Custom crating for a move starts around $80 to $180 for a small, straightforward piece, commonly falls between $200 and $550 for large framed art, mirrors or glass, and reaches $400 to $800 or more for sculptures, complex shapes and oversized equipment. Museum-grade, climate-buffered, reusable or export crates can exceed $1,000 because the quote covers design, materials, skilled packing and sometimes on-site fabrication.
A crate is not simply a plywood box. It must distribute loads, prevent movement, protect vulnerable surfaces and survive the handling method. FedEx's current freight guidance recommends quality plywood, sound lumber, strong corner construction and diagonal bracing. Smithsonian conservation resources add a different layer: cushioning and surface protection must match the object, not just the crate dimensions.
| Crate type | Typical item | Planning range | Usually excluded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small skeleton or basic crate | Compact art, lamp, small machine part | $80–$180 | Freight and insurance |
| Full plywood art / mirror crate | Large frame, glass tabletop | $200–$550 | Conservation treatment |
| Complex fitted crate | Sculpture, irregular antique | $400–$800+ | Rigging and installation |
| Oversized / heavy equipment crate | Stone, machinery, commercial equipment | $600–$2,000+ | Forklift, crane and freight |
| Reusable museum / climate crate | High-value art or repeated loans | Custom quote | Courier and environmental monitoring |
Enter the item's outside dimensions. The model adds clearance for padding; the fabricator must measure the actual object.
| Method | Protection | Good fit |
|---|---|---|
| Soft pack | Abrasion and light impact | Short dedicated-vehicle move with trained handlers |
| Travel frame / shadow box | Keeps wrapping away from a fragile face | Paintings and framed works |
| Skeleton crate | Rigid perimeter with less enclosure | Furniture or robust oversize object |
| Full plywood crate | Rigid enclosure, blocking and cushioning | Freight, repeated handling, glass or valuable objects |
| Double / climate-buffered crate | Higher shock and environmental protection | Museum loans, international air or sensitive collections |
More wood is not automatically safer. Smithsonian research notes that overbuilt museum crates can add cost and handling burden, while a well-designed travel box can reduce direct contact for suitable van transport. The route and handling chain determine the correct level.
USDA APHIS says many countries require regulated wood packaging material to be treated and officially marked under ISPM 15. Exporters must check the destination's requirements. Compliant solid wood is heat-treated or fumigated through an accredited program and bears an official mark; you cannot make the mark yourself.
Processed wood such as plywood can be exempt, but a crate that combines plywood panels with untreated solid-wood skids or braces may still contain regulated material. Put the requirement in the fabricator's written scope. As of January 1, 2026, APHIS also resumed enforcement of the required hyphen format in US ISPM 15 marks.
A framed work measuring 48 by 36 by 6 inches needs a full enclosure, nonabrasive surface protection and fitted cushioning. A public moving-company rate card places artwork crating broadly between $75 and $550; the size and fitted interior put this example toward the middle or upper half. A sensible planning allowance is $300 to $550 for crating, then separate pickup, freight and valuation coverage. On-site work or an export-compliant reusable build can move the crate itself toward $600–$900.
Small simple crates can start around $80–$180. Large art and glass commonly plan at $200–$550, while fitted sculptures, heavy equipment, museum construction and export work can run $400 to well over $1,000.
Usually not. Confirm whether the quote covers measurement, fabrication, packing, pickup, freight, valuation coverage, delivery, uncrating and debris removal.
No. A trained handler may recommend soft packing or a travel frame for a short dedicated-van trip. Freight, glass, complex shapes and repeated handling are stronger reasons for a full crate.
Many specialty movers can, but on-site fabrication adds travel, setup and labor. Large or complex crates may be built in a workshop after a measurement visit.
It is an international phytosanitary standard for regulated solid-wood packaging. Many destinations require treatment and an accredited mark to reduce the spread of wood-boring pests.
Keep it if the item may move again and storage is dry and practical. Photograph labels and internal blocking before unpacking so it can be reassembled correctly.