If you are so fortunate to have had family heirlooms like antique furniture passed down from previous generations, you know how much these items mean to you. Not only do they often have monetary value but they have considerable sentimental value to you and your family. Antique furniture is usually very beautiful, having been made by true craftsmen who took pride in their work. Unlike today’s mass-produced furniture, antique furniture was handmade and hand-assembled. Each layer of finish was carefully applied to provide the luster that makes the furniture literally glow.

Therefore, it only stands to reason that moving antique furniture requires extra special care and attention. This is especially true if the furniture has any lifting veneers, loose joints or lifting inlays. Some antique furniture has dried out over the years due to being placed in less than ideal conditions when it comes to heat and humidity. Proper preparation is essential to ensure that the antique furniture being moved does not sustain any further damage from its original condition.

Photographs

Your Premiere Van Lines moving consultant will generally take a number of photos of your antique furniture and any other items that will require extra care. These photos will be given to the Premiere packing/crating crews so that they can properly plan how best to prepare these pieces for shipment, you may want to take your own photographs as well. Photos should be taken from as many angles as possible including close-ups of any pre-existing damage.

Appraisals

Your Premiere Van Lines moving consultant will advise you to get your antique furniture appraised before it is moved. This is an important step that will ensure that you assign the appropriate value when purchasing cargo protection coverage from the moving company. It also eliminates any disputes regarding pre-existing damage and moving related damage if you have to file a claim after the move is completed.

Professional Packing

The real secret to moving antique furniture without damage is three layers of protection through the use of high quality packing materials and the skill of experienced packers. The first layer of protection is done to protect delicate surfaces from scratching and marring. The second layer is to protect your antique furniture from vibration during transport. Finally, the third layer is the ultimate safety feature which is usually a custom built crate to fully encase the piece. Premiere’s professional packers have the knowledge and experience to properly prepare your antique furniture so that is transported safely and arrives at your new home without any new damage.

Moving antique furniture is job best left to a professional moving company like Premiere Van Lines who have the expertise needed to properly prepare these valuable pieces for transport. At the pre-move stage, a knowledgeable Premiere moving consultant will go through your own to itemize all of the items to be moved. Special attention will be given to documenting any antique furniture pieces so that the packing and loading crews know in advance what special care will be required throughout the move.

As you can see, moving antique furniture does require extra attention but if done correctly, these pieces will be in your family for generations to come.

For more information about moving antique furniture contact your local Premiere Van Lines office.