Moving is hard work. Being organized helps. At the most recent meeting of Minimal Quest – a bi-monthly minimalism meet-up group hosted by me, Matt Baier and Susan Lovallo – we welcomed moving expert Mark Chisholm of Clancy Moving and Storage to share some tips for making the process easier. Mark has years of experience in the relocation industry, and shared information on packing, dealing with the moving team, and timing. He also talked about what a moving company will not take on the truck, which is helpful to know in advance so you can avoid scrambling to get rid of a bunch of “leftover stuff” after the packers have departed. Here are some ideas Mark shared on what not to move, and other tips for simple moving.
What Not to Pack:
While professional movers are experts at safely packing and transporting a wide variety of items, there are some things they will not move. Primarily, materials are restricted for three reasons:
- They might cause damage to other items in your boxes.
- They might damage the truck.
- There are legal restrictions about transporting them.
Items a relocation company will not take include:
Hazardous Materials
- Aerosol cans
- Ammunition
- Charcoal/lighter fluid
- Fuels/oils
- Kerosene
- Loaded guns
- Nail polish
- Paints/varnishes
- Pool Chemicals
- Ammonia
- Car batteries
- Fireworks
- Household batteries
- Liquid bleach
- Matches
- Paint thinners
- Pesticides
If you have any of these “hazardous” materials, it is wise to start as early as possible for safely disposing of them. Many towns have a hazardous waste drop-off day. If you are going to miss it, check nearby towns with whom your town may have reciprocity. Most of these drop-offs take place in the spring or summer. If you must move in the winter, you may need to ask a friend or hire someone to hold the materials until they can be safely disposed of.
In addition to hazardous waste, movers will avoid:
Perishables
- Food without adequate preservation
- Open or half-used foods
- Produce
- Frozen food
- Plants
- Refrigerated food
Fortunately, food is easy to dispose of yourself, just remember to “eat it down” as your move date approaches. Plants can be gifted to friends, transported in your own vehicle, or trashed. As your move date approaches, be mindful of when your trash pickup at your home will cease. You don’t want trashcans full of old food to be sitting in cans when the new residents arrives.
Beyond these two categories, movers will be able to pack and take most other items. However, they generally suggest you don’t put everything on the truck. Mark suggested that individuals take small, high-value items and critical documents in their own cars.
Take In Your Car:
- Address books
- Car titles
- Cell phones
- Computer data files/backups
- Financial documents (stocks, bonds, CDs, IRAs, deeds, tax records)
- Insurance policies
- Keys (car, furniture, new home)
- Medical/dental records
- Prescription medicine (especially any that require refrigeration)
- School records/Diplomas/Transcripts
- Airline tickets
- Cash
- Checkbooks
- Family photographs/photo albums
- Home videos
- Jewelry and furs
- Laptop computers
- New home documents
- Professional files/research projects
- Climate sensitive items (e.g., your wine collection) – trucks get both hot and cold inside!
I always suggest when you are unloading into your new home, establish a “safe spot” for keys and important documents right away. For example, in the corner of the kitchen counter or on a fireplace mantle; think of a space that is up and safe.
As a professional organizer, in addition to the items that the movers won’t take, might I suggest a few other belongings you may not want to move.
Don’t Bother Moving:
- Furniture that won’t fit in your new space.
- Entertaining pieces, lawn care equipment, large kitchen gadgets, etc. that you won’t use in your new space. This is especially true if you are downsizing.
- Broken items. If you haven’t fixed them by now, strongly consider letting them go.
- Boxes of things you never unpacked from your last move. Take this opportunity to look through the boxes and ensure you only move what you really want.
- Items you don’t use but were holding onto because you “might be able to use them someday.” This rationale doesn’t justify the moving expense.
- Things you never liked but felt guilty getting rid of. This is a good moment to make a “clean break.”
After talking about what not to move, Mark shared a variety of extra tips that are helpful when you are in the relocation process.
Extra moving tidbits from Mark:
- Contact your mover for an estimate about one month before the move.
- The most popular moving season is late spring through summer. The busiest month is June. If you can be flexible, you may save thousands by moving September through April instead.
- Think at least $50/man per day in tips. It is smart to pay tips at the end of each day, as you might not see the same people on another day (especially with an interstate move).
- It’s nice to offer to provide lunch to the moving team. Ask them in the morning before they get started if they would like lunch, what they would like, and at what time. This way you don’t have to interrupt their momentum collecting orders.
- Seriously consider buying the moving company’s insurance. It’s much easier to get a moving company to replace a broken kitchen chair than it is your homeowner’s insurance. Plus, the deductibles offered by a moving company’s insurance tends to be lower. Mark told us that roughly 95% of his customers buy the insurance.
- Self-packing is a viable option for saving money. However, beware that if dishes get broken in a box you packed, the moving company’s insurance won’t cover that.
A few tips of my own:
- If you have an inkling that you might be moving, start decluttering right away. You can never start the letting go process too soon. Time is your friend!
- Pack a suitcase with whatever you need the first day or two in your new home, as if you were going on vacation. This takes some of the pressure off the need to unpack quickly on the other end.
- When packing, label boxes for the room they will be going “to” instead of “from.” This avoids having to repeatedly tell the movers where each box should go.
- Consider staying in a hotel the night before your departure and the first night after your arrival.
- Be mindful of your pets. The packing and moving process is stressful, so think about keeping them away from the scene if possible, or at least contained where they won’t interfere with the packing (or possibly escape through an open door!).
- Embrace the “marathon” mindset. Moves are long events, and you don’t want to push yourself to sprint. You will end up exhausting yourself and making mistakes.
- Remember that professional organizers and move managers are available if you feel overwhelmed. We help on both the front and back end of moves, so don’t be afraid to reach out. A couple of days of professional assistance can greatly reduce the pressure and make the process much easier.
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When was the last time you moved? What’s your best tip for what not to move?
Great tips, Seana. I like the way you laid them out. The tips are easy to read and digest. Having moved many, many times I agree that you can never start the decluttering process too soon. Also, you never, ever want to open a box and think ‘why did I keep these things’. Evaluate everything in your home before the move begins.
Why pay to move what you don’t want, right Diane? Sounds like you a pro at moving!!
Great tips! I especially liked “I always suggest when you are unloading into your new home, establish a “safe spot” for keys and important documents right away. For example, in the corner of the kitchen counter or on a fireplace mantle; think of a space that is up and safe.”
It can be so confusing when unpacking in a new place and the idea that you can find your important items right away makes for less stress.
I even do this when I’m in a hotel room. I need to establish a “safe spot” for my room key and other important/small things. Since the room is new to me, I don’t have a go-to spot to put things, so I need to be mindful and set up such a spot!
These are all excellent tips and strategies for moving. They will also help eliminate a lot of the stress that accompanies moving.
I didn’t know that movers don’t transport nail polish, batteries, or bleach. That’s good to know, along with the other items they mentioned.
The other thing you emphasized, which is a bonus of moving, is the opportunity to let go. This is an excellent time to finally release those things you’ve been holding onto that you “might need someday,” hope to fix, or feel guilty releasing, but don’t like. You’ll save time, money, and angst. Moving is a chance for a clean slate, a rethinking of systems, and a lightening up of the physical stuff in your life.
People who move frequently tend to have fewer belongings for this very reason you are pointing out! They review their things more frequently, rather than allowing them to accumulate in an attic or basement. Moving is hard, but enjoying the benefits of frequent “letting go” is definitely one of the upsides!
I haven’t moved in over 20 years, but I totally agree with this – especially the part about moving valuables yourself. I still remember moving with my parents when my dad caught a mover stashing his (my dad’s) leather coat behind the seat in the truck. When confronted, he claimed he was “putting it in a safe place.” You might want to give him the benefit of the doubt, but after we were all moved in, we discovered that a box containing family heirlooms was missing, most of which had been my grandmother’s. It’s the only time I ever saw my mother cry.
Oh, that is a sad story, Janet! I’m so sorry that happened to you. Most of the movers I’ve worked with are wonderful, honest people. However, I’m afraid there are some people out there who have nefarious intent. If you would be devastated to lose something, it might be wise to transport it yourself!
Ooh, I’m not updating my website much these days, but I think this belongs on my Moving Resource Roundup!
I thought the conversation was very helpful! Learned some things, which always makes my day. 🙂
“Items you don’t use but were holding onto because you “might be able to use them someday.” ” Oh my goodness, this! So many of my clients have basements and storage units filled with boxes that haven’t been opened from three or four moves earlier!
The suitcase for what you need for the first few days is essential. Also, if you have a tub shower with a rod, be sure to pack at least a new shower curtain liner (and rings) because too many people end up that first morning having to choose between going showerless or soaking the bathroom!
I love your lists; especially, don’t let the movers take any of your files with personal info. The files with clippings from magazines? Fine. But your tax returns and financial records? Nope! There’s too much private info there!
I haven’t moved in 28 years, but this post is making me want to start prepping now! Such excellent advice!
Love that shower curtain and rod tip! I never would have thought of that. I can see myself making my husband stand there with a towel LOL!!
Great list of what to move yourself! Everyone needs that so that they can maximize their movers time. I always recommend a last in and first out box of clothes, medicines, coffee and other essentials. It makes for less stress.
Keep that “special and important” things with you, right? Good suggestion!
Great article. I haven’t moved in 40 years. However I have packed and unpacked clients. I was surprised that lately movers won’t take any liquid products, laundry detergent, oils, vinegars. They were not hazardous products but could make a mess if not packed properly. So I understand the rule. I was surprised to see household batteries and nail polish on Mark’s list of things they don’t move. Trying to convince people to start fresh, leave almost empty things behind, pictures they have never hung because they don’t like them, furniture that is stuffed in the basement. Start with the things you need and enjoy and the end result will be great.
I thought it was an eye-opening list too, Julie. Things are always changing, so good to know this stuff in advnce!