A Commercial Mover’s Guide to Moving Fine Art
moving fine art is a delicate process that requires a high level of expertise and care. Whether it is a priceless painting, a sculpture, a valuable musical instrument or an antique piece of furniture, the stakes are high, and the margin for error is slim. For commercial moving companies, handling fine art necessitates a specialized approach to ensure these precious and historic items are transported safely and securely. Here’s a comprehensive guide as to how commercial moving companies transport fine art.
Understanding the Importance of Fine Art
Fine art is not just valuable in monetary terms; it often holds significant cultural, historical, and emotional value. Museums, galleries, and private collectors invest heavily in their art collections, making the safe transport of these items especially important. Commercial moving companies must appreciate the significance of the items and approach handling them with the utmost professionalism and care.
Pre-Move Planning
Consultation and Assessment
The first step in moving fine art, just as in any commercial move, is to provide a thorough on-site consultation and assessment. This involves meeting with the client to understand the specifics of the items to be moved. Each piece of art is unique and may require a different approach. Factors to consider include:
- The type of art (paintings, sculptures, installations, etc.)
- The size and weight of each piece
- The materials and condition of the art
- Any special handling requirements
Detailed Inventory
Creating a detailed inventory of all the items to be moved is crucial. This inventory should include high-resolution photographs of each piece, detailed descriptions, and any existing damage or wear. This documentation not only helps in planning the move but also serves as a record in case of any disputes or insurance claims.
Insurance
Insurance is a critical aspect of moving fine art. Most fine art owners, galleries and museums have an adequate amount of insurance for their art but it’s best to ensure that the client has enough insurance coverage for the transportation of their art. Many moving companies also offer specialized insurance policies for fine art, which can provide peace of mind for both the company and the client.
Packing Fine Art
Materials and Techniques
Using the right packing materials and packing techniques is important to protect fine art during transit. Fine art can be made of several different mediums and understanding this will help you know how to safely pack them. Here are some key considerations:
Paintings and Prints: Use acid-free paper or glassine to cover the surface, followed by bubble wrap for cushioning. Custom-built wooden crates provide the best protection, especially for larger or more valuable pieces.
Sculptures: Foam padding, bubble wrap, and custom crates are necessary to prevent movement and damage. Pay special attention to any protruding or delicate parts. You might also need heavy-load dollies or a forklift to move large sculptures.
Framed Art: Corner protectors and edge guards can help protect the frames. Again, custom crates offer the best protection.
Ceramic and Glassware: Foam padding, bubble wrap, and custom crates are also a necessity for fragile art pieces no matter what size they may be.
Digital Art: Many installations may include digital art and they use items such as TVs, speakers, projectors, and computers. Using static-free material, padding, custom boxes and bubble wrap offer the best protection for electronics.
Transportation
Choosing the Right Vehicle
The choice of vehicle is critical when transporting fine art. Many pieces of fine art are sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. Use climate-controlled packing materials and climate-controlled trucks to maintain the appropriate temperature and humidity levels to maintain a stable environment. This is particularly important for items made of wood, canvas, or other organic materials. You must remember that some of these items may be over a 100 years old and need to be handled and preserved with care. Additionally, the vehicle should be equipped with air-ride suspension to minimize vibrations and shocks during transit.
Loading and Unloading
Loading and unloading fine art require a high level of skill, patience and care. The commercial movers should work hand-in-hand with the museum’s or gallery’s professional art handlers who are trained in the proper techniques for handling delicate items. Ensure that all items are securely fastened within the vehicle to prevent movement during transit. Use straps, padding, and other securing devices to keep the art in place. Regularly check the load during the journey to ensure everything remains secure. For extremely valuable or irreplaceable items, additional security measures may be necessary. This can include using security escorts, GPS tracking, and secure storage facilities. Discuss these options with the client and ensure all security measures are in place.
In many cases, the moving company’s responsibilities do not end with delivery. The safe installation and setup of the art at its new location are equally important. This may involve hanging paintings, assembling sculptures, or arranging installations. Use professional art handlers who can ensure the pieces are installed correctly and safely.
Upon delivery, conduct a thorough inspection of each piece and compare it to the pre-move inventory pictures you took. Document any changes in condition and have the client sign off on the condition report. This step is important for resolving any disputes and for insurance purposes.
Moving fine art is a specialized job that requires careful planning, expert handling, and an understanding of the value and fragility of the artwork involved. A reliable moving company should be able to ensure that fine art is transported safely and securely, and preserve the integrity of these priceless works of art. Move Logistics has been entrusted several times to move valuable artwork belonging to museums and collectors. We have the experience, materials, equipment, and trucks to move your art safely. We carry our industry’s leading insurance and proudly take on high-liability projects. Whether it be a single painting or an entire collection, expensive artifacts, extensive medical machinery, secure military projects, there is nothing we can’t handle. Contact us today for a Free On-Site Estimate!
ABOUT MOVE LOGISTICS INC.
Move Logistics Inc., is a second generation moving and storage business with over 35 years of experience. As professional movers, we provide open communication and customer service to both residential moving clients and commercial moving clients. With a fleet of moving equipment that includes trucks, forklifts, and trailers, combined with a professional mover crew, we are your “one-stop-shop” for local moving, intrastate moving, and out of state moving.
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