Top 6 Mistakes to Avoid When Shipping Furniture
- Jenny Kakoudakis
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
At some point in your life, if you haven’t already, you will move from one location to another. The majority of people opt to take their furniture with them, but this is easier said than done considering the size of various furniture pieces.
Given this challenge, one of the common tips for moving cross-country is learning, then avoiding, the frequently made mistakes that occur when shipping furniture. This will allow you to have a smoother and safer experience while also ensuring your goods remain intact when they get to the end destination.
Not Measuring Properly
The first commonly made mistake in shipping furniture is not measuring the items properly. Incorrect dimensions can lead to unexpected costs, delays, or even damage, which is a frustrating issue. To avoid this, measure the height, width, depth, and weight of your furniture to as accurate the degree as possible.
Be sure to include any awkward angles, feet, or detachable parts as well. If you plan to rely on others to ship the goods on your behalf, consider photographing the items with a measuring tape in frame to reduce your liability.
Skimping on Packaging or Padding
Furniture is often heavy but is still delicate to damage. During a move, furniture arriving with scratches, dents, and broken legs is all too common. Instead of allowing this to happen, take precautions like using high-quality padding, blankets, bubble wrap, or corner protectors.
If you plan on shipping antique or valuable pieces that require a higher level of care, think about just hiring professional packers to handle the items on your behalf.
Choosing the Wrong Shipping Method
The third issue that most people run into when shipping their furniture is choosing the wrong method. Not only can this result in unexpected costs, but also your furniture may not get shipped at all. Not all shipping services handle furniture well because they are designed for boxes, as opposed to bulky or fragile items.
When shipping furniture, always choose a service that specializes in furniture or small moves with white glove or blanket wrap services. You should also ask any moving company you’re talking to whether or not they offer in-home pickup and delivery.
Ignoring Insurance Options
Many people view moving insurance as arguably unnecessary, but it’s worth remembering that accidents can happen. In many cases, standard carrier liability may not actually cover the full value of your damaged item.
Rather than accept this, keep receipts or appraisals for your high-value goods so that you can submit formal insurance claims after the fact. Think about investing in higher coverage whenever you’re making a move, as you never know what can happen in transit.
Not Planning Ahead
The fifth commonly made mistake when shipping furniture is simply not planning far enough ahead. Rushed moves without proper planning always lead to higher costs, limited options, and scheduling headaches.
To avoid this, book your furniture shipments 2-4 weeks in advance at a minimum, especially during peak moving seasons. The most popular months to move are during the summertime, so consider planning even further in advance and asking about expected transit times and delivery windows during these periods.
This will help you figure out how much time you need to pack your furniture up and get it ready to be shipped.
Not Disassembling Furniture
The final commonly made mistake when shipping furniture is not disassembling items that you can. Whether it’s a couch, table, or some other item, disassembling can allow you to make a more compact move and protect individual pieces of the furniture.
While there’s never a guarantee when shipping goods, disassembling pieces gives you a better chance at getting your items to another place in one piece.
Assuming you no longer have the instruction manual for the furniture, simply look up the schematics for the furniture online or see if there are YouTube tutorials that show you how to disassemble the items.
Tackle your move with success
Nobody wants to open up a box or unwrap goods just to see that they were damaged in transit. Whether it was due to improper planning, improper packing material, the wrong moving method, or one of the other aforementioned mistakes, broken furniture can lead to hefty costs.
With just a little bit of planning and the right shipping partner, though, you can better protect your investment and avoid these common pitfalls. Seek out quotes from professionals in your area or speak with them directly to get your specific furniture shipping needs solved.
Our writers like to find the latest trends for fashion and interiors. We launched the award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2015 and the luxury property and interior decor blog www.alltheprettyhomes.com in 2024 to cover all your interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration needs. Download our free bathroom renovation guide here.