You’ve finally managed the deposit on your brand-new property and are ready to make the long-distance voyage, luggage in tow. However, shipping your favorite furniture cross-state or internationally is often a gamble, and without careful planning, it could guarantee disaster.
If you’re unwilling to succumb to a garage sale or donation drive, with a little luck and thorough planning, transporting your furniture long-distance can run just as smoothly as moving into a home down the road.
How you decide to move your furniture will dictate whether or not they arrive intact. Before seeking a pack and ship company to partner up with, consider:
Then, narrow your choices to the following.
Homeowners love a one-and-done deal—but they don’t come without their risks. If you’re planning to dispatch larger pieces of furniture such as a three or four-door wardrobe or grand piano, traditional moving companies will be better equipped to do so.
However, their services can become costly and even account for 20% of damage and loss claims. Your items are at risk of being loaded and unloaded several times throughout the excursion or even lodge with several other people’s belongings.
If you’re considering traditional shipping methods, don’t overlook insurance—you’ll thank yourself for it later.
When partnering up with a freight-shipping service, you’ll have to choose between two primary options:
Both options may impact your cost, level of security, and shipping time, so explore both air and ground freight. Never settle for the most affordable option—it may cost you more in the long run.
Portable moving or storage containers are an excellent, all-in-one move-and-store solution. Suppose you’re working alongside a more flexible timeline. In that case, you can park your container at a secure facility or even in your driveway, allowing you to load and unload items as necessary.
Because homeowners are responsible for loading and unloading items, they have greater control over how they package their fragile items. Compared to traditional moving services, those who elect to move furniture with a portable storage container experience damage and claims at under 2%.
The container size you select will depend on how many items you’re shipping. If you’re moving a limited selection, a PODS 7-foot container will typically suffice. For additional assistance, you can hire a professional packer and loader along with your container.
If you are a self-proclaimed handyman, you may opt to DIY your furniture packing with years-earned skills. Remember, you’re moving your furniture long-distance, so give it a thought before you decide to forego the help of a professional.
If you’re confident in your ability to secure your items, keep the following tips in mind.
Approach packing furniture the way you would play a game of Tetris. You want to maximize square footage and allow room for movement without scraping. Still, you want to make sure you keep your items as compact as possible by packing your container densely.
Items that you’d consider large are couches, tables, bookcases, wardrobes, and the like. Distribute weight evenly and make generous use of blankets and plastic wrap. Here are a few additional pointers for packing these specific items.
Smaller furniture helps secure larger pieces on-the-move.
In case you’ve somehow forgotten, you’re moving in with the rest of your furniture. If you’re moving cross-country or internationally, ensure that your favorite pieces will fit to begin with.
Measure your furniture against your new blueprint and prioritize must-have items. If you’re having trouble parting with sentimental furniture, consider donating them to a neighbor or family member.
Visualize how specific items will interact with your new space and take into account what additional furniture you plan to purchase. Remember, in some cases, less is more.
A long-distance move is no easy feat. Before you begin scrambling for a pick-up and ship service, familiarize yourself with the new property and strategically plan your layout. Upon packing day, tie everything down and ensure that they are secure enough for travel.
For domestic and international movers you can always count on, contact our specialists at 1 Stop Pack N Ship. We prioritize safe transportation and provide real-time updates with live tracking.
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