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Moving antiques can be filled with trepidation, especially when you have valuable belongings that are family heirlooms or one-of-a-kind pieces that cannot be replaced. There’s no doubt that accidents are bound to happen when moving from one location to another. While there’s a chance that everything will arrive in the same condition, there’s also the likelihood that something will get broken or go missing. Below are five steps that you should take to ensure your antiques are protected during a move.

1. Creating An Inventory List

One of the first things you’ll want to do if you have a lot of valuables, especially antiques, is creating an inventory list so that you can have a good understanding of what you have and the condition they are in before the move. In fact, you can use this list to assign a dollar value for insurance purposes. This will also help to ensure you know what you have just in case something goes missing.

2. Obtaining An Appraisal

If you are unable to easily obtain the dollar amount of an antique from an online search, you should consider getting an appraisal. You will need this information if the movers damage your belongings. Quite frankly, there are many different reasons why having an appraisal is beneficial. You might end up finding out that something you own is more valuable than previously understood. It’s a great way to manage your assets.

3. Cleaning Your Antiques

You probably won’t be surprised to know that wrapping your items is one of the most important steps that you can take when moving. Before you wrap them, you should clean each item thoroughly using a soft cloth. Usually, a microfiber cloth along with a chemical-free product is recommended for removing dust and other particles.

4. Cushioning Your Antiques

Once the item is cleaned, you’ll need to wrap it with packing materials that are sufficiently cushioned. If you have a small antique, it should be fully contained in packing materials and placed in a small box. If you have a large antique that cannot be placed in a box, you can use furniture pads or blankets to wrap the item thoroughly. Regardless of the size, it’s important to add more than a sufficient amount of cushioning for extra assurance that your items are not damaged.

5. Labeling Boxes as "Fragile"

After packing or covering your antiques, you will need to make sure they are clearly marked as fragile so that movers understand the importance of handling them with care. During a move, there’s a tendency to focus more on getting the job done than on being careful. By marking the boxes or covered furniture as fragile, you minimize the possibility of damage.

It’s important to keep in mind that preventing damage is a lot easier than dealing with damage after it has occurred. Whether it’s choosing the best possible packing materials or making sure your labels are clearly visible, you’ll be glad you did once your belongings arrive in great condition.