How we handle your work
Every job runs in four steps: brief, collect, carry, deliver. This page sets out what to prepare, what happens on the day, and how each piece is checked at both ends.
The four steps
Brief
Send the details by WhatsApp, phone or the quote form: what the pieces are, how many, their size and weight, both addresses, and the date that matters. A photograph helps. From a sale room or venue, include the release note or the booked slot; for a loan, any transport conditions in the agreement; for Europe, what you know about the paperwork. We reply with how the job would run and a quote.
Collect
We confirm the collection time with you and check the access first: stairs, lifts, parking, goods entrances and any loading-bay slot. On the day, each piece is checked against your description with whoever hands it over, then loaded and secured. Pieces are normally wrapped by you beforehand; if you would like us to wrap them, we can, at an extra cost, so mention it when you ask for a quote. Large paintings and bigger items are collected by two people, and you get a text message once the job is collected.
Carry
Pieces are strapped and secured so they cannot shift, framed works travel upright, and nothing is stacked on a painted surface or glazing. The van stays protected and secure, and goes straight from collection to delivery. For jobs to or from Europe, the customs paperwork agreed at the brief travels with the consignment.
Deliver
The receiver is told when to expect us. At delivery, each piece is checked against the description with the receiver, unpacked or left packed as you prefer, and handed over to the person you named. You get a text message when the job is complete.
How your piece is protected
Insurance, the van, wrapping, lifting, condition checks at both ends, and customs.
- Cover
- Fully insured. Tell us the value of each piece when you ask for a quote.
- In the van
- The van stays protected and secure from collection to delivery, and carries your load only. Pieces are strapped and secured so they cannot shift.
- Recording condition
- Each piece is checked against your description with you before it is loaded, and with the receiver before we leave. You are welcome to photograph it at handover; keep those photographs as your record of condition. If anything is not as it should be, note it there and then, with photographs.
- Wrapping
- Pieces are normally wrapped by you before collection. If you would like us to wrap them, we can, at an extra cost: mention it when you ask for a quote and it will be included in the price.
- Lifting and carrying
- Large paintings and bigger items go with two people, and we can send two on any job that requires it. Further help with lifting and carrying is available at an extra cost.
- Customs and licences
- Customs paperwork is handled as part of the job. Export licences and CITES permits, where a piece needs them, are confirmed before collection, never on the day.
For jobs to or from Europe
The paperwork is settled before collection: who exports, who imports, and who makes the declarations. Documents agreed at the brief travel with the consignment. See routes to Europe for how each crossing is planned, and the Brexit guide for what to prepare.
Protected materials
If a piece contains ivory, tortoiseshell, certain woods or other material from protected species, tell us before anything else is arranged. Moving or selling such items can need exemptions or CITES permits, and there are serious penalties for getting it wrong.
Official sources
Rules change. Check the official guidance for your own consignment; we will talk it through with you.
Ready to book?
Send a photo and the two addresses, at any hour, and we will come back with a quote. Or get a quote online.