HOW TO TRANSPORT OLD FURNITURE

Antiques are among the most valued items in our homes, whether they have been passed down through the generations or were selected after months of searching through flea markets, marketplaces, and antique merchants for the perfect piece. 

When relocating to a distant location, it is frequently tough to part with these items due to their immense sentimental and sometimes monetary value. If you are an estate distributor, dealer, auction house, collector, or dealer, you will also be faced with the challenging issue of transporting antiques over long distances.

You may transport antiques through a variety of transportation methods. Although it is possible to pack and ship antiques on your own, experts recommend working with a qualified mover or shipper that can assist you in packing your antiques properly. There are several alternatives available for moving antiquities. Even while it is possible to pack and transport antiques on your own, experts typically recommend hiring a professional mover or shipper who can assist you in properly packing your antiques. This is especially true for heavy furniture, multiple-item shipments, and fragile or costly items.

METHODS OF SHIPPING ANTIQUES:

No matter how valuable, fragile, or old your antiques are, moving them may be challenging, especially if you are relocating to a distant location. 

Typically, you have five options for shipping antique furniture and other items:

• parcel delivery

• Rent a truck and do it yourself.

• Employ professional movers

• Individual-to-individual loan or shipping

• consolidation of shipments

PARCEL SHIPPING:

If your antiques measure less than 108 inches in length and weigh less than 70 pounds, you may be allowed to send them via parcel services.

Before using parcel shipping services to transport antiques, they are frequently packaged and labelled in individual boxes. Similar to previous shipments, they will be loaded and unloaded via conveyor belts at multiple checkpoints throughout the transit process. Therefore, if you are considering package shipment, it is vital to package your items with care.

COST OF PARCEL TRANSPORT:

The cost of sending your antiquities using parcel shipping services can be affected by the dimensions and weight of your item, the distance it must travel, and how quickly you require delivery. There will be additional charges for things that are too large or heavy for a specific carrier.

WHEN TO SHIP ANTIQUES USING PARCEL SHIPPING:

• Small items or supplies weighing no more than 70 pounds and measuring no more than 108 inches in length or 165 inches in breadth

• time-sensitive deliveries

HIRE A TRUCK AND ACCOMPLISH IT YOURSELF:

For smaller, local moves, it is common to rent a moving truck and load and unload your belongings with the help of friends.

It is especially important to pack your antiques carefully before loading them into your moving vehicle if you plan to rent a truck to transport them, given that incorrect packing is the leading cause of antique furniture damage.

It is essential to pay close attention to how you put antique furniture and other items into your moving truck, as well as the unique measures you must take when packing them:

• Loading antique furniture with fragile legs, feet, or casters upside down into a moving vehicle is advised. These components may not be able to survive the jolts of a truck bed, especially when travelling over long distances. 

• Keep antiques away from other items to reduce the risk of damage.

• Refrain from stacking objects, especially boxes, on top of boxes containing small antique items or antique furniture.

• Never attempt to lift and transport antique furniture to the moving vehicle; utilize dollies or hand trucks instead.

• Prop up ancient mirrors, preferably between two padded pieces of a soft cloth.

• Use ropes or ratcheting straps to fix antique furniture or crates transporting antiques. Therefore, they will not shift during shipping and damage other objects.

COST OF RENTING A TRUCK TO MOVE ANTIQUES:

Depending on the size of the rental vehicle and the distance of your move, renting a truck and conducting a move may be costly. Due to the size and weight of antique furniture, you may need to rent a larger vehicle to move it safely, which can increase your rental car costs.

Regardless of the size of the truck, you will pay a daily rate to rent a moving vehicle, with additional fees for mileage, gas, supplies, and insurance.

• Day rates are between $19.99 and $29.99 for a 10′ to 17′ truck, and between $29.99 and $39.99 for a 20′ to 26′ vehicles.

• During the week, average mileage expenses range from $0.69 to $0.79 per mile, while weekend mileage rates can reach $0.99 per mile. During the busiest season for relocating, mileage fees may be higher.

THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON TO HIRE A TRUCK FOR YOUR ANTIQUES:

• For little antiques that can be packaged safely 

• If you are confident in packaging and shipping your antiques safely.

• If you are transporting antiques over a small distance or for local moves, consider hiring a local moving company.

EMPLOY MOVING EXPERTS:

Whether you’re relocating across town or the nation, it’s typically best to hire professionals to assist you in transporting antique furniture. Professional antique movers will have the skills and equipment necessary to carefully pack and transport valuables. Inform the movers of any expensive and fragile antiques so they can provide an accurate estimate and come prepared to handle these items.

When picking a professional moving company, it is vital to ensure that they have experience moving or shipping antiques. 

Custom Crating and Logistics may commonly provide specific solutions and moving services for the transport of antiquities. We will arrive with the necessary packing materials to enhance efficiency and safety, as we are familiar with their proper use.

COST TO HIRE MOVING PROFESSIONALS:

The cost of your transfer will ultimately be determined by the quantity and distance of your belongings. Some moving companies base their prices on the weight of your belongings, while others base their prices on the distance. When seeking expert movers, call at least three moving companies to compare pricing. 

P2P OR RIDE-SHARE TRANSPORTATION:

Using ridesharing or peer-to-peer shipping services, you can pay someone who is already travelling to your destination and has sufficient space in their vehicle to transport your items. They may be a logistics company, an individual truck owner or operator, or a person taking a cross-country trip. Before employing them, you must evaluate their skills and knowledge, as they may or may not have experience transporting valuable or fragile items, such as antique furniture.

After potential partners submit their quotes, you may accept, reject, or continue negotiations. You can then evaluate their skills, negotiate a lower price, and determine how to pack, load, and unload your furniture.

COST OF P2P OR RIDESHARE TRANSPORTATION:

The price of peer-to-peer delivery can fluctuate and is often non-negotiable. Typically, the cost of peer-to-peer shipping ranges from $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on the number of items, their size, value, and whether or not you require additional services, such as packaging or loading.

COMBINED SHIPPING:

When you transport your furniture or antiques via combined freight, such as less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping, they will share space on the truck with other items moving in the same direction. Because you pay for the space your antique furniture takes on the truck, consolidating freight may be less expensive than hiring professional movers for long-distance transport.

All licensed and insured shipping companies offer freight consolidation services. The leading consolidated freights may connect you with an experienced long-distance shipper who specializes in shipping antique furniture and other items. 

It may consist of:

• Loading antiquities into a vehicle with air suspension to prevent them from shifting during transit.

• Various service levels, such as white glove packaging services, guarantee that antiques are correctly disassembled, loaded, and delivered.

• Crate wrapping with specialized foam enclosures to secure antiquities during transport.

• Coordinating the distribution of merchandise from a single origin, such as an auction house or an estate sale, to multiple destinations.

Small residential moves can be transported utilizing the secure and convenient method of combination freight. If you are using consolidated freight services for your relocation, be sure to inform potential shipping companies about your expensive, fragile, and antique belongings so they can provide an accurate quote and make the required preparations.

COST TO TRANSPORT ANTIQUITIES USING COMBINED FREIGHT:

Prices for exporting antiques by consolidated freight begin at $700. The real cost will depend on the dimensions and distance of the shipment, as well as the extras you select, such as custom packaging and expedited shipping.

WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER COMBINED SHIPPING FOR YOUR ANTIQUES? 

You should consider transporting antiques via consolidated freight if any of the following apply:

• Transportation across a great distance

• Distributions from decedents’ estates

• Antique furnishings that are especially valuable or old

• When you require assistance shipping your antiques

• If you require bespoke crates

BEST METHODS FOR SHIPPING ANTIQUES:

FOR LOCAL MOVES:

Hiring a professional antique moving company is the safest option for short-distance local moves since they have the knowledge and experience to pack, load, and unload your antique furniture and belongings safely.

FOR LONG-DISTANCE SHIPMENTS:

For long-distance shipments, consolidation is the optimal method. If you select a trustworthy consolidated freight service, you can get in touch with a long-distance shipping company that specializes in transferring expensive, fragile antiques. Typically, this indicates that your antiques will be carried using White Glove services. Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight services are more affordable than White Glove services, which begin at approximately $700. In addition, they include packaging and bespoke crating, interior pickup and delivery, and additional insurance. To prevent damage to your antiques, loading and unloading will be performed manually instead of with forklifts. 

Since all consolidated freight providers are qualified, licensed, and insured specialists, your antiques will be handled with the attention and care they require during shipping.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR SHIPPING ANTIQUES:

There are various packaging and shipping criteria to consider depending on the goods you are transporting. When shipping antiques, regardless of the material or distance, they must be packaged appropriately.

The following factors must be considered when transporting antiques:

HAVE YOUR ITEMS EVALUATED:

Before packaging and transporting antiques with a high monetary value, professional movers or shippers must have the items assessed. If you need to file an insurance claim, having your belongings appraised will verify their monetary worth. You can seek a reference from your insurance agent or bank representative, or use the American Society of Appraisers to locate a reliable, licensed appraiser.

BUYING INSURANCE FOR YOUR PROPERTY:

Additionally, it is strongly recommended that you purchase additional insurance to preserve the value of your antiques. 

DOCUMENT THE STATE OF YOUR PRODUCT:

Document the current condition of any antiques before packing them. Pay particular attention to the mainframe, the top, the legs, the feet, and any pre-existing damage, such as cracks or loose joints, as you evaluate each element for potential damage. Take pictures as you go; you’ll need them if you need to submit an insurance claim. Also, be sure to inform your moving company about these areas so they can take great care when packing and transporting your antique furniture.

Consider the dimensions of your antique:

The scale of antiques can range from miniature treasures to big furniture. Smaller, box-packable items will require a different amount of care and attention than large furniture.

ENVIRONMENT:

Especially for long-distance moves, humidity or extreme temperatures during shipping can cause moisture buildup that, depending on the age and type of wood used, may ruin the delicate surface of some antique antiques. Moving companies with experience and competence will know how to safeguard your antiques against these threats. When storing antiques, look for climate-controlled storage facilities to limit the danger of damage.

ESTATE DISTRIBUTIONS:

As part of the dispersal of an estate, antique antiquities are frequently sent. Consequently, it may be essential to export antiques from a single origin to multiple destinations. These shipments will be handled by skilled shipping companies, who will safely pack and transport antiques.

HOW SHOULD ANTIQUES BE PACKAGED?

Every antique artefact or piece of furniture is unique. Consequently, diverse packaging choices will be necessary. There are generally three techniques for packing antiques:

Blanket enveloping:

Large things that do not require particular handling, such as antique furniture, are ideal candidates for blanket wrapping. These items will be protected against dents and scratches by blankets.

Boxes:

Smaller antiques can be covered with bubble wrap and packing paper before being placed in boxes with sufficient padding to prevent movement.

Crates:

Crates are the finest method for transporting antiquities that are heavy, expensive, or extremely fragile. Uniquely shaped or voluminous antiques can also be packaged in boxes created to order.

PACKAGING INSTRUCTIONS:

Once you have collected the necessary packing supplies, you may begin packing your antiques. Although each antique is unique, the following processes are a good starting point:

EMPTY THE CONTENTS AND PACK THEM SEPARATELY:

Remove any items, like china or silverware, from your antique furniture and pack them separately.

CAPTURE IMAGES OF THE OBJECT:

Take photographs to document the current condition of your furniture. Before your moving company packs your item, examine it for damage, such as cracks or loose joints, and report any issues. You can create an inventory of the antiques you are delivering and make it easier to track them by photographing each one. You will also need the photographs and this inventory to complete an insurance claim.

HOW BIG YOUR ANTIQUES ARE:

If you know the dimensions of your furniture before calling for a quote, your prospective moving partners will be able to provide you with an accurate estimate for your shipment. In addition, you may determine whether your antiques will fit through the entrances and halls of your new home.

CLEAN THE APPLIANCES:

With a microfiber cloth, dust and other particles can be removed. Avoid using chemical cleaning solutions, especially if the item will be transported or stored for an extended period. When furniture is covered, it is more difficult for it to breathe, and the chemicals may damage or dampen your antiques.

DISASSEMBLING:

If possible, remove the drawers, door panels, and hardware. They must be individually wrapped and packed in a box with clear labelling. If your antique is too ancient to be disassembled and reassembled, avoid forcing it apart. Instead, pack these items with care and caution.

CONCLUSION:

Antiques are among the most difficult items to transport, whether you are a cross-country mover, an estate executor, or an antique dealer. Due to their rarity, fragility, and expense, they must be transported with greater care.

When shipping antiques, experts advise always employing skilled antique shippers. Professionals will have the knowledge and expertise necessary to carefully pack antiques, from little things to large furniture.

Long-distance removals or shipments of antiquities are most secure when they are transported via consolidation. Custom Crating and Logistics are able to help. Our skilled logistics coordinators will connect you with a trustworthy antique shipping company and help you plan a transportation strategy that matches your budget and deadline.