TRUSTED MOVERS

Custom Crating for Fragile and High-Value Items

Some items require more protection than a box and bubble wrap can provide. Artwork, antiques, sculptures, oversized mirrors, wine collections, and custom millwork all need purpose-built crating that fits the item precisely and protects it against the specific risks of transport and storage. When crating is required for your move, Lifetime Moving & Storage coordinates everything on your behalf. We work with trusted specialty crating professionals, arrange for them to come out, and handle the billing directly so you are not managing another vendor or coordinating a separate part of your move.

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Lifetime Moving & Storage crew assisting with a residential home move

When Standard Packing Is Not Enough

Standard moving boxes and packing materials are designed for typical household items. They work well for dishes, books, clothing, and general household goods. They are not designed for a 60-inch oil painting, a bronze sculpture, a rare antique, or a custom glass piece. Items like these require a crate built around their actual dimensions, with interior cushioning designed for their specific fragility and weight distribution.

A properly built custom crate does several things that a standard box cannot. It holds its shape under the weight and pressure of transit. It prevents the item inside from moving at all, not just from being cushioned when it does. It protects against moisture, temperature fluctuation, and contact damage from the outside. And it can be clearly marked with handling instructions that freight carriers and moving crews actually follow because the packaging makes the item’s fragility obvious.

We assess each item before building a crate for it. The crate dimensions, interior foam profiling, bracing configuration, and closure method are all determined by the specific item and how it will be transported. A crate built for a painting that ships across the country is different from a crate built for a sculpture that is going into storage for six months. We build for the actual use case.

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Lifetime Moving & Storage professional loading boxes into a moving truck

Protection That Matches the Value of What You Are Moving

High-value items often represent years of collecting, significant financial investment, or irreplaceable personal significance. A crate that costs a few hundred dollars is an appropriate investment against the risk of damaging something worth many times that. We approach custom crating with that perspective, and we build crates that provide genuine protection, not the appearance of it.

The crating specialists we work with have experience across a wide range of item types, including fine art, antiques, electronics, medical equipment, custom furniture, and specialty glass. Every crate is documented with the item it was built for and the contents it contains. We oversee the process and stay involved so the standard of care is consistent with everything else we do on your move.

Custom crates built to the specific dimensions of your item
Interior foam profiling for item-specific cushioning and immobilization
Built for transport, storage, or both
Clear exterior marking with handling and orientation instructions
Up to 60 days of free storage

Other Services

Packing & Unpacking Services – Professional packing for the full home, with custom crating as a specialty component for items that require it.

Interior Design Logistics – Receiving, inspection, and storage for design trade clients, including specialty crating for client pieces.

White Glove Delivery & Assembly – Careful delivery and placement for high-value items following transport in custom crates.

International Moving – Custom crating as a required component of international moves for fragile and high-value pieces.

Warehouse & Storage Solutions – Climate-controlled storage for crated items requiring long-term protection.

Long Distance Moving – Crating for items traveling long distances where standard packing is not sufficient for the transit conditions.

How We Build Custom Crates

Our crating process begins with identifying which items on your move require it. We review dimensions, weight, material type, and fragility to determine what level of protection is needed. Items that appear simple sometimes have complex requirements, and we do not assume. Once crating is confirmed, we arrange for our specialist crating partners to come out and handle construction, and we stay involved throughout so nothing falls through the cracks.

Crates are built from high-grade materials appropriate for the item’s weight and the rigors of transport. Interior foam is cut to profile or layered to fully immobilize the item without putting pressure on fragile areas. Structural bracing is added where needed for items that are unusually heavy or have protruding elements.

Crating Coordination and Construction

Construction typically takes place on-site at your location. Our crating partners build each crate to fit the specific item with no unnecessary space inside that would allow movement. We coordinate timing around your move schedule so crating happens when it needs to without disrupting the rest of the process.

Once the crate is built, the item is placed inside on a clean cushioned surface, additional foam or padding is packed around it to eliminate any remaining movement, and the crate is sealed. Exterior labels indicating fragile handling, correct orientation, and any temperature or environmental restrictions are applied before the crate leaves our hands.

Documentation and Handling

Each custom crate is documented with the item contents, construction date, and any handling notes. For high-value items, photographic documentation of the item’s condition before crating is available upon request. This documentation is valuable for insurance purposes and for claims in the unlikely event of damage.

Crated items are treated as priority cargo throughout transport and storage. Handling crews are briefed on what is inside and how to manage it.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of items do you build custom crates for?

We build custom crates for fine art including paintings, sculptures, and prints, antiques and collectibles, oversized mirrors, custom furniture, electronics and medical equipment, wine collections, and any other item that requires protection beyond standard packing methods.

How far in advance should I request custom crating?

Crates for standard-sized items can typically be built within a few days. Larger or more complex crates may require more lead time for material sourcing and construction. Contact us as early as possible so we can advise on your specific timeline.

Can you crate items that are already in storage?

Yes. If you have items in our storage facility that require crating, we can assess and build crates for them without requiring a separate delivery and return.

How is custom crating priced?

Crating is priced based on the size of the item, the complexity of the crate construction, and the materials required. We provide a written estimate following our assessment of the item before any work begins.

Can the crates be reused?

Many of our custom crates can be reused for future moves or storage. We can store the crate with the item or return it to you for safekeeping. Let us know your preference when we discuss the project.

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