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If you are an art collector, then the idea of subjecting items in your collection to a long-distance move is probably a frightening one. How do you prepare your fine art for a move, particularly for transport over a significant distance? And what can you do to minimize the potential for loss or damage to these irreplaceable treasures?

According to Kirk Hensler of Premier Relocations in Novi, Michigan, fine art and valuables should among the first things you discuss when you’re interviewing moving companies. Artwork can be particularly sensitive to the rigors of transport, from the inevitable bumps in the road to changes in temperature and humidity If fine art pieces are going to be part of your shipment, then your salesperson should explain up front how those pieces will be protected during transport. If that’s not made clear, says Hensler, go with another company. “If you choose Premier Relocations,” says Hensler, “as professionals, we are going to tell you that we simply can’t move fine art unless it’s properly crated.”

Proper crating involves more than just carefully boxing your items. Instead, Premier (and, Hensler says, any reputable company) will hire a professional crating company to build custom containers for artwork and other items of particular value like antiques. Most of the time, crating will be done either the morning of your move or the day before. A crate-builder will come to your home and create a special wooden crate for each piece of art in your shipment. A crate will be fitted to each piece to avoid the necessity of putting destructive packing materials against items of value. This type of crating, Hensler explains, can be done for anything from a flat-screen television to an oil painting – anything that could be damaged by friction to its surface.

Large marble and glass items also require crating, says Hensler, as do ceramic items – particularly oversized statues and the like. Smaller items, he says, may not necessarily require crating, but, depending on their value, will likely be packed in special containers that will ultimately be placed in larger padded containers to provide added protection.

According to Hensler, there are two types of crates commonly used to protect valuables in a move – slat crates and solid crates. Slat crates are lightweight and see-through, but provide support to the item inside in order to protect it from breakage or pressure from surrounding items. “Slat crates are built like baby cribs,” says Hensler. “The item is basically surrounded by a wooden skeleton.” Slat crates are most appropriate for items that are already wrapped, like marble or glass pieces, so that they’re not in danger of being scratched or dented. Slat crates are usually not used for extremely heavy items.

Solid crates, on the other hand, are more appropriate for items like oil paintings that need to be protected from any potential surface contact. With a solid crate, the item inside is completely surrounded by wood. This is the ultimate form of protection, says Hensler. Solid crates are also used for particularly heavy artwork.

If your items will be going into storage before they are moved into your new house, says Hensler, then you will want to ask about your moving company’s storage facility. Because some types of artwork are particularly sensitive to heat and humidity, you will want to work with a company that offers a climate-controlled storage facility. “At Premier Relocations,” says Hensler, “we consider ourselves storage professionals as well as moving professionals. If your moving company doesn’t offer a safe, secure storage solution for your valuables – fine art or otherwise – you’re going to want to work with someone who does.”