How to pack for moving house

Even seasoned movers will have questions on how to best prepare and pack for their upcoming removal. Because most of us only move home occasionally, we tend to forget some of the best information we've learned on prior moves. We can't claim to have all of the answers here, but hopefully we'll give you the basics to help ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible!

How To Pack For Moving Home

First things first - hazardous materials

Hazardous items, such as paints, petrol-filled lawnmowers, garden chemicals, etc. can't be moved on the removal lorry. You'll need to drain your petrol lawnmower or other equipment before it can be loaded into the truck.

Avoid anything flammable, poisonous, or soaking wet.

Things we can't take on the removal truck:

  • Paint
  • Cleaning products containing bleach
  • Asbestos
  • Car or industrial batteries
  • Fluorescent tubes
  • Pesticides
  • Petrol or diesel (make sure you empty any petrol cans first!)
How To Pack For Moving Home

Call Us:  Leicester:  0116 289 9011  Nottingham:  0115 965 6555  or  Derby & Burton:  01283 243001Get a Quote

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.

Pro Tip

Start early! Packing can be time consuming, so by starting early you're able to take your time and make sure everything is in order - you'll have an easier time finding things once you're in your new home

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.

Meet our movers

Call Us:  Leicester:  0116 289 9011  Nottingham:  0115 965 6555  or  Derby & Burton:  01283 243001Let Us Call You Back

Removal quote appointment booking service

Bradshaw Moving Services can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 0116 289 9011 (Leicester), 0115 965 6555 (Nottingham), or 01283 243001 (Derby & Burton) and speak with one of our removals specialists.

How are our appointments carried out

In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.

See what our customers think of us...

They were fantastic, polite, caring and efficient.

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
From our insurance we had a kitchen fire

How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
9/10

How would you rate the survey that we carried out?Image Library
10/10

Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Insurance

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were fantastic, polite, caring and efficient.

How would you rate our communication?
10/10

How can we improve our service?
If all your teams are like the lads we had you don’t need to worry about improving

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
It was not an easy move but they took it in their stride. I hope we get the same team bringing our goods back after the fire has been sorted. Will you thank Aaron, Chris, Jake, Jamie, Tommy, & Cameron for me thank you

Joan & Nigel Yeomans

Good communication and very helpful

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
From friends recommendations

How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10

How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10

Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Good communication and very helpful

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Very polite and professional

How would you rate our communication?
10/10

How can we improve our service?
Keep doing what you’re doing now

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10

David Pomroy

For me they made it hassle free

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Recommended by estate agents

How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10

How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10

Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Definitely because of the friendly, helpful and professional people involved.

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Tommy, Marcus and Mac were great, friendly and cracked on with the job in a professional and practical way. For me they made it hassle free. Also must mention the other lads who came along and help unload. They too were great, sorry didn’t get their names, but thanks to all of them. Altogether a lovely bunch of lads and an asset to the company.

How would you rate our communication?
10/10

How can we improve our service?
For me service was brilliant

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/1

0s there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Thanks to Lynn and Pam for their admin skills, and always being helpful and friendly.

Jo Stain

What a lovely, friendly, polite, hard-working team!

Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
BAR member, good feedback ratings, local to us

How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10

How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10

Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Good customer service, keeping in contact with us after quote. Had confidence in your service

How would you rate your move team?
10/10

Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
What a lovely, friendly, polite, hard-working team! The final day turned out so long for them and yet they took the time to navigate our tricky staircase, expertly deconstruct and reconstruct furniture and move things around at our request. Many thanks to them!

How would you rate our communication?
10/10

How can we improve our service?
All good

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10

Janet Riley

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Call Us:  Leicester:  0116 289 9011  Nottingham:  0115 965 6555  or  Derby & Burton:  01283 243001Let Us Call You Back

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