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Packing Hints and Tips

Packing Guide When Moving

Packing If you have chosen to carry out the packing by yourselves we have the following information to assist you.

Packing is one of the most important jobs in preparation for moving.

We would advise the following when packing:

  • Allow sufficient time for you to be able to sort through your goods and throw out any unwanted items.

  • If the item is small enough to fit into a box, please do so.

  • Always ensure that liquids are packed in an upright position, and the lids are secured.

Packing Boxes moving house guide

Making Up Our Boxes

  • Small box – When folding the flaps, make sure the ‘small’ flaps are folded in first, with the two larger flaps folded in after, and then taped.
  • Large box – Any two ‘opposite’ flaps are folded first, followed by the other two flaps, and then taped.
  • Make sure that you tape the box both ways on the bottom of the box. This adds strength to the bottom of the box, ensuring your contents do not fall out. (See illustration for details)
  • Avoid overfilling and under filling of the boxes. Try to keep the contents level with the top.
    • A strong box is a full box
    • If the box is sealed and level (without any overfilling) it can be stacked upon.

Often we are asked which packing materials should be used and which items should go in a particular box. We have generated a list of likely items that can be packed into our different size boxes.

Small Box – Pack VILarge Box – Pack II
BooksBedding
Heavy crockeryLarge china (if it doesn’t fit into a Pack VI)
Photo albumsPots & pans
RecordsLamps
Papers/filesLamp shades (separated from lamps)
BottlesGlassware
Tools from garage/shedShoes/Clothes
Tinned foods/jarsToys
CD’s, cassettes, DVD’s etc.Light / larger goods
Cleaning materialsAny Picture / mirror that will fit in a box
 Portable TV
 Stereo’s and speakers
 PC equipment

Packing Fragile Items

  • When packing glass / china and other fragile items into boxes, scrunch up some paper and fill the bottom of the box. This adds cushioning to the box, do the same for the top so as to protect the contents.
  • Packing of plates, bowls and pictures should be done by wrapping the items individually in paper and standing them on their edges in the box. They are at their strongest in this position, and the risk of damage is reduced.
  • Always ensure as you pack each layer that nothing can move, you can use scrunched up paper to fill any gaps you can’t fill. If the items can’t move in the box this will greatly reduce the chance of any damage to each item.

Packing Pictures / Mirrors

Any picture or mirror that fits into a large box, wrap in a sheet of paper and stand upright in the box. Don’t lay the picture down as this will increase the chance of damage. Any picture / mirror too large to fit in the large boxes they will need to be wrapped in a paper blanket (provided), this is done by wrapping the picture / mirror like a present.

Once wrapped please indicate which side is the front of the picture / mirror as this will help when loading on to the vehicle. For added protection to the picture / mirror you can use card to protect the face, foam picture corners and or a crate if the picture is particularly fragile / expensive.

Packing of Shed / garage contents

When packing the shed and garage there are generally small tools and accessories to be boxed, the smaller boxes (Pack 6’s) are recommended for this due to the weight of the items. Any items that are too big to fit in the small boxes should be packed into the larger boxes (Pack 2’s), but please be careful not to make these boxes too heavy. Any large garden tools (i.e. spades, racks etc), wooden planks and piping should be bundled up by taping together at the top and bottom; this makes them easier to handle and move.

Disconnection and carriage of kitchen appliances

We are not qualified to disconnect gas, electric or water appliances, therefore dishwashers, washing machines and cookers will need to be disconnected prior to our staff arriving on the removal day.

It is recommended that all fridge and freezers are fully emptied, as they are not designed to be moved full up. We may be able to lift them but leaving them full may cause damage to the unit and if there is any unexpected delay, spoilage to the food contents.

For short distance moves the contents can be unloaded into boxes and reloaded at the other end, although cool boxes are advisable to avoid the contents deteriorating. For longer distance moves we don’t recommend taking any contents from the fridge and freezer try running these down as best you can before hand to avoid wastage. Our insurance company will not accept any responsibility for any deterioration of the contents (this is standard with most insurance policies).

Parking arrangements and Access to either property

Parking for the removal vehicle is very important to enable us to carry out your removal efficiently. Parking difficulties usually come in the form of restrictions on the road (bay parking, yellow line, red route etc), or low bridges, trees or narrow roads. If there are any difficulties at the collection address, our surveyor will inform you of the best way to deal with the issues. If there are restrictions on the road, he/she will advise you to contact your local council to get parking permits/bays suspended for the removal day(s).

 

Similarly, it is important that you inform us of any difficulties that we may have getting to the new property as it is not always possible for us to review the access at this address so we will rely on the information that you can provide. In certain circumstances, we may need to use a small vehicle to tranship your goods from a large vehicle to your new property. This will need to be arranged prior to your removal day.

Packing of Bedding / Towels / Sheets and Clothes

We would recommend that all bedding, sheets, towels and clothes are packed into the larger boxes (pack 2’s). Always make sure you fill the box to avoid the risk of them collapsing when being stacked on the vehicle.

We can supply linen bags which can be used for lighter bedding and towels, but would recommend only ¾ filling the bags and tie the top, this reduces the chance of the bags ripping, due to excess weight. We don’t recommend packing clothes or sheets into bags, they are generally too heavy and cause the bags to rip. If you use any bags when writing the location the bag needs to positioned, please use either a biro or a permanent marker, as other pens might rub off and soil your furniture.

Carriage of personal goods

When moving you will find there are always personal items that you will want to transport yourself. It is advisable to designate one room (usually a bathroom is easiest) so that you can pack and store your personal effects in one place to avoid them getting packed or loaded onto the lorry by mistake. Items that we recommend you take yourself are all jewellery, watches, money, passports, bonds and important documents, this avoids them getting misplaced. It is always a good idea to have an overnight bag prepared just in case the move doesn’t complete on removal day as expected, or for any other reason we can’t move you into your new property. This should also be taken with you.

Removal and carriage of carpets, curtains and light fittings

Any light fittings you wish to take with you and need to be removed, will need to be removed by a professional electrician, prior to the removal, as we are not qualified electricians.

However if these items have been removed our staff can pack for safe transportation. If arrangements are made to have the light fittings removed on the day of the packing, we can pack them straight away reducing the risk of damage to the fitting.

If you would like to take any carpets and curtains we can make arrangements for can be lifted / removed and protected by our staff on or before the removal day. We can’t fit any carpets into your new property, this will need to be carried out by trained carpet fitters as the carpets will need to be cut to size. Curtain poles and rails can be fitted at your new property assuming they fit, we will not be able to make adjustments to poles and rails.

We also offer a handy man service, for hanging any pictures, shelves and wardrobes. Please enquire at the quotation stage for details.

Carriage of chest of drawers, bedside units, ottomans etc.

As a rule of thumb, any item of furniture with drawers and the contents are non-breakable, the drawers can be left full for transport. Exceptions to the rule are when the contents are books, photo albums or the drawers are in a divan bed base, these would all need to be packed due to their weight or the way in which the item of furniture needs to be carried. Drawers in sideboards, bookcases and wall units can be left full, if required, a few sheets of tissue paper can be used to pack out the drawers to stop the contents from rattling around.

Moving with Children and Pets

Older children can get very excited about moving house, as long as they don’t get in the way of our operatives we recommend that they get involved as much as possible in the whole experience from planning to the move itself. If you ask the staff on the day they will be able to give your children a tour of the vehicle, even sitting in the driver’s seat for photos. Younger children tend to find moving stressful, so you may consider leaving them with relatives or friends for the day, where possible.

Pets seem to find the whole moving experience very stressful. On the day of your move the best place for your animals is in a cattery / kennels or with a friend / relative. If this is not possible then the next best thing is to lock them in a room in the property that is not in use so that they do not escape. Please bear in mind that the front door to the property will be open throughout the day.

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