What will removal companies not move? [ Infographic ]

Most people assume that removal companies will move anything they ask them to. However, that’s not the case, as there are some items that they won’t pack or transport to your new home. Often, these are particularly fragile, sentimental or dangerous items. Read on to find out what will removal companies not move. 

Dangerous items

There are some items that removal companies won’t move because they’re considered dangerous. They may be corrosive, flammable or even explosive. They can include poisonous substances, radioactive materials or compressed gases. Common examples of such items include:

• Paints and paint thinner
• Petrol
• Motor oil
• Nail varnish remover
• Lighter fluid
• Fireworks
• Oxygen bottles
• Propane Cylinders
• Matches
• Radio-pharmaceuticals
• Bleach and other cleaning solvents
• Household and car batteries
• Aerosols
• Firearms and ammunition
• Fire extinguishers

If you need to move any of these items, you may need to be prepared to do it yourself. Many removal companies won’t move them for you due to various safety regulations. Since the last thing you want to happen on moving day is to have to repack your belongings because you’ve packed away any of these prohibited items, it makes sense to do your research beforehand. Make sure you know what your removal company will and won’t move for you. At Darvills, we can provide you with a list of these items in advance.

Perishable foods

Many people are surprised to find out that most removal companies won’t transport perishable foods. If they’re likely to go bad during transit, they won’t normally allow them to be packed onto their removal van. The reason for this is decomposing foods can create a mess, resulting in a challenging clean-up. Most companies will be happy to move non-perishable foods as long as they’re properly sealed. Talk to your removal team to check if this is the case before moving day arrives. If you have a lot of food remaining in the days before you move and you don’t want to transport it yourself, you could consider giving it to neighbours or donating it to charity. You should also keep in mind that you’ll be expected to defrost and thoroughly clean your fridge and freezer before it’s packed onto the lorry.

Pets 

Some people assume a removal company will be happy to transport their pets to their new home. However, unfortunately, this is unlikely to be the case. Not only do removal firms not want to have to take responsibility for your beloved dog or cat, but your furry friend is also unlikely to be very happy being packed away in a hot and cramped removal van, even for a short period of time. These vehicles simply aren’t suitable for transporting animals. Some pets experience anxiety when moving house, becoming very distressed. With this in mind, it makes sense to try to make them as comfortable as you can. 

If your pet is particularly anxious, we recommend talking to both your vet and your removal company to get advice on how to transport them. You may also want to consider asking a loved one to care for them during the moving period. This means you can settle in and unpack before you welcome them into their new home.

Plants

When it comes to what will removal companies not move, consider your plants. Some removal companies won’t be prepared to transport your plants to your new home, especially if it’s a long-distance move. Those that do agree are likely to ask you to prepare the plants for the trip. Transporting plants can be challenging since you’ll need to factor in issues such as temperature, the weather, and the materials required to protect them. However, with a bit of preparation, moving them doesn’t have to be a very stressful process.

You may want to re-pot any of those that are in clay pots into plastic pots. Plastic won’t shatter if they get knocked or dropped. You should also prune large plants in order to remove any dead leaves. This won’t just make them healthier but will create more space in the removal van. Lastly, make sure you check for any pests such as insects and parasites on your plants so that they don’t result in an infestation at your new property.

Valuable items 

Whilst any reputable removal company will have both Public Liability Insurance and Goods in Transit Insurance in place, some possessions are simply irreplaceable. Sentimental items such as photo albums, family heirlooms and birth certificates should be packed and moved yourself. The same goes for expensive items like computers, tablets and other electronics. Important documents should also be packed separately so you always know where they are during the move.

Removals in Halifax 

At Darvills, we’re widely considered the number one company for removals in Halifax. We’ve helped hundreds of people to move house over the years, becoming renowned for providing a professional and affordable removals service. Our team are highly experienced in packing and transporting a wide range of items, including even the most fragile and sentimental possessions. What’s more is that because we’re fully insured, you can rest assured that all your belongings are covered should something go wrong during the move.

Contact us

If you’re still wondering “What will removal companies not move?”, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. We can provide you with a list of items that we’re unable to pack or transport in our removal vans. Call us on 01422 747 036 or send us a message via the website and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. We can tell you more about how we can assist with removals in Halifax and provide you with a competitive quote for our services.