Items Not Included In Professional Relocation

Julia stood in her garage, hands on hips, surveying the chaos of half-packed boxes. Moving day was less than 48 hours away when she remembered the collection of paint cans from last year's living room renovation. "The movers will just pack these up with everything else, right?" she thought. Then came the panicked call to her moving company, where she learned - just in time - that those paint cans were absolutely on the "no-go" list.

Every year, thousands of homeowners face similar last-minute surprises when they discover certain items simply can't board the moving truck. Understanding what professional movers won't transport isn't just about following rules, it's about protecting your belongings, ensuring safety, and avoiding delays on moving day.

What Movers Won't Touch and Why

When Mark and Alicia were relocating from Boston to Chicago, they were shocked to discover their movers wouldn't take their houseplants, important documents, or the propane tank from their grill. These weren't arbitrary rules, moving companies have legitimate reasons for their restrictions.

Most moving companies won't transport:

• Hazardous materials (paints, chemicals, cleaning supplies, propane)
• Perishables (food, plants)
• Live animals and pets
• Important documents and valuables (jewelry, cash, financial records)
• Certain fragile or specialty items without special arrangements
• Vehicles (in standard moving services)

Why these restrictions? Safety comes first - for the movers, your belongings, and you. Many items pose fire or explosion risks during transport. Others might spoil, leak, or cause damage to your other possessions. And some things are simply too valuable or irreplaceable to trust to anyone but yourself.

How to Handle Hazardous Materials Before a Move

When Carlos discovered his garage contained enough hazardous materials to fill half a moving truck, old paint cans, automotive fluids, weed killer, propane tanks, he nearly postponed his move. Instead, he found smarter solutions.

Hazardous materials require special handling because they're flammable, corrosive, or toxic. These include:

• Paint and paint thinners
• Propane tanks and gasoline
• Cleaning chemicals and bleach
• Aerosol cans and compressed gases
• Fertilizers and pesticides
• Nail polish remover and similar products

What to do instead? For opened products, consider using them up before moving. For the rest, many communities offer hazardous waste disposal events or drop-off locations. Carlos called his local recycling center and discovered they accepted most of his garage chemicals for free. For nearly-new items, consider giving them to neighbors or posting them on community sharing apps, someone is likely happy to take that half-full can of paint off your hands.

For more garage specific tips, go over to this article → How to Clean Out Your Garage Before You Move

Will Movers Take My Plants or Pet?

Maria's collection of houseplants had grown over ten years in her apartment, some were gifts, others marked life milestones. When she learned movers wouldn't transport them across state lines, she was devastated.

Living things, whether your beloved ferns or furry companions, don't belong on moving trucks for good reason. Plants can be damaged by temperature fluctuations or lack of light and water. Some states have restrictions on bringing certain plants across borders to prevent spreading pests or diseases. And no pet should endure hours in a dark, potentially hot or cold moving truck.

For shorter moves, transport plants in climate-controlled vehicles, keeping them upright and protected from temperature extremes. For longer relocations, consider giving plants to friends (Maria took cuttings from her favorites to restart her collection) or researching specialty plant shipping services.

For pets, never plan to send them with the moving truck. Instead:

• Transport them in your own vehicle when possible
• Research pet-friendly airlines or pet transportation services
• Talk to your veterinarian about making the move less stressful
• Ensure your pet's ID tags and microchip information are updated

What to Do With Jewelry, Heirlooms, and Documents

David learned this lesson the hard way when he packed his passport in a box labeled "office supplies" and couldn't find it when he needed to book last-minute travel from his new home. Some things are simply too important to lose track of during a move.

Your most valuable and irreplaceable items should travel with you, not on the moving truck:

• Legal documents (passports, birth certificates, wills, social security cards)
• Financial records and tax documents
• Jewelry, cash, and valuable collections
• Family heirlooms with significant emotional value
• Medications and medical devices you might need immediate access to

Create a "moving day essentials" bag that stays with you throughout the relocation. David now recommends keeping a detailed inventory of especially valuable items, with photos and descriptions. For truly irreplaceable documents, consider making digital backups before your move and storing physical copies in a fireproof container you transport personally.

Here are some more tips on how to prepare for your move → Packing and Relocation Checklist

How to Safely Move Art, Antiques, and Fragile Items

When Elena inherited her grandmother's antique china cabinet and collection of hand-painted porcelain, she knew standard moving services wouldn't provide the care these treasures required.

Many movers have limitations or special requirements for transporting high-value or extremely fragile items:

• Fine art and original paintings
• Antique furniture
• Delicate crystal or china
• Musical instruments
• Valuable electronics or specialized equipment

While standard moving services might decline these items or offer limited liability for them, specialized solutions exist. Elena found a white-glove moving service that specialized in antiques. They created custom crating for her grandmother's china and used climate-controlled vehicles with air-ride suspension to minimize vibration.

For valuable artwork, look for art handling specialists who understand appropriate art packing techniques. Museum-quality items often require custom crating, controlled humidity, and specialized insurance. While these services cost more than standard moving, they provide peace of mind for irreplaceable treasures.

What About My Car or Motorcycle?

When Miguel's job transfer included moving from Seattle to Miami, he wondered how his beloved motorcycle would make the cross-country journey.

Standard household movers typically don't transport vehicles, but specialized auto transport services do. Options include:

• Open-air carriers (more affordable, but vehicles are exposed to elements)
• Enclosed transport (pricier but offers protection from weather and road debris)
• Door-to-door service vs. terminal-to-terminal options

For motorcycles, boats, or recreational vehicles, look for specialty transporters with experience handling your specific type of vehicle. Miguel found a motorcycle transport service that used enclosed trailers and provided updates throughout the cross-country journey.

If you're moving locally, driving your vehicle to your new home is simplest. For longer distances, compare the costs of professional transport against the expense and wear-and-tear of driving it yourself.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Understanding what won't go on the moving truck isn't about limitations, it's about planning smarter. Julia, who nearly missed the paint can problem, now tells friends that knowing the restrictions actually made her move less stressful in the end.

When you know what requires special attention beforehand, you can:

• Develop a solid plan for the items movers won't take
• Avoid last-minute panic and rushed decisions
• Protect your most valuable and irreplaceable possessions
• Ensure nothing delays your moving day timeline

Most importantly, you gain peace of mind knowing your belongings are being transported safely and appropriately, whether by professional movers or through your own carefully considered alternatives.

When you know what movers can't take, you can plan smarter and move safer. For everything else, trust the professional movers to handle with care while you focus on settling into your new home and get in touch with us today.