Furniture shipping across the country is becoming more common in our mobile environment. Moving stuff great distances is more prevalent than ever, whether you’re moving for a new job, transferring a valued item to a family member, or selling furniture online. The rise of remote work, internet markets, and family relocation have necessitated safe techniques for shipping large and expensive items.
Shipping furniture is harder than mailing a package. Long-distance moves provide numerous distinct shipping issues:
• Safeguarding furniture during shipping against scratches, dents, and other damage.
• Coordinate collection and delivery times with carriers, often across various time zones.
• Managing variable expenses due to distance, size, and shipping methods.
• Communicated with carriers and handled insurance and documents.
This step-by-step guide helps first-time and experienced furniture shippers navigate the waters of furniture shipping with speed and confidence. Follow these methods to protect your investment, reduce stress, and ensure your furniture arrives safely at her new home.
Step 1: Plan and Get Quotes
The first step in the successful shipment of any furniture is the proper planning and preparation before any rates are established. Spending the time necessary to gather pertinent information about the items that you have for shipment, as well as what your shipment needs might be, will save you time, money, and headaches later on.
Measure each item
• With a tape measure, obtain the length, width and height of the items
• If possible, weigh the items or get an approximate weight by referring to the manufacturer specifications for the items, or anything similar that you can find
• Accurate measurements make for more accurate quoting from Transporters and assists in planning for loading
Take photographs
• Take clear, high definition photos of each item at various angles
• Focus on existing scratches, dings or markings
• Keep a complete list showing the condition of the items
Gathering Information for quotations
• Address for pickup and delivery including any special circumstances (stairs, lifts, access, gated community)
• List preferred pickup and delivery dates but try to be relatively flexible with same for better quoting
Use uShip for quotations
• Use freight sources like uShip to post all particulars regarding your shipment
• Receive multiple quotes from verified, reviewed carriers
• Compare rates, services being offered, insurance coverage and references provided by prior customers to make your decision
Ask questions
• Know clearly what the inclusions are in each quote (packing, loading, insurance, delivery to room as required)
• Ask about cancellation policies, payment terms and contact with carrier during transit.
Taking advantage of the above suggestions will result in YOU receiving reasonably priced, competitive quotes and a preparedness for a successful shipping operation.
Step 2: Select the Best Method of Transportation
Now that you have evaluated your particular shipping situation, you need to choose the best way to ship your furniture to fit your needs of low cost, fast shipping, and safety of your furniture. The right method for you will depend on the size and value of your freight and your time constraints regarding delivery.
Open vs. enclosed shipping
Open truck shipments give you cheaper rates, but your furniture is subject to the elements and road debris and dirt. Enclosed truck shipments are best especially for antiques, heirlooms, and high values, since they give you total protection from the elements.
LTL vs. FTL shipping
LTL, or less-than-truckload, shipments are less expensive since you share space with other shipments on the truck, meaning the freight cost is lower when sending a small number of articles. FTL, or full truckload shipment, is more desirable when making a big move or sending many pieces since you have full exclusive use of the truck and rapid delivery times.
White glove services
Some carriers also offer “White glove” service which includes packing, loading, unloading, and placing in your home. This service is particularly good for delicate items and heavy weight articles or when needing assistance in setting up your articles.
Seasons to consider
Keep peak moving periods of spring and summer in mind since during these periods, shipping rates are sometimes increased and availability is limited. Booking during off peak periods or being flexible in your dates can help to secure lower rates.
Review insurance coverage
Review the carrier’s insurance coverage and be sure to purchase additional coverage if you are shipping valuable items. It also is advisable to check on and understand the claims procedure in case of damage or loss of your articles.
Step 3: Get Your Furniture Ready
Good preparation will safeguard the goods and make it easier for them to be moved. The time spent in packing the goods safely away will give peace of mind.
Disassemble the furniture
Take to pieces as many items of furniture as possible, unscrewing the legs, taking off the shelves, drawers or fastenings whereby chances of damage occurring is lessened. Put screws, bolts and small fittings in a bag or bags tied to the main part, and mark the bag, so that there can be no mistake in replacing them. Take care to wrap all surfaces of the goods so that there will be no scratching.
Use the mechanical wool, bubble wrapping or shrink wrapping. For glass or mirrors use the cardboard or some foam-rubber padding as a safeguard. After packing tape the wrappings into position, but do not put tape on the varnished surfaces of the furniture.
Label the pieces properly.
Mark all pieces and their fastenings to enable the erection of the furniture on arrival. Note on packing sheet what boxes hold the fragile goods to be treated with care (i.e. china, glass, etc.) marked “L”, or other “Fragile” marking to show which is the way “up.”
Take care to remove all drawers, cupboards, shelves, etc., of their personal effects. Take away all the loose covers, cushions or ornaments, so that they are not lost or damaged. In the case of upholstered furniture, see that it is covered from moisture or stains with plastic covering. For antiques or very high-priced pieces, hiring a professional packer or custom brown wrapping is advisable for crating or additional protection.
Step 4: Pickup and Transport
The pickup and transport phase is exactly the point where the foresight and communication you have exercised pays dividends. Being present and proactive ensures that once your furniture is turned over, it will be taken well care of.
Schedule the date, time, and place for the pickup.
Give them clear-cut directions of access, parking, and any additional information required. Be on time to meet them at the planned time so that you are available to answer questions or supervise loading. Go through each item with the carrier, making a note of any previous damage on the bill of lading to be issued. Supervise the loading of the truck, if possible, to ensure that experience is being used as to loading techniques. No piece of furniture should be dragged up into the car, but carefully lifted. Also, be sure the proper means to load (moving straps, dollies, and pads) is provided.
• Check with the carrier to confirm pickup date, time, and location.
• Help answer any questions the pickup carrier may have and supervise the handling of your goods.
• Go over each piece with the carrier before loading and note any previous damage.
• Be sure all proper methods of handling as to avoiding scratches or dents are employed.
• Be sure your communication is good with the transporter as to knowing exactly what is going on during transit.
Swap telephone numbers with the driver or dispatcher to furnish updates while in transit. If your carrier provides for GPS tracking, do this for your shipment while it is en route. The LTL shipments cover several deliveries, and will naturally take a longer period of time, while the FTL shipments usually speed to delivery. Weather conditions, congested traffic, and changes in routes will affect delivery time, so plan to allow for a margin of time in your delivery.
Step 5: Receipt and Inspection
Final step is receiving your furniture and inspecting it. Checking furniture delivery properly protects your interests and ensures shipment success.
On receipt, compare each item to the condition photos and notes you made before sending. Check any shipment damage like scratches, dents, and missing pieces. Photograph any damage or discrepancies immediately. Check all items on the delivery receipt or bill of lading before signing. Never sign shipping documentation before checking item condition. Signing is acceptance, so inspect well.
• Check each item against shipment photos and condition comments made before shipping.
• Check each item’s condition before signing shipping documentation.
• Photograph any damage or discrepancies and report them to the shipper immediately.
• Keep paper and communication records for reference.
Report any difficulties to the shipping company and register a claim immediately. Include photos, records, and damage details in your description. Keep shipment documents, photos, communications, etc. for future reference.
Conclusion
Shipping furniture across the country might seem hard, but it’s not if you follow the right steps. By planning your material shipment and getting it ready for the right shipping partner, you can protect your investments and get the right service without having to worry about the shipping method, the items you shipped, or problems that may come up in the future.
You can move furniture anywhere with established services like uShip. To do this, the shipper must work with a top transportation company that has rules. Find out what the fees are, what the terms are, and what is included. The price may not be important, but the shipper should always feel like the transportation quote is useful. This will be the best way to ship, deliver, and get your package without any problems.
