Moving antiques safely to a new location is a unique responsibility. It requires a level of care and precision that standard household or commercial items simply do not demand, and one small oversight can lead to irreversible damage that could devalue a piece that has survived for centuries.
As a professional, family-run removal company with over 20 years of experience, we understand that this job involves moving irreplaceable assets with deep sentimental, historical, and financial value. To help, we created this seven-minute guide to highlight the common pitfalls of moving antiques, why the work is best left to professionals, and how you can work with Three Counties Moves to ensure that your items arrive at their new location in pristine condition.
What Makes Moving Antiques Different
Moving antiques requires a specialist’s hand as they are often fragile and environmentally sensitive. In the case of antique furniture, for example, they are often constructed using traditional joinery, organic glues, and delicate finishes that react poorly to stress, vibrations, and temperature shifts. This is why a “one-size-fits-all” solution often fails when these items are involved.
General Risks of Moving Antiques Yourself
Attempting to move high-value items without professional assistance often leads to very preventable accidents. The risks of going DIY include:
- Structural Failure: Antique furniture joints can become brittle over time, which means lifting a piece incorrectly can cause the item to crumble under its own weight
- Improper Handling: Most people going DIY aren’t properly trained to handle antique items, which almost always leads to other unintended, irreversible damage
- Lack of Insurance: Most standard home insurance policies do not cover high-value items; you will suffer a loss if you are moving your own items or will be liable for damages if you are moving them for someone else
How Specialists Work with Antiques
Professional removal companies follow a strict set of protocols to ensure proper handling of your high-value items, treating them with the care they deserve, as if they belong in a museum.
The service generally involves:
- Bespoke Packing Materials: The materials used for packing will be tailored to the specific item; companies could use acid-free tissue paper, breathable covers, and non-abrasive wraps as needed to protect your items
- Bespoke Support: Professional removal companies can also offer bespoke wooden crates and other types of support to ensure the safety of fragile, high-value items such as marble statues or large oil paintings
- Technical Expertise: Professional firms have dedicated teams trained specifically to handle high-value items and antiques
- Specialised Equipment: If needed, professional firms can offer the use of vehicles which can maintain the item’s preferred temperature while making them all the more resistant to vibrations and other stresses while in transit
- Secure Storage Locations: In the event that it takes more than a day to transfer a specific item to its new location, a professional removal company will have access to secure storage facilities to keep your items safe
The Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Antiques
Moving antiques requires you to understand their history, the material itself, and the process by which you can safely move them from one location to another.
Try to avoid making the common errors below to protect your investment or prized possession.
No. 1: Using Standard Packing Materials
There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution when you’re moving antiques, so choose the option that best fits the item you’re working with. Choosing the wrong one, for example, a standard bubble wrap to protect a wooden piece, may “cloud” its finish or cause it to warp.
Suggested read: How to Pack Fragile Items (Glass, China, Artwork) Like a Pro
No. 2: Not Documenting the Antique’s Current State
Ensure that you document the item’s current state before moving it; take as many photos as needed. Without proper, high-resolution photos or at least a written description of its existing marks, it will be impossible to verify if your item has been damaged if an incident occurs.
No. 3: Lifting by its Weakest Points
When moving antiques—in this case, an antique chair or other types of furniture—never lift them by the handle or arms. These parts are often attached with delicate joinery that has weakened over time. So when working with old furniture, always try to lift it by its strongest point.
No. 4: Forgetting to Secure Moving Parts
Ensure that drawers, doors, or lids are secured properly when moving antique items. It is also important to use the right material to secure them; try to use specialised tapes that will not leave a mark or a chemical residue, unlike your usual adhesive tapes.
No. 5: Using Bare Hands
Natural oils and sweat can permanently stain metallic finishes and delicate inlays. Consider using white cotton gloves to put a barrier between your skin and the antique’s surface.
No. 6: Moving Items Without Removing Shelves or Glass
Do not leave inner components such as glass shelves, marble tops, or heavy loose drawers inside your antique furniture; they should also be packed separately. Leaving them inside leaves them vulnerable to internal shifts and stress, which could damage them and the main frame of the piece from within.
No. 7: Transporting Items in the Wrong Orientation
Another common mistake when moving antiques is assuming that furniture or artwork should be transported in its “natural” upright position. For instance, antique mirrors and marble tops should never be laid flat, as this puts them at risk from the vibrations of the road, which can cause them to crack or, worse, break under their own weight while in transit.
No. 8: Relying on Basic Home Insurance
When moving antiques, ensure that your insurance provider has you covered. Most standard home insurance policies often exclude items in transit, so before you move antiques, we recommend checking in with your provider first.
No. 9: Choosing a Mover Based Only on Price
Not all removal companies are created equal. Choosing the “cheaper” option might mean working with a team that does not truly understand what it means to move a high-value, antique piece. When looking for a professional removal company to handle this task, always verify if they have sufficient experience for the job.
Suggested read: The Ultimate Pre-Move Checklist: How to Stay Organised and Stress-Free
No. 10: Disregarding “Bespoke Crating” for High-Value Items
There are items that cannot be safely transferred with “one-size-fits-all” solutions. A common, costly mistake when moving antiques is disregarding bespoke wooden crates or supports, which is the only way to guarantee zero movement for high-risk, fragile assets such as chandeliers, large custom mirrors, paintings, and more.
Why Work with Three Counties Moves
With over two decades of experience serving numerous clients across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire, working with Three Counties Moves will guarantee you a partner that you can trust to have your antiques transported efficiently and safely to its new location.
- A Versatile, Modern Fleet: We manage a diverse range of vehicles from vans, to lorries, and articulated trucks
- Legal Compliance: We operate strictly under Road Haulage Association (RHA) conditions as its proud members
- Fully Insured: We’ll protect you, your items, and our staff every step of the journey
- Real-Time Tracking: We can provide real-time tracking updates upon request
- Expertise: We have a dedicated team of professionals focused on safety and timely delivery of your antiques
- Transparent and Reliable Service: We provide clear pricing with no hidden fees
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do removal companies pack antiques?
Most removal companies can pack antiques, especially those with a comprehensive packing service. We suggest confirming with your chosen removal company if they can handle this type of work.
How are antique paintings transported safely?
Antique paintings are transported vertically; this prevents the canvas from sagging or the frame buckling under its own weight. High-value or historical paintings can also be placed in custom-built boxes for further protection.
Is my standard home insurance enough when moving antiques?
Usually, no. If you need to ensure that each of your items is protected, we recommend getting a professional removal company involved.
Can you move large antique musical instruments like grand pianos?
Yes, our team of specialists is trained to move upright pianos, baby grand, and grand concert pianos. Please give us a heads-up so we can act accordingly.
Can antique furniture be dismantled safely?
It depends on the item’s age, current state, and material. An antique should only be dismantled partially if possible, since dismantling it fully may weaken its structural integrity when reassembled. Damaged or older pieces, especially if they’re extremely valuable, are often transported using bespoke crates.
How far in advance should I book a specialist antique move?
Moving antiques may require bespoke crates or specialised vehicles. We recommend booking at least 4 to 6 weeks in advance; this will allow us enough time to conduct a thorough survey and prepare the necessary equipment and team for your collection.
Reliable Antique Removals with Three Counties Moves
Moving antiques requires a team that understands the pieces’ value while being skilful enough to properly handle the items and ensure they are transferred safely to their new location. With enough knowledge, practice, and training, it is possible to transfer these items yourself, but it is often best left to professionals.
If you need our help, just give us a call and we will be there. Backed by decades of expertise and a versatile, well-maintained fleet, Three Counties Moves provides effective, streamlined removals that involve moving antiques and other high-value items. You can trust us to handle them with the utmost care they deserve.
Click here to learn more about our removal services. For more information, you can also reach us directly through our contact page, email us through info@threecountiesmoves.co.uk, or call 0800 699 0001.
