You’ve finally decided to move. You’ve made a list of everything you want to take with you. The moving company will move it all. Or so you thought.
There are a few items that your movers cannot move. Things like cleaning supplies, fireworks, medications, family heirlooms, scuba gear, and your cat.
While some things are pretty obvious, others may surprise you. Your relocation specialist will help create a detailed moving plan to avoid any headaches and ensure your move goes smoothly.

Here is the list of items that your movers cannot move:

1. Hazardous and flammable items
2. Perishable Food Items
3. Pets
4. Sentimental and High-Value Items
5. Live Plants

Hazardous and flammable items.

Moving any type of hazardous and flammable goods is strictly prohibited.
That includes your cleaning supplies, batteries, full scuba tanks, fireworks, ammunition, lighter fluid, and more. Movers will not transport anything that is combustible or potentially explosive.
Make a trip to your county’s local hazardous waste facility drop-off station to dispose of these materials before the move. Under no circumstances can dangerous materials be thrown away. This could endanger the general public, the environment, and the people who pick up your trash.
 

Perishable Food.

Moving companies will not be able to keep perishable food products cool throughout a transfer. You’re better off discarding any fresh produce before moving day unless you plan on packing everything into a huge cooler and driving it to your new house. Anything that has previously been opened should be eaten or discarded.
Your movers will be able to transport any non-perishable things in your pantry that haven’t been opened, such as canned goods, rice, pasta, and pretty much any dry unopened foods.
Consider donating your unopened nonperishables to your local food drive. We partner up with the non-profit organization called “Move for Hunger” to help feed local communities. All you have to do is place your unopened cans into a designated “Move for Hunger” box and our movers will deliver it to a local food drive at no cost to you. You will be surprised how many people are dealing with hunger in the US alone.
 

Pets

Some obvious things like pets and animals will not be transported by your movers. The trucks aren’t climate-controlled, there’s no fresh air, and there’s a chance that things may fall out and hurt your pet. If you’re moving with your pet, it’s best to keep them with you and bring them to your new space in your own car, or depending on the size of your pet, you may need to rent a moving van to transport them. You can also consider using a reliable pet moving company. They’ll transport your pet and keep them safe at both locations. They’ll even provide a crate, food, and water while they’re transporting your pet. Make sure you research the company and ask for references. Pets are family members, and they deserve to be treated with care during the relocation process.
 

Sentimental and High-Value Items.

You’ll want to make sure to keep all family heirlooms safe and secure when you move to a new house. Things like artwork, antiques, your grandfather’s watch, your grandmother’s wedding ring, a collection of family photos, and other sentimental items. It is highly recommended that you pack and move these items yourself.
These are the types of items that are worth a lot of money, are sentimental, and are often at risk of being lost or damaged during the move. Plan on delivering these items to your new house yourself, take pictures of them and make notes on where things are in the house so you can easily find them. This will ensure you don’t lose any of the important valuable items during the move.
 

Live Plants

We recommend packing and carrying the plants yourself for a local move. To minimize any unexpected plant destruction in the car, make sure all potted plants are wrapped and fastened in bubble wrap. If you simply don’t want to deal with the inconvenience of transferring your plants, ask the new owners if they want them. You can also give them as gifts to friends and neighbors. They may also be good for local schools, nursing homes, and hospitals.

Movers can move almost everything

Like almost everything else in life, moving is easier if you plan ahead and work with a professional. We recommend using a mover who can work with you from the beginning and provide a detailed plan for your move. This way you know exactly what to expect and can avoid unnecessary stress and frustration. There will always be some exceptions to what movers can transport. Asking your relocation specialist for a full list of restricted items will help you determine which items can be safely transported and which should be moved by you or left behind.