How to Transport Antique Furniture

1. How to Transport Antique Furniture
2. Hiring professional movers
3. Renting a truck
4. Shipping
5. Consolidated freight
6. Rideshare or peer-peer shipping
7. The Best Way to Transport Your Antique Furniture
8. The fragility of the piece
9. Size of the piece
10. The value of the vintage furniture
11. Budget
12. Distance
13. Time
14. Amount of furniture
15. How to Prepare Antique Furniture for Moving
16. Step 1 Clean each item thoroughly
17. Step 2 Deconstruct if necessary
18. Step 3 Wrap each piece individually
19. Step 4 Place in the crate (if using one)
20. Step 5 Label each piece
21. Mistakes to Avoid When Packing Antique Furniture
22. Mistakes to Avoid When Transporting Antique Furniture
23. Not getting insurance
24. Packing without taking inventory
25. Choosing the wrong transportation company

If you're like most people, you probably have a few pieces of antique furniture that are near and dear to your heart. This includes book stands, tables, desks, chairs, etc. These valuable pieces are very expensive and hold a lot of sentimental value.

Transporting antique furniture during an actual relocation can be tricky, though. It needs the utmost care to prevent any upsetting damage.

In this post, we will give you tips on how to transport antique furniture safely and avoid any potential damage.

How to Transport Antique Furniture

There are a few different ways that you can transport your antique furniture. The best way will depend on the piece of furniture and your budget.

Some ways to transport antique furniture include:

• Hiring professional movers
• Renting a truck
• Shipping
• Consolidated freight
• Rideshare or peer-peer shipping

Each of these methods has its own pros and cons that you'll need to consider.

Hiring professional movers

The biggest advantage of hiring professional movers is that they will do all the work for you. You just have to sit back, relax, and get your antique furniture delivered in excellent condition.

They will also have the proper equipment to move the furniture without damaging it.

The downside is that it can be pretty expensive. So if you're on a tight budget, this might not be the best option for you.

Renting a truck

If you decide to rent a truck, you'll have to do all the work yourself. That includes packing, loading, and driving the truck.

It's a lot of work, but it gives you the flexibility to transport the furniture when you want and determine the date of its arrival.

The downside is that you must be careful when loading and driving the truck. One wrong move and you could damage the furniture.

Shipping

Shipping, though expensive, is great for long-distance transport or when the antique furniture is way too large.

Another advantage is safety. The shippers have experience packing furniture properly, so there are fewer chances of damaging it during transport.

However, it can take a while for the furniture to arrive. But if you can wait, this method is perfect.

Consolidated freight

Consolidated freight is when your furniture is shipped with other people's furniture. It's cheaper than shipping it alone but more expensive than renting a truck, and it's often used by businesses.

However, it does come with some risks.

There's a chance that your furniture could get damaged while it's being loaded or unloaded. It might also take longer to arrive since it's being shipped with other people's furniture.

Rideshare or peer-peer shipping

Rideshare or peer-peer shipping is a recent development and is becoming more popular.

It's a lot like consolidated freight but with individuals instead of businesses. It's a cheaper option than hiring professional movers or shipping it alone.

How does it work?

You find someone who's already going to the same place as you and ship your furniture with them. You can find them on websites or apps like Shiply, uShip, and Craigslist.

However, there are some risks involved.

You're trusting a stranger with your furniture, and you cannot guarantee it will arrive safely. Your furniture could get damaged while it's being loaded or unloaded.

And if something happens to it, you might not be eligible for a damage claim.

The Best Way to Transport Your Antique Furniture

The best way to transport your antique furniture will depend on a few factors. These include the piece of furniture, your budget, and how soon you need it to arrive.

The fragility of the piece

Some antiques are more delicate than others. Therefore, any little mistake could cause colossal damage.

Therefore, you'll need to take extra care when packing and moving them. In this case, hiring professional movers would be the best option.

Size of the piece

Large furniture is going to be more difficult to move. You'll need more people to help you move it and maneuver through any doorways, hallways, or stairs.

To reduce the possibility of damage, dismantle the vintage furniture if possible. But if it's still too big to move safely, then shipping is the best option.

The value of the vintage furniture

This is important to consider because it will affect how you insure the piece during transport. Low-value pieces can probably be moved with minimal risk. If you have high-value furniture, though, you may want to insure it.

To use insurance, it's best to go with professional movers, consolidated freight, or shipping. That way, any damage or loss is covered by the insurance company.

Budget

If you're on a tight budget, renting a truck or using peer-peer shipping might be your best option. But if you can afford it, hiring professional movers is the way to go.

Distance

Shipping is perfect for long-distance transport. But renting a truck or using peer-peer shipping is okay if it's a shorter move.

Time

Shipped furniture usually takes a long time to reach its destination.

So, if you can survive for weeks or months without your furniture, you can ship it. But always remember to ask about the shipping operator's arrival time.

Amount of furniture

If you're only moving one or two pieces of furniture, you can probably get away with using peer-peer shipping or renting a truck.

But if you're moving a lot of furniture, then hiring professional movers or using consolidated freight is the best option.

How to Prepare Antique Furniture for Moving

When packing, there are four important protective materials to use. They include:

• Furniture pads
• Bubble wrap
• Custom crates
• Packing tape

Furniture pads are one of the most common ways to protect antique furniture during transport. They're placed under the furniture to help prevent scratches and scuffs on the floor.

Bubble wrap is another popular way to protect antique furniture. It's placed around the furniture to help prevent scratches and dings.

Placing furniture in a custom crate is another way to protect it during transport. This is usually done for very delicate, valuable, or heavy furniture.

Before you start packing your furniture, ensure you've done an antique furniture appraisal, taken pictures from all angles, taken inventory, and gotten insurance from an insurance agent.

Once you're done with those, you'll need the following packing materials:

• Furniture pads
• Bubble wrap (for shock protection)
• Crates (if needed)
• Tape
• Labels
• Air-filled plastic wrap (serves as a protective layer and shock protection)
• Clean cloth

Once you have all of your materials, follow these steps:

Step 1: Clean each item thoroughly

Use a clean cloth and furniture polish to dust and shine each piece. This will help protect the finish during transport.

But don't use wax or oils when cleaning. It can make the furniture challenging to carry and more susceptible to damage.

Step 2: Deconstruct if necessary

If your furniture can be taken apart, do so. This includes chest drawers and other non-secured pieces. It will make it easier to move and less likely to be damaged.

But if it can't be taken apart, don't force it.

Also, use packing tape or twine to secure doors and drawers.

Step 3: Wrap each piece individually

Start by wrapping each piece of furniture in bubble wrap. Then, use tape to secure the bubble wrap in place. But avoid affixing the tape directly to the furniture, as it can leave sticky marks.

If you are transporting a wooden piece that can be damaged by moisture, use air-filled plastic wrap before the bubble wrap to prevent damage from moisture and temperature extremes.

Step 4: Place in the crate (if using one)

If you're using a crate, place the wrapped antique furniture pieces inside. Then, use tape to secure the lid in place.

The size of the crate should be just big enough for the piece of furniture. If it's too big, the furniture can shift during transport and become damaged. And if it's too small and you try to force it in, it can get damaged. That's why it's better to use custom crating.

Step 5: Label each piece

Use labels to identify each piece of furniture. This will help movers know which pieces go where. And it will also help you keep track of your belongings during transport.

Also, be sure to write the words "fragile item" on each one.

Mistakes to Avoid When Packing Antique Furniture

When packing an antique piece of furniture, do not:

• Pack too much into one box
• Use insufficient padding
• Use the wrong kind of packing materials, such as Styrofoam peanuts. They can damage valuable furniture.
• Pack delicate pieces without proper outer protection

Mistakes to Avoid When Transporting Antique Furniture

There are a few common mistakes people make when transporting their antique pieces. Avoiding these will help ensure the safety of your furniture.

Not getting insurance

When shipping antique furniture, you need to ensure it against possible damage.

Get insurance that covers the total value of the piece. Otherwise, you could end up losing a lot of money if something happens to it.

So, before you start to package your antique furniture, get an appraisal of its value from an antique furniture appraiser or an antique furniture expert. Then, purchase adequate insurance coverage from an insurance agent to cover the entire amount.

Packing without taking inventory

Another mistake people make is not taking an inventory of their antique furniture pieces before they start packing.

This can lead to a lot of problems later on, such as losing track of small pieces or forgetting which items go together.

So, before you start packing, take the time to make a detailed list of everything you will be shipping.

For each item, including its dimensions, weight, current condition, and any other relevant information. This will help you stay organized and avoid any mix-ups later on.

Choosing the wrong transportation company

Another mistake is choosing the wrong shipping company or antique furniture movers.

This can cost you a lot of money, and your valuable antiques can get lost or damaged.

To choose the perfect company, take note of its reputation, experience, additional services, and insurance packages.

It would be best if you also compared prices to make sure you're getting the best and most accurate pricing.

Packing incorrectly

If you don't pack your antique furniture properly, it could get damaged during transport.

This is because the furniture is fragile and can easily be scratched, dented, or broken.

When packing your furniture, use a lot of padding to protect it from bumping and jostling. That's the role of bubble wrap, foam peanuts, or old blankets.

If you're unsure how to pack a particular piece of furniture, it's best to seek professional packing services.

Trying to move the furniture yourself

This is a mistake for two reasons. First, you could damage the furniture if you're not careful. Second, it's just too much work. And if it gets damaged, your insurance claim won't cover it.

Hiring professional movers is the best way to transport your antique furniture. They will take extra care and have the experience and the equipment to do it safely.

Conclusion

Antique pieces of furniture are valuable items. And it takes just one slip to cause damage to it.

If you're looking for a reputable professional company to transport your antique furniture, consider A-1 Auto Transport. We provide a variety of shipping services, including shipping antique furniture for long-distance moves.

Contact us today for a free quote or for more information about the services we provide. It would be our pleasure to serve you and find the best solution to meet your needs.