Whether you have family heirlooms or rare items with high price tags, you want to ensure your antiques make it through relocation in one piece. When moving, use these packing, loading, and unloading tips to keep the fragile pieces intact.

5 Tips to Protect Antiques During a Move

1. Get an Appraisal

When you insure your antiques, you can receive compensation if they’re damaged during a move. Depending on your situation, you may already be covered through your homeowner’s policy or your moving company’s insurance. In other cases, you may need to purchase a separate policy.

To ensure you get the right amount of coverage, have a professional appraiser determine how much your antiques are worth.

2. Wrap in Protective Materials

Given their fragile nature, antiques shouldn’t be moved without some form of protection. Artwork and mirrors, for example, should have corner protectors. Cover larger pieces, such as tables and desks, in furniture pads or moving blankets. Wrap china in glassine, a protective glossy paper, and pack it in a dish pack.

3. Choose a Secure Box

Smaller objects, such as books or dishware, should be packed in moving boxes once they’re appropriately wrapped. Ideally, the box should be as small as possible to prevent the items from shifting. Use bubble wrap and cushioning to fill in the remaining empty spaces.

Professionally crate larger objects, especially framed goods, for an extra layer of protection.

4. Disassemble When Possible

If possible, disassemble any pieces that can be put back together, such as the legs on an antique table. When you pack and carry smaller parts, they’ll be easier to manage and less likely to experience damage during the move.

5. Measure Larger Pieces  

Handling curios, desks, tables, sofas, and other antique furniture can be cumbersome if they’re oversized. Before you transport these items, measure their dimensions to ensure they’ll fit through all doors and stairways along the way.

No matter the size of your antiques, M. Dyer & Sons offers comprehensive moving and shipping services to give you peace of mind. Backed by FIDI-FAIM certification, this Oahu moving company has all the resources to safely pack, transport, and unload fragile and rare goods. They also offer special crating services for fine art and other delicate pieces. Visit them online to learn more about how their insured services provide a stress-free relocation throughout the island and beyond, including Pearl City, Honolulu, and Kailua. For a free custom quote, call (808) 456-4200.