First, decide whether it's worth shipping
Shipping a large piece of furniture across the country is an investment, so it's fair to ask whether it makes sense. Ask yourself:
- Does someone truly want it? Or is it something people feel guilty letting go of? Be honest. The best furniture to ship is furniture that will be used and loved.
- Will it fit? Measure the piece and the recipient's space, including doorways, stairways, hallways, and elevators.
- What condition is it in? Loose joints, cracked veneer, or wobbly legs may need repair, and may need extra care in packing.
- What would replacing it cost? For everyday furniture, compare a shipping quote with buying new. For heirlooms, the comparison usually isn't about money.
A personalized quote gives your family real numbers to make this decision. With Senior Assist Shipping, the first conversation is at no cost.
Know the main ways furniture travels
Families generally choose among a few approaches:
- Do it yourself with a rental truck. This can work for short trips and sturdy pieces, but it means time off, heavy lifting, and long drives.
- A full-service moving company, usually hired when an entire household is relocating to one new home. If you hire a mover for an interstate household move, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Protect Your Move site lets you look up the mover (see sources below).
- A packing and shipping company, often a good fit when the job is a handful of pieces going to one or more family members, rather than a whole household going to one place. The items are picked up, packed, and shipped to each destination.
Whatever you choose, ask questions before you book. Our guide on questions to ask before hiring an estate shipping company lists the important ones.
Prepare the furniture
- Empty it. Remove everything from drawers, cabinets, and shelves. The contents may need to be packed separately.
- Photograph it. Take clear photos of each piece from every side, including any existing scratches, chips, or repairs, before it's picked up.
- Measure it. Note height, width, and depth, and an approximate weight if you can. Your quote depends on it.
- Point out fragile parts. Glass doors, mirrors, marble tops, carved details, and removable legs or shelves need special handling.
- Keep hardware together. If anything comes apart, bag and label the screws and bolts and keep them with the piece.
- Don't wrap fine finishes in plastic yourself. Plastic directly against wood can trap moisture and mark finishes. Let the people packing it choose the right materials.
Plan for access at both ends
Pickup and delivery go smoothly when everyone knows what to expect. Find out about stairs, elevators, gated entrances, parking, and building rules at your parent's home and at the recipient's home. Many Florida condo buildings set hours for large pickups and deliveries or require elevator reservations, so ask the management office ahead of time.
Shipping to several family members
Estate furniture rarely goes to just one address. The dining set may go to one sibling, the bedroom set to another, and a single rocking chair to a grandchild. Make one list with the piece, recipient, and delivery address, and share it with whoever is shipping for you. See shipping estate items to multiple heirs.
Receiving the furniture
Ask the recipient to clear a path and a spot for each piece before delivery day, and to check every piece against your photos when it arrives. Small issues are easiest to sort out when they're noted right away.
Antiques and heirlooms
Older pieces, antiques, and anything with a delicate finish deserve extra care. If a piece may be valuable, consider an appraisal before it ships, and mention it when you request a quote. Some fragile or high-value pieces travel best in a custom wooden crate, which we offer. See antique and art shipping and crating.
What to have ready when you call for a quote
A few details make the conversation quick and the quote accurate:
- A list of the pieces, with rough measurements and photos if you have them.
- The pickup address, and any building details like stairs, elevators, or condo rules.
- Each destination: the city and state or country, and who will receive the pieces.
- Your timing, including any closing, move-out, or lease-end dates.
- Anything especially fragile, valuable, or sentimental that needs extra care.
Don't worry if you don't have everything. Many families call with only a rough idea, and we work out the details together.
Timing
Furniture shipping is easiest to plan when it's not the last thing on the list. If a house is closing or a lease is ending, start the conversation a few weeks ahead so the pieces going to family are on their way before the deadline.
How we can help
Senior Assist Shipping picks up furniture from your parent's home in Palm Beach County, packs it carefully, and ships it to family members' homes across the country or overseas. We specialize in white glove service. Learn more on our shipping furniture to another state and furniture shipping pages, or call to talk it through.
Sources
- FMCSA: Protect Your Move (for families hiring a full-service mover for a household move)