Moving house: Top Tips For Packing

So, you’re in the midst of planning a move. No doubt you have thoughts flying through your head that you do need to do this and that, oh and that too! It can quickly get to the point where you feel overwhelmed like everything is piling up on top of you, overriding any excitement you once had about the move.

But you can take control of this with some simple forward planning that will get you organised, feeling less stressed and looking forward to your imminent move!

Plan ahead

Moving house is always a much bigger job than it first may seem, so the earlier you start and the more prepared you can be, the better.

Try and estimate how many boxes you will need to pack up all of your belongings, including how many of each size. This way you can start collecting them as soon as possible so you’re ready as soon as the packing can start.

Cardboard boxes are fine for those lighter and less delicate items, however you will need to invest in sturdy, reliable packing cartons made from corrugated cardboard. It is advised that investing in these strong, purpose made cartons from a reliable removals company is the best option, as a cheaper alternative may look just as good, but the reality is they are often made from single-wall cardboard or a cheaper thinner grade of card, rather than a double-wall, and could collapse under even a small amount of pressure compared to the double-wall cartons.

If you choose to go with a removals company, like Britannia Sandersteads, we can provide all the packing materials you will need – plus we’ll do all the packing for you too so you won’t have to lift a finger!

Prioritise

Go through your belongings and decide which are worth keeping and those that can be either thrown away or given to charity if still in good condition.

If you have the time, you could organise a car boot sale, and put the money you make towards removals fees or something for your new house, such as carpets or wallpaper.

Inventory

If you want to get ultra-organised, once you have sorted through your things and are left with only the belongings you want to take with you, write an itemised list of your possessions. This way, you can check them off when you arrive at your new home and you can rest assured knowing that everything has been transferred safely with nothing left behind.

Packing materials

Consider what sort of packing material you will need. This could be bubble wrap for your most fragile items, self-seal bags or strong tape to hold your boxes together for extra security.

Valuable items should be wrapped individually in bubble wrap and placed into a box that has been lined with layers of bubble wrap to avoid any unwanted breakages during the transfer.

For self-packed moves where materials such as bubble wrap are not provided, a cheaper alternative is to protect your delicate belongings with soft towels and blankets, keeping them safe and secure during the move.

Generally speaking, we advise against using newspaper for packing your items as your hands will get filthy from the print, and anything you touch after this will have your dirty fingerprints transferred on to it, meaning all your belongings, as well as your hands, will need to be thoroughly cleaned on arrival at your new home. Not only will this create more work for you but it will also take up a big chunk of your time, unnecessarily.

Labelling

It’s worth marking all cartons on the top only with a note of the room they need to go to on arrival at your destination, as well as the contents and those that need to be handled with care. This will help the removals team work more efficiently, as well as making them aware of those delicate items you need to make sure are in safe hands!

This will also save you a lot of time when unpacking as you won’t need to open each box up to remind you of what is in it.

Moving day

When it finally comes to moving day, everything can be rather hectic. With so many things to do and so much going off all at once, we strongly advice that you pack a bag full of essentials.

Things you will need the day/night of the move such as, essential toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, toilet roll, towels, and pyjamas. You may also want to pack some snacks, a kettle and tea and coffee so you don’t have to wait for a long time until you dig out the kitchen boxes.

Also, if you are using a professional removals company, it’s worth taking note that removals men work like pit ponies, so remember, any refreshments you can offer up such as tea, coffee or a cold beverage if it’s a hot day will be greatly appreciated – and any cakes or biscuits supplied are sure to go down a treat too!

With our helpful packing tips you will realise how simple moving house can actually be. As long as you remember that organisation and forward planning is the key to a successful move, you can begin to enjoy this time and you will find your excitement for the move will soon return!

If you’re looking for a professional removals and storage company throughout the Croydon, London and Surrey regions, then please get in touch with Britannia Sandersteads today. With over 50 years of experience in successfully managing and executing various moves, we can be there to offer an excellent removals service for you.