Moving antiques and high-value items is fundamentally different from moving a standard sofa. An antique chest, a valuable painting, or a fragile heirloom collection — these items are often irreplaceable, and standard moving approach won’t do. As professional antique movers serving Minneapolis and the Twin Cities, here’s how we handle your most precious possessions.
Assessment Before the Move
The first step with antiques and valuables is a careful pre-move assessment to identify all items requiring special handling.
We want to know: materials and dimensions, documented appraisal values, access challenges at both locations, and whether any climate-sensitive items need environmental protections during transit.
Wrapping Techniques for Antique Furniture
Antique furniture requires extra care because refinishing options are limited and original surfaces are irreplaceable.
We use multiple layers of thick moving blankets on all surfaces, with extra attention to carved details, veneer sections, and delicate joints. Antique furniture is often more fragile than modern pieces due to aged joints and materials.
Moving Antique Art and Mirrors
Paintings: wrapped in acid-free glassine paper first (won’t stick to paint), then bubble wrap, then moving blankets. Transported standing vertically, never flat.
Antique mirrors: same treatment, with extra attention to any loose gilding or ornate frame detail.
China, Porcelain, and Collectibles
Individual wrapping for every single piece — no item touching another.
Original packaging used whenever available. Specialty dish-pack boxes with cell dividers for collections.
Clear labeling of boxes containing extremely fragile items so they receive priority handling at every step.
Your Role in Protecting Valuables
Document everything before the move: photograph every piece and gather appraisal documentation.
Consider additional declared value coverage for pieces whose value exceeds standard liability limits.
Tell your Cheep Cheep Movers crew specifically which items are most valuable and fragile at the start of the job.
Ready to Move? Let’s Make It Easy.
At Cheep Cheep Movers, we make local moving in the Twin Cities affordable and stress-free. Whether you need a full-service move or just some extra muscle, we’re here to help.
📞 Call us: 612-234-6605
📋 Get your free estimate online →
