Antiques and heirloom furniture

An antique armoire, a grandmother's dresser, a carved dining set: these pieces are often heavier than modern furniture, built with joints that were never meant to be taken apart, and finished with surfaces that scratch easily. Every piece of furniture on a Spartan move is wrapped in moving blankets at no extra charge. For antiques, what matters more is knowing what not to do: not forcing a stuck drawer, not unscrewing hardware that has not moved in fifty years, not carrying a piece by a decorative crown.

Disassembly and reassembly are included in the hourly rate. On a modern bed or table that is straightforward. On antiques the foreman decides piece by piece. Armoires with removable crowns and doors, dining tables with leaves, and beds with bolted rails come apart. Pieces with glued joints, pegged construction or fragile veneer usually travel whole. If you know a piece has a history of repairs, tell the foreman before the crew touches it.

Antique cabinets often combine wood with glass and stone. Glass doors and shelves are removed where possible and packed as fragile items. Mirrors attached to dressers and vanities come off and go into crates made from boxes. Marble tops that are designed to lift off are removed and carried separately. If a single piece weighs around 300 pounds or more, send a photo before move day so David can confirm the crew size. For china cabinets, see moving china and glassware.

Every move includes basic valuation at $0.60 per pound per article, at no charge. Because it is calculated by weight, it reflects very little of what an antique is worth. If you own pieces with real value, buy full value protection directly from Baker International at bakerintl.com, using our mover ID 17421, before the move. It is your own policy, not a Spartan charge. For an exceptionally valuable piece, you can also hire a fine-art or antique specialist for that item while we move the rest of the house.

Antiques do not carry a surcharge. They take time, and that is what you pay for: $175 per hour for 3 movers or $235 per hour for 4, the same every day, with a 3-hour minimum and 15-minute increments. Blankets, tape and floor protection are included. Boxes, bubble wrap and crate materials for glass and mirrors are charged as used, or covered by the Silver Package at $35 per hour added to the move.

• Empty drawers and cabinets; loose contents shift and crack old drawer bottoms.
• Remove or tape keys in antique locks so they do not fall out.
• Photograph valuable pieces for your records.
• Point out any loose joints, repaired legs or fragile carvings to the foreman.
• Decide where each piece goes at the new home so it is carried in once.