Your antiques are irreplaceable. They hold sentimental value and are quite costly. Simple mistakes during a move can damage your antiques permanently or cost a fortune to repair. So you’ll want to be extra careful when moving them. But how do you move antiques safely?
The good news is that our professional movers at The Padded Wagon are antique moving specialists! They are a team of certified and licensed movers who are experts in moving antiques and other VIP items. So if you’re looking for some tips on antique moving, you’ve come to the right place. Below are the packing and moving techniques from our professional movers.
Pre-Packing Tips
Not so fast. Before you start packing your antiques, be sure to take care of the following first.
Take an inventory of your antiques and have them appraised.
You’ll want to start by taking an inventory of your antiques and getting an appraisal. If you’re moving them yourself, an appraisal may not be necessary. However, if you’re working with a moving company, it’s non-negotiable to take note of your items’ conditions right at the beginning.
That way you can check if any damage was done to your items when they arrive at your home. You’ll also need your inventory and your items’ appraised value in case you need to make claims. So be sure to take care of your inventory first before moving on to the next phases of your move!
See if your homeowners insurance policy covers antiques.
Unfortunately, accidents can happen during your move. So to protect your antiques and collectibles, check if your homeowner’s insurance policy covers them. Ask your agent if you are not sure.
Tips for Packing Antiques
Antiques are not necessarily more fragile than other household items. They’re just more valuable! But don’t fret. Here are some tips on packing antiques so you can keep them safe throughout your move.
Use small boxes, dividers, and box inserts.
If you can fit your items in the smallest moving boxes, then it’s recommended to do that. It’s best to keep your valuable items in smaller boxes where there’s very little room for them to wobble and break.
For mirrors, art pieces, and other framed items, mirror or picture boxes are most ideal. For antique teacups and glasses, box dividers or packing inserts will prove useful. Lastly, if you kept the original boxes of your items, then keep your items there. These boxes are custom-fitted to provide maximum protection for your antiques.
Wrap framed items with glassine paper.
Glassine is a smooth and glossy paper that is air, water, and grease resistant. Don’t cover your items with cushioning if you haven’t wrapped them with glassine! This is especially important for items with print or paint. Glassine provides a layer of protection against smudges and stains.
Add corner protectors on framed pieces.
The corners of mirrors, artworks, and other framed pieces are prone to scratches. So you’ll want to give them some extra protection. You can use corner protectors to keep those edges safe in case you bump them against a door head or wall.
Wrap items with air-filled plastic wrap for extra protection.
Air-filled plastic wraps are excellent insulators against impacts. It keeps items safe throughout transit. Wrap the air-filled plastic wrap around each item and be generous with it especially for more fragile items. Then, secure it with packing tape.
Don’t forget packing peanuts.
Fill the gaps in the box to keep your items from moving around using packing peanuts. Also, box items when you can. Putting items in their boxes and wrapping them with bubble wrap will ensure that they’re safe.
Tips for Moving Antiques
Now that your antiques are packed up, the next step is to move them safely. If you’re moving your antiques by yourself, make sure that no items are stacked on top of each other. You should place framed items like paintings and mirrors upright and avoid placing boxes on top of your precious furniture.
For moving heavy furniture, use moving equipment like moving straps, furniture sliders, and dollies to avoid breaking your back and keep your antique furniture safe.
Sometimes it’s not enough to be careful.
Moving antiques requires highly specialized skills. It’s a difficult job to do and being careful isn’t enough. There’s also the risk of damaging your own antiques and decreasing their value. This is why you should call the experts.
Antique moving is The Padded Wagon’s specialty. We have a team of licensed, insured, and highly trained professional movers who specialize in moving luxury items. With our specialized boxing and innovative crating solutions, your antiques will arrive safely in their new space without a scratch. Call us today for your luxury moving needs! The Padded Wagon will move your priceless belongings across town or across the country.