If you have a lot of valuable antiques in your home, the prospect of hiring someone else to move and transport your items might seem a bit daunting. But moving companies do deal with fragile, valuable items all of the time. Since they pack and transport items every day for a living, they might be even less apt to damage your antiques than you yourself would be in this situation! Just follow these tips when hiring someone to pack and move your valuable antiques.

Choose an experienced moving company with an experienced staff.

This is not the time to experiment with the new-kid-on-the-block moving company in town. Similarly, you don't want to hire a company that employs college kids as their primary staff members. Look for a company with a long track record of success, and one whose team members have been on staff for years. They will have more hands-on experience moving antiques, and you can ask for references from previous customers whose antiques they've moved to ease your concerns.

Double-check what their insurance covers.

Typically, a moving company will ensure your items up to a certain value. If you have a lot of expensive antiques, the value of your items may exceed the company's standard limit. However, you should be able to pay for extra insurance. If the moving company you want to hire cannot offer you extra insurance, consider contacting an outside insurance company. They may write you a basic policy to cover your items during the move just in case the items get lost or damaged.

Pack anything small and intricate yourself.

If you have something such as a collection of antique jewelry or stamps, pack these items into boxes yourself. This way, you don't have to worry as much about their bring misplaced by movers. If you only have a small number of these items, you can even take them with you in your personal vehicle (or carry-on luggage if you're flying) rather than having them put into the moving truck.

Disassemble items yourself.

If you have anything that needs to be disassembled to be moved, such as a large piece of furniture, plan on doing this yourself. While most moving companies do offer assembly and disassembly services, antiques are often put together in unique ways. You know your items and how they are put together, so you're less apt to accidentally damage them than the movers when taking them apart.

Talk to companies such as Wheaton World Wide Moving to find a company that is good for you.