5 Steps for Packing Antiques Safely

When it comes to moving, you need to pack all of your belongings carefully to prepare them for their journey. This is especially true when you are dealing with antiques. Whether they have monetary value or sentimental value, you should make sure they are packed properly before you hand them off to your local movers. As a moving company serving Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County, Merit Moving Systems has plenty of experience with packing antiques, so we wanted to share these helpful tips to help you prepare for your move.

1.  Get an Appraisal

First and foremost, you need to have any of your valuables appraised if you think they have monetary value. This step is less important for items with sentimental value as you can’t put a number on that for insurance purposes. You can find an appraiser by contacting your insurance agent, an attorney, or a bank official to receive an official appraisal. You should also take this time to video and photograph your items as evidence of their condition prior to moving.

2.  Wrap Items

Most antiques usually are not shaped for packing. They often have pieces and parts that can break off if you don’t take the time wrap them to properly. We recommend starting out with bubble wrap and then covering it in packing paper for extra protection. Next, we usually advise our customers to wrap their smaller antiques in brightly colored tissue so that they don’t get lost in the box.

3.  Pack with Like Items

After you finish wrapping all of your valuables, you should separate your items based on the material, shape, and size. By grouping your antiques with like items, you can pack them more easily and help keep track of everything. After you finish separating your fragile items from the rest of your belongings, you should crumple paper to fill it on the gaps. This will keep your items from shifting and breaking during the move.

4.  Secure and Label Box

Once you have everything in the box, you need to make sure that you secure it tightly with packing tape. You don’t want to forget this step unless you want to chance spilling all of the items you painstakingly wrapped. Lastly, you need to label the box as fragile. While this might seem obvious, it is important to communicate to your movers so that they can handle and pack the boxes with care.

5.  Review Moving Protection Plan

Before you let the movers come in and start handling your antiques, you need to review the moving protection plan that accompanies their services. If you are concerned with the safety of items valued over $100 per pound, you should ask your movers what steps you need to take to ensure that they are covered.

To learn more about the services that our Southern California home movers have to offer, contact Merit Moving Systems today. You can give us a call to speak with one of our knowledgeable representatives, or you can fill out our online form to request a free, no-obligation quote for your move.