Movers can take almost everything in your home, but not quite all of it. A short list of items is off-limits for safety and legal reasons, and a few more are things you will simply want to carry yourself. Knowing the list ahead of time saves an awkward surprise on move day.
What movers can't put on the truck
Hazardous and flammable materials are the big category, because they can leak, ignite, or be dangerous in a hot truck:
- Propane tanks, gasoline, and lighter fluid
- Paint, solvents, and aerosols
- Fireworks, ammunition, and other explosives
- Pool chemicals, fertilizer, and cleaning acids
Perishables and living things are the other category:
- Frozen and refrigerated food
- Plants (they often cannot survive a hot enclosed truck, and some states restrict them)
- Pets, which should always travel with you
What you should move yourself
These are allowed, but keep them with you so they never leave your sight:
- Cash, jewelry, and important documents
- Medications and medical devices
- Keys, laptops, and small electronics
- Irreplaceable items like photo albums and heirlooms
How to handle the "no" list
- Use up or give away cleaning supplies and chemicals before the move.
- Return propane tanks or drop them at a proper exchange.
- Take hazardous waste to a local household hazardous waste drop-off.
- Move plants and perishables in your own car, or plan to replace them.
Common mistakes
- Leaving a half-full propane tank on the grill for the movers to find.
- Packing documents and jewelry into a random box that ends up on the truck.
- Assuming the crew will dispose of chemicals for you.
When to hire movers
Once the off-limits items are handled, everything else is fair game for the crew. Our residential moving team can walk your home before the move and flag anything that needs special handling, so nothing slows down the day.
Estimated time
Set aside a couple of hours in the week before your move to use up, drop off, or set aside the items on this list.
Local note: Los Angeles County runs household hazardous waste roundups and permanent drop-off sites near Santa Clarita for paint, chemicals, and batteries. Plan a trip before move day rather than the day of.