Moving Antiques, Fine Art and Heirlooms in Nashville

Some things in a house can be replaced with a credit card. Your grandmother's walnut secretary, the oil painting that hung over the mantel for forty years, the silver service that only comes out at Thanksgiving: those cannot. If you are moving out of an older home in Belle Meade, West Meade or Oak Hill, or bringing a collection into a new place in Brentwood or Franklin, the pieces that matter most deserve their own plan. Here is how to put one together.

Step One: Know What You Have

Before anything gets wrapped, take inventory of the pieces you care about most. That list becomes your checklist on moving day and your record if anything ever needs to be discussed later.

• Photograph each piece from several angles in good light, including close-ups of existing chips, cracks, loose veneer, crazing on finishes and frame wear. Date the photos.
• Write down measurements for large furniture and framed art. That helps with planning doorways and with choosing the right box or wrap.
• Get appraisals for high-value items. If a piece is worth serious money, a current written appraisal from a qualified appraiser is the document that matters for insurance. Do this weeks before the move, not days.
• Call your homeowner's or renter's insurance agent. Ask whether your policy covers items while they are in transit and whether fine art or jewelry needs a separate rider.

Understand Moving Coverage Before You Need It

This is the part most people skip, and it is the part that matters most when something valuable is involved. On interstate moves, federal rules require movers to offer two levels of liability. The basic level, called released value, is set at no more than 60 cents per pound per article, which is very little protection for a lightweight but valuable piece like a painting. Full value protection costs more and works differently. Local moves inside Tennessee can be handled under different terms.

The takeaway: ask your mover directly what coverage applies to your move, what it costs, and how high-value items need to be declared. Get the answer in writing. When you call us, put your antiques and art on the table at the start of the conversation so the coverage question is settled before moving day.

Packing Antique Furniture

Old furniture is often more fragile than it looks. Glue joints dry out, veneer lifts, and hardware can be original and irreplaceable.

• Remove what comes off. Take out drawers, glass shelves and loose knobs or pulls where it is safe to do so. Bag and label hardware and keep it with you, not in a random box.
• Never use plastic wrap directly on finishes. Plastic against old lacquer, shellac or oil finishes can trap moisture and mark the surface, especially in a humid Nashville summer. Wrap first in soft moving blankets or acid-free paper, then use plastic only on the outside if needed.
• Protect corners and legs. These take most of the hits during a move. Extra padding on carved legs and corners is cheap insurance.
• Do not carry by the top or the arms. Chairs and tables should be lifted by the frame or apron, not the arms or tabletop overhang, which can pull joints apart.

Packing Fine Art, Mirrors and Glass

Framed art and mirrors are among the most commonly damaged items in a move, mostly because they get packed like everything else.

• Use mirror or picture boxes, sized to the piece, rather than loose wrapping alone.
• Tape an X across glass on framed pieces with low-tack painter's tape. It will not stop a break, but it helps keep shards together if one happens. Do not put tape on the canvas or on an unglazed surface.
• Keep canvas from touching anything. Unframed or unglazed oil and acrylic paintings should have nothing resting against the painted surface.
• Load art standing on edge, never laid flat with weight on top.
• Consider professional crating for very valuable or oversized works. Ask about it when you call, and we will tell you honestly whether your piece needs it.

Silver, China and Small Heirlooms

Wrap each piece of china individually, plates on edge rather than stacked flat, with plenty of paper between them. Silver should be wrapped in tarnish-resistant cloth or acid-free paper so it is not sitting against newsprint. Small, light, very valuable things like jewelry, watches, coins, important papers and family photos are best moved by you, in your own car. That is a simple rule that removes a lot of worry.

If you would rather not do the packing yourself, JM Moving offers full packing service. Packing for fragile and valuable items is quoted on a call based on what you have, so we can plan the right materials and crew.

Heat, Humidity and Timing

Middle Tennessee summers are hot and humid. Wood, finishes, canvas and old adhesives all react to that. A few simple habits help:

• Keep sensitive pieces inside the air-conditioned house until the crew is ready to load them, instead of staging them in a hot garage.
• Load antiques and art last when possible, so they come off the truck first.
• Have the air conditioning running at the new house before delivery.
• If you are putting pieces in storage, ask about the storage conditions and whether they suit wood and art before you commit.

We work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which means an early-morning start in July is easy to schedule if that keeps the heat off your furniture.

What It Costs

Antiques and art usually travel as part of a household move. Our local rates are $250 an hour for 2 movers and a truck, or $350 an hour for 3 movers and a truck, with no extra charge for one flight of stairs, elevators, travel time, fuel or tax on local moves. Specialty handling, crating and high-value coverage depend on your specific pieces, so we confirm those on a call rather than guessing online. You can compare starting prices on our flat-rate moving costs page.

FAQ

Should I refinish or repair antiques before the move?

Do not start repairs right before a move. Fresh finishes need time to cure. Document the current condition with photos and handle repairs once the piece is settled in its new home.

Can heirlooms go on a long-distance move?

Yes. We run routes between Nashville and Miami, Augusta and Boston. Tell us about your valuable pieces up front so the packing and coverage are planned for the longer trip.

What should I keep with me instead of on the truck?

Jewelry, cash, important documents, small irreplaceable keepsakes and family photos. If you would be heartbroken to lose it and it fits in your car, take it yourself.

Your family's history deserves more than a quick wrap and a hope. JM Moving is family-owned with more than 23 years in the business. Call (615) 710-9990 any time, day or night, to talk through your pieces, or visit jmmoving.store.

JM Moving locations and sister brands

Nashville: JM Moving · Middle Tennessee: Nashville Packers and Movers · Tennessee statewide: TNT Moving USA
Miami: Miami Packers and Movers · Augusta, GA: Packers and Movers Augusta · Nationwide: Best Movers Nationwide

Call 24/7: (615) 710-9990