Relocating to a new home is exciting, whether it’s a cozy abode across town, a new green place across the country, or a move for personal or professional reasons. However, in between all of the excitement, you’re always worried because you know that moving is a stressful event. You’re leaving your existing home, which is both emotionally and physically taxing. And packing your belongings is one critical step, so you hire a moving company to do it for you.
However, it can shock many when they realize that their hired moving company won’t pack and move certain items for them. And it can be a big issue if you recognize this too late. But don’t worry; we’ve crafted an extensive checklist of items your moving company won’t handle.
The Hazardous Items
Let’s start this checklist by learning about potentially hazardous items. These are things that movers and packers consider safety risks and are also prohibited by law since they carry security risks. Here are some prime examples:
Petroleum/Diesel: Movers in India do not transport petroleum and diesel because it is a flammable liquid. They can easily ignite and cause a fire or explosion. If you need to move them, use specialized trucks, or if the quantity is small, consider transporting them in your vehicle. Make sure that you Always store gasoline and oil in a safe place, away from heat and ignition sources. Moreover, never transport gas or petroleum in a passenger vehicle.
Oxygen Bottles: These life-saving devices are precious but can be hazardous if mishandled during the move. Consult your medical provider for guidance on safely transporting oxygen tanks.
Paints and Paint Thinners: It is common to observe that many homes in India save the leftover paint. However, these partially used paint and paint thinner cans are like ticking time bombs. Because they are dangerous, movers and packers will refuse to handle them. You must carefully remove these hazardous items before reopening your new house.
Fireworks: Moving fireworks can be dangerous and requires specialized training and equipment. Moreover, they also require special packaging and handling, and because of these reasons, your movers and packers will not touch them. If you want to move fireworks, contact a licensed fireworks transportation company. These companies have the experience and expertise to safely and legally transport fireworks.
Weapons: In a rare circumstance. If you have licensed firearms, your chosen packers and movers firm isn’t going to take them, therefore, you must transport them in your vehicle.
Other Hazardous Materials: Apart from the items already mentioned, the Movers will not transport other types of hazardous materials, including:
- Paints, paint thinners, and other solvents
- Pool chemicals
- Bleach, acids, and ammonia
- Motor oil and antifreeze
You should dispose of these materials properly before your move. It is crucial because hazardous materials may spill out and leak.
Facing unexpected challenges during relocation is common, check out our guide on How To Deal With Unexpected Challenges During Relocation?
Perishable and Fragile Food
Regarding food items, your movers are usually up for packing non-perishable goods. However, perishable or fragile food items should be handled differently. Here are some tasty examples:
Fresh Foods: Imagine your refrigerator filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. When your moving company arrives, they will not take them, as these items will likely spoil during the journey. Therefore, it is better to enjoy a pre-move feast, donate it, or give it away to your known acquaintances, such as friends, relatives, or neighbors.
Frozen and refrigerated Foods: Movers typically do not take frozen and refrigerated foods because they can spoil easily if not properly packed and transported. Moreover, They can be a safety hazard if they are not properly secured and leak during the move. Share them with neighbors or friends, or plan a grand frozen feast before you leave.
Open canned foods: Open cans of cold drinks and food are not going to make their journey via your hired relocation company., So it is better to get rid of them.
Read our post on 15 Tasks For Moving Day That You Should Know About. Knowing the essential tasks for moving day can make the process much smoother.
Other Goods That Your Movers And Packers Are Likely To Say No To
Pets and plants: You must be clear with the moving company you hired about whether they can transport your pets and plants; if not, you must make other arrangements. Large plants can be challenging to move. Therefore, you should give them. Moreover, you might have to plan for your pets as well.
Fragile items: Movers are often reluctant to move fragile items because they are afraid of breaking them. If you have any fragile items, you should pack them yourself or hire a professional moving company that specializes in moving fragile items.
Items that are too large or heavy: Your hired movers may need to be able to move items that are too large or heavy for their trucks.
Goods that are dirty or damaged: Relocation service providers may want to avoid moving dirty or damaged items because they could damage their trucks or other belongings.
Items that are illegal or stolen. Movers will not move illegal items, such as drugs or stolen goods, as they could be held liable if the items are recovered.
If you are still determining whether a mover will move a particular item, it is always best to ask them in advance.
Read our guide on Painting Before or After Moving. For more tips on preparing your new home for a fresh start.
Goods that you better transport yourself
There are certain goods you will want to carry yourself instead of relying on the mover’s company. these include;
1. Electronics and Personal Gadgets: Your Responsibility
While movers can handle most of your electronics, a few items are best packed and transported by yourself. These include:
Mobile phones:
Your mobile phone is your lifeline to the world during a move. Make sure to keep it with you at all times so you can stay connected with friends, family, and your movers.
Laptops:
Like smartphones, laptops are valuable devices that often contain sensitive information. Packing them securely and transporting them with your care to avoid damage or loss is important. You can request that your moving company move them, but it is best to take a backup of your data before you pack and move them.
Tablets/iPads:
Tablets and iPads are also valuable devices like smartphones that you should pack and transport yourself. These devices are fragile and can easily be damaged if not packed properly.
Other Electronics:
It is also a good idea to pack any other electronics that are important to you or that you use frequently. This could include things like cameras, gaming consoles, or headphones. By packing these items, you can be sure they will arrive at your new home safely and in good condition.
These items are valuable and often irreplaceable, making their safety your top priority during the move.
2. Safeguarding Valuables and Crucial Documents
We all have some items that the hired movers can move, but they have certain values attached to them that make them so precious that you feel better off with them. Here are some examples:
Family Photos:
The moments you capture of your family in photographs are irreplaceable. And you should feel a little nervous, but most of the time, it is alright if your moving company moves them. But ensure that you keep them close and secure during your move. It is always a good idea to digitize your photos to create a copy so that you have a backup copy in case the originals are lost or damaged.
Jewelry:
One item you should not entrust your moving company with is jewelry. Your precious gems and jewels should always be in your possession, safely stored in a secure box, or carried with you. In case you have no issue trusting your hired packers and movers, consider getting a jewelry insurance policy to protect your valuables in case of theft or damage.
Heirlooms:
Family heirlooms such as jewelry or fine art that one generation passes on to the next generation, and other similar possessions have sentimental value. You can keep them safe by storing them with a trusted friend or family member.
Personal Collections:
Many people collect stamps, coins, or rare electronic gadgets such as old Apple phones or PCs. Taking special care of these items or carrying them in your own vehicle is advisable. You can also consider insuring your collections and storing them in a safe place.
Cash, Financial, and Other Documents:
Moving is a messy process, and your cash, important financial documents, and other important documents like educational certificates can easily get lost. To avoid this, take extra care to protect these items during the move. You can do this by moving them yourself, talking to your moving company about their importance, or storing them in a safe place.
In short, the items listed above are valuable and often irreplaceable, so make sure they are at the top of your priority list during a move. Take extra care to protect them during the moving process, following the suggestions above.
The primary goal of this blog is to make you aware of the things that cause Moving, as exhilarating as it is, comes with its fair share of challenges. A successful relocation depends on knowing what your reliable moving company will not pack and move. You will be ready for your move if you are aware of the restrictions on potentially hazardous items, perishable foods, priceless items, flammable materials, and specific electronics. Always seek advice from your chosen moving company for detailed instructions and suggestions. You can travel safely and easily to your new home in India with this checklist in hand!
Explore our article on “How To Safely Dispose Hazardous Material Before Moving“, which covers all the important steps to take before relocating, including handling unwanted items.
FAQs About Items Your Moving Company Won’t Move Or Handle
Can I hire my moving company to transport my pet and plants?
As you will discover, most movers do not transport pets or large plants. You should ask your chosen moving company what their stance is on pets and plants. You will need to find another means of transportation for them if they do not offer this service.
What should I do with fragile items during a move?
Due to the possibility of breakage, moving and packing companies frequently avoid handling fragile items. Either pack delicate items carefully or think about working with a reputable moving company specializing in handling delicate items. To avoid damage during the move, make sure these items are adequately protected.
Should I trust my moving company with valuable items like jewelry and family heirlooms?
In general, it is not advised to entrust your moving company with pricey items like jewelry, family heirlooms, or individual collections. These things need to be kept in your possession, ideally in a safe box or something you carry around. To safeguard against theft or damage while moving, consider getting insurance.
