What should you not move long-distance?
Published by Chris Townsend
When planning a long-distance move, it's important to avoid moving certain items due to safety, legal, or practicality reasons. Hazardous materials such as ammunition, fireworks, car batteries, cleaning supplies, nail polish remover, pool chemicals, pesticides, weed killers, and ammonia should be left behind. These items pose significant risks during transit and are often prohibited by moving companies due to their flammable, corrosive, or explosive nature.
Long-distance moves require careful consideration of what to bring along. While most household items can be safely transported, certain things should not be moved due to safety concerns or legal restrictions. This includes hazardous materials such as ammunition, fireworks, car batteries, cleaning supplies, nail polish remover, pool chemicals, pesticides, weed killers, and ammonia. These items are considered dangerous for transportation due to their potential to leak, explode, or cause chemical reactions, especially over long distances and in varying temperatures. Leaving these items behind or properly disposing of them before moving is essential for a safe relocation.
Assessing the Value of Items Before Moving
Moving requires careful consideration beyond choosing a new home or city. Planning a long-distance move often overlooks item assessment. This assessment considers sentimental value as well as monetary value. Items with precious memories can be worth much more than they appear.
The tedious sorting and packing process is a good time to purge. One should weigh the cost of moving older, bulky furniture versus buying new upon arrival. Reduce clutter by selling or donating items not worth moving. Protect valuable items like heirloom jewelry and china by packaging or hand-carrying them. This clear assessment can save time and money, making relocation easier.
The Dilemma of Moving Large Furniture
Moving large furniture long distances is complicated. These items are large and heavy, making logistics difficult. Moving a heavy sofa or dining table from the home to the moving vehicle and then to the new home is difficult. Transporting heavy items over long distances can damage the furniture, the moving vehicle, and the new house.
However, there is another viewpoint. Large furniture pieces are expensive and valuable. This value may be monetary, especially if the furniture is antique, custom-made, or prestigious. The furniture may also be valuable due to family history or memories. The dilemma is the fear of physical strain and damage versus losing something valuable and treasurable. Whether to move such furniture is often a crucial decision.
Relocating with Fragile Items: Is it Worth It?
It can be scary to move fragile items long distances. Crystalware, fine china, antiques, and art need careful transport. People often have to decide whether to move or leave these items. However, these personal items may be highly sentimental or monetary. Unfortunately, transit damage or breakage is a risk.
Before making a decision, evaluate each item's value and fragility. Moving an expensive or sentimental item may be worth the risk. For less valuable or easily replaced items, selling or donating them before moving may be cheaper. Hiring professional movers who can handle fragile items can also reduce risks. They have the tools, materials, and expertise to transport your valuables safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
The risks include potential damage from mishandling, inappropriate packaging, abrupt vehicle movements during transport, and possible loss of items. Fragile items may also be susceptible to temperature changes and moisture, which can lead to damage.
Assessing the value of your items involves considering their financial worth and sentimental value. For expensive items, you should get a professional appraisal. For items with sentimental value, consider how much you would regret losing them.
The dilemma arises from the fact that large furniture is typically heavy, bulky, and difficult to manoeuvre. This can lead to increased risks of damage during transport and even personal injury during packing and loading. Additionally, moving large furniture can significantly increase moving costs.
It depends on the value of the items, both financially and sentimentally. If the items are replaceable or do not hold significant sentimental value, it might be more cost-effective and less stressful to sell or donate them before moving. On the other hand, if the items are irreplaceable or hold significant sentimental value, taking the risk and effort to move them could be worth it.
To ensure the safety of your fragile items, use adequate protective materials like bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and sturdy boxes. Label the boxes as 'Fragile' to alert movers to handle them with care. Consider hiring professional movers who are experienced in handling fragile items. Additionally, purchasing moving insurance can provide financial protection in case of damage.
