5 Things We Often Forget When Moving

Every year, approximately 15.3 million households move from one place to another, with 82 percent moving within the same state, and 13 percent moving to a different state. With so much to think about prior to and during a move, it’s no wonder we forget a few things in the process.

Here are the top 5 common moving items that can easily be forgotten in all the hustle and bustle of a new move:

1. Moving Company Non-allowables

If you’re one of the many households each year that hire a professional moving company to help with your move, make sure you check to see what they won’t move for you. Those items may include things like aerosol cans, paints, pesticides, fertilizer, cleaning products, propane tanks, and fire extinguishers. Each company will have a list of items that they will not move or will not be liable for in transport. Be sure to ask and confirm.

2. Safety Deposit Box Items

You may keep important papers or valuable items such as jewelry in a safety deposit box. Don’t forget to retrieve those items and carefully consider how you’ll transport them safely to their new destination. Like other valuables in your home, fine jewelry deserves special treatment when moving from home-to-home or bank-to-bank.

3. Measuring Your Current Furniture For Your New Home

If you’re taking your furniture with you to your new home, you may want to take measurements of both the furniture and your new space, just to make sure the furniture will fit through the doors and will work well in your new home. After all, you wouldn’t want to haul your favorite sectional across the country, state (or even across the street) just to find out it is too large for your new living room. Not planning to take your current furniture with you? You could hold a yard sale, list items online like Facebook Marketplace or Craiglist, or better yet, contact our Donation Team at Habitat. You can schedule a time for our Donation Team to come to your home and pick up any items you’re not taking with you to your new home. Learn more about our ReStore Donations program here.

4. Transporting Plants Across State Lines

If your plants are making a move across state lines with you, contact your moving company or the states you’ll be crossing for specific rules and regulations. Not all states welcome all types of plants, as some are considered invasive and therefore not wanted.

5. Pet Care Needs During Your Move

If you’re just moving an hour or two away, your pets should be fine going from place to place. However, if you’re moving hundreds of miles, you may want to talk to your veterinarian for ideas on how to make your furry friends comfortable before, during, and after the move. After all, most pets are used to a particular location and routine, and may not take well to flying in a plane or driving across the country for days.