Hiring someone else to pack, transport and unload your items will take away a lot of the stress associated with your move. Even when you hire movers, however, there are some aspects of moving that you'll need to tackle on your own. Before your professional movers arrive at your door, make sure you've completed these essential tasks.

Pack up your valuables.

Most moving companies won't transport cash or highly valuable items (like your valuable jewelry or gold coin collection). If they do transport these items, they'll often charge a high insurance premium in order to do so. It's probably in everyone's best interest to just plan on transporting these items yourself. Some moving companies have lists of additional items they won't move. These items often include dangerous household chemicals and medications. Obtain a list of these items from your moving company well in advance of your moving date so you know what you'll have to pack on your own.

Pack everything on your moving company's no-move list into a secure box or boxes, and put them in a safe place until moving day arrives. Transport them to your new location in your personal vehicle. In the case of household chemicals, it may be best to just discard them and then replace them, if needed, once you're settled in your new home.

Take pictures of furniture and electronics.

If you have high-end furniture or expensive electronics that you really care about, take time to snap a few photos of these items before your moving day arrives. Make sure the photos are close-ups that show the items' condition. This way, should anything be damaged during transportation, you have photo evidence of the condition the items were in before the move.

Verify the insurance that your moving company offers.

All reputable moving companies offer insurance, which should cover the cost of your belongings should they be become damaged during transportation. However, you'll need to verify that the coverage they're offering you is enough to cover the cost of your items. For example, if the company offers a default coverage for up to $5,000 worth of damage, but you have some high-end tables and sofas worth $10,000, you may wish to request additional coverage. Sometimes you can buy additional coverage through the moving company. If they don't offer this option, you can check with your homeowner's insurance company. Your regular policy likely does not cover your items while they're in transit, but you may be able to purchase a temporary rider to cover your items during the move.

Stock up on cold beverages and snacks.

While you're not required to provide drinks and snacks for the movers, doing so is a nice gesture, especially if it's very cold or hot outside during the move. On a chilly winter day, your movers will be very grateful for some hot coffee; it will keep them moving so your job is completed more quickly. On a hot summer day, ice cold soda and bottled water is a nice touch. Treat your movers well, and they'll handle your items with more care.

Take out cash for a tip.

It is considered appropriate to tip your movers if they do a good job with your move, so make sure you have cash on hand to do so. While there is no set rule as to how much you should tip, giving around 5% of the total cost of the move is considered reasonable. For example, if you pay the moving company around $750 for the service, leaving a total tip of around $40 is reasonable. Divide the cash evenly between the movers.

If you make sure these tasks are completed before your movers arrive, the entire moving process will go more smoothly for everyone involved. For more information, talk to a company like Bell Moving & Storage.