6 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Fine Art

Moving ordinary household items doesn’t require too much though as you can usually use regular moving boxes and standard packing materials to move them. However, if you have to move fine art, it’s a whole different story. If you have art pieces in your home, then you certainly understand the value of each artwork. Naturally, you want your art to arrive at your new house safely. Moving fine art is a delicate process. So, you have to plan ahead and execute it correctly. Art pieces require proper packing techniques, specialty materials, and utmost care to be moved and installed in the best shape. If you’re planning to move art and you’re not quite sure how to do it, we’ve got you. So, whether you’re moving vases, sculptures, paintings, or other art, this text will help you avoid the top 6 mistakes when moving fine art.

Using cheap packing materials

The first mistake to avoid when moving fine art is getting cheap quality materials. Don’t expect to get good results with poor quality packaging. That will only lead to damaged art. Of course, hiring specialized fine art movers is always the best way to move your art collection. They have the best equipment and experience to transport your pieces safely. They’ll be aware of all the best practices for packing, transportation, dismounting, and installing your art. They can even help you with finding the perfect place for placing art in your new home considering the interior design of your space.

They can even arrange for a police escort or get special permission for blocking the street if they’re installing an extremely valuable art piece for you. While it’s super convenient to hire fine art movers, you may prefer to DIY for any reason. If that’s the case, never try to cheapen out on the materials. First, figure out what’s the shape of your art. That will help you understand what kind of box you need. Only opt for boxes or crates designed specifically for moving art – you won’t regret it.

Next, use packing tips from professional movers to learn how to pack your art properly. Following packing techniques is extremely important for safe moving. Depending on what type of art you’re moving, you’ll also need a lot of padding. So, consider getting some packing paper, bubble wrap, moving blankets, packing peanuts, etc. Keep in mind that you should get a special kind of packing paper. Paper that protects your art from humidity or sun damage.

Not planning

Many people try to move art without previous planning, That’s definitely one of the top mistakes to avoid when moving fine art. You’ll have to plan and organize for safe relocation. For example, if you wait last minute to find a reliable fine art mover in your area, you’ll likely be left with only a few movers and that can mean either poor service or spend too much on moving services. By planning ahead, you’ll find better rates and more options to choose from.

Missing paperwork

The next mistake you should avoid is not having the proper documentation for moving your art. You must have your contact, insurance, and any other documents when relocating art from one place to another. Missing paperwork can lead to delays or a number of issues, so make sure you’ve got it all sorted out and ready on moving day.

Neglecting your art before moving

Another common mistake when moving fine art actually relates to a time before moving. What do we mean by that? Well, if you’re not taking care of your artwork pieces on regular basis, you can’t expect much from moving it. The reason for that is because if your piece is in a bad shape, it’ll be difficult to have it transported safely. We’re not saying it’s impossible but it will take you much more time and effort to execute the move. So, take care of your artwork before you move it if you want to have it arrive in one peace to your new home.

Using unsuitable boxes

The next mistake you can easily avoid is not getting suitable boxes for moving your art. Whether it’s a painting, a vase, or a sculpture, your valuables need to have suitable boxes and crates for safe transportation. You can’t use regular cardboard moving boxes for moving art. It’s not what they’re good for and they won’t perform. If you try to use inadequate boxes, you’ll quickly regret it. You better use proper wooden or plastic crates designed to keep your art safe in transit.

Loading art first

Since art is probably the most valuable part of your household, you may want to pack it first and make sure it’s loaded and ready to go. However, loading art pieces first is one of the mistakes to avoid. If you pack art before everything else, it can easily get covered with other moving boxes or household items. If this happens, you’re instantly risking crushing or damaging your valuable art. Preventing this is completely simple – just load the heaviest items on the bottom, followed by lighter ones on top, and then pack your art last, after everything else is ready to go.

Hopefully, our list will help you know what mistakes to avoid when moving fine art. Follow this simple guide and move your precious pieces without issues. While there are other mistakes a person can make when moving art, the ones we’ve listed above are the most common ones. If you’re still not sure why do you need fine art movers, or should you move it yourself, reach out to NYC art movers and ask for advice. Talking to experts can help you decide. But, as an avid art collector, you certainly understand the value of each art piece, so why not hire movers that share your passion and understand how important it is to have your art transported safely?