Before you start
Begin packing early. It always takes longer than expected, and three to four weeks ahead is a sensible start.
Pack one room at a time, starting with the least used rooms.
Make sure you have boxes in the right sizes before you begin.
What goes in which box
We supply four box types. Using the right one for each job keeps boxes at a weight you can lift and protects what is inside.
Small box (18 x 12 x 12 inches): books, records, paperwork, crockery and glassware. Anything dense or heavy goes in a small box, so it never becomes too heavy to lift.
Large box (18 x 18 x 18 inches): clothes, shoes, toys, pots and pans. If a large box of pots and pans feels heavy, split it across two boxes.
Tall box (18 x 18 x 30 inches): duvets, pillows, cushions and other light, bulky items.
Wardrobe box (18 x 18 x 48 inches): hanging clothes. It comes with a rail, so clothes go in on their hangers, and arrive ready to hang up.
If you are not sure which box something belongs in, tell us what you have, room by room, and we will advise.
Paper, tape and protection
Packing paper: for wrapping fragile items and filling empty space. Clean newspaper or soft fabrics also work for filling gaps.
Paper blankets: thick corrugated paper protection, an eco friendly alternative to bubble wrap. Ideal for pictures and mirrors.
Craft paper: for wrapping and protecting, sold by the metre.
Tape: you will use more than you expect. Double tape the base and seams of every box.
Mattress covers: heavy duty, biodegradable covers for mattresses and upholstered furniture. Seal them with tape.
Packing rules that matter
Pack heavy items such as books into small boxes only, and keep every box at a manageable weight to prevent damage and injury.
Fill every box completely before sealing. Half filled boxes are likely to collapse when stacked.
Fill all empty space with packing paper, clean newspaper or soft fabrics. Loose items moving around are the main cause of breakages.
Do not use bin liners or plastic bags. They cannot be stacked safely and tend to split.
Stack heavier boxes at the bottom and lighter boxes on top.
Protective materials cost far less than replacing damaged items, so use them generously.
Pack room by room
A sensible order is:
Loft, garage, shed and spare rooms
Seasonal items and decorations
Things you use occasionally, such as ornaments and serving dishes
Living rooms, bedrooms and home offices
Kitchen and bedroom essentials, in the final week
Your essentials box, last
Finish one room before starting the next. It keeps labelling simple and stops you losing track of what is where.
Loft, garage and sheds: start here. Nothing in these spaces is needed day to day.
Living room: books and records into small boxes, cushions into tall boxes. Photograph cable set ups before you unplug anything.
Kitchen: keep a few essentials until the last week. Crockery and glassware go in small boxes, pots and pans in large ones. Wrap glass and china individually.
Bedrooms: hanging clothes into wardrobe boxes, folded clothes and shoes into large boxes, and duvets and pillows into tall boxes.
Bathroom: pack last, as you will use it until the end.
Label everything
Mark each box with the destination room, a brief description of the contents and "FRAGILE" where it applies. Writing on the tape improves visibility when boxes are stacked.
Take extra care with fragile items
Glass and china: line the box with packing paper and wrap each piece individually. Stand plates on their edge, wrapped with paper between them. Never mix breakables with heavy items.
Bottles and liquids: pack bottles upright only. Wrap each glass bottle separately and fill gaps with screwed up kitchen paper. Make sure lids are sealed, and wrap them separately from other items.
Pictures and mirrors: wrap them in paper blankets, protect the corners, and load them upright, never flat.
Electronics: use the original box if you still have it, and photograph how cables are connected before you unplug anything.
Furniture and larger items
Our team will dismantle and reassemble furniture where required, unless we have agreed otherwise. Cover mattresses, sofas and other upholstered items with mattress covers, and seal them with tape. Keep screws and fittings in a labelled bag taped to the piece.
Keep these with you
Do not pack the following on the van. Carry them yourself:
Passports and documents
Medication
Keys
Phone chargers, laptops, school bags and other essentials for the first night
Pack your essentials box last, with a kettle, tea and mugs, toiletries, a change of clothes and some snacks. Keep it with you.
Packing yourself and insurance
If you are packing yourself, we strongly recommend making sure you have adequate insurance cover in place. Ask us how self packing affects cover when you get your quote. Our Insurance Explained guide shows what to ask.
If you would like help
We offer three options: full packing and unpacking, fragile only packing, or move only with no packing at all. If you would rather pack yourself, we can supply industry standard packing materials. Material prices change, so please get in touch for up to date prices and we will confirm what you need for your move. If you run short, materials used by our team on moving day are charged separately, so it is better to order enough in advance. See our Packing Services page for the detail.
Why not get a free quote? Tell us about your move and we will put together a clear written quote, with packing materials included if you would like them.
Get a free quote
