Curtis Specialized Moving crew carefully installing framed artwork and photographs on a staircase wall

White Glove Movers Aren't Just for Moving

By Jamie Furrate

Many people are unaware that most white glove moving companies offer numerous services beyond household moves. There is a wide array of services some clients utilize that are not thought of as being part of moving services. These services are more fully described below.

Delivery Services White Glove movers are usually engaged in various types of delivery services for its’ clients.  Whether a designer, homeowner or commercial client, a white glove moving and storage company should be very knowledgeable and efficient providing pick-up and delivery services.  Typically, a designer may have purchased items for their client that may need to be picked up at a showroom, store or refinisher, to either be delivered and placed in the residence or brought to a white glove movers’ warehouse to be stored until an installation is scheduled, when a home under construction is completed.  Of course, it can also be items purchased by the end user homeowner or a business that needs to be picked up and installed in the home or office.  The same excellent service, inspection procedures, and careful attention to detail is expected of the white glove company.

Art Hanging White Glove movers will typically have expertise in hanging works of art. Having experienced art hangers that understand there are many considerations when handling and installing art; such as what type of wall is the piece being hanged-plaster, sheetrock, stone, concrete, brick, etc.  Beyond the wall type you must determine height, spacing, leveling, location and hardware used. What type of hooks, anchors, screws, etc. are needed? Some heavy pieces may need to be affixed with a mating board to ensure the piece remains attached to the wall.  Is the wiring strong enough to support the piece regardless of the type of wall?  Knowing what type materials is needed for packing and transporting art is also critically important.  Whether hanging multiple pieces in a grouping or that sentimental piece above the mantel, using a white glove professional is the obvious choice.

Chandelier Installation and Cleaning White Glove movers should be skilled and experienced in handling, packing, transporting and installing chandeliers (including massive pieces). Curtis Specialized Moving & Storage has teams with vast experience in chandelier installation for residential, as well as for office and entertainment venues such as casinos. Having the experienced personnel, requisite tools and equipment, and the knowledge to understand the issues and challenges are musts to undertake this type of service. Curtis is also available to clean crystal chandeliers (in place) which become dusty over time.  Please see our website (www.CurtisMoving.com) to view some of our most challenging installations.

Statuary Handling and Installation Some white glove moving and storage companies (like Curtis) have the expertise and depth of talent to safely handle, transport and install large statuary pieces in a home, office, hotel or park.  If the white glove company has that skill level it would typically be less expensive to engage them, rather than a construction company.  Curtis has been blessed to have performed a great number of statuary installations over the years and has an experienced team that can engineer the project to ensure it is installed safely and properly.  Please see our website to view pictures of some of the work we have performed.

Receiving and Storage Services Most white glove moving and storage companies are also “receivers”. This means the moving company will receive items from 3rd party carriers that were instructed to send the piece to the receiver for immediate delivery or to store for a larger installation later. The receiver would inspect the items received for damages under proper lighting, record a detailed description of the item(s) with picture evidence and using protective gloves (hence, white glove).  The client is then notified of the arrival of the items and ascertains the client’s instructions for the items.  If the items are to remain with the receiver until a later time, they would then be barcoded, and have label affixed with the client’s name and a description of the item(s) and then placed in a storage location (also barcoded for ease of retrieval).  Most white glove moving and storage companies have a temperature controlled warehouse and rack storage.  Curtis has just under 100,000 square feet of temperature-controlled warehouse storage.  The best receivers will have security cameras, monitored alarm systems and security outside of the facility.

Out of the Box Services Many white glove movers can perform specialty services as discussed above, but only a few can successfully perform projects that are only seen on an infrequent basis.  Such as having a large sofa ride on top of an elevator car in a high-rise condo building or bringing furniture through an upstairs window using a forklift. And how about receiving furniture on a high-rise condo terrace from a crane or having a helicopter lower a large conference table to installers on the top of an office building! Curtis Specialized Moving & Storage has successfully undertaken all these above-described projects and many more challenging installations. Please see our website to see pictures of some of these projects.

Curtis Specialized Moving & Storage