When it comes to moving, there are generally two types of people: those who carefully organize and pack everything, and those who throw things in boxes and bags and hope for the best. While it might be easier to take the latter route, it certainly isn’t the smartest option. Things can get damaged along the way and moving in chaos is just so much more stressful than it should be. Before you throw everything you own into those moving boxes, find out more about items to keep separate and how to get them to your new home.
A file box is just a file box, for the most part. However, if that file box contains your personal or financial information, you shouldn’t hand it to strangers. Even the most reputable moving companies will tell you themselves that they don’t want any part in moving your private documents or important papers. They know the risks and they just aren’t willing to take them. You shouldn’t be, either.
Bank statements, retirement account statements, birth certificates, credit accounts, personal medical records, and probably about 70% of your filing cabinet needs to go with you on moving day. Save space in your vehicle for the “take alongs”, or items you can’t put on the moving truck. There are usually only a few of these, but they are present in every single home.
Live plants are fragile and need to be handled with care. If you are moving to the other side of Canada, consider giving your plants away and starting anew. If you are just moving an hour outside of Toronto from your downtown apartment, they can probably manage the ride. Just keep them in your personal vehicle. Consider wrapping them in towels or blankets so they don’t tip and don’t leave them in the car overnight or they could start to wilt and die.
As the title states, you need to keep grandma’s ashes (and the rest of your family keepsakes) separate from your regular belongings. If there is anything that is more valuable than money, it shouldn’t be packed to go on the moving truck. If you can’t replace it, don’t send it with someone else. Again, even moving companies understand this and tell people all the time. It might seem inconvenient to take these things along or have to make an extra trip, but think about whether it is really worth the risk.
There are some specialty moving companies that may offer a service for moving delicate or sentimental items. This should still be done separately from your regular items, and it may be a little expensive. However, if you don’t want to deal with the fragile items, or you simply don’t have room for them, this may be an option.
By separating out important papers, family heirlooms, and other items that you cannot pack to go in the moving truck, you’re already well on your way to an organized move. now , you can decide whether you want to pack items in your home by room, by their location in your new home, or with another method of your choosing. Instead of simply writing on your moving boxes, you can get small self-adhesive labels and write on them. This will give the movers a clear place to look to identify which rooms boxes go in once they unload the truck.
It doesn’t matter how you sort and organize to pack your things. So long as you come up with a method that works for you, the rest will fall into place. As soon as you find out you will be moving, you should start planning and packing what you can. Seasonal items and storage should be the first to go. Then, you can pack by room or however you’d like, packing away things by order of necessity. If you’re moving in the summer, you can pack all of your winter clothes, but you will have to wait to pack the clothes you need until closer to moving day. That way, you don’t spend the last minute packing everything in a frenzy.
Moving companies all have their own guidelines about what they will or will not move. In addition to the things listed here, they will typically not move anything flammable or combustible. They will make you empty gas out of lawnmowers if they are moving them or transport your own propane tanks for your grill. Don’t fault them for this– these items are dangerous and it is much safer to transport them individually in your vehicle if you have to transport them at all.
The movers should be able to provide you with a specific list of exclusions in writing. A lot of times they will list it on their website for everyone to see on their own, but you can also request that they bring a hard copy or email you something that you can have on hand. If you can, throw out anything that is dangerous or hazardous instead of moving it. That way, you won’t have to spend more time and money moving things if it isn’t necessary.
Packing is a large part of the moving process. In order for things to go smoothly, it’s important for you to know what you should (and shouldn’t) pack to be loaded onto the moving truck. Even if you do a self-move and are the one driving the truck, all of these specialty items should be transported separately for everyone’s safety and to avoid unnecessary damages.
Since you’re hiring professional movers, you should have a little more time to plan and prepare for your move. These tips will help you get organized and keep your personal effects safe throughout the entire trip. What experiences have you had with moving items that you should have reconsidered? Feel free to comment below!
