Making sure your antiques are packed properly

Whether you are moving your family out of state, locally or internationally packing delicate antiques you want to make sure that the packing of your antiques is done right and for an affordable price. If you decide to have movers pack for you you want to make sure they are well-equipped and know how to properly secure your items. Antiques are precious objects that have been passed down through generations and need to be handled with care. But how can you properly pack and move antique items if you do not have proper knowledge about how to do it?

Do a Thorough Check of Your Items

You should ensure that all antique items are packed according to the antique dealer’s packing instructions. Before you pack anything, you should inspect the items to make sure that there are no damages - if there are make sure you notate the damages. You will want to make sure that they are repaired before putting them on a moving truck to avoid additional damage. 

Label Items Correctly

You should label each box with the date, item description with its condition and the estimated value of the item. This way, if you ever need to return any antique item to the seller or if you need to get the items insured, you will be able to do so quickly.

Secure Them Properly

Next, you should secure the antique items to avoid any accidents while transporting them. You can use padded cartons, plastic bags or plastic bins with locking latches to protect the items. Keep the items in the upright position to avoid damages. When moving the antique items, you should also make sure that you tie/strap each box securely to prevent it from shifting while in the truck.

To ensure that nothing  happens to your precious belongings while loading them onto a truck a dolly is needed. This will keep the boxes/items stable and prevent a lot of shifting that could cause the items to be damaged. When you use a full-service moving company they will be well equipped with the tools they need to load and transport your items safely.

Unloading Your Items

The last thing that the movers will do for you is to offload the items to your new home. This is where their expertise will come into play. If you are worried about how to pack antique items for moving, you may inquire that Express Moving Consultants provide special handling and packing for your antiques. It is always better to let professionals do certain tasks, especially if it's something that you're not confident in doing yourself. In order to make sure that the movers come with the correct tools and supplies, it is important to describe the items properly - sending pictures or videos is always very helpful.

Packing Smaller Objects

When packing smaller object that are of value to you, make sure that you wrap and secure each individual piece before putting it into a box. Bubble wrap, plastic wrap and packing paper is the best way to protect each item so as they won't get damage while packed in a box or plastic bin. Make sure you label the boxes so you can remember what's what and it will make your unpacking process easier too.

Make Sure To Have The Right Measurements

When planning the packing of your valueables make sure to take measurements - especially of the larger pieces. This is helpful for you as well as the movers if they are doing the speciality packing for you to know how much material they need for the job. If you're doing the packing yourself, make sure that you get good quality packing materials that will hold up to ensure your belongings are protected as much as possible.

Make Sure Your Furniture is Prepared to Move

Determining which exact pieces you will need packed is important because each item needs to be packed differently for moving. This is something that you can either consult us for at Express Moving or talk to your local anquities dealer. Being specific about the items will go a long way with transparency and letting the movers know exactly what they are expected to pack. Sometimes things need to be disassembled a certain way for safe transport so it is good to look into the preparation of your antiques ahead of time to avoid damages.

Modes Of Transportation

The packaging materials are important and can vary depending on what exactly you need packed. Some items should go into small cardboard boxes (heavier items) and others may need to go into plastic containers. No matter what you use to pack make sure that you indicate which side is supposed to stay up - you don't want your boxes being turned upside down after you've spent so much time meticulously packing them. The packing materials are important also if you plan to store certain items.  Plastic bins can be better for items going into storage because they are water proof and will keep the items safe and free of the elements. 

Get The Items Appraised

It is important to get your valuable items appraised so you have that documented in case there are any damages. This will help keep you organized and will also help if you decide to sell any of the pieces in the future. Make sure that you have any itemized list of all the items that you will be transporting to ensure that everything is accounted for - for your peace of mind as well as insurance purposes.

Don't Pay to Move Unwanted Items

There's no sense in paying to move something that you either don't want or plan to get rid of in the future - might as well get rid of it before you move! This will save you money overall and prevent you from spending money to ship an item that you don't really have a want or need for anymore. You can donate your items, give them to a family member or friend, or if they are in not so good condition just dispose of them properly. 

Planning Makes Life Easier

When you plan ahead for the tasks that you or the movers will need to complete for your move, everything will go much more smoothly. Making sure that you have the proper materials for packing and ensuring that your movers know your expectations and needs is paramount to having a sucessful move. Let us help you by answering questions and giving advice as to how each item should be handled - whether by you or by our team of professionals. Packing with organization and safety in mind will pay off in the long run and you will be happy you prepared well for your move.