What makes a grandfather clock, rusty kitchenware, and a royal chair similar? Despite their connection to the good old days, they are brittle and flimsy as heck. One wrong movement or even a slight accidental bump has all the potential to transform a piece of art into a pile of wood or metal. Antique transportation has always been a herculean task for owners of valuables, and yet there are always Hercules who are ready to accept the challenge. If you want to handle the task by yourself, you should be aware of the seven deadly sins that might kill your transportation process.
The Seven Deadly Sins of Antique Transportation
1. Lump every antique item together
Unfortunately, there is no universal way to pack and deliver antiquities because they are not the same. Requirements, as well as risks, are different for various objects, so it is a huge mistake to see them as one general category.
2. Not paying attention to the transportation conditions
Sure, packing is king, but don’t forget about the conditions inside the truck where your belongings will be transported. Humidity is the number one killer of wood – that is why you should choose a climate-controlled van.
3. Picking the wrong storage system
In case antique transportation includes a stop in the storage facility, make sure to find out all the particulars about the storage units. The best way to do this is to contact the storage company or shipping firm in advance.
4. Using the low-quality packing materials
Even the highest quality materials cannot protect your antiques from a car crash. However, there are quite a few ways they can benefit you. At the end of the day, it is a protection against any accidental damage that an object can take in and outside your house.
5. Not using crates when you should
Crates are like magic boxes: you can hide there everything you want, and it won’t get damaged until the very moment you open the crate. If you deal with highly fragile and bulky old stuff, you better go for custom-built shipping crates.
6. Not insuring a shipment
Insurance is what brings peace to your mind and makes the loss less unpleasant. It won’t take much of your time, so why risk your whole antique transportation experience?
7. Being on your own
Every shipping process is a time- and energy-consuming activity. If you don’t want it to be too stressful for you, ask friends for help or, even better, opt for professional antique moving services.
To stay away from sins, consider Fine Art Shippers’ professional antique transportation services. We will be able to pack your fragile items and deliver them from/to Olympus and back!