How to Transport Furniture: A Comprehensive Guide
Transporting furniture can be an intimidating undertaking, particularly when you consider the dimensions of the pieces and the difficulty of searching through numerous furniture delivery services. Sifting through directories and search engines to locate the ideal furniture shipping company for your needs can be time-consuming. However, there are hundreds of highly-rated furniture movers on our platform who are prepared to provide quotes for your job, frequently at rates up to 75% lower than usual. Before selecting a furniture shipping company, it's crucial to evaluate a few options for home furniture delivery services and determine the optimal method for shipping furniture based on your requirements.
The Expense of Transporting Furniture
One of the most frequent inquiries customers have is regarding the expense of transporting furniture. What should you anticipate paying for standard furniture delivery? What is the most economical way to transport furniture? The cost of furniture transport quotes is dependent on several factors, but on average, local furniture transport costs approximately $75 to $250, while long-distance furniture shipping can range anywhere from $300 to $600. Here are the most significant factors that will impact the cost of your furniture move:
- Distance - Whether you're transporting furniture to another state or across the nation, distance will have a substantial impact on the quotes to move your furniture. Local deliveries will be more affordable, while moving one piece of furniture long distance and international shipments will incur additional costs due to specialized packaging and mileage.
- Size - The dimensions of the furniture items you want to move will also affect your quotes, as larger pieces require more space or a larger vehicle. This can often be mitigated by carefully disassembling large pieces of furniture (if possible) to make them more compact.
- White-Glove Furniture Delivery - If you require extra assistance with packing your items or are stuck at the first hurdle of shipping furniture, you may need a white glove furniture delivery service. White glove furniture delivery services include help disassembling, packing, loading, and unloading, meaning that you have all the assistance you need with your move, although these levels of service generally cost more.
- Value of Item - If the piece of furniture being shipped is expensive or an antique, you may require special care when shipping. This will vary from service to service, and it is entirely possible for you to wrap the furniture carefully yourself, but it is something worth mentioning to any potential furniture mover.
- Locations of Pickup and Delivery - Deliveries from urban areas will often be cheaper, as there are lots of furniture shipping companies nearby and, generally, the furniture will be moving along standard routes. Remote pick-up areas may cost more, as they require the furniture mover to travel further to pick up and drop off the items.
- Time of Year - Ice, snow, and wind can all affect travel times and routes and so can often make deliveries more expensive. The ideal time to move furniture in order to avoid this is Summer, but depending on where you live and where the furniture needs to go, seasonality may not make much of a difference.
How Shiply Can Assist in Finding Furniture Movers
If you've evaluated your options and have chosen a furniture mover you're satisfied with, it's time to prepare your furniture for delivery. We recommend following these steps:
- Cleaning - Cleaning your furniture before pick-up will ensure that you can easily identify any pre-existing damages and know precisely what condition the item is in.
- Photographic Evidence - Following the cleaning, you should take high-quality photographs of the condition of the furniture to be shipped. This will ensure that any damages that occur during transit are easily provable, should it come down to it.
- Disassembly - If the piece of furniture being shipped can be disassembled, we highly recommend doing so. This will reduce the risk of damage and also potentially the price of the delivery, as the size of the item is often reduced.
- Packaging - If the furniture is valuable, an antique, or you're just concerned about damage, it is recommended that you package it with bubble wrap or something similar. You should discuss with your furniture shipping company whether you're doing this or whether they will provide protective material upon arrival.
Preparing for Your Furniture to be Transported
Once you've selected a furniture mover, it's essential to prepare your furniture for delivery. Here are some steps to follow:
- Cleaning - Clean your furniture before pick-up to easily identify any pre-existing damages and know the precise condition of the item.
- Photographic Evidence - After cleaning, take high-quality photos of the furniture's condition. This will ensure that any damages that occur during transit are easily provable.
- Disassembly - If possible, disassemble the furniture being shipped. This reduces the risk of damage and potentially the delivery price, as the item's size is often reduced.
- Packaging - If the furniture is valuable, an antique, or you're concerned about damage, package it with bubble wrap or something similar. Discuss with your furniture shipping company whether you're doing this or if they will provide protective material upon arrival.
What to Do After Delivery
Once your furniture has been successfully delivered to its destination, the first thing you want to do is check its condition. You can use the photos you took prior to pick up to compare the condition and look for any damages that may have occurred during shipping. If you find any damages, raise these with the furniture movers. We also ask that you leave a review and feedback on our platform for your chosen furniture shipping company. This not only allows the company to improve its services in the future but also means that future users of Shiply can browse services with the same level of confidence as you.
Furniture Shipping Gateway: Moving Furniture to and from Gateway, Alaska
Gateway, Alaska is a popular destination for people moving furniture to and from the state. Many people choose to ship their furniture through Gateway due to its convenient location and access to major shipping routes. When shipping furniture to or from Gateway, it's important to choose a reliable furniture shipping company that has experience navigating the unique challenges of shipping to and from Alaska. This includes dealing with harsh weather conditions, remote locations, and limited transportation options. By working with a reputable furniture shipping gateway, you can ensure that your furniture arrives safely and on time, whether you're moving to Alaska or relocating to another state.