Moving Fine Art And Sculpture in Bath

Whether you’re a private collector or your company works in the art industry, it’s essential to know how to move and transport these pieces. In nearly every related situation, the items have a significant value and an element of delicacy. For that reason, it’s necessary to plan thoroughly and avoid any potential issues before the hands-on stuff. You typically get one chance at this, so there’s no margin for human error where it’s avoidable.

By choosing Thomas Firbank as your removal provider, you’ll have a team of experts in your corner. We have plenty of experience packing, securing, and transporting fine art and sculptures. Not only that, but we’ll also provide any additional information and tips whenever a need arises. Let’s make your upcoming task of safely moving artwork a successful one.

No Room for Errors When Moving with Valuables –

Are any items quite so delicate and in need of special care as your irreplaceable artworks and sculptures? Perhaps only certain musical instruments and antiques come close. That’s why it’s vitally important to make sure you safeguard them, whether that’s during a relocation or when not in use. And it’s worth acquainting yourself with the best practices for both.

You may be a collector with dozens of these precious items or a more casual fan with just a few, but whatever the case, these goods need to be treated with kid gloves and the right kind of knowledge. Even the smallest detail can make a massive difference with irreversible consequences. For example, the last thing you need when moving is to begin carrying a valuable item, only to find there’s lots of clutter obstructing your ability to manoeuvre.

There is an ‘art’ to moving art, and it’s well worth having at least a rudimentary grasp of it before the time comes. This applies to every situation, whether you’re working with a professional moving company or doing everything yourself. Having the right level of knowledge also helps to sort out tasks. Additionally, insurance is a topic that frequently applies to valuable artwork and other pieces, so remember to check your current coverage.

The Specifics of Packing Artwork –

When it comes to moving or transporting types of art, paintings require crating. It’s not enough to slap bubble wrap or blankets over them and hope for the best. If you jump straight into this stage without doing your homework, you might be in for a nasty shock. While some damage is reversible, it all depends on the particular object in question. That’s why relocating a painting requires the highest standards of handling and packing.

Using an oil painting as an example, it might overheat if you hastily cover the piece in a robust plastic wrapping. The materials might then contact the paintwork, and smudging is likely to happen. Your beautiful painting has damage that might be difficult or impossible to fix. And that’s without mentioning the costs involved and potential struggle when making an insurance claim.

A moving company that knows what it’s doing will construct (from scratch) a wooden crate around the painting so that it fits perfectly and provides the necessary security. Some artworks will require temperature-controlled conditions so that their pigments aren’t affected. You’ll be pleased to know that the Thomas Firbank team have the knowledge and experience to deal with any type of artistic piece.

Additional Care When Handling Sculptures – 

There’s no simple piece of art that doesn’t come with complications to consider. However, being three-dimensional, sculptures present additional challenges. There are so many variations in measurements that it’s necessary to approach this on a case-by-case basis. Foam-padded crating is vital so that your precious sculptures can withstand the rigours of transportation.

Your moving company should use the kind of crates typically employed by museums when they need to move works between premises. Similarly, they’ll know how to arrange the removal’s van to ensure any accompanying pieces remain at a safe distance. This will require straps that protect and secure without clamping or pressing down on the crate.

Another issue with a sculpture is the need to make sure each piece can move through all the doorways and corridors it will have to travel to leave your old home and move into your new one. It’s important to have worked this out in advance. You can overcome these difficulties by using cranes to get items in place. You can now get a mental picture of why it’s crucial to work with a reputable moving company when packing and to transport sculptures.

The Correct Way to Transport Glassware –

From a professional mover’s perspective, we always advise booking with a removals company. However, we know that this won’t suit everyone’s plans and it’s essential we cover all bases. If you’re doing some or all of the moves yourself, there are certain things you’ll need to understand. We’ll cover more about how to organise the vehicle that’s transporting everything in the next section. We need to stress one point in more detail – put the glassware and fragile items in the removal’s van last.

You’ll need to ensure they won’t encounter any bulky furniture or appliances during the journey to your new location. The best way of doing this is to wait until the larger pieces are in the vehicle, held in position with straps. Most movers will avoid having heavy items near the doors, as it’s too difficult to get into the van to do anything once you arrive.

Collect all your glassware and fragile pieces and put them to one side, ensuring they’re safe. Pack the entire van, leaving a small space near the vehicle’s backdoor. Then, you can pack your delicate items away, all individually wrapped, and place them in last. The idea is simple – last in, first off. You’ll be able to keep your valuables at a safe distance from the rest of the load.

Understanding the Importance of Packaging –

We’re now coming to a crossroads. This is where things can go smoothly, or they might take a wrong turn. It’s a lesser-known fact but using incorrect packaging can cause a lot of damage. In particular, specific wrapping should never cover specific types of paintings or antique furniture. That’s because it might have an adhesive quality that sticks against the item’s surface.

You don’t need to concern yourself too much with the details if you book with Thomas Firbank. That said, it’s helpful to know this if it crops up, or you can pass the information onto someone else. If you choose to move art yourself, remember to check what packing materials are suitable. Ask for advice from fellow creatives or research it to see if the information is online.

For anyone purchasing art or a sculpture from a seller or gallery, request their delivery service. Chances are, they might be working with us already. Thomas Firbank works with various artists and galleries in Bath and the neighbouring areas. That’s because we provide a stellar service where people trust us with their valuable and irreplaceable art pieces.

Trust the Experts and Use a Professional Mover –

Whether it’s knowledge about suitable packing materials or how to organise a removal’s van – you need someone you have complete confidence in. Reputation isn’t just a badge of honour, although we’re incredibly proud to share our ratings. It gives potential customers an insight into the kind of service they can expect. And it’s not something a company can easily manipulate.

Platforms like Google Reviews and Trustpilot have ratings out of five, and this is public information. Companies work hard to get current and previous customers to rate them. And you can read them online, often with accompanying testimonials and reviews. There is another level of assurance you have at your disposal, but not every company uses it.

Accountability and accreditation are key aspects of good customer service, regardless of industry. A quality policy is a gold standard for customer care protocol. We have one you can read here, so you can acquaint yourself with what it entails. In a nutshell – it provides a framework for quality control, in addition to accountability. This gives our customers the ultimate level of recourse in the event of any issues. Moreover, it’s a statement of intent – that quality is of utmost importance to Thomas Firbank.

Thomas Firbank – Bath’s Leaders in Relocating Fine Art and Sculptures –

There’s a lot to be said to have a trustworthy group of professionals to rely on, which perfectly sums up the Thomas Firbank team. It’s more than just shouting about our accolades and achievements. We’re naturally proud to state them because they were earned through hard work and results. But it’s about quality and the ability to perform the highest standard of service delivery that matters the most.

You can’t change it by DIY or an unproven moving company when it comes to moving art. It takes years of dedication and experience to know how to pack, secure, and transport delicate and valuable items. By booking with us, you’ll receive the best Bath has to offer for moving and storing. No matter what your needs are, we have the right package to match them.

Don’t settle for second-best or chance moving artwork yourself. Click here to request a free, no-obligation quote and to discuss our range of removals and storage services.