The cost of a move depends on a variety of factors including location, distance, size of shipment and mode of transport that are somewhat easy to predict. What’s less predictable are expenses incurred for items that require special handling. We have written recently about the logistics of relocating a pet and the factors to consider when moving a vehicle, but delicate household items should not be overlooked. Here are the factors to consider when relocating art collections, wine collections, and pianos.
How to Relocate an Art Collection
Art is so much more than just an item on a wall; it is an investment. Not only can art be sold for a high monetary value, but the emotional value of a painting makes it worth even more to the collector. Artworks, sculptures, and other items are delicate, and even the things that are intended to safeguard them—such as the frame or glass—might harm them during relocation.
If the art item is valuable or has a lot of history, it is a good idea to get help from an expert for transportation. Art couriers are art handlers that specialize in delicately transporting works of art from one place to another. Art handlers are often used by museums and galleries to move their large collections around the world, and they have extensive experience moving, transporting, and shipping fine art and sculptures.
The cost of packing and shipping a painting can range from less than $100 to thousands of dollars, depending on the size and distance of travel.
How to Relocate a Wine Collection
It is imperative to understand the value of a wine collection, regardless of its size, before a move. If the wine collection in question is large, it may be beneficial to hire a wine appraiser to assess its value. It is also a good idea to photograph each bottle so that the entire collection is easier to track during the move.
When it comes to packing the wine, preventing the glass bottles from shattering is the top priority. Wine boxes that are used to transport wine by air may be repurposed for home packing. Wine boxes are made of Styrofoam or corrugated cardboard, and they can be purchased from most wine dealers.
Wine is susceptible to damage from extreme heat and cold, so it is crucial to maintain a consistent temperature while transporting it. If there are only a few bottles of wine to move, they can be packed in a personal vehicle where the temperature is constant. A climate-controlled truck or van might be required to move a large wine collection.
It is important to note that a regular moving company may not be qualified to transport a wine collection. In most states, interstate movers are not allowed to transport “hazardous goods" such as alcohol in a moving truck.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration is a government agency whose main objective is to guarantee the safe and secure shipping of hazardous materials. The PHMSA's Approvals and Permits Division is the only organization that can deem alcohol as safe to move. The hired movers will appreciate a heads-up about the wine collection so that they can be properly prepared for the consultation.
It can be tricky to transport wine when traveling between countries. Before a relocating employee attempts to transport their wine collection abroad, they should research the related customs regulations and notify the customs office. In most situations, bringing a wine collection into a new country will necessitate the payment of import duty.
Because moving wine is a specialized service, there are companies available for hire that will consult on the wine-moving process or manage the entire moving process themselves.
How to Relocate a Piano
Because of their size and weight, pianos are notoriously difficult to move. Shipping a piano is an operation that requires not only expertise but also strength. A piano typically weighs between 500 and 900 pounds, although a grand piano may weigh up to 1,300 pounds or more.
Before being loaded onto a vehicle, a piano will be carefully cushioned and strapped to a skid board. To keep the skid board from moving during transport, it will be attached to a platform with the piano. The crate's sides will be built around the piano after it is bolted down, securing it in place. The voids will be filled with firm packing material to prevent them from shifting when they are carried. The crate will be packed up and labeled, then loaded on a truck for shipment to an air or sea freighter.
If the piano has actual ivory key tops, there may be issues transporting it across borders. As a result of the worldwide ban on ivory production and trade, many governments will remove the ivory from the piano as a condition of allowing it to transit through their borders.
If the piano is more than 100 years old, the owner might be able to get it through with the proper documentation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or a similar agency in the country it is being sent to. At the very least, allow at least three months to gather all of the required documents.
If the piano is less than 100 years old, it should be expected that its keys will be plastic-coated to protect them during shipment. To avoid any ruined piano keys, the relocating employee should make sure to have them removed by a professional prior to the move as customs agents damaged ivory in the past when removing it.
To learn more about special handling for a relocation, read our recent articles about factors to consider when relocating with a pet and when moving a vehicle, boat, or RV or speak with Arpin International Group, Acme Car Shipping, cend, Shur-way or any of the other moving companies exhibiting at GWS.