A house move is stressful enough at the best of times. Add a collection of antiques, original paintings or high-value furniture to the mix, and the worry goes up considerably. Most damage that happens to valuable pieces during a move comes down to one thing: the wrong crew, the wrong packing or no plan at all.
Why High-Value Items Need a Different Approach
Not everything you own can be wrapped in a moving blanket and loaded onto a standard van. Antiques and original artwork are irreplaceable. A scratch on a Georgian writing desk or a cracked frame on an oil painting is not just cosmetic: it can wipe out the value of a piece entirely.
London creates its own challenges. Victorian terraces with steep, narrow staircases. Mansion block lifts too small for a tall armoire. Restricted parking on Georgian squares that forces a crew to carry items further than anyone planned. These are real, practical problems that a crew without specialist experience may not have thought through before arriving at your door.
Specialist moves need advance planning. The right crew, the right vehicle and the right materials all need to be organised well before the van arrives.
Photograph and Value Everything First
Before any packing starts, photograph every item you plan to move. Multiple angles, close-ups of existing chips or repairs, and shots of any identifying marks all help if a dispute arises later. For pieces of significant value, a professional valuation from an accredited appraiser is worth arranging before moving day.
This documentation serves two clear purposes. It gives you a record of condition before the move. It also helps you place an accurate value on your items so your contents insurance actually covers them during transit. Standard contents insurance rarely extends to high-value pieces on the move, so check your policy well in advance.
The UK accounts for roughly 17% of global art and antiques sales, according to Statista, making London one of the most active markets for valuable pieces anywhere in the world. Getting your paperwork in order is part of protecting that investment.
What Professional Packers Actually Use
The materials make a real difference. Acid-free tissue paper goes directly against the surface of paintings and ceramics, because standard bubble wrap can trap moisture and leave impressions over time. Glassine paper, foam corner protectors and custom-built wooden crates are standard for anything fragile or oversized.
Canvases travel upright, not flat. Mirrors are taped in an X before wrapping so the glass does not shatter if it flexes in transit. Heavy antique furniture gets wrapped in furniture blankets, with padding at every corner and leg before loading.
Our specialist packing service covers high-value and fragile items as well as general household goods, and the same professional materials apply to everything we handle. If you are arranging packing separately, ask your removal company exactly what they use before confirming the booking.
London Access: Plan Well Before Move Day
Parking problems are far more common in London than anywhere else in the country. Parking suspensions need to be applied for through the local borough, often with at least 14 days' notice. Without one in place, a crew forced to double-park or carry items a long distance will add time to your move, which affects your cost.
The congestion charge covers a large part of central London, and some areas have additional clean air restrictions. Make sure you know who handles those charges before you book. At Just Removals London, the congestion charge and parking are sorted on your behalf, so they never show up as a surprise on your bill.
Narrow stairwells, low ceilings and the absence of a lift in older buildings all affect how a move needs to be handled. Flag these when you get your quote, not on the morning of the move.
What to Ask Before You Book a Removal Company
Not every removal company has experience with antiques and fine art. Before you commit, ask a few specific things.
What insurance do they carry for your items? Goods-in-transit policies often cap individual items at a low figure, which may fall well short of what your antiques are actually worth. Ask for the per-item limit and whether it can be raised for your move. Our specialist items service is set up for exactly this kind of conversation.
What vehicle will they use? A standard Luton van is fine for most moves, but oversized or fragile pieces may need a larger vehicle with padded interior walls and secure internal racking.
Can they carry out a pre-move survey? For larger or more complex jobs, a free video survey lets the crew plan the move properly, rather than walking in cold on the day. Just Removals London carries goods-in-transit cover and £5m public liability insurance as standard, and a free video survey is available for bigger moves.
Short-Term Storage: When It Makes Sense
Sometimes the safest approach is not to move everything in one go. If your new property needs work done before you can unpack, or if there is a gap between completion and move-in, putting your most valuable pieces into secure storage is often the smartest middle step.
A dry, secure storage unit protects your antiques far better than an empty property or a building under renovation. Our storage service links directly to your removal, so your items go from your home into storage without extra handling stages in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do standard removal companies insure antiques at full value?
Not always. Goods-in-transit policies often cap individual items, which may be far below what your antiques are actually worth. Always ask for the per-item limit and whether it can be increased for your specific move before you book.
Do I need a specialist art removals firm, or will a good removal company manage?
A well-trained crew with the right materials handles most antiques and artwork safely. The key things are experience with this kind of item, proper insurance cover and the right vehicle for the job. Ask those three questions first.
How far ahead should I book a specialist move in London?
Four to six weeks is a sensible minimum, particularly if your property needs a parking suspension arranged in advance. For moves with a large number of high-value pieces, more lead time lets the crew source custom crating or other specialist materials they may need.
What if there is a gap between my completion date and move-in date?
Short-term secure storage is the cleanest solution. Your items move from your current property into storage, then on to your new home once everything is ready. It keeps your valuables safe and avoids the risk of leaving them in an empty or unfinished building.
Moving antiques and artwork in London takes a little more planning than a standard house move, but it does not have to be complicated. The right crew, the right packing materials and a clear conversation about access and insurance before move day are usually enough to keep everything safe. For a free, fixed-price quote from a team that handles specialist items every week, get in touch with Just Removals London.