--- title: What Is Crating? Moving Glossary | O'Brien's Moving url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/crating/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - Crating # What is crating? Crating is building a custom protective crate around an item that a carton cannot protect, such as glass, art or machinery. Because crating is an added service, 49 CFR 375.505(b)(14) requires the bill of lading to describe any special or accessorial services you ordered. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Some things do not fit in a box and do not survive loose in a truck. A mirror taller than a door, a stone tabletop and a lab instrument are all examples. The answer is a crate built to the object. ## How crating differs from packing Packing puts items in cartons with paper and padding. Crating builds a rigid frame around the item itself, with blocking and cushioning inside it. Military OneSource draws the same line when it explains that crating means smaller internal crates for specialty items that need extra protection, as opposed to the large external crates used for containerized shipments. Wood is the usual material, built after the crew measures the item, so it fits close. ## What gets crated - Large framed art, mirrors and glass tops - Marble, granite and stone pieces - Antiques and heirloom furniture with fragile finishes - Machinery and instruments, including lab equipment - Sculpture and other one-of-a-kind objects ## How it appears on your paperwork Federal rules treat packing and similar work as accessorial services. The FMCSA booklet describes accessorial services as extras you request or that special circumstances make necessary, and section 375.505(b)(14) says the bill of lading must completely describe the special or accessorial services ordered. A crate you want therefore shows up as a named line in the estimate and again on the bill of lading. O'Brien's builds custom crates for art, glass, antiques and machinery. The details are on [custom crating](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/custom-crating/), and the [fine art and antiques](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/specialty-moving/fine-art-and-antiques/) page shows how the pieces travel. ## Planning for a crated item Mention the item at the in-home estimate rather than on moving day, because a crate needs measuring and time to build. Take photographs, note any existing chips or repairs, and tell the estimator if the piece is high in value, since high-value items carry extra paperwork on a long-distance move. ## Crating and the delivery end A crate is only half the job. At destination the crew sets the crate where the item will live, opens it carefully and removes the cushioning, so the piece is placed once instead of handled twice. Tell the estimator which room each crated item belongs in, and mention any doorway, stair or elevator that limits the size of what can pass through. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.505 (bill of lading)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375/subpart-E/section-375.505) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) - [Military OneSource, Personal Property FAQs](https://www.militaryonesource.mil/moving-pcs/plan-to-move/military-pcs-moving-faqs/) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Moving and storage glossary](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/) - [Custom crating for art, glass, antiques and machinery](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/custom-crating/) - [Fine art and antique moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/specialty-moving/fine-art-and-antiques/) - [High value inventory](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/high-value-inventory/) Moving glossary ## Read next - [Vault storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/vault-storage/) - [Personally procured move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/personally-procured-move/) - [Non temporary storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/non-temporary-storage/) - [Expedited service](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/expedited-service/) - [Guaranteed pickup and delivery](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/guaranteed-pickup-and-delivery/) - [Third party services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/third-party-services/) - [Certificate of insurance](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/certificate-of-insurance/) - [Elevator carry](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/glossary/elevator-carry/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Is a crate built to the item or bought off the shelf? A custom crate is built around the measurements of the specific piece. That is how it differs from a stock carton. ### Will I see the crating cost before moving day? Crating belongs in the written estimate as a described service, so it is priced and listed before you sign. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) N Nicole B. June 25, 2025 The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you! S Sonia P. August 4, 2023 Talk about organized people. I peeked in the truck about an hour into the job and was amazed at how well organized it was and how many of my things had protective coverings. Our bed is a mechanical one and a nightmare to us, but these guys had no issue with it at all. Although I have no desire to ever move again--but if I did, I would be calling these guys for sure!!! R Robert B. June 22, 2026 The movers were very professional and took care of my stuff there were no worries and stress free amazing job. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070