Transporting an antique chest of drawers from Hants to Lancs

[ss201]

I need to transport an antique wooden bedroom cabinet from Romsey, Hampshire to Morecambe, Lancashire before mid-November. The cabinet is 5 feet high, 3 feet wide and 18 inches deep. With the rear seats folded, my W203 C-Class estate is just slightly too small to accommodate it (Murohy's Law - there's only 2 foot 10 inches between the wheel inner wheel arches, length and height are OK, but the rear window slope is too steep to allow any wiggle room). Yes, I know I should have bought an E-Class estate (but I didn't!). Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get this single piece of furniture from Hants to Lancs without risking damage by a courier service or renting a van for a near 600 mile round trip?

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[brucemillar]

I have found (awaits howls of outraged from Croydon) Paisley Freight to be very good at overnight Pallet items. About £30 usually covers you for a Pallet. I would give them a call and have a chat with them. They also offer additional insurance (I have never or required it's use).

You may be better (piece of mind) using a specialist antique courier. To move my daughters Grand Piano we used a specialist Piano Mover, found on Google. Now I would have to say that I was impressed with these guys. They had custom made 'dollies' for lifting Grand Piano's these included 'stair walkers' and pneumatic suspension and rams. The price was less than I had thought it would be and they were simply superb. Their cake to tea consumption was something to marvel at. But I wanted a very heavy antique Grand Piano moved from an 'upstairs' flat to a Country lane house, that involved rough terrain, steps, awkward gaps etc. It was like an assault course for piano's. But they did it without a scratch on the Piano or, any other surrounding obstacles and with a smile.

 

[oldguy57]

I have used Shiply.com on several occasions in the past. Put the details in and you get quotes. Check very carefully customer feedback on the quotes you get. I have had very delicate expensive stuff (£10k plus) transported hundreds of miles without problem.

 

[ss201]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have used Paisley freight in the past, but only for collecting from my home and I was prepared to wait in for the courier to collect.This one's more tricky. When I bought my 1930s house, I purchased it from a lovely old lady and (as a separate item) a superb (art deco) bedroom suite which was too big for the lady to move. Her son contacted me last week to inform me that his mother had passed away and offered me the bedroom cabinet from the set, which she took with her when she moved. The house in Hampshire is now empty and up for sale. I can't ask/expect anyone at the other end to wait in all day for a courier to arrive, or to securely pack an antique cabinet of this size. That's why it's a darn shame it won't fit into my car, or I would be able to set a specific time for me to turn up and take it away myself. I'd hate to miss out on the cabinet as it would complete the matching set I already have. Hmmm, more head scratching to do........

 

[Druk]

Rentavan?

 

[MD5]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have used Paisley freight in the past, but only for collecting from my home and I was prepared to wait in for the courier to collect.This one's more tricky. When I bought my 1930s house, I purchased it from a lovely old lady and (as a separate item) a superb (art deco) bedroom suite which was too big for the lady to move. Her son contacted me last week to inform me that his mother had passed away and offered me the bedroom cabinet from the set, which she took with her when she moved. The house in Hampshire is now empty and up for sale. I can't ask/expect anyone at the other end to wait in all day for a courier to arrive, or to securely pack an antique cabinet of this size. That's why it's a darn shame it won't fit into my car, or I would be able to set a specific time for me to turn up and take it away myself. I'd hate to miss out on the cabinet as it would complete the matching set I already have. Hmmm, more head scratching to do........

Steve,

I may be going to Liverpool in the next week or so on business. I don't know yet how much space I will need in my car, and I will be on a tight schedule, but if I could get it from Romsey to Liverpool (or Sandbach services, for example) would that help? Lots of ifs and buts at the moment though.

 

[AMGeed]

Rentavan?

My immediate thought.
Rent something for a day that will take the load.

 

[ss201]

Mike that's a really kind offer and one that may be a feasible option. Please PM me your phone number and I'll give you a call to discuss.

Re renting a van, that's one option I'd already considered, but the prospect of sitting in a rented van for a 600 mile round trip isn't top of my list. Higher on the list is to have it collected & shipped by a specialist removals company - if nothing else, it's more environmentally friendly.

 

[Druk]

If Mike is passing Sandbach on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning it could then be transferred to another E Class and dropped off at Morecambe in the passing.

 

[ringway]

Call me if you need a hand loading them. I'm a Tallboy.

 

[ringway]

Steve,

I may be going to Liverpool in the next week or so on business. I don't know yet how much space I will need in my car, and I will be on a tight schedule, but if I could get it from Romsey to Liverpool (or Sandbach services, for example) would that help? Lots of ifs and buts at the moment though.

You are most welcome to drop them to Wilmslow if that's any easier, for you, Derek or Steve, Mike.
Then my E-Class would be available to Steve to use to get them back to Morecambe if he so wishes.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Looks like you've got a solution, which is great.

However, I'll just reinforce that Shipley can probably do it for less than £100, and they're very reliable, as long as you use people with a good feedback profile. Search "current quotes" to see the quote process in action. Note quotes start high, but they come down as people compete for work.

Why so cheap: because of the Economics of shared space, and empty return vehicles.

Here's the link: Shiply > Search Deliveries

 

[Smart320]

Used Shiply to transport a large sofa / corner unit from West Wales to Sheffield. Turned up to load it in 35cwt tail lift van and it was delivered 7 hrs later to second floor flat, unmarked , cost only £ 95 to my eBay buyer who was delighted with the service

 

[MD5]

If Mike is passing Sandbach on Sunday morning it could then be transferred to another E Class and dropped off at Morecambe in the passing.

Provisionally, it's looking like I'll be going up around the 29th of this month, stc. Looks like I'll miss you again, Derek!

You are most welcome to drop them to Wilmslow if that's any easier, for you, Derek or Steve, Mike.
Then my E-Class would be available to Steve to use to get them back to Morecambe if he so wishes.

Thanks, Paul, but I'll be heading west off the M6. Steve has a plan I think.

What's all this talk of E classes, by the way?!!

 

[Druk]

Provisionally, it's looking like I'll be going up around the 29th of this month, stc. Looks like I'll miss you again, Derek!

What's all this talk of E classes, by the way?!!

Hey-ho, never mind Mike. Next time maybe. E Class? Why would you drive anything less?


.

 

[MD5]

Hey-ho, never mind Mike. Next time maybe. E Class? Why would you drive anything less?


.

My E is having a breather - I bought an R class a couple of weeks ago!

 

[Deleted member 113659]

I have found (awaits howls of outraged from Croydon) Paisley Freight to be very good at overnight Pallet items. About £30 usually covers you for a Pallet. I would give them a call and have a chat with them. They also offer additional insurance (I have never or required it's use).

You may be better (piece of mind) using a specialist antique courier. To move my daughters Grand Piano we used a specialist Piano Mover, found on Google. Now I would have to say that I was impressed with these guys. They had custom made 'dollies' for lifting Grand Piano's these included 'stair walkers' and pneumatic suspension and rams. The price was less than I had thought it would be and they were simply superb. Their cake to tea consumption was something to marvel at. But I wanted a very heavy antique Grand Piano moved from an 'upstairs' flat to a Country lane house, that involved rough terrain, steps, awkward gaps etc. It was like an assault course for piano's. But they did it without a scratch on the Piano or, any other surrounding obstacles and with a smile.

Laurel & Hardy spring to mind.

 

[brucemillar]

Laurel & Hardy spring to mind.

Anything but. These guys had recently moved Mozart's Piano from Vienna to London for a Concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Even the van was spotlessly clean and beautifully wrapped in Piano stuff. Seriously: It is rare that you get to watch Formula 1 style Pit Change Movement. These guys brought it to a new level. When they finally re-assembled the Piano onto it's legs and lowered it into it's resting place, we were given some brilliant tips on how to look after our pride & joy and how to ensure it must settle correctly 'before' any re-tuning. Sometimes in life we get 'more' than we pay for or expect. This was one of those times. Oh!! Bonus. One of the movers was actually a very accomplished (if not shy) Piano Player. We were treated to an impromptu concert, over more tea and cakes. Wonderful.

Before they take on the job... They do a physical survey of BOTH sites, making very careful measurements and noting all obstacles, including (I kid you not) cats & dogs. They trip you up and they escape when doors are left ajar.

 

[Deleted member 113659]

Anything but. These guys had recently moved Mozart's Piano from Vienna to London for a Concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Even the van was spotlessly clean and beautifully wrapped in Piano stuff. Seriously: It is rare that you get to watch Formula 1 style Pit Change Movement. These guys brought it to a new level. When they finally re-assembled the Piano onto it's legs and lowered it into it's resting place, we were given some brilliant tips on how to look after our pride & joy and how to ensure it must settle correctly 'before' any re-tuning. Sometimes in life we get 'more' than we pay for or expect. This was one of those times. Oh!! Bonus. One of the movers was actually a very accomplished (if not shy) Piano Player. We were treated to an impromptu concert, over more tea and cakes. Wonderful.

Before they take on the job... They do a physical survey of BOTH sites, making very careful measurements and noting all obstacles, including (I kid you not) cats & dogs. They trip you up and they escape when doors are left ajar.

I’m sure it was Bruce.

However, my point still stands.

I’ll always think of Laurel & Hardy at the mention of: piano transport, chimney sweeps, fresh fish, etc.

 

[brucemillar]

I’m sure it was Bruce.

However, my point still stands.

I’ll always think of Laurel & Hardy at the mention of: piano transport, chimney sweeps, fresh fish, etc.

Whilst enduring one of my weekly Chemotherapy Session (I know how to have fun) my eldest daughter bought me a Laurel & Hardy DVD to watch on my LapTop. As I watched Laurel saw through the mast of a boat (having got his head stuck between the mast and a blukhead) not realising that Hardy was atop the mast with tub of paint. I almost wet my pants and soiled myself at the same time. There is something in their humour that can reduce you to tears in seconds.