Don't you just love moving? All the planning, packing, strategizing, planning, organizing, re-organizing, planning, and then watching all your plans crumble... Yeah, totally fun. NOT.

Moving can be stressful enough without any last minute surprises messing up your plans. If you hire movers, you may think that will solve all the frustrations, but here are a few things you need to know before the movers get there.

First, it may surprise you what movers cannot and will not move. The obvious items are hazardous materials, ammunition, gasoline, etc. Some movers lists include other items you might not have thought of: 

• Perishable food items
• house plants
• charcoal
• Car Batteries, Household batteries
• nail polish, nail polish remover
• lighter fluid, kerosene, gasoline, lamp oil, matches
• liquid bleach, ammonia, aerosols, acids, cleaning solvents, pool chemicals
• motor oil
• fertilizer, pesticides, poisons, weed killer
• paint, paint thinner
• fire extinguiser

When setting up your moving company, ask them for their Do Not Haul List or Non-Allowable List. Making sure you have a plan for these items will make moving day much easier

Other things to consider and talk with your movers up front include staircase type, size, and location. If your movers don't feel safe, chances are, they won't be able to help you. 

Invariably, something won't go according to plan, but here are some extra tips on how to make it go as smoothly as possible:

• Think through your move before you get to moving day. Where will the movers park? What is the best access? Do you need to reserve a space or talk to your neighbors first?
• Have all your packing done before the movers get there. Make sure your boxes are labeled clearly and talk to the movers about which items are most fragile and which are most valuable. They do this a lot and are really good at what they do, but they can't know everything.
• Speak to them respectfully - remember, that is your stuff they are handling! While we have to assume they will remain professional and do a good job either way, it is really easy to let the stress make you start barking orders.
• With that said, make sure you do your research! There are really great companies out there who do a wonderful job. There are also some really bad ones that give the good ones a bad name. 
• Let the movers do their job. Basically, get out of their way so they can perform to the best of their ability

Finally, make sure you tip your movers. They work hard and do all the heavy lifting in your move. LITERALLY! You may consider buying lunch  if it is a full day. Anything that lets these guys know they are appreciated.