Antiques aren’t just furniture or decor. They often carry family history and sentimental value, so the thought of moving them can be stressful. You might be worried about potential damage, if you need insurance coverage, or whether your movers have the right experience to handle delicate items with the care they deserve.
The good news is that most moving companies can transport antiques safely as long as you prepare ahead of time. In this guide, we’ll explain what movers can do for your items, how to choose the right team, and all the steps you can take to make sure your valuables arrive intact.
Yes, Most Moving Companies Will Typically Move Fragile Items
Most professional movers will transport your fragile items and antiques, but there are a few conditions. Movers expect these items to be packed well, clearly labeled, and disclosed in advance. That way, they can plan to bring the right equipment and prepare to take the extra time to take care of your antiques properly.
One big key to keeping your stuff safe is understanding what level of service you need. Here’s how different types of movers handle delicate items:
- Standard Movers: They are skilled at moving heavy furniture and boxes. They can handle common fragile pieces, including china and framed art, when they’re packed and padded well.
- Specialty Movers: These movers focus on high-value, delicate, or complex items, such as fine art and antique mirrors. They often use custom crates and advanced equipment. Because they have specialized experience and use specific equipment, these movers tend to be more expensive than standard movers.
If your item is extremely valuable or unusually delicate, it may be safer to hire a specialty mover instead of relying on standard service.
How Moving Companies Protect Antiques and Fragile Items
Professional movers have specific tools and techniques to protect your belongings, especially items you’ve flagged as fragile. From custom crates to specialty equipment, these methods help keep delicate and high-value pieces safe from damage during the move:
- Custom crates and padding: For things like antique mirrors or marble tops, movers can build a custom wooden crate. Unlike common moving boxes, this box is sized perfectly for your items. It’s also lined with padding to protect them from bumps during the move.
- Moving blankets and securing materials: Thick moving blankets are used to wrap and protect furniture and larger pieces, and are especially useful for wooden furniture and framed art. Straps, shrink wrap, and corner guards prevent shifting and protect edges during loading and transport.
- Specialty equipment: Many movers use special furniture dollies and hand trucks designed to carry heavy items like dressers or chests. This helps them move the item smoothly and with more control, reducing the risk of drops. They may also use piano boards and lifting straps for other types of fragile items.
- Specialty handling for high-value items: For rare or irreplaceable antiques, some movers offer specialized handling. This service includes extra staff, protective gear, and careful placement in the truck.
Finding Trusted Movers for Fragile Items
Finding the right mover is just as important as packing your antiques well to ensure they arrive safely. That’s where HireAHelper comes in.
When you search for local movers on our platform, you can compare companies side by side. You’ll see their total price upfront, what services they offer, and detailed reviews from customers like you. This means you can easily find out how movers have handled fragile items or family heirlooms for others.
This transparency helps you book with confidence. You’ll know exactly who’s coming and what you’ll pay — no surprises on moving day.
When to Hire a Specialty or White-Glove Mover
For most antiques, a standard moving crew with good reviews is perfectly fine. But for some items, you may want to call in a specialist. Things like grandfather clocks, concert pianos, delicate sculptures, or museum-quality fine art often require certain care. These items often need more than just blankets, and they may require climate-controlled transport or disassembly by a mover trained in specialty handling.
Here’s what sets these movers apart:
- Service level: Specialty movers take care of everything. This includes custom crating, disassembly, reassembly, and even installing the item in your new home, if needed.
- Expertise: They have specific training for your item. For example, a piano mover knows how to protect the internal mechanisms, not just the wooden exterior.
- Cost: This expertise costs more. A local full-service move from a standard provider might have an average cost of $1,167.76. Adding a specialty item can result in an additional fee of $200 to $1,000. However, this cost ultimately depends on the item’s value and size.
To find these movers, look for companies that specifically advertise art handling, piano moving, or antique transport. Always get a detailed, written estimate that outlines exactly what their service includes. Be sure to ask for references, check reviews, and confirm insurance coverage before booking.
Questions to Ask Your Moving Company Before You Move
Once you have a few movers in mind, it’s time to dive into the details. Don’t be shy about asking direct questions about your fragile items! Clear communication is the best way to prevent surprises and ensure your belongings are protected, and a good, professional mover will be happy to answer.
Here are a few key questions to ask:
- Do you have experience moving items like [my antique dresser, my glass cabinet, etc.]? You want to hear a confident “yes” and maybe a brief example of how they’ve handled similar pieces before.
- What packing and transport methods will you use for these items? Will they use blankets, shrink wrap, or do they recommend a crate? This shows that they’re thinking about your items’ needs.
- Are you insured for high-value items? This is a direct way to ask about their coverage limits and claims process.
- Can I get a written quote that includes the service for these items? You want to make sure any special handling is included in your price, so there are no surprise fees on moving day.
- How will you handle loading and unloading? Ask if extra staff or equipment will be used for heavy or large antiques.
Insurance and Liability: Protecting Your Valuable Items
By law, all movers must provide a basic form of coverage called Released Value Protection at no extra cost to you. This basic level of liability typically covers only $0.60 per pound per item. This means a 50-pound antique dresser would only be covered for $30 regardless of its actual value.
“Movers expect [antiques] to be packed well, clearly labeled, and disclosed in advance. That way, they can plan to bring the right equipment and prepare to take the extra time to take care of your antiques properly.”
Most moving companies also offer full-value protection, which covers replacement or repair costs. You’ll often need to pay higher premiums and deductibles, and keep in mind that these policies exclude some high-value items.
For antiques, consider third-party or specialty moving insurance. While more expensive, these options offer better coverage for your valuables than moving company policies. You can learn more in our guide to moving insurance.
If damage does happen, here’s how to file a claim:
- Note the damage on your paperwork at delivery, and take photos right away.
- Leave the packing materials and items untouched until the mover inspects them.
- File your claim in writing by the deadline stated in your contract.
- Include receipts, appraisals, and before/after photos.
- Follow up, keep records of all messages, and ask for timelines in writing.
Tips for a Smooth Antique Move
A little extra planning can make all the difference when moving antiques. These pieces often hold both sentimental and monetary value, so taking time to prepare helps prevent costly damage. Here are a few final tips to get your antiques to your new home safe and sound:
- Document everything: Take clear photos of your antiques from all angles before the move. This creates a record of their initial condition in case you need to file an insurance claim.
- Get an appraisal: For very valuable items, consider getting a professional appraisal. This is also important for insurance purposes.
- Communicate clearly: Share measurements, fragile parts, and access details with your moving crew. You can even send photos ahead so they can bring the right equipment.
- Keep small items with you: If an item is small, irreplaceable, or highly sentimental, like jewelry and small figurines, it’s often best to move it in your own car.
- Schedule your move during optimal conditions: Avoid peak summer heat or winter chill, if possible. Extreme temperatures can damage certain antique materials like wood or delicate finishes.
While antiques are precious and highly sentimental, you don’t have to dread moving them. With the right preparation, trusted movers, and a little planning, your valuables can make it to your new home safe and sound.