Custom Crating Services | Pkwy Moving & Storage

Some items are too valuable, fragile, or oddly shaped to trust to standard boxes and padding alone. Pkwy Moving & Storage offers custom crating services built to protect artwork, antiques, mirrors, marble, electronics, and other high-value items during a move or period of storage. Each crate is typically built to fit the exact dimensions of the item it's protecting, which generally provides a level of stability and cushioning that off-the-shelf packaging can't match. Whether your move is happening across town through our local moving services or farther away through our long-distance moving services, custom crating can be added as a layer of protection for the pieces that matter most.

Custom Crating Built for Fragile and High-Value Items

Custom crating is generally recommended for items that are irregularly shaped, unusually heavy, or simply too valuable to risk with standard packing materials. This can include fine art, sculptures, glass tabletops, chandeliers, musical instruments, and specialty electronics. Our crews typically start by assessing the item's size, weight, and fragility, then build a wooden crate designed around those specifics rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all container. The goal is to minimize movement inside the crate during transit, which tends to be one of the biggest factors in preventing damage.

Because crating takes more time and material than standard packing, it's usually planned in advance as part of a broader moving or storage plan. If your move also involves other rooms or a full household, coordinating crating alongside our professional packing services can help keep the schedule realistic. Households moving into a new home overall, rather than just relocating a few specialty items, may also want to review our residential moving services to see how crating fits into the larger plan. For moves connected to a workplace relocation, our commercial moving services can incorporate crating for equipment, artwork, or fixtures that need extra protection in transit.

Custom-Built Wood Crates

Crates are typically constructed on-site or in advance using plywood and dimensional lumber, sized to the item with minimal excess space. Internal bracing, foam padding, or cushioning material is generally added depending on the item's fragility. This approach tends to hold up better than generic boxes for items that are heavy, awkwardly shaped, or prone to shifting during loading, transport, or storage.

Protection for Art, Antiques, and Specialty Items

Artwork, mirrors, marble slabs, and antique furniture often require handling that goes beyond standard wrapping. Our crews are trained to identify which items call for crating versus standard packing, and to apply the right cushioning materials for each piece. This matters most for items that are difficult or impossible to replace, where a small amount of extra preparation up front can make a meaningful difference on the other end of the move.

Crating for Storage and Long-Distance Transit

Items that will sit in storage for an extended period, or that are traveling a long distance, are generally exposed to more handling and more time in transit than a typical local move. Custom crates can help reduce the risk that comes with that added handling, and they're often a practical addition when a long-distance moving plan is already in place. Even a short period of storage between a move-out and move-in date can add enough handling to justify crating for particularly delicate items.

Coordinated Planning With Your Move

Crating is usually most effective when it's planned ahead of moving day rather than added as an afterthought. A move coordinator can typically review your inventory, flag which items may benefit from a custom crate, and build that into the overall timeline so nothing holds up the rest of the move. If you're still finalizing your plans, a quick moving quote request is a straightforward way to start that conversation and get crating factored into your estimate.

What's Included With Custom Crating

• On-site assessment of items to determine crating needs
• Custom-built wood crates sized to the specific item
• Interior cushioning and bracing materials
• Labeling for careful handling during loading and transit
• Coordination with local, long-distance, residential, or commercial moving plans
• Optional integration with short- or long-term storage

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of items typically need custom crating?

Artwork, mirrors, marble or glass surfaces, antiques, chandeliers, sculptures, and specialty electronics are common candidates. Generally, any item that's fragile, heavy, or irregularly shaped can benefit from a custom-built crate rather than standard boxes.

How far in advance should I schedule custom crating?

Because crates are typically built to fit specific items, it's usually best to request crating a week or more before your move date, especially for larger or multiple pieces. This gives the team time to assess items and prepare materials.

Can custom crating be combined with packing or storage services?

Yes. Custom crating is often coordinated alongside our professional packing services for the rest of a household or office, and crates can also be used for items going into short- or long-term storage.

Is custom crating only for long-distance moves?

No, crating can be useful for local moves as well, particularly for items that are fragile or valuable regardless of distance. That said, it's often considered a worthwhile addition for long-distance moves given the extra transit time involved.

Do you provide crating for commercial or office items?

Yes, custom crating is available for equipment, artwork, or fixtures as part of a workplace relocation. It's typically coordinated through our commercial moving services to fit the broader project timeline.