Residential moving requires some serious pre-planning to ensure that local moves are successful and happen without too many challenges.

An important issue that moving services often find overlooked until it is too late is dealing with the few items they cannot load and relocate.

Though movers will handle most items that can be found in the average home, it is essential to know ahead of time what the movers will not transport so that other arrangements can be made.

This list will help anyone planning a residential move in their preparations so they are not caught off guard, wondering how to get these items relocated!

1. Perishable Food Items

Moving services do not move perishable items like food, as they have no way to keep those items cool throughout the process and will not be held responsible for spoilage.

Only non-perishable food items that are unopened and unlikely to spoil should ever be packed in moving boxes.

Give away perishable items or throw them out before the move.

2. Liquor and Alcohol

Even though liquor and alcohol are not considered perishable, there are other reasons why movers will refuse to carry these items.

Alcohol is flammable, even if it is the type for consumption, and movers will not carry flammable items.

In addition, because different states and even different counties may have laws on the transport of alcoholic products in and out of their boundaries, they are legally unable to transport them.

When preparing for a residential move, people should either plan to bring their alcohol in their own vehicles or make arrangements to have it professionally shipped, such as in cases where someone has a large wine collection.

3. Flammable and Hazardous Items

A rule of thumb for professional moving services is that they cannot for safety reasons transport any item that is hazardous or could start a fire.

This list of items includes everything from household paint, cleaning supplies, and even nail polish and remover to pressurized scuba air tanks, propane tanks, fireworks, and anything that could explode under the right conditions or if damaged in transit.

Gas-powered lawn equipment and anything that holds flammable fuels or is pressurized must be empty and left open to qualify for transport on a moving truck.

4. Firearms

Transporting firearms or ammunition of any kind is prohibited by movers for a multitude of reasons.

Doing so is not just dangerous for the movers, but there are many regulations on the ownership and transport of firearms throughout different states.

Anyone needing to transport firearms or ammunition should have them professionally shipped by a knowledgeable, licensed firearms dealer for everyone’s physical and legal protection.

5. Items of High Value

Valuable, sentimental, and especially fragile items should also be handled differently during residential moves to eliminate the possibility of damage, loss, or even theft.

Heirlooms, antiques, jewelry, and financial items like checkbooks as well as account statements top the list.

Some moving services may offer specialty moving of these items at an additional fee, but in general, these items should be transported personally or via a professional shipping company.

6. Living Things

Though people would never put their cats or dogs in pet crates and pack them on a moving truck, it must be noted that movers will also not transport any other pets, animals, or living creatures.

Rodents, reptiles, aquarium fish, or any other living animal must be personally transported by the customer.

Moving services will also decline to accept living plants onto their trucks, no matter how well-packed they are, as plants are fragile and can easily be killed in a hot moving truck.

Arrange Specialty Transported Items During Residential Moves

When planning residential moves, customers hiring moving companies should request a list of items that cannot be transported on a moving truck early in their planning so there are no last-minute surprises.

With that information, arrange specialty transport or shipping for any items that movers will not handle themselves to avoid problems when moving day arrives!