When it comes to packing and moving, for me, it's a relatively easy task. That's not to say that I don't get mind numbingly fatigued by it all but the fact that my most precious items are memorabilia from when the kids were little makes my packing a little easier than for those who have to transport fine art worth hundreds of thousands of pounds upwards.

I'm sure we've all had items lost or broken on every house move. What confuses me is the fact that you know you put it in that box but you're damned if you can find it again. You trawl through every box and it isn't there. It's gone to the great removal company in the sky.

For those lucky enough to own fine art, moving house must surely be a very stressful time. Can you imagine? One slip in the loading of a van and there's a whole right through your Monet. Your kids inheritance has now turned into a picture worth as much as one of their early doodles - that's monetary value of course, the sentimental value of these things hold no price.

Of course, most of those fine art owners would have the sense to employ a very reputable removal company that specialise in moving this type of thing. They will appreciate the fact this art demands very careful handling indeed. They will know if it is to be stored that there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration.

Temperature is one thing that can affect a precious painting and damage it beyond recognition. The climate needs to be controlled along with the temperature. The last thing you need is mould spores growing on your DaVinci! An ambient temperature for storing fine art is one thing that a specialising removal company will now all about. If they're bluffing just to get the business, don't do it, it's not worth the risk!

Light is something all fine art collectors know about. The way a precious painting is subjected to light has a huge effect on the quality of the artwork and how long it will last. A faded Botticeli is worth nothing compared with one that has been looked after! Employ the right removal company and they will understand that all these things need close attention paid to them to make sure your paintings arrive in the same state as what they went out.

Of course, the benefits of using a removal company that specialise in this sort of thing is that they are going to be more aware of how to handle all delicate items. Their packing, moving and storing of all priceless items will be well worth the extra they might charge. A few extra quid now could save thousands in the future.

It's not simply expensive items that these companies are adept with. There are many possessions a person will have that they have formed a strong emotional attachment to. Sentimental value is not something you can put a price on and as soft as it sounds, the last thing I want to lose when I move, is the paintings my kids did when they were little.

You picture them in your mind with a paintbrush in their chubby little hands, splodging great clumps of colour onto paper. The subject is not always discernable but they knew exactly what it was meant to be and painted it with the love for their parents in mind. You can never replace those days and never get them back again so, for me at least, sentimental value is worth so much more than any fine art in existence.