How To Pack For Moving Home

Top tips for packing

Few people enjoy packing for a house move, but there are things you can do to help make packing - and your move - a bit easier.

Packing early

We suggest beginning your packing as soon as you know you're going to move, even if it is just a few things at a time in the first few weeks after you know you're moving.

Start with the rooms you don't use very often - the spare bedroom, garage, loft and cellar.

Out of season items are easy to pack in advance - Christmas decorations, out of season clothing, garden tools.

Declutter - dispose, sell, or donate

Haven't used it or looked at it in two years? Think of getting rid of it, unless there's sentimental meaning to the items
Sort through items to dispose of, sell, or donate to charity - there's no sense in moving things you don't need or want in your new home.

Don't pack old paperwork you no longer need to keep! Old bank statements, credit card bills, tax documents, etc that are beyond the dates you need to keep them should be destroyed securely. We offer a Move & Shred service for your moving day that will securely shred your documents for you (your first bag is free!)

Packing your boxes

Watch your weight! Keep boxes to roughly two stone or less - if it is difficult for you to pick up, our men will also struggle - and the boxes may not be able to withstand a heavier weight.

Heavy items, such as books, should be packed in small boxes to keep the weight down and make it manageable for everyone.

Combine heavy items with light ones - pack half a medium size box with heavy items, filling in the top with items such as throw pillows and light blankets.

Packing plates - crumple paper and layer the bottom of your box, then wrap each plate and stack them vertically in the box. Be sure to fill in any gaps with paper or soft items such as rolls of paper towels, tea towels, cloth tablecloths, or more paper.

Don't forget to label boxes with breakable or fragile items clearly with FRAGILE - CHINA & GLASS

Don't forget to clearly label each box with the room it is going into, preferably on top and on the sides of the box
Make sure you clearly label all boxes with the contents inside - after you're in your new home, this will make it much easier to find your belongings.

Mind the gap! Fill in empty gaps in your boxes with paper, soft materials, etc so your items don't shift in the boxes during your removal.

Household preparation

While you're not going to be putting your appliances in a box, do make sure they are disconnected and drained before the removal men arrive (preferably the day before moving day).

Be sure to empty and defrost your fridge and freezer.

Take photos of any electronics connections, such as your television, computer, sound system to ensure you can easily set it up in your new home.

Group your cables together for each device they've come from and put them in a bag (we suggest using a zip top kitchen bag, but anything will do) and clearly label it, using separate bags for each device's connections.

If you have the original boxes and inside packing for your computer, television or other devices and appliances, have them ready on moving day and let the crew know when they arrive.

Your clothing

Don't move empty suitcases - they're perfect for packing your clothes, particularly underwear and socks.

If you're moving with us, we'll supply special wardrobe cartons for your hanging garments for moving day.

The essentials

Don't forget to pack the essential things last - usually that's the kettle, mugs, and biscuits. Make sure the box is clearly labeled and on the truck last and is one of the first things in your new home (nobody likes searching for the kettle when they're exhausted and just want a cuppa after a long day moving).

Have a valuables and important document box, and keep it with you if at all possible, rather than send it on the truck. If you do need to put it on the truck, alert your crew to its importance and make sure it is one of the last things to be loaded.

If you're moving with pets, make sure to pack their food bowls and some food in your important stuff box, so you can feed them as soon as everyone's left and they're getting settled in your new home.

Another essentials box to have is nightwear for everyone in the house, along with bedding, towels and toiletries - it saves you the trouble of looking around for the right box with the bedding and another box with your nightwear - or stepping out of the shower only to realise you don't have a towel handy.

Dismantling your furniture

If your removal company is dismantling your furniture, make sure the men have clear access to the furniture.

If you're dismantling your furniture, make sure to put all of the screws, fittings, and any tools for reassembly (along with the instructions, if you have them) in a zip top bag and clearly label which piece of furniture it is for - use a separate bag for each piece of furniture.