Don'T Ask Your Movers To Move These 3 Items

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Hiring professional movers can make your next relocation a lot easier. However, if you're used to throwing your things into secondhand boxes and garbage bags and hauling them to you next apartment in your own or a friend's car, you're going to find that moving with professional help is a different kind of experience. And one of the things that you'll learn is that the movers can't or shouldn't necessarily handle everything that's in your current home. Take a look at some things that you shouldn't ask your professional movers to move.

Hazardous Chemicals

It probably doesn't come as a surprise to you that your movers won't take things like cans of gasoline or kerosene, propane tanks, or fireworks. These items are potentially dangerous, and your moving company is prohibited by law from transporting them. Even if they weren't prohibited by law, they probably wouldn't want the liability for carrying those items.

But there are some things that fall under the hazardous chemicals heading that might not be as obvious. For example, your moving company won't put your household fire extinguisher in the back of the truck, nor will they take your scuba tank. In fact, even your nail polish and nail polish remover is off-limits. You'll need to find a way to transport these items yourself.

Anything Living

Sure, you already know that you can't stick your kids in the back of a moving van. But many people don't realize that they can't stick their birdcage or cat carrier in the back of the truck, especially if it's a short trip. Keep in mind that the back of a moving truck is usually not air conditioned, which means that the temperatures inside can go pretty high. Even if it's a short ride on an overcast day, your movers can't move your pets.

The same thing applies to your plants. If you want to move your houseplants, you'll need to pack them into your personal vehicle. Your moving company won't take responsibility for them, and the conditions in the moving van aren't any more optimal for plants than for pets.

Your Sensitive Documents

Your movers probably won't object to loading a box of paperwork into the van, but you should still consider holding onto your personal documents yourself. Accidents and losses happen, even with the best moving companies. The last thing you want is to unpack and find that your financial records, business documents, titles and deeds, wills, insurance information, or identifying documents have disappeared.

Losing sensitive documents like these could be more than just an inconvenience – it could put you at risk for identity theft. Organize these items into a briefcase or binder and keep them close by.

It's always a good idea to talk to the moving company ahead of time if you're not sure whether they can move a specific item or type of item. This way, you'll be prepared for the big day. To learn more, contact a company like Bekins Van Lines Inc. 

15 June 2016