Whether you do it on your own or with a mover, moving old or designer furniture is always a tricky subject. Drawing its value from its age or rarity, this furniture is often made up of fragile parts which make it difficult to move.
Good care therefore requires protection of sensitive areas and appropriate transport. Furthermore, it is important to take out insurance to compensate you in the event of problems during the move. This raises the question of declaring the value of the objects taken care of if you use a professional mover. So, how can you protect yourself from any breakage when handling and transporting valuable furniture? And how to complete the declaration form if you entrust your personal effects to Gentlemen du Déménagement? Explanations in detail.
What precautions should you take when moving valuable furniture?
If you are a fan of beautiful furniture, you may have a Louis XV, Empire, or Louis-Philippe style sideboard, seats, chest of drawers, or secretary at home... Formerly made by cabinetmakers, sometimes renowned, these refined are most often composed of precious woods adorned with fancy decorations (moldings, inlays, marquetry, gilding, etc.). When they do not derive their value from their age, your furniture can be expensive and require special attention due to its rarity, originality, or decorative quality: this is the case with designer furniture which must be taken into account. moved with the same care as old furniture.
Who says valuable furniture often says fragilities, and therefore protection
If it is old, your furniture has necessarily already been weakened by time. When you move this type of furniture, you must therefore avoid shocks at all costs and provide reinforced protection for areas exposed during handling operations. And even more so than on ordinary furniture.
Just like exposed surfaces, furniture corners, and legs are impact-exposed areas that need to be protected against scratches, snags, and breakages. Decorations made from precious and sensitive materials (sculptures, inserts, marquetry) must also be taken into account and protected appropriately.
Moving parts such as drawers and doors must also be secured to avoid opening during travel which could cause damage. Also, remember to remove the keys so as not to lose them and to label them so that you can put them back in the right place after moving in.
Provide appropriate handling and transport for the furniture
To transport solid wood furniture which is very often heavy, plan on having a sufficient number of movers, especially if you have stairs to manage. The use of specific equipment such as tray trolleys can help you move the furniture smoothly on a flat surface. If the configuration of the premises allows it, using a furniture lift can be appropriate and save you a lot of hassle if you have several floors to go up or down.
For the transport of furniture, you must provide a truck of suitable volume in which you can attach the different pieces to prevent them from moving or colliding during the journey. All furniture must then be protected with a cover when moving between the two addresses.
The same attention must be paid when loading and unloading furniture which must be able to find its new place without damage. The Moving Gentlemen will be able to advise you and provide the human and technical resources necessary to facilitate the handling of your valuable furniture.
How to complete the declaration of value for your valuable furniture and personal effects?
If you entrust your move to a professional, you will need to complete a declaration of value. This is a form on which you must mention your belongings to be moved and their amount. This process is mandatory: it allows you to insure yourself during the move and receive compensation in the event of damage to your furniture and valuable objects.
Start by listing your valuables
Taking an inventory room by room will allow you to not forget anything in the declaration. To help you, you can refer to your comprehensive home insurance which generally mentions your valuable items. This will allow you, at the same time, to take stock of your insurance contract and possibly modify your guarantees.
Estimate the amount of furniture to be moved as accurately as possible
From the established list, gather the relevant purchase invoices or make an estimate based on market prices. If your valuable furniture is old and difficult to value, do not hesitate to get help from an auctioneer or an antique dealer for evaluation.
Please note, that the estimated amount must correspond to the value of the furniture on the day of the move. In the case of recent furniture for which you have an invoice, obsolescence will be applied to the purchase price in the event of compensation. Please note that the sentimental value you may have for your furniture unfortunately cannot be taken into account.
Caution: do not underestimate the value of your belongings to reduce costs: you risk losing more than gaining in the event of damage. For valuable objects or furniture, we advise you to opt for a higher MUST guarantee than the basic insurance. Take stock with an advisor to find out which guarantee to choose according to your valuable belongings.
By calling on a professional to move your valuable furniture, you are guaranteed to have the appropriate means to secure the care and transport of your furniture. In case of damage, you can also have insurance for repair or replacement. To do this, you must complete the declaration of value rigorously, and as accurately as possible. This formality guarantees you compensation for the items taken into account during the move, which is particularly useful for furniture or valuable objects.
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