Moving a painting is not moving furniture. The risk is rarely that someone drops it — it is vibration over a long drive, a humidity swing between a climate-controlled apartment and a truck in August, and a corner knocked against a door frame on the way out.
Big Apple Moving has been moving art in New York since 1979. We crate to measure, we transport with each piece secured rather than stacked, and we photograph condition before and after so there is never an argument about when a mark appeared.
We move for private collectors, galleries, interior designers and estates, across the five boroughs and out of state.
Moving Fine Arts in New York Since 1979
What a Fine Art Move Costs in NYC
Labour is billed at our standard crew rates. Crating is quoted per piece because it is built to the dimensions of the work.
| Job | Crew | Hours | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| One or two framed pieces | 2 movers | 2 – 3 | $300 – $550 |
| Several pieces, a room’s worth | 2-3 movers | 3 – 5 | $500 – $950 |
| Full collection, whole apartment | 3-4 movers | 6 – 10 | $1,200 – $2,700 |
| Single oversized piece, stairs or long carry | 3 movers | 2 – 4 | $400 – $700 |
| Custom crate, per piece | — | — | $150 – $900 |
Ranges, not quotes. Crating is the largest variable on most fine art jobs — a small framed print in a soft-packed travel frame is a different job from a foam-lined crate built around a six-foot canvas. You get a firm figure once we have seen dimensions and condition.
The Part That Actually Protects the Work
Soft packing and travel frames
For short local moves of framed work under roughly 40 inches, a glassine-faced soft pack inside a padded travel frame is usually enough. Corners get separate protection, because corners are where damage happens.
Custom wooden crates
For anything valuable, oversized, unframed, or travelling more than a couple of hours, we build a wooden crate to the piece’s dimensions and line it with foam. The foam absorbs shock and vibration; the fit stops the work moving inside. That is the difference between a crate and a box.
Glass and acrylic
Glazed work gets taped or a barrier film, so that if the glass breaks it cannot travel into the surface of the work. Acrylic is never taped — it scratches — so it is faced and spaced instead.
Sculpture and three-dimensional work
Braced at the base and supported at the point of balance rather than the narrowest point, which is the usual instinct and the usual mistake.
Secured, Not Stacked
Air-ride suspension matters more than almost anything else on a long carry: road vibration, not handling, is the leading cause of in-transit damage to art. Work is secured with padded tie-downs and E-track, never bungee cords, and never stacked against bare metal. On climate-sensitive pieces we hold stable temperature and humidity for the whole trip rather than simply cooling the cab.
Condition Reports and Valuation
We photograph each piece before it is packed and again on delivery. That record is what makes an insurance claim straightforward and, more often, what makes one unnecessary.
Basic released-value coverage is included by law and is calculated by weight, which is close to meaningless for art — a $40,000 canvas weighs very little. For anything of real value you want either full-value protection through us or a fine art rider on your own policy. Two things people miss: confirm the cover is in force during transit, not just at either end, and confirm it covers any period the work sits in storage between the two. That storage gap is the most common hole we see.
Who We Move For
Private collectors
Single pieces through whole-apartment collections, usually alongside a household move rather than on their own.
Galleries and dealers
Install and de-install, art fair runs, and moves between viewing rooms and storage. We can work to a fixed window rather than a day.
Interior designers and stagers
Delivery and hanging into finished interiors where the floors are done and nothing may be dragged.
Estates and probate
Often to multiple destinations from one address, with an inventory and condition record at each stop.
How the Job Runs
Survey
Dimensions, medium, glazing, framing, condition, and access at both ends. Photographs if we cannot get to you in person.
Crate build
Anything needing a custom crate is measured and built before move day, not on it.
Pack and condition-report
Each piece photographed, then packed.
Transport and install
Secured in transit, unpacked at destination, placed or hung, and photographed again.
Fine Art Moving in NYC — Frequently Asked Questions
Cost, crating, transport and what your insurance actually covers.
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FAQ
How do fine art movers ensure the safety of my artwork during transport?
Big Apple Moving is Professional fine art movers, we use museum-quality packing materials, custom crates, climate-controlled trucks, and specialized handling techniques to protect artworks from damage, temperature changes, and vibrations.
Do fine art movers provide insurance for my artwork?
Big Apple Moving offer insurance options, but the coverage varies. It’s recommended to verify the policy details, including liability limits, transit coverage, and any additional insurance you may need.
Can fine art movers help with international shipping?
Yes, Big Apple Moving can provide international shipping services, including customs documentation, packing for overseas transport, and coordinating with international logistics partners.
Do fine art movers offer temporary or long-term storage?
We offer climate-controlled storage facilities designed for short-term and long-term art storage, ensuring optimal temperature, humidity control, and security.
How much does it cost to move fine art in NYC?
The cost varies based on factors like artwork size, value, distance, packing needs, and special handling requirements. Contact us for a customized quote after assessing the specific needs of your artwork.
