If you’ve ever rearranged furniture or moved, you know that transporting furniture is a chore. Furniture is heavy, bulky and just plain difficult to pick up and move. But what if you’re moving a long distance, like to an entirely different state? You’ll need your furniture to come with you, but what’s the best way to ship and move your furniture? Many options are available to make shipping and moving even your heaviest furniture easy. Check out how to ship furniture and see what you need to do to prepare.
What affects the cost of shipping furniture?
It’s important to remember that shipping furniture will be more expensive than shipping a smaller parcel. The weight and size of furniture mean it’s harder to move, and it takes up more truck space, so transporting it will come at a higher cost. The shipping location may impact the price too. For example, if you’re shipping furniture across the country, it’ll probably be more expensive than shipping it to the next state over. You can choose from a few different methods to ship furniture, each with its own price.
Methods for shipping furniture
When preparing to ship furniture, you should take a couple different options into consideration. You can determine which of these methods is best based on how far the furniture needs to go, how much you have, and how large it is.
- Shipping furniture as LTL freight: LTL, or “less than truckload,” freight refers to a shipment that doesn’t take up enough space to fill an entire trailer by itself. This means you can place a couple of pieces of furniture on a truck, and the rest of its trailer will be filled with other people’s freight. This option is a great idea for customers with one or two large pieces of furniture.
- Shipping furniture as a parcel: Depending on the size of the furniture, you may be able to ship it as a parcel with carriers like USPS, UPS and FedEx. Most carriers consider anything over 150 pounds to be freight, but smaller packages can still be delivered via standard methods. This method may work best for one or two smaller pieces of furniture, such as a nightstand or lamp.
- Shipping furniture with white glove or in-home delivery: White glove delivery is a more premium shipping service. It entails your carrier picking up and transporting your shipment, and then installing or building the items at your home. These furniture movers and delivery companies are great for people moving entire households because they remove the stress of deconstructing and rebuilding furniture.
6 steps for shipping furniture
Shipping furniture doesn’t have to be a long, difficult process. Here’s how to ship furniture in six easy steps.
Step 1: Figure out the amount of furniture you’re shipping
First, determine the amount of furniture you’re moving to help identify the best shipping method. Are you shipping just a few pieces to customers or friends? Or are you transplanting the entire household? Determine the amount and size of the items you’re shipping so you can make accurate decisions during the next steps.
Step 2: Request shipping quotes
Now it’s time to explore shipping methods and request quotes. With the number of items and their sizes in mind, start reaching out to carriers like FedEx, USPS and UPS. If you’re looking at an LTL option for freight furniture, you can contact uShip, XPO Logistics or ABF Freight Systems. You can also research white glove delivery services near you. Provide them with your list of items, their sizes and the delivery location so they can provide an accurate quote.
Step 3: Make the arrangements
Once you decide on the best company and service, negotiate the details. Most companies will come to your home or business location on the date you choose.
Step 4: Purchase shipping insurance
Shippers will do the best they can to ensure nothing happens to your furniture in transit. However, accidents happen, and it’s best to be prepared just in case. By purchasing shipping insurance, you can protect the furniture from losses incurred due to falls, road accidents, theft, etc. Legitimate carriers and movers will carry their own insurance as well.
Step 5: Buy packing materials
No matter which carrier you choose, your furniture will be placed on a truck and transported a long distance. With the proper materials for packing furniture, you can help ensure that your furniture is easy to move and protected during transport. Buy plenty of heavy-duty boxes, packing tape and cushioning, like bubble wrap, foam blocks, cardboard inserts and packing peanuts.
Step 6: Pack your furniture
Now you need to pack. Deconstruct as much as possible, for instance by removing legs from tables and desks, and pulling shelves out of bookshelves. Place them in a cardboard box built and reinforced with heavy-duty tape. While you’re packing furniture, arrange your cushioning to prevent movement within the box to protect the furniture. Then seal it shut. Keep in mind that some types of furniture, such as mattresses, may not fit in a box. Plan to have protective coverings and moving blankets on hand for these items.
Once your furniture is ready for shipment, have the carrier pick it up.
Consider hiring a moving company to avoid the hassle
If you’re moving your entire house, consider hiring a moving company. Doing so will allow you to skip most of these steps since they handle packing, pickup, shipping and unpacking for you.
Furniture movers are a great option if you’re moving all the furniture and belongings in your home. They also take on the stress of packing and unpacking for you. It’s a more expensive option, but one that keeps all items together for an efficient move.
Move your furniture with ease
Moving is stressful already. Don’t add to it by trying to ship or move your furniture yourself. Research all the available options, from LTL freight to white glove moving companies. Prepare for your move or shipment by identifying the items you need to ship and making sure they’re safely packed. Your furniture will be in its new home in no time.
FAQ
USPS may be able to ship some small pieces of furniture. Heavy and large pieces may require alternative arrangements, such as an LTL freight company.
UPS can ship furniture, but it will consider anything over 150 pounds as freight. It may be a good option for one or two pieces, but not a whole room or house full.
Any furniture that can be deconstructed can be relatively safely shipped. Large, awkward pieces that can’t be broken down will be more difficult to move.