Moving can be one of life’s most stressful experiences. Whether you’re relocating across town or across the country, there’s a plethora of tasks to handle. While most household goods are manageable during a move, certain items present unique challenges that require special attention and care. In this article, we will explore the often-overlooked difficult items for movers, particularly from the perspective of New Yorkers, who may face unique logistical and environmental hurdles.
Understanding the Challenges of Moving
Before delving into the specifics of difficult items, it’s essential to understand the broader intricacies of the moving process. Relocation involves:
- Planning: Determining what items to move, how to pack them, and finding a suitable mover.
- Packing: Selecting the right materials to ensure that items are secured and protected.
- Transporting: Safely loading and unloading items, ensuring they remain undamaged throughout the journey.
- Unpacking: Systematically unboxing and placing items in your new home.
While most items like clothes, books, and kitchenware can be managed with relative ease, certain items require a more nuanced approach. Below is a comprehensive guide to some of the most challenging items to move, along with recommendations on how to handle them.
1. Pianos
Why They’re Difficult to Move
Pianos are heavy, awkwardly shaped, and sensitive instruments. Their weight can easily reach over a thousand pounds, making them difficult to lift and maneuver through doorways and staircases. Additionally, pianos are delicate and can be easily damaged if not handled correctly.
Moving Tips
- Hire Professionals: Given the skill required to move a piano, consider hiring a professional piano mover who understands the nuances of handling these instruments.
- Preparation: Before the move, ensure that the piano is in its closed position, and remove any loose items. Clear the area around the piano to facilitate a safe move.
- Protection: Use moving blankets to protect the piano from scratches or dents during transit.
2. Antiques and Heirlooms
Why They’re Difficult to Move
Antiques and family heirlooms often carry significant monetary and emotional value. Their delicate nature makes them vulnerable to breakage during a move. Furthermore, antique furniture often has intricate structures that require careful handling.
Moving Tips
- Inventory and Appraisal: Before moving, create an inventory and, if possible, obtain an appraisal. This will help in case you need to file a claim later.
- Custom Packing: Use custom boxes or crates designed specifically for antiques. Consider wrapping items in bubble wrap and cushioning them with soft packing materials.
- Professional Assistance: When in doubt, seek guidance from professional art movers or antique experts.
3. Large Appliances
Why They’re Difficult to Move
Refrigerators, washing machines, and other large appliances are not only heavy but often require special handling due to plumbing and electrical connections. They also need to be cleaned and prepared before the move, further complicating the process.
Moving Tips
- Disconnect and Clean: Ensure that appliances are disconnected from their power source at least a day before moving. Clean them thoroughly to avoid mold or odors.
- Secure Packing: Use moving straps to secure doors and prevent them from swinging during transit. For refrigerators, remove shelves and pack them separately.
- Follow Regulations: When moving a refrigerator, ensure that it is transported upright to avoid compressor damage.
4. Artwork and Fragile Items
Why They’re Difficult to Move
Artwork, mirrors, and other fragile items can easily shatter if they are not properly packed. Their unique shapes and sizes make finding suitable boxes a challenge.
Moving Tips
- Custom Crating: For valuable or large pieces, consider having them professionally crated to ensure maximum protection.
- Pack Carefully: Use bubble wrap, foam sheets, and boxing tape to secure items. Avoid packing fragile pieces tightly, as this can cause damage.
- Label Clearly: Make sure to label all boxes containing fragile items as “Fragile” so that movers take additional care during handling.
5. Outdoor Equipment (Bikes, Grills, and More)
Why They’re Difficult to Move
Items like bicycles and outdoor grills can be cumbersome and often require disassembly. Furthermore, ensuring they are clean and ready for transport is essential to avoid attracting pests or causing messes.
Moving Tips
- Disassemble: If moving bicycles or grills, detach any removable parts to make them easier to transport. Store small parts in labeled bags to avoid misplacement.
- Clean and Protect: Thoroughly clean outdoor equipment and protect surfaces with tarps or moving blankets to prevent scratches or damage.
- Check Local Regulations: For items like grills, check local regulations regarding the transportation of propane tanks and ensure they are handled safely.
6. Plants
Why They’re Difficult to Move
While it may be tempting to move your plants during a relocation, plants are perishable and sensitive to temperature changes and physical shocks. They can also have specific requirements that must be maintained during transit.
Moving Tips
- Prepare Ahead of Time: If possible, stop watering your plants a few days before the move to avoid excess moisture.
- Use Suitable Containers: Transport smaller plants in their pots, while larger ones may need to be placed in boxes. Ensure there is sufficient drainage to avoid mess.
- Temperature Considerations: Keep plants in a temperature-controlled environment during transit to protect them from extreme temperatures.
7. Collectibles and Valuables
Why They’re Difficult to Move
Collectibles and valuables, whether they be rare coins, stamp collections, or sports memorabilia, are one-of-a-kind items requiring heightened security and protection.
Moving Tips
- Insure Your Valuables: Consider getting insurance coverage for high-value items. Keep documents or receipts handy to help identify and verify their worth.
- Custom Packages: For unique collectibles, use custom packaging methods to ensure they are cushioned and protected from movement.
- Personal Transport: When possible, transport highly valuable items in your own vehicle rather than with a moving company.
8. Exercise Equipment
Why They’re Difficult to Move
Items like treadmills, elliptical machines, and weight benches can be bulky and heavy, often requiring significant muscle to lift and maneuver.
Moving Tips
- Disassemble When Possible: Remove any detachable parts, including weights and covers, to make the equipment more manageable.
- Use Proper Equipment: Consider using dollies or lifting straps to help transport heavy items, reducing strain on you and the movers.
- Secure and Protect: Wrap equipment in moving blankets and secure it with straps to prevent shifting during transport.
9. Miscellaneous Items (Safe, Fireworks, etc.)
Why They’re Difficult to Move
Certain items like safes or fireworks come with safety and legal considerations that can complicate a move.
Moving Tips
- Safes: Due to their extreme weight, use professional safe movers to handle them, and ensure you have the combination or key.
- Fireworks: Be aware of local laws regarding the transportation of fireworks, and handle them carefully to prevent accidents.
Conclusion
Moving involves a myriad of challenges, especially when it comes to difficult items. Understanding the unique attributes of each item type can significantly reduce the stress associated with your move. Whether you are a New Yorker moving around the city or someone relocating to another state, developing a strategy for handling these difficult items is imperative.
Ultimately, if you feel overwhelmed, seeking professional assistance is often the best course of action. Not only can movers provide their expertise and specialized tools, they can ensure your belongings are transported safely and securely, allowing you to focus on the exciting new journey ahead. The key is preparation; with the right strategies and foresight, even your most challenging possessions can make the transition with success.
