Items not to be shipped
1) PROPANE TANKS- Propane?is considered "HazMat" (hazardous material) and cannot be transported in the same truck with your household goods. Only if it is emptied it can be safely transported.
2) GUNS / FIREARMS- These items require license to carry or transport. Only if you have a gun safe, some trucking companies will agree to transport together with the rest of the shipment.
3) LIVE PLANTS/ TREES- The Department of Agriculture prohibit transport of live vegetation due to agricultural diseases into some states. More than that, it will be difficult for plants to survive without sun light and water. Also, plants are delicate and cannot be stacked properly in the truck which may result in additional costs. Give your house plats to friends or family. You can also plant them out side.
4) PERISHABLE FOOD- Any food that requires refrigeration. It will create bad odor that might stick to the rest of your shipment. Canned food can be safely transported. Dry foods such as pasta, flower, rice and beans should not be transported. In case you will store your items for a while such foods will attract rodents.
5) LIQUIDS OF ANY KIND (I.E. DETERGANTS, SHAMPOO, CLEANNING PRODUCTS) unless packed in plastic tubs- Liquid containers can burst and drip. If stored in carton box it will damage the integrity of the box and the boxes around it. It will result in liquid damage to the items and deteriorating boxes.
6) GASOLINE / FLAMEABLES (I.E. NAIL POLISH REMOVER, HAIR SPRAY)- Empty garden tools or any other motorized items in advance. Gasoline can create flammable fumes and can cause a fire. Also, it can drip and soak into other items and make them flammable.
7) PETS / PEOPLE- Due to insurance issues you cannot ride with the service providerÂ's truck (unless you rented your own truck). Animals require special license, insurance and of course care. Take pets with you or use specialized service provider for animals.
8) ALL ITEMS MUST BE BOXED- NO PLASTIC BAGS- do not pack items in nylon or plastic bags. It will tear for sure and the items inside will scatter.
9) VALUABLES / MONEY / JEWLWERY / PRESCRIPTIONS / DRUGS- Take these with you. Do not compromise.
10) PAINTING SUPPLIES / PAINT THINNERS- these are flammables and liquids. Read above.
11) HARMFUL CHEMICALS OF ANY KIND- Fertilizers, pesticides, ammonia and more.
Can emit harmful fumes and cause fire or poisoning.
6 To 8 Weeks Before The Move
It is not too early! Begin with the moving process.
Be serious about your move. You will need to dedicate time and effort to ensure you don't end up as a statistic with consumer complaints websites. Complaining AFTER the move is complete is futile.
The sooner you begin the moving process the better it is. Advance planning and research should give you the time you need to look for the right moving solution for you.
It is now time to prepare our environment for our move. You need to let our friends and family know about our planned relocation. If you move with kids, it is a good idea to explain the reasons for the move and prepare them. Be patient with the kids, it's tough on them.
Begin a discussion about what items you wish to move to your new home and what you might want to leave behind, sell or donate. I good way of eliminating items we no longer need or want is to have a garage sale. Have one every 2-3 weeks, donate the rest to your local charity or Salvation Army. Some of the local charities will even come to your home and pick up the items.
Some items are not worth moving. If you haven't used it in the last 18 months you probably don't need it.
Start collecting packing and moving supplies. Good source of free boxes are your local supermarket and craigslist.org on craigslist.org you may find people who recently moved to your area and looking to get rid of the empty boxes. Disposing of cardboard boxes is difficult. Be sure that all the free boxes you get are strong and in good condition. A weak or damaged box will not protect the items inside. You can purchase moving boxes or packing supplies at your local box supply stores, moving companies or even online.
Visit your new place, familiarize yourself with the roads, nearest hospital, post office, banks, DMV, supermarkets and schools. Do the preliminary scouting trip alone and next time when you bring your family with you they will feel reassured by your knowledge of the area. It is the same when you visit a relative and he takes you around. You feel much more confident with him around.
Find out about driving requirements if necessary.
Start looking for the new home. It takes time for a loan to be approved and ESCROW to close.
Check out the schools in the new location and begin registration process if necessary. Don't forget to transfer school records.
4 To 5 Weeks Before The Move
Decide on the items you wish to transport. Remember, the more you take the more it will cost to ship. Make a list of the items you want to ship. You will need to use this list when collecting moving estimates.
It is time to decide on the best solution for your relocation.
It is time for another garage sale.
If you have the new address, go online to www.usps.com and get change of address form. Notify of your new address your bank, insurance company, credit card companies, service providers, clubs, subscriptions, friends and family.
Contact utility providers in the current and new location and arrange for connections and disconnections.
Decide who will do the packing. If you do it yourself or with help from family and friends you will save money. We will be happy to provide you with packing and crating service. Ask your representative for details.
There are advantages for professional movers packing your items. It is done well and it is insured. You might
choose to leave some of the delicate packing for the movers.
If you do the packing refer to our packing guide for tips and advice. Begin with the garage. It is usually where
we keep the stuff we rarely use. If you haven't used something in the past 18 months you probably don't need it.
The less you take the less you pay.
Make the move a family issue. Get them involved. Each family member should be responsible for packing his room.
It will make it so much easier in the unpacking stage.
Mark each box with its content and room of origin/destination. It will make it so much easier in the unpacking stage.
In each room make a "no-go" corner. In this corner you should collect all items you don't want the service provider to take. Put a large note on it so it cab be seen clearly.
3 Weeks Before The Move
It is not too early! Begin with the moving process. You're running out of time and waiting to the last minute will put you under stress and might affect the quality of your decisions. It will result in additional costs.
If you are shipping a car, this is the time to finalize plans. Auto transporters are less flexible than household shippers. Auto shippers require larger windows for pick up and delivery.
Most auto shippers do not allow anything in the back seat.
Work with the service provider directly and not through a broker. If you do and something goes bad you will get the "run
around game". If you decided to do the packing yourself, it is time to start.
Make a list of items you will be taking with you such as cash, jewelry, important legal documents, passport, social security
card, medications. Be sure to set these items aside in the "no-go" corner.
Reserve elevator if needed on selected move dates. Also inquire if your building requires the movers to issue insurance certificate.
Most moving companies will not ship the following items (ask your moving consultants for additional information) and refer
to our guide to Items not to be shipped
