How to Ship Antique Furniture
Shipping antique furniture requires extra care and concern. Each piece of antique furniture holds a sentimental value that requires attention to detail. It is important to hire a reputable moving company that will give your furniture the level of attention it deserves. There are a few things to do on your own to prepare for a smooth antique move before the movers arrive.
Photo Credit | 123RF Photos | @ Surasak Sootthikarn
Below are important steps to take before shipping antique furniture.
First start by getting the furniture appraised. Finding out how much it is worth will help you determine the cost of shipping insurance. But before you purchase shipping insurance, find out if your home owners insurance will cover moving damage – this can happen.
Take “before” photos. This goes hand in hand with the appraisal. The photos will help with your claim if there is damage during transit. The photos will show proof of the original condition of the furniture.
The photos need to be of all angles. They should clearly answer any questions the insurance company or even the moving company may have upon arrival.
Secure loose shelves and interior pieces. If there are pieces inside your furniture that tend to come loose, either remove them or make sure they are secure before the item is moved.
Remember not to use tape. When you are securing loose shelves, doors, etc. do not use tape because it will ruin the finish. Try using string or rubber bungees. Be careful of the metal part of the bungee.
Empty everything out of the furniture. Leaving items inside your furniture will cause extra weight and leave more room for error and damage. Even something as small as loose change should be taken out of the furniture.
The movers should wrap your furniture with moving blankets and protective wrap and if they do not, be prepared to question the movers. Do not let the movers leave without protecting your furniture. And for the extremely valuable pieces, we suggest having the antique boxed and/or crated by the professionals – we do not recommend crating/boxing on your own.
And the final step – speak with your antique dealer about how the wood will be affected by temperature. If your antique is moving from sunny California to Maine, it is likely it will go through some major changes in climate, so ask the professionals how to handle the change.
As always, remember to call Moves for Seniors to help ship your antique furniture! We have been moving and shipping for years – we are the professionals you are looking for!
Call today 800-227-0515 or click here for a free quote!