If you’re gearing up for a long-distance move, you’ll want to know about shipping furniture across the country.
“I always recommend full-service movers for a long-distance move,” said Winchester, Massachusetts-based Pamela Downs, real estate advisor at Compass New England. “But if you’re only shipping a few things or have a limited budget, you’ll want to explore freight shipping and other options.”
Make an informed decision tailored to your needs and moving budget after sorting through your options for specialized furniture-shipping services, full-service moving companies and even do-it-yourself (DIY) approaches.
What are the best ways to ship furniture cross-country?
When shipping furniture, you have several options depending on whether you’re moving a single piece of furniture or an entire house. From full-service movers to DIY container services, each approach offers its own set of advantages and considerations.
Full-service movers
Full-service movers take care of the entire process. They’ll disassemble and carefully wrap your furniture, load it onto the truck, transport it to your new location and reassemble it at your new home. This comprehensive service is designed to make your move effortless.
Professional movers possess the knowledge and skill to properly handle bulky and fragile items, so it’s more likely for your most delicate pieces to make it to their destination undamaged. “If you can afford it, professional moving services are by far the most secure and stress-free option for shipping your furniture long distances,” Downs said.
While this option offers convenience and peace of mind, it’s the most expensive. However, professional movers can be worth it if you have a lot of furniture or valuable heirlooms.
Moving container services
Moving container services provide a middle ground between full-service movers and DIY options. With this method, a company delivers a portable storage container to your home, allowing you to pack and load your furniture at your own pace. Once you fill the container, the company transports it to your new location, where you can unload it.
“If you’re physically able to pack a container, you can save a lot of money compared to full-service movers,” Downs said. “You can also spread the process over a few days, which is convenient.”
This option offers flexibility and cost savings compared to full-service movers, but it requires more effort and may not be suitable for those with limited time or physical capabilities.
Freight shipping
Freight shipping services are a cost-effective option for transporting furniture cross-country. With this method, your furniture is packed onto pallets or crates and transported via ground, air or sea. Here are freight shipping options:
- Full truckload (FTL): FTL freight means your shipment fills an entire truck or trailer. This option is perfect for large shipments occupying most of the truck’s capacity, such as a four- to five-bedroom house.
- Less-than-truckload (LTL): LTL freight combines several shipments on a truck or trailer. LTL is a great option for furniture shipments not filling the whole truck, such as a small apartment or a single dining room table.
While freight shippers might be the cheapest way to move large or heavy items, they require careful packaging to ensure items arrive safely and may involve longer transit times than other methods.
FedEx and UPS
FedEx and UPS offer shipping services for smaller furniture, such as chairs, end tables or lamps. While convenient for smaller pieces, these shipping options can be expensive for larger or heavier items and are generally not suitable for shipping entire furniture sets or heavy pieces.
How much does it cost to ship furniture cross-country?
Furniture shipping costs depend on your shipment’s total weight and the distance of your move. Note that the quotes below include the cost of shipping all goods within the home, not just the furniture.
We got several quotes from leading nationwide moving companies. The costs for a three-bedroom cross-country move of 2,880 miles ranged from $10,333 to $17,330, depending on add-on service requests.
Moving a three-bedroom home 2,743 miles — from Portland, Maine, to Tucson, Arizona — with U-Pack costs $4,906.
Distance
The distance between the pickup and delivery locations is a significant cost factor. Longer distances increase shipping costs due to higher fuel and labor expenses.
Delivery options
Factors such as delivery to a residential address versus a commercial address and accessorial services such as furniture assembly, disassembly or white-glove service can affect shipping costs.
Fragility and special requirements
Fragile or delicate furniture pieces may require special packaging materials and handling procedures, which can increase shipping costs. Additionally, items with unique shapes or construction may necessitate custom packaging solutions, such as hand-built crates.
Insurance coverage
Adding insurance coverage to protect valuable or fragile furniture during transit will increase shipping costs.
Weight and size
The weight and dimensions of the furniture items play a crucial role in determining shipping costs. Larger and heavier items require more space and may incur additional handling fees.
What are the best ways to pack furniture for shipping?
When shipping furniture cross-country, it must be properly packed to prevent damage during transit. The packing process differs depending on the size of the items you’re shipping.
Packing large furniture items such as cabinets and bed frames requires careful planning and execution for safe transportation. Here are some best practices to follow:
- Disassemble: Whenever feasible, break down large furniture pieces such as bed frames or bookcases into smaller components. This makes them easier to handle and reduces the risk of damage during transit.
- Wrap: Wrap large furniture in cushioning material, such as moving pads or blankets, to prevent scratches and dents. Secure padding with packing tape or shrink wrap so it stays in place during transportation. “Moving is expensive, so don’t cut corners, and make sure your furniture gets there safely,” Downs said.
- Secure drawers and doors: If the furniture has drawers, doors, or removable shelves, secure them with tape or furniture straps to prevent them from opening accidentally during transit.
- Securely load: When loading large furniture onto a pod or moving truck, ensure it’s properly secured and positioned to prevent shifting during transit. Use tie-down straps or ropes to hold it in place.
Packing smaller furniture items such as chairs and coffee tables requires attention to detail to prevent damage during the move. Here are some best practices to consider:
- Fill empty spaces: Fill empty spaces inside furniture pieces with packing materials to prevent shifting and absorb shocks during transportation. This helps maintain the structural integrity of the furniture.
- Use proper boxes or crates: For smaller, fragile items such as lamps or glass tabletops, use specialized shipping boxes or custom-built wooden crates for added protection.
- Wrap with protective materials: Use cushioning or packing paper to wrap each piece of furniture individually. Pay special attention to delicate surfaces and sharp corners.
What’s next?
Gather quotes from movers and shipping companies. Start by researching reputable companies in your area and requesting estimates.
“Ask your neighbors and friends for recommendations for movers they had a great experience with,” Downs said. Provide detailed information about the items you need to move, including size and weight and any special handling requirements.
Once you have several quotes, compare them carefully, considering the cost and factors such as insurance coverage, delivery timelines and customer reviews. Then, make arrangements for pickup and delivery.
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