Relocating is always a challenge. Often, you don't really realize just how much stuff you've accumulated until you have to pack it all up and move it to a new house. But some things are more difficult to move than others. Take a look at some of the most difficult types of things to move from one home to the next, along with some tips to help make your move easier.
Living Things
If you have pets or plants (or both), moving them may take careful planning. It may be relatively simple to relocate a dog or a potted plant if you're just moving across town, but if you're moving far away, if you need to move a pet that needs to be maintained in a specific environment (like a fish, for example), or if you have plants in your yard that you want to transfer to a new home, you may run into problems.
To move plants, you should plan ahead. If you want to transfer plants that are in the ground, you should move them to a pot several weeks before the date of the move so that they have some time to acclimate before the move. Use lightweight plastic pots if possible, as they'll be easier to move. Make sure to remove any pests or weeds from your potted plants ahead of time, and prune the plants before you go. The fewer leaves the plant has, the better chance it has to survive. Bag or wrap your plants in plastic for moving, and make sure that they're among the first things you unpack when you reach your new home.
When it comes to pets, you should start by scheduling a visit to your veterinarian in the weeks leading up to the move. If you have a cat or dog, you'll want to make sure that their shots and health records are up to date before the move. If you have a fish, reptile, or amphibian, a vet who specializes in the care of those animals can help you come up with a habitat that's safe for your pet and also transportable. Make sure that you know how to move your aquarium so that it arrives undamaged and your pet can be put back in it as soon as possible. Birds can usually be transported in their cages, but if you're flying with your bird, you will need a hard plastic kennel for shipping, just like you would for a dog or cat.
It's important to note that commercial movers generally will not move plants or pets. For pets, you may want to look into using a pet shipping company, but in most cases, you can arrange for your pets and plants to travel with you.
Dangerous Things
Moving companies generally want to avoid putting hazardous materials in their trucks, and there are laws that prevent them from moving flammable, corrosive, or explosive items. Items like gasoline, pool chemicals, propane, fireworks, paints, pesticides, and cleaning chemicals are all on the list of things that can't easily be moved from one home to the next—and for most of these items, your best bet is to use them up or dispose of them safely and replace them after you get to your new home.
Another thing that most movers won't take is firearms and ammunition, and if you own those, you probably don't plan on disposing of them before your move. And depending on the laws in your current location, your new location, or both, it may not be as simple as just moving them yourself. Gun laws can vary widely from state to state, and you'll need to know what the laws are in the state you live in, the state you're headed to, and any states that you may pass through on the way so that you can stay in compliance with all of the applicable laws. If that sounds too difficult, however, you should consider having your weapons shipped to your new home. A federally licensed firearms dealer can provide this service for you. You'll have to pay for shipping, but you'll know that your weapons and ammunition are safe and that you're in compliance with the law.
When planning a move, take stock of the things that you're planning to take with you, and start making plans for the most difficult-to-move items first. Once you get those sorted out, the rest of the move will seem much easier. Contact a company that offers relocation services for additional advice.