When you move a couch, you protect your furniture.
When you move an antique… you protect history.
Antiques are more than old items — they’re unique, often sentimental, and in many cases, impossible to replace. So when it’s time to move them — whether to a new home, gallery, or storage — you need to know what can go wrong… and how to prevent it.
At B&B Movers, we’ve helped families, collectors, and designers move delicate and high-value antiques across Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. We’ve seen the risks — and we’ve built systems to avoid them.
Here’s what you need to know.
Risk #1: Scratches, Dents, and Breaks
Antiques are often handmade, aged, or delicately constructed, which makes them more vulnerable than modern items.
Common causes of physical damage:
- Poor wrapping (thin padding, plastic directly on wood)
- Items shifting in the truck
- Stacking heavy boxes on fragile pieces
- Doorframe collisions during loading/unloading
✅ How to avoid it:
- Use soft, breathable padding (like furniture blankets, not plastic)
- Wrap legs and corners individually
- Avoid stacking or putting anything on top
- Hire movers trained in handling antique furniture — not just boxes
Risk #2: Climate Damage (Humidity, Heat, Cold)
Wood, fabric, leather, and finishes on antique pieces are often climate-sensitive. One long, hot drive or a humid storage unit can cause:
- Warping
- Cracking
- Mold or mildew
- Peeling veneer
- Fading or discoloration
This is especially true in Maryland and the DMV area, where summer humidity and winter cold can be brutal.
✅ How to avoid it:
- Use climate-controlled trucks and storage
- Avoid wrapping with plastic unless absolutely necessary
- Let wooden antiques acclimate to new environments slowly
- Schedule moves during mild weather when possible
Risk #3: Lack of Insurance or Valuation Coverage
Here’s the truth: many moving companies offer only basic insurance — often just $0.60 per pound, which is laughably low for antiques.
Imagine a 40-pound 19th-century mirror valued at $3,000 — covered for just $24.
✅ How to avoid it:
- Ask about Declared Value Protection or Full Value Coverage
- Get a professional appraisal before the move
- Take detailed photos of each piece from multiple angles
- Get everything documented in writing before the move
At B&B Movers, we walk clients through valuation options clearly — no fine print.
Risk #4: Poor Packing or Improper Materials
The wrong packing method can ruin an antique before it even leaves the house.
Examples we’ve seen:
- Bubble wrap stuck to antique finishes
- Tape applied directly to painted wood
- Mirror frames broken due to loose boxes
- Fabric pieces crushed under heavy books
✅ How to avoid it:
- Use acid-free paper, soft cotton sheets, or felt padding
- Build or request custom crates for high-value or oddly-shaped items
- Double-box small or fragile objects with plenty of shock-absorbing filler
- Clearly mark boxes: “Fragile,” “Top Load Only,” “This Side Up”
Risk #5: Handling by Inexperienced Movers
Let’s be honest: not every mover is trained in handling antiques. Some treat your heirloom like it’s just another dining chair.
That’s a big risk — and often how the most damage happens.
✅ How to avoid it:
- Work with a company that specializes in antique and fine art moving
- Ask how their crews are trained
- Read reviews that mention antiques or specialty items
- Be wary of too-good-to-be-true pricing — because it often is
At B&B Movers, our crews receive specific training in moving antique furniture, artwork, and collectibles.
Risk #6: Damage in Storage
Sometimes antiques need to be stored during or after a move. But not all storage is created equal.
We’ve seen antique damage from:
- Moisture in regular units
- Temperature swings
- Pest infestations
- Poor stacking
- No ventilation
✅ How to avoid it:
- Choose climate-controlled, secure storage
- Avoid stacking antique furniture or artwork
- Keep stored pieces off the floor using pallets or shelving
- Label everything clearly so nothing is moved improperly later
We offer antique-safe storage options in Maryland for exactly these reasons.
Risk #7: Underestimating What You Own
Many people don’t realize the true value of what they own — emotionally or financially.
Whether it’s a 150-year-old armoire, a wedding china set from the 1940s, or your grandmother’s rocking chair — it matters.
And the biggest mistake? Thinking it’s “just furniture” until it’s damaged beyond repair.
✅ How to avoid it:
- Take stock before your move
- Ask your family about origin or value
- Treat anything sentimental or handmade as high priority
- When in doubt, pack it like it’s worth a fortune — because it might be
Moving antiques is a careful art — and the biggest risk is assuming “regular” moving services are enough.
If you’re relocating across Maryland, DC, or Northern Virginia, or heading out of state, make sure your antiques are protected by movers who understand their value, fragility, and history.
At B&B Movers, we don’t just move antiques — we preserve them.
📞 Need help moving antiques or collectibles?
Call B&B Movers for white-glove antique moving services in Maryland and the DMV area — including packing, crating, storage, and cross-state transport.