brittle. A crate distributes the weight evenly and prevents edge chipping during transport.
• Grand pianos: Piano moving requires a specialised crate and a team trained in piano handling. The instrument is wrapped in blankets, placed on a piano board, and secured inside a reinforced crate.
• Antiques and heirlooms: Items with sentimental or collector value deserve maximum protection. Custom crating provides a rigid outer shell that no amount of blanket wrapping can match.
• Large artwork and sculptures: Pieces by local and international artists, especially those with delicate frames or protruding elements, benefit from crates with internal foam supports.

Custom crating typically adds AED 200 to AED 1,500 per item depending on size and complexity. When you consider the replacement cost of a AED 15,000 marble table or a AED 30,000 piano, the crating investment is well worthwhile.

How to Document Your Belongings Before Moving Day

Thorough documentation before your move creates a clear record of every item's condition. This protects you if damage occurs and simplifies any insurance or compensation claim:

1. Photograph every room from multiple angles before packing begins. Include wide shots and close-ups of valuable furniture, showing the condition of surfaces, corners, and hardware.
2. Video walkthrough: Record a slow video walkthrough of your entire home, narrating the condition of major items. This provides a timestamped record that is difficult to dispute.
3. Create an inventory list: List every box and major item with a brief description and estimated value. Number each box and photograph its contents before sealing.
4. Note pre-existing damage: If any items already have scratches, dents, or chips, photograph and document these specifically. This prevents confusion with any new damage that might occur during the move.
5. Store documentation safely: Keep photos, videos, and inventory lists on your phone and email them to yourself as a backup. Do not pack this documentation in a moving box.

Protecting Items During Loading and Unloading

The loading and unloading phases are where most damage occurs. Professional movers follow specific protocols to minimise risk:

• Floor protection: We lay protective runners along corridors, in elevators, and across doorways at both the origin and destination. This protects both your belongings and the building's common areas, which is a requirement in many Dubai Marina and Downtown towers.
• Door frame padding: Foam pads are placed on door frames to prevent furniture from scraping edges during tight turns, especially common in Dubai apartment corridors which are often narrower than villa hallways.
• Ramp and stair handling: Items carried up or down stairs receive additional strapping. Our crew uses furniture dollies and stair climbers to maintain control on inclines.
• Truck loading order: Heavy items go in first against the truck walls, lighter boxes stack on top, and fragile items are loaded last and secured with ratchet straps. This loading sequence prevents crushing and shifting during transit.

Climate Considerations in Dubai

Dubai's heat and humidity create additional risks during a move that do not exist in temperate climates:

• Heat-sensitive items: Candles, vinyl records, certain cosmetics, and chocolate can melt or warp in a truck that is not climate-controlled. On a typical Dubai summer day, an unventilated truck interior can reach 60 degrees Celsius. We use climate-controlled vehicles for moves that include heat-sensitive items.
• Leather furniture: Prolonged exposure to Dubai's heat can dry out and crack leather. We minimise the time leather furniture spends in the truck and avoid placing it against hot truck walls.
• Electronics: Rapid temperature changes (from a cool apartment to a hot truck and back to a cool apartment) cause condensation inside electronics. We allow TVs and computers to acclimatise for 30 minutes before powering them on at the new address.

What to Do If Damage Occurs

Even with the best protection, accidents can happen. Here is how to handle damage properly:

1. Inspect every item as it is delivered. Do not sign any delivery receipt or completion form until you have checked all major items.
2. Photograph the damage immediately. Take clear photos showing the damage alongside the item label or box number.
3. Note the damage on the delivery receipt. Write a clear description of what is damaged before signing. If the form says "received in good condition," cross that out and write your observations.
4. Contact the moving company within 24 hours. Most reputable movers have a claims process. At SAMA Movers, we ask clients to report damage within 24 hours of delivery so we can assess the situation promptly.
5. Request a written damage assessment. The moving company should inspect the damage, acknowledge responsibility if applicable, and provide a repair or compensation offer in writing.

Our villa moving service and office relocation service both include basic damage liability coverage. For high-value moves, we offer extended coverage options that provide additional financial protection for items above AED 10,000 in value.

How to Choose a Moving Company That Protects Your Belongings

Not all moving companies in Dubai use the same protection standards. When evaluating movers, ask these specific questions:

• Do you use stretch film, bubble wrap, and moving blankets on every job, or are these charged separately?
• What type of trucks do you use? Look for clean, well-maintained vehicles with padded interiors and tie-down points.
• Do you offer custom crating for high-value items?
• What is your damage claims process and timeline?
• Do you carry professional liability insurance?

At SAMA Movers, every move includes full wrapping materials, blanket protection, and floor runners at no extra charge. Get a free estimate and let our team show you the difference professional protection makes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does professional packing and wrapping cost in Dubai?

Professional packing for a standard 2-bedroom apartment in Dubai costs between AED 800 and AED 1,500. This includes all materials: boxes, bubble wrap, stretch film, packing paper, tape, and moving blankets. Custom crating for high-value items adds AED 200 to AED 1,500 per piece. Most reputable movers include basic wrapping materials in their standard moving quote.

Should I buy moving insurance for my Dubai move?

For moves involving high-value items such as designer furniture, artwork, antiques, or electronics worth more than AED 10,000 total, we recommend purchasing additional moving insurance. Standard mover liability covers basic replacement value, which is often lower than the actual value of premium items. Ask your moving company about extended coverage options or purchase a standalone transit insurance policy through a UAE insurance provider.

What items are most commonly damaged during a move?

The items most frequently damaged during moves in Dubai are large flat-screen televisions, glass dining tables, marble tabletops, wooden furniture corners, and framed artwork. These items share a common vulnerability: large, flat, or protruding surfaces that are easily scratched, cracked, or chipped if not properly wrapped and secured. Professional wrapping with bubble wrap, moving blankets, and corner protectors eliminates most of this risk.