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Custom Crating in Houston, TX

Some things should not travel in a cardboard box: a large painting, a marble tabletop, a chandelier, a sculpture, or a mirror that has been in the family for a hundred years. Johnnie T. Melia Moving & Storage builds custom wooden crates measured to each item, padded inside, and built to survive a local move, long-term storage, or a cross-country trip.

We crate on site at your home or business, so fragile pieces are protected before they are ever lifted, and we can move, store, or ship them once they are crated.

Crating Experts for Fragile & High-Value Items

A moving blanket protects a dresser. It does not protect a sheet of glass from flexing, a stone top from cracking under its own weight, or a canvas from being punctured by the corner of another item.

A custom crate does. Each crate is built to the item’s exact dimensions from plywood with reinforced corners, lined with foam so the piece cannot shift, and marked for orientation so it travels the way it should. Glass and stone stand on edge. Canvases are protected front and back. Delicate parts are braced from inside.

Johnnie T. Melia Moving & Storage has protected Houston’s fine furniture, art, and antiques since 1969. Our crating is done by trained full-time crews who also move and store what they crate, so nothing changes hands between a crating company and a mover.

Trusted Crating By Many

Collectors, designers, galleries, and families with heirlooms trust us with the pieces they would never risk in an ordinary box.

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Why Choose Our Crating Services

Crating is about engineering, not just wood. The right crate depends on the item's weight, shape, fragility, and where it is going.

Over 55 Years Protecting Valuables

We have moved and stored Houston’s art, antiques, and fine furniture since 1969, and we know what fails in transit and why.

Licensed & Insured

TxDMV No. 0000005457 and US DOT No. 436264. We explain coverage for high-value items before they are crated and moved.

Built to Measure

Every crate is sized to the item, with foam, bracing, and padding designed around its shape, weight, and weak points.

On-Site Crating

Our crew builds and packs crates at your home or business, so fragile pieces are protected before they are carried anywhere.

Export-Ready Crates

For international shipments we use heat-treated ISPM-15 compliant wood, which most countries require for wooden packaging.

Crate, Move & Store

The same company crates, moves, and stores your items, so the crate never has to be handed off to another carrier in Houston.

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Our Crating Services in Houston

From a single painting to a full collection, we crate items for local moves, storage, long-distance moves, and shipping.

Art & Mirror Crating

Paintings, framed art, and large mirrors crated with front and back protection and corner blocks so the frame never takes the load.

Glass, Marble & Stone

Tabletops, countertops, and stone slabs crated on edge with full support along their length so they cannot flex or crack.

Antiques & Furniture

Delicate antiques, chandeliers, sculptures, and one-of-a-kind furniture crated with internal bracing around fragile parts.

Electronics & Equipment

Televisions, audio equipment, servers, and business or medical equipment crated with foam cushioning when original packaging is gone.

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How Much Does Custom Crating Cost?

Crates are priced by size, measured in cubic feet, and by how much internal padding and bracing the item needs. A flat crate for a framed print is a small job. A crate for a stone tabletop or a chandelier takes more material and more time. The ranges below are typical industry estimates for custom crating in the Houston area. They are not a JT Melia quote. Your price is confirmed after we measure the items.

Item	Typical crate	Typical range
Small art, mirror, or TV	Up to 10 cubic feet	$150 to $300
Large painting or mirror	10 to 25 cubic feet	$250 to $550
Glass or marble tabletop	Edge crate, full support	$300 to $700
Chandelier or sculpture	Braced crate, internal foam	$350 to $900
International export crate	Heat-treated ISPM-15 wood	Add about 15 to 25 percent

What affects your price

The size and weight of the item, how fragile it is, the amount of foam and bracing needed, whether it is going international, and whether the crate is built on site or at our warehouse. Several items crated together usually cost less per crate.

How to get a crating quote

Send photos and rough measurements of each item and tell us where it is going. For larger collections we come out, measure, and give you a written price.

Crating as part of a move? We can add crating to any residential or long-distance move. Call 713-683-8585 or request a free estimate.

Our Houston Crating Process

Assess & Measure

We look at each item, in person or from photos, and decide which pieces need a crate and which can be packed in specialty cartons.

We measure, note weight and weak points, and give you a written price.

Build the Crate

Each crate is built to the item’s dimensions from plywood with reinforced corners, with foam and bracing designed around the piece.

For international shipments we use heat-treated, ISPM-15 stamped wood.

Pack, Move or Store

The item is wrapped, placed in its crate, secured, and the crate is closed and labeled for orientation and handling.

From there we move it, store it in our climate-controlled warehouse, or prepare it for shipping, and uncrate it at the destination.

Crating Service Areas

We crate on site across the Houston area, from River Oaks estates to Katy homes and Westchase offices.

River Oaks, Memorial & West U

Fine art, antiques, and chandeliers in older homes and estates, often crated for storage during a renovation.

Museum District, Montrose & the Heights

Collectors, galleries, and artists with canvases, sculpture, and framed work that need to travel safely.

Katy & West Houston

Large homes moving glass and stone tabletops, big mirrors, and high-value pieces as part of a full household move.

● Katy
● Westchase
● Spring Branch
● Cypress

North Houston & The Woodlands

Relocations out of state where art and fragile pieces are crated for the long-distance trip.

Southwest, South & Bay Area

Homes and businesses from Sugar Land to Webster and Friendswood, including equipment crating for offices and clinics.

● Sugar Land
● Missouri City
● Stafford
● Pearland
● Friendswood
● Webster

Crating for Art, Mirrors & Glass

Flat, fragile items are the most likely to break in a move, because they are weak across their face and easily punctured or flexed.

We build art and mirror crates with a rigid back and front, foam on every face, and corner blocks that carry the weight so the frame or glass never does. Pieces are wrapped in glassine or acid-free material where the surface needs it, so nothing sticks to paint or gilding.

Glass and stone tabletops are crated on edge with full support along their length. A stone top that is fine lying on a table can crack under its own weight if it is carried flat or supported in only two places.

Every crate is marked with arrows and handling instructions so it is loaded, stored, and carried the right way up.

Crating for Long-Distance & International Moves

The farther an item travels, the more often it is handled and the more vibration it absorbs. Crating is often the difference between an item that survives a cross-country move and one that does not.

For long-distance moves, crated items are listed on the high-value inventory and loaded where they cannot be crushed or shifted.

For international shipments, most countries require wooden packaging to be heat treated and stamped to the ISPM-15 standard. We build export crates from compliant wood so your items are not held up at customs. Tell us the destination country when you request a quote.

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Crating for Storage

Items going into storage for months or years benefit from a crate as much as items on a truck. A crate keeps weight off delicate pieces, keeps dust and light out, and lets fragile items be stacked safely.

Crated items can be stored in our climate-controlled Houston warehouse, which protects wood, canvas, and finishes from the heat and humidity of a standard storage unit.

Crating before storage is often worth it when:

* Art or antiques are being stored during a renovation.
* A home is being sold and staged, and valuable pieces need to be put away.
* An estate is being settled and items are waiting for their new owners.
* Fragile pieces will be stored for many months.
* A designer is holding pieces for an install.

Learn more about our climate-controlled storage and renovation storage.

What Houston Collectors & Homeowners Say About Us

For more than five decades, Houston families, collectors, and designers have trusted us with pieces that cannot be replaced. That trust comes from careful work and crates that do their job.

Excellent

4.8

Nancy Cochran

1 week ago

Perfect - Isaac and crew were awesome. Very courteous not just to me but to each other. Quite impressive. Obviously they have worked together a very long time. Experts! Highly recommend!

Mia S Wagstaff

1 month ago

We had a great experience with Johnnie T. Melia Moving & Storage. The crew was right on time, fast, efficient, and very careful with our belongings and both homes. They were in good spirits the entire time, friendly and respectful, which actually helped reduce our own stress on moving day. Brandon was also very helpful and responsive throughout the process. Highly recommend! Whole crew is awesome and professional.

Sharon Callender

2 months ago

Very professional crew. Went above and beyond. We have used JT Melia for four moves already and we would use them again!

Michelle Shapiro

2 months ago

Everyone was fabulous. Great team!! Highly recommend.

Joseph Scowden

2 months ago

Unbelievable service!! Super kind and professional.

Jared Simpson

4 months ago

Highly recommend. The team did a great job moving all furniture and boxes. Very careful with all items. Very careful not to scuff or scratch walls and floors. Great price.

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Helpful Guides For Fragile Items

Moving valuable and fragile pieces takes planning. These guides cover electronics, damage protection, and working with designers.

TVs & Electronics

The dos and don'ts of moving televisions and electronics safely, and when crating is the better choice.

Read the Electronics Guide →

If Something Is Damaged

What happens if movers lose or damage an item, and how to protect high-value pieces before moving day.

Read the Damage and Claims Guide →

For Interior Designers

Why designers partner with a moving company that can crate, store, and deliver client pieces.

Read the Designer Guide →

Crating Questions, Answered

Customers usually have a few questions about when crating is worth it and how it works.

Here are answers to the questions we hear most often.

What items should be crated for a move?

Large framed art and mirrors, glass and marble tabletops, chandeliers, sculptures, delicate antiques, and electronics without their original packaging are the most common. If an item is fragile, valuable, and an unusual shape, it is usually a good candidate.

How much does custom crating cost?

Most crates fall between about $150 for a small piece of art and $900 for a large braced crate, depending on size, padding, and bracing. International export crates cost more. We give you a written price after measuring.

Do you crate on site?

Yes. Our crew can build and pack crates at your home or business, so the item is protected before it is moved at all. Some crates are built at our warehouse and brought to you.

Do you build crates for international shipping?

Yes. We use heat-treated wood that meets the ISPM-15 standard, which most countries require for wooden packaging entering the country.

Can crated items be stored?

Yes. Crated items can be stored in our climate-controlled Houston warehouse until you are ready for delivery.

How long does crating take?

Simple crates can often be built in a day. Large collections or complex crates take longer. Rush crating may be available, so call us if you are on a tight timeline.

Do you uncrate items at the destination?

Yes. When we deliver, the crew opens the crate, unwraps the item, and sets it in place. Crates and packing material are removed.

Can I crate items without a full move?

Yes. Crating is available on its own, for example to ship a single piece of art or protect an item going into storage.

Is my item insured while crated?

We are a licensed and insured moving company, and we explain coverage options for high-value items before they are crated. Items above a certain value should be listed on a high-value inventory.

Are your crating crews licensed and insured?

Yes. Johnnie T. Melia Moving & Storage is licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV No. 0000005457) and holds US DOT No. 436264. Our crating is done by trained full-time employees.

Ready to Protect Your Valuables?

Whether it is a single painting or a houseful of antiques, our Houston crating team will measure, build, and pack crates that keep your most fragile pieces safe.

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