Taking the hassles out of shipping furniture, Online heavy items moving advice

Taking the Hassles Out of Shipping Furniture

4 June 2024

Some things simply aren’t going to fit in a box even when disassembled. Furniture is a great example. From four-poster bed frames to couches, recliners, and kitchen tables, getting your furniture from your old place to your new home can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive.

To help make your move a little easier and maybe even hassle-free, we’ll take a look at the best practices for shipping furniture long distance.

Best Practices for Shipping Furniture

Unfortunately, you’re probably right if you’ve resigned yourself to hefty shipping costs. Shipping heavy items like furniture isn’t cheap seeing as most shipping services charge by distance, package weight, and size.

However, following a few simple tips can prevent shipping costs from getting completely out of hand. Best of all, your furniture will arrive in the same condition you left it in.

Grab a Camera

Before you start packing your furniture take a few pictures. You want to take pics of all sides, including the bottom if possible.

Don’t worry if you can’t lift or crawl underneath the furniture, just take pictures of what you can easily see. These are your before photos, you’re going to repeat the process after the furniture is delivered.

Why are you taking snapshots of your furniture? This helps provide proof if your furniture is damaged during shipping. Yes, you can insure your furniture before shipping but if damage occurs the insurance provider is going to request proof before issuing a check.

Weigh and Measure the Furniture

Okay, some pieces of furniture aren’t going to fit on your bathroom scale. Don’t worry about weighing the items. The shipping service will handle this, especially since weight is a factor in the total costs.

What you can do is grab measuring tape. You can also use a yardstick but tape is a little more flexible. Write down the width, height, and length of each piece. This way you know which size box or crate you’re going to need.

Since shippers often partially base charges on package size, there’s no reason to pay for a box that’s too large. Using the wrong size crate or box can also increase the chances of your furniture getting a little dinged during shipping.

Start Disassembling What You Can

Some types of furniture can’t be disassembled. You know the ones that are a solid, single piece. For these pieces, stick with your measurements so you know if they can fit in a crate or if you need to start wrapping.

The pieces that can be disassembled, grab a screwdriver, some baggies, masking tape, and a marker. You may also need a wrench. or some other tools, depending on what’s holding the furniture together.

Remove all of the nuts, bolts, and screws from each piece of furniture. Stick with one piece at a time. This way, you’re less likely to mix the screws for your kitchen table up with the ones holding the chairs together.

Place the hardware in a baggie and make sure it’s tightly sealed. The last thing you want is for the baggie to open during shipping. The chances of you finding every loose screw and bolt are definitely not in your favor.

Place a piece of masking tape over each baggie and use the marker to label which piece of furniture the hardware goes to. This will make it a lot easier to reassemble everything once it arrives.

Wrap What Doesn’t Fit in a Crate

Sometimes, even disassembling a piece of furniture doesn’t mean it’s going to fit inside a crate. Some examples can include pianos and sleeper sofas. You can always go with a custom-built crate but this can be expensive. A more affordable option is to wrap everything that doesn’t fit in a box.

You’re going to need some blankets and rope. If you have old blankets and comforters lying around, grab those. You can also purchase packing blankets at most shipping services. Don’t worry, packing supplies, including blankets, are surprisingly affordable.

You may be able to further reduce costs by renting the moving blankets. When your furniture arrives, simply remove the blankets and return them to the shipper.

Box Your Furniture

For the heavier pieces, you’re probably going to need some assistance from the shipping service. You can save a little on shipping costs when you handle boxing and crating your furniture, but this isn’t always possible.

If you can haul the furniture to the shipping service, go ahead and load it up. This way you’re not paying pickup fees.

Boxing up furniture is relatively easy, the hard part is lifting the pieces into the box or crate. Once the piece is inside the box, grab some old bedding or packing blankets. You want to stuff the material in any empty spaces inside the box, as this helps prevent the items from shifting during shipping and getting damaged.

Something to remember is your insurance may not cover any damage that occurs from your packing mistakes so make sure everything is covered and unable to shift around.

Pick a Shipping Service

Finding a shipping service isn’t difficult. A quick Google search will bring up a list of shipping companies in your area. Staying local is usually best in this kind of scenario.

If you’re dropping off the boxed furniture, you have less distance to travel. This also applies if you’re having everything picked up by the shipping service. Some charge by mile and there’s no reason to pay extra if there’s a shipping service right down the street.

Before you decide on a shipping service, do a little research. Read through the consumer reviews since this is a great way to get an idea of the shipping company’s level of service. Don’t forget to compare prices, these can vary by company. You also want to ensure the shipper has an open line of communication and allows customers to track their shipments.

Shipping Furniture Doesn’t Have to Be a Hassle

Shipping furniture long distances can seem overwhelming, but you can make it a relatively hassle-free experience. Research the shipping services in your area and handle what you can. The more you do to get your furniture ready for shipping, the less expensive it usually is.

To prevent damage during transit, it’s important for you to pack and protect your furniture properly. This careful preparation will contribute to a smooth and cost-effective shipping process for your furniture, ensuring a hassle-free moving experience.

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