Moving can be a real pain. Even though you’re probably pretty excited about being in a new environment, it takes more work than you might imagine to get all your stuff from point A to B. But don’t despair. If you’ve got large furniture that you need shipped across the country, these tips will help make the journey smoother. You’ll be kicking back in your favorite easy chair before you know it.
How to Ship Furniture Yourself
Secure Loose Parts
Just like you packed all of your jewelry in a secure container (hopefully!), you’ll want to ensure that the “loose” parts of your furniture don’t move around. If you’re shipping a dresser or desk, either tape the drawers shut or remove them entirely. This will prevent them from slipping out or even breaking during the move, suggests Navis.
Utilize Padding
If you’ve got a few precious family heirlooms or surfaces you don’t want to see scratched or dented (hello glass-top desk), be sure to pad those pieces well. Try bubble packaging or maybe even bed sheets to help prevent your favorite pieces of furniture from being damaged. Likewise, if you’re shipping smaller fragile items—like a porcelain light fixture—be sure to wrap that in something soft, like say clothing, to prevent it from getting damaged. The more padding the better!
Break Down Your Furniture
No, don’t take a sledgehammer to your furniture—although it may help alleviate the stress moving causes. If you have pieces that were assembled in parts (think most IKEA furniture), it may help to de-assemble it and then put it back together when you reach your final destination. Sure, it’s more work to do it that way. But there’s also a lesser chance it will break or get damaged. Would you rather re-build it or re-buy it? Also, it's a more efficient use of space that way so you can fit more items into a smaller cargo area.
How to Safely Ship Furniture
Navis Crate Option
DIYing is a popular option for moving, especially for families and individuals who are trying to make the move as inexpensive as possible. However, there is an inherent risk with trying to move furniture on your own. You have to consider the length of the move (how long the furniture pieces will be in transit), the method of the move (truck, train, air), and who is going to be handling the furniture (you, who understands the value of your items, or hired helpers who do not). Too often, furniture arrives at its destination damaged or scuffed because of carelessness during the move, even despite careful attention to packing (or assuming a piece of furniture is more sturdy than it really was).
For your precious valuables, or for any furniture items that you do not want to risk getting damaged, consider using Navis’ crating option. We create custom wooden crates for each item to ship everything from furniture that literally weighs tons to fragile artistic pieces. This is great choice if you’ve got important items that must get there in one piece. Navis will ensure this happens! Plus, you don't have to lift a finger with this option, which can be incredibly attractive after all that packing.
Shipping Options
Now that you’re all packed up, you’ve got to ship your furniture to where you need to be. Transporting your smaller items won’t be as bad since you can just place them in your own car. But larger pieces of furniture and items you can't break down or consolidate into a smaller space, you’ll at least need a truck. You can rent a moving truck if you don’t mind driving it (don't forget insurance!). But if you’ve got it in your budget, hiring a moving service can be 100% worth it. Navis Pack & Ship offers a variety of options for small moves and senior moves. We provide a less-than a truckload option to help save you money or a full truckload for your larger shipments. Another great option is to have your furniture and other large items crated and shipped via air freight if you’re moving internationally or across the country, and then fly or drive your car our with a few boxes of personal items.
Contact Navis Pack & Ship today to get a free quote on all your shipping needs. Navis takes the stress out of moving furniture and will ensure all your furniture arrives intact.
By Steve Goble, VP of Marketing Communications for Navis Pack & Ship. When he's not spilling packing and shipping secrets, he's spending time with his family at a San Diego Padres or Chargers game. Connect with Steve on Google+ and LinkedIn.
