The antiques that make a house feel like home include things like an heirloom grandfather clock, an antique roll-top desk, and vintage dinnerware. Moving them from one home (or apartment) to another is among the most challenging tasks, whether you’re hiring a personal moving service or doing it yourself. Fortunately, even with difficult-to-pack antiques, there are steps you can take to ensure a successful move. You’ll be packing antiques like a pro in no time if you follow the appropriate methods listed below.
Conduct an Inventory Check of Your Antiques
Make a list of every item in your antique collection as soon as you decide to move.
Start with the biggest pieces, such as dining room tables and armoires. Take a picture of each item for your records. To ensure that your large antiques will fit through the doors of your new home, measure each piece from all sides.
To be safe, you should also take pictures of each item and record any flaws for smaller antiques like jewelry, silverware, and collectibles.
Consider Your Insurance Options
Does insurance cover your antiques during the move? Even if it is included in your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, check to see whether the coverage extends to transporting and unpacking them at your new house during the relocation process. Before the trip, speak with your broker or insurance company with your appraisals in hand to go over your alternatives.
If you hire a reputable moving company, you might believe that the firm’s liability insurance will protect you. However, many moving companies base their policy on a 60-cents-per-pound formula. For instance, the moving firm might only be responsible for $60 if your 100-pound antique statue, worth $1,000, breaks during transport.
It’s always a good idea to consider a third-party insurer when transporting expensive antiques.
How to Pack Your Antiques?
It goes without saying that you want your antiques to arrive at your new house intact, and the key to achieving this goal is good packaging. According to experts, the best way to transport antiques is to first provide them with three layers of protection:
- Protective wrapping: The object will be kept secure and clean by the first layer. Non-acidic archival tissue serves as a good protective barrier for porous things like artwork, old books, and fabrics. Use a stretch wrap or foam wrap to thoroughly enclose items made of glass or wood, making sure to extend the wrap over corners and edges.
- Protection against shock and vibration: This layer’s function is to absorb minor shocks during transport. Attach a combination of bubble wrap, foam, and blankets to the antique firmly.
- Protective shell: Your priceless antiques should be shielded from the abrupt impacts of the move by the top layer. An eco-crate or a hardwood crate makes for the best protective shell.
Relocating can be a stressful process. Having to make sure your precious antiques survive the journey definitely adds to the strain. Thankfully, engaging a professional moving service company can eliminate all these concerns and give you peace of mind.
Budd Van Lines has safely moved thousands of fragile items, from glass tops and antiques to original Picasso paintings valued at over $3 million, with the eco-crate system. Trust us to deliver on all your shipping needs today!