Most Affordable Way to Ship Furniture
Learn the basics of shipping furniture and the affordable shipping options available.
Most Affordable Way to Ship Furniture
Everyone seeks the most efficient and affordable way to ship furniture. Shipping furniture can seem tricky because they can be of different shapes, sizes, and weights. Some furniture could even be a family antique that requires specialized shipping services. In addition, shipping large, heavy, or valuable items can be costly.
Whether you own a furniture business or an antique store, or you’re an individual who needs to ship a piece of furniture, make sure you get the most affordable way to ship furniture.
We provide competitive freight shipping prices and an all-inclusive, easy-to-use shipping experience for our customers. Exceeding our customers’ expectations results in thousands of satisfied customer reviews and repeat business. We believe in the power of our customer relationships. Check out FreightCenter reviews from real customers, and learn what they have to say about their freight shipping experience!
- 2021, 2017 & 2016 Food Logistics’ Top Green Providers
- 2021 & 2018 Supply & Demand Chain Executives’ Pros to Know: Matthew Brosious
- 2020 & 2019 Top Food Logistics’ 3PL & Cold Storage Provider Award
- 2020 & 2019 Business Observer’s Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast
- 2020 & 2017 SmartWay® Transport Partner
- 2020 & 2017 Food Logistics’ Champions: Rock Stars of the Supply Chain
- 2020 Best of Palm Harbor Awards for Local Businesses
- 2017 Green Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive
- 2017 Tampa Bay Business Journal Heroes at Work
- 2016, 2015, & 2012 Food Logistics Top 100 Software and Technology Providers
- 2013 Tampa Bay Business 100 by Tampa Bay Business Journal
- 2013 Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners by SupplyChainBrain
- 2012 TIA Samaritan Award Honorable Mention
- 2012, 2011 & 2010 TBBJ Fast 50 Recipient
- 2013, 2011, & 2010 Diversity Business Top Businesses
Why Choose FreightCenter for Furniture Shipping?
Expertise in Freight Shipping: With over 25 years in the logistics industry, FreightCenter is dedicated to guiding you through the entire logistics process, from beginning to end. Our goal is to make freight shipping easy to understand and book. Don’t waste time researching and receiving quotes from individual carriers- FreightCenter’s got your back!
Competitive Rates with Tailored Solutions: We prioritize high-quality customer service without breaking your wallet. We utilize our relationships with regional and national carriers to offer you competitive, affordable rates while providing personalized solutions to your needs. Need a liftgate? We got you! Want to expedite your order? Leave it to us! We’re ready to provide tailored solutions that don’t compromise your freight shipment.
Personalized Customer Support: FreightCenter is committed to satisfying our customers. Our friendly customer support team is here to help you every step of the way, from initial inquiries to post-shipment concerns. We handle all aspects of logistics, including tracking, paperwork, and communication with carriers, so you can focus on your business while we manage your shipment. Choose us for our reliable service and affordable quotes!
Shipping Furniture Basics
In the freight shipping and logistics world, large items refer to any cargo that:
- Weighs over 150 pounds.
- Is longer than 108 inches.
- Has a combined girth and length of more than 165 inches.
This means that parcel carriers cannot transport most furniture, qualifying them for freight shipping.
Typically, furniture will be considered a large item. The average sofa weighs about 350 lbs., so unless your carrier is The Incredible Hulk, you must add accessorials to your quote. Accessorials are add-on services. There are many kinds of accessorials to choose from; some are required while others are optional. Knowing what accessorials you need will help you plan to ship your furniture more cost-effectively. Here are some common accessorials that may be needed for furniture shipping:
Lift Gate Service: If you are shipping a heavy desk but don’t have a loading dock or a forklift, you’ll need to request lift gate services for pickup and delivery. Liftgates are required for carriers to load and unload freight weighing over 100 lbs. from their trucks.
Residential and Limited Access Location Service: If you are an individual shipper or run your business from your home, you need this accessorial because residential areas are not very freight truck friendly. Limited access location service is required when any destination restricts trucks from entering an area.
White Glove Service: With white glove service, you are adding the highest level of service and support available. You will not be responsible for packaging, moving, loading, or unloading your furniture. Your furniture will be picked up and delivered to your destination. This service is great for individual shippers moving antique or valuable furniture.
How to Ship Furniture Affordably
Whether you need to ship furniture from New York to California, or from one county to another in Florida, you want to know your shipping options. Here are some of the most popular options for moving furniture via freight shipping:
Less-Than-Truckload Freight Shipping
Many small to medium-sized businesses, as well as individual shippers, can benefit from choosing less-than-truckload shipping or LTL shipping. LTL shipping is an affordable way to move heavy items like furniture that don’t require an entire truck. Think of LTL shipping as a ride share for your freight because your cargo will share trailer space with other shippers’ cargo. This helps reduce freight rates and shipping costs.
When you choose LTL freight shipping for your furniture shipment, be sure your furniture is secured to a pallet and shrink-wrapped for loading to protect it from frequent moving and vibrations. LTL is a great option for factory-packaged boxes, ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture, knocked-down or disassembled furniture, crated and palletized items that are secured to the pallet, as well as beds, cribs, and mattresses, and non-fragile, easy to move pieces.
Properly packaging, protecting and securing your furniture is important. For a more comprehensive look at how to package your freight, check out our free Guide to Freight Packaging here.
Truckload Freight Shipping
If you own a business that does a lot of furniture shipping for large businesses, you might want to consider full truckload shipping (TL). When you choose TL shipping, your cargo requires the entire space in the truck’s trailer, is very heavy, oversized, or overlength, or has special equipment requirements. Depending on your furniture shipment needs, truckload shipping could be the most affordable option for you.
White Glove Moving Service
While this is considered an accessorial, it’s imperative to note that choosing this option is best for shipping fragile, antique, breakable items or furniture that is easy to scratch. This specialty delivery service is recommended for items that require extra care. White glove moving service is also great for furniture sellers who want to provide the best end-customer experience because white-glove service includes delivery and set-up by trained specialists, removal of debris/packaging materials, light assembly, and stair carry.
To create value for our customers by delivering customized shipping solutions that meet their unique needs and to fulfill shipping demands from simple to complex with expertise, guidance and ingenuity.
Trust the experts at FreightCenter to give you the best prices and the most comprehensive options for all your LTL freight shipping needs.
We deliver optimized solutions for full or partial truckloads and competitive dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated freight pricing. We can cover your full truckload shipping needs.
Nationwide Expedited Trucking services move your freight securely and rapidly. Your freight requires fast delivery; our freight shipping experts can get your shipment fast, whether in one large box or a full truckload.
The most reliable Specialized Freight Services rates from all the top carriers are just a few steps away. From white glove service to international shipping, we've got you covered.
What about Furniture Moving Companies
If shipping your furniture via freight companies is affordable and convenient, why do most people still turn to furniture moving companies?
As their name implies, furniture moving companies are experienced in shipping furniture and other household items. Movers are trained to lift heavy objects and navigate tight areas in a room or stairwell without scratching the floors and walls. They offer a stress-free, efficient service similar to a freight company.
However, furniture moving companies have one big flaw that makes them less than ideal for someone trying to save on shipping their furniture: cost. Furniture moving companies are expensive. Local movers charge between $25 and $50 an hour, with the final price coming up to between $875 and $2,350. Moving out of state can cost you between $2,200 and $5,700. This isn’t even getting into paying for the truck, furniture dollies, and fees for hiring the movers.
There’s also the fact that furniture movers may only specialize in moving just furniture. Some may also move appliances, but you may also have large specialized items that can’t be classified as furniture, like special vehicles like motorcycles or outdoor appliances like large lawnmowers. The movers may not take the items with them if it’s not considered within their wheelhouse.
However, freight moving companies can handle any object over 150 lbs (though some may not move anything too valuable, like artwork). They aren’t as picky as furniture moving companies. And cost isn’t a problem if you work with a 3PL (like FreightCenter) to book your shipment. Unlike ordering directly from a carrier, a 3PL provides discounted rates from a selection of freight carriers. They will also assist in finding solutions to your shipping needs.
Ship Your Furniture Affordably and Easily with FreightCenter
Whether you are a business owner trying to ship your cargo to your customers within your budget or an individual looking for the best way to ship family antiques across the country, FreightCenter has the shipping expertise you need.
As a 3PL, FreightCenter helps you find the right carrier for your furniture shipment at an affordable freight rate. Our expert shipping agents can help you decide what accessorials you need and what mode of transportation you need and give you one-on-one attention. So, if you’re looking for the most affordable way to ship furniture, look no further than your friends at FreightCenter!
Get a free quote or speak with one of our logistics experts by calling (800) 716-7608.
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Most Affordable Way to Ship Furniture
Q. Why should I use a freight shipping company for shipping my furniture?
A freight shipping company can move more than just your furniture; they can move almost anything that weighs 150 lbs. or more combined. They also can cost less if you use a 3PL (like FreightCenter) to get discounted rates from carriers that move furniture.
Q. What is the best shipping option for furniture?
You have a few options for freight shipping your furniture. The cheapest option is less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping, which is when your items share trailer space with other shipments. This might be your best option if you don’t have much to move. But LTL shipping won’t help if you have a truckload of items to ship or have too many valuables, as sharing trailer space increases the risk of damaging your items.
The other popular option is truckload shipping, where you have the entire trailer to yourself. This is an excellent option for anyone who needs a large semi-trailer to fit all their items or if you run a business selling furniture.
Q. How can I make sure my most valuable furniture are carefully moved?
If you are moving high-value, quality furniture or antiques, you must be careful when moving your items. Like furniture moving companies, freight carriers won’t consider the value of your items like you would; your items may be at risk of being damaged during the moving process.
This is where white glove services come in! Choosing this service during booking guarantees your furniture will be handled delicately. The carrier will ensure your items are packaged and transported safely. They will even package and unpackage your items for you!
Three Advantages of Using FreightCenter for Moving Furniture
25+ Years of Service
We have over 25 years of experience moving furniture affordably, as evidenced by our large network of professional carriers. Our knowledgeable team of shipping experts is ready to help you optimize your furniture shipping experience.
Customizable Shipping Options
Need a liftgate? No problem! Need white glove services? We got you covered! Our FreightCenter agents can offer tailored solutions for your specific shipping needs while offering affordable rates you can’t find anywhere else.
Friendly Customer Support
Our customer support team has the answers to many of your furniture shipping questions and concerns. We’re here to help you through every step of the shipping process, from initial inquiries to post-shipment issues. Let us handle your furniture shipping problems for you!
