Hiring a moving company is simple—or is it? You find a moving company, get an estimate, book your move date, and then wait for your movers to arrive and do all the hard work for you. But what if we told you that not all movers will agree to move all of your belongings?
Here at Megan’s Moving, we try to provide you with services and information to make your move as seamless and easy as possible. Sometimes, our moving tips help you save a little money, like our post, “Why You Should Consider Moving on a Weekday.” Other times, we pull back the curtain on the moving industry to share insider information, as we did in our post, “5 Hidden Costs of Moving.” Over the years, we’ve witnessed one key mistake that many homeowners make when they plan their move. This mistake can be easily avoided by asking your movers one key question before you hire them:
“Can you actually move all of my stuff?”
This may seem like a nonsensical question but trust us, it’s critical to a successful move.
Items that Most Movers Will Not Move
There are many items found in thousands of homes around the country that moving companies will not or cannot move. If you don’t ask your moving company ahead of time before you sign your contract, you may be stuck hiring a second moving company to finish your move at the last minute.
Pianos
Most moving companies rely on specialists to move pianos. Not only are pianos extremely heavy (most weigh between 300 and 1,000 pounds), they are also very fragile and highly valuable. For these reasons, many movers decide not to take the risk of moving a piano without a specialist. Even here at Megan’s Moving, we never move a piano without a qualified, experienced professional. However, as part of our white glove, concierge services we have trusted partners who can move pianos and other specialty items. We do the work to coordinate with our partners so that you’ll never have to scramble at the last minute to find someone who can move your piano; Megan’s Moving takes care of it for you.
Hot Tubs and Pool Tables
Hot tubs and pool tables are also items that movers frequently refuse to move. These items are just as heavy, if not heavier, than pianos and also require a specialist to move them. Hot tubs especially call for movers who have the proper equipment and experience to move them. According to a 2015 study, Florida ranks 3rd in the nation for the number of homeowners with hot tubs, and yet most moving companies here won’t move a hot tub.
If you need to move a hot tub or a pool table, make sure that your movers can actually move these items before you sign a contract. Otherwise, you might get stuck on moving day.
“Non-Allowable” Items
In the moving industry, there are some items that professional movers simply cannot move. These are called non-allowable items and they include hazardous materials (such as acids, fertilizers, car batteries, propane tanks, etc.), but also perishables (such as refrigerated food and produce). Other items, such as personal or sentimental items, are permitted by some moving companies and not others.
The key to ensuring a hassle-free move no matter which moving company you hire is to communicate upfront. Verify all items with your movers ahead of time, and confirm that your movers can actually move all of your belongings.
Hire a Full-Service Moving Company
When you hire a full service moving company that will pack and move your belongings for you, you have more assurance that every item has been accounted for and can be moved. As a white-glove, full service moving company, our movers have the experience and know-how to make sure your move goes as swiftly and safely as possible.
Whether you need to move a thousand-pound grand piano or make sure that your china is properly packed, our team at Megan’s Moving is equipped to handle all of your items. For non-allowable items, you can rest assured that we will communicate ahead of time and help you coordinate alternative moving services.