Moving house is a big deal. Not only do you have to contend with the emotional upheaval of leaving your old home behind, but you also need to deal with the practicalities of packing up everything you own and getting it to your new house in one piece.
The average person moves eight times throughout his or her life. People move the most between the ages of 18 and 30, typically three or four times. Around 100,000 households in the UK will relocate every month on average.
About 361,000 people in the United Kingdom wanted to relocate in the second quarter of 2021, and 336,000 planned to do so right away. 296,000 households had already relocated and settled in during the same period.
Moving to a new house may be exciting, but it’s never a joyous experience because we don’t know where to start. You must contact your utility companies, clean your entire property before leaving, and engage a moving company ahead of time, not to mention pack everything. So, how can you pack your home properly, prepare for the moving process and avoid forgetting anything? Here are a few moving tips to help with the packing process.
Necessary Packing Materials
The first step in packing for a move is to get hold of the right packing materials. You’ll need high-quality boxes that won’t collapse under the weight of your possessions and plenty of bubble wrap, packing paper, packing tape, and marker pens.
You can either buy these things from a removal company or a self-storage facility or ask friends and family if they have any boxes they could spare. Once you’ve got your hands on some packing materials, you can sort out your belongings.
It’s essential to use telescopic cardboard moving boxes, packing paper, or bubble wrap if you want to pack mirrors and artwork for safety concerns.
You’ll generally need the following:
- Different moving boxes (Small, Medium, Large)
- Wardrobe moving boxes for hanging clothes
- Heavy-duty moving boxes
- Telescopic cardboard boxes/ Mirror boxes
You can make your own wardrobe boxes by using a suitable box and any length of metal rail that you can get on Amazon. You’ll also need:
- Bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- Packing paper
- Old newspapers
- Styrofoam
- Furniture wrap
- Plastic bags
- Marker
- Tags/Labels
- Masking tape
- Garbage bags
- Paper towels
Removal company in Cambridgeshire – Cromwell Removals
There are various kits for moving houses available online for a range of houses. Another alternative is to hire a removals company. Professional movers not only have different sorts of pack boxes suited to all kinds of goods, but they also pack all your belongings expertly for you. Furthermore, items carried by professional movers are typically insured against unwanted loss and damage.
Expert packing tips for moving house
A few key packing tips will make your move go more smoothly. The most crucial part of packing is to do it systematically. You can start by packing the things you use the least and gradually move on to the items you use every day.
Start packing well ahead
The quantity of your possessions affects how quickly you can pack them, but you should always start as soon as possible. Packing usually takes much longer than people think, so it’s best not to leave it until the last minute. Making a packing plan will also save you time. You can use a colour-coding or number system to label boxes according to which room they’ll go in at your new property. That way, you won’t have to unpack and then repack everything when you realise you’ve put things in the wrong place!
Begin with things you use less frequently
Start with your attic, basement, or spare room—these are usually the places where we store things we don’t need regularly. Once you’ve tackled these rooms, you can move on to the bedrooms, living room, and kitchen.
Get rid of anything you don’t need
One of the best packing tips is to get rid of anything you don’t need before the move. This will save you time and money, making packing and unpacking easier. If you’re not sure whether you need something, ask yourself if you’ve used it in the past year. If the answer is no, then you can probably live without it.
Donate unwanted items
If you have any unwanted items in good condition, consider donating them to a local charity. This will save you money, and it will help someone in need.
Label each box
As you’re packing each box, clearly label it with the contents and the destination room in your new house. This will make unpacking much easier and help you avoid putting things in the wrong place. You could even colour code each box according to which room it needs to go in to save time.
Make the inventory list in details
Once you’ve sorted out your belongings and packed them into boxes, it’s good to make a detailed inventory list. This will help you keep track of everything and ensure that nothing gets lost or left behind. To make an inventory list, simply write down all the items in each box and a brief description. Once you’ve finished, put the list in a safe place where you can easily find it when you need it.
Pack an essentials box
When packing for a move, it’s important to pack an essentials box with everything you’ll need on your first day in your new home. This could include toiletries, clothes, bedding, towels, cleaning supplies, and non-perishable food.
Don’t start another room before finishing the one you started
It’s tempting to start packing another room while you’re in the middle of one, but this will only slow you down and make things more confusing. Once you’ve started packing a room, finish it before moving on to another one. This is necessary for staying organised and avoiding getting overwhelmed. Once you’ve finished packing a room, seal the boxes and label them clearly. Then you can move on to the next room.
Pack heavy items in small boxes
It’s important to pack heavy items in small boxes so that they’re not too heavy to lift. Otherwise, you could injure yourself or damage your belongings. When packing heavy items, make sure to use strong cardboard boxes and packing tape.
Pack fragile items with care
When packing fragile items, it’s important to use plenty of padding to prevent them from breaking. You can use bubble wrap, old newspapers, Styrofoam, or even towels and blankets. Be sure to label these boxes as fragile to handle them with care.
Keep a limit of weight per box
When packing boxes, be sure not to exceed the weight limit of 15 kilograms. This will help you avoid injuries and make lifting and carrying the boxes easier.
Extra care for spillable items
Any items that could spill or leak should be packed in sealed plastic bags to prevent accidents. This will help prevent any accidents and keep your belongings clean and dry. This includes items like shampoo, laundry detergent, and cooking oil.
Pack a first-night bag
Be sure to pack a bag with everything you’ll need for your first night in your new home. This could include a change of clothes, toiletries, bedding, and non-perishable food. This will help you avoid unpacking everything at once and make things more comfortable.
Pack a first-aid kit
It’s always a good idea to pack a first-aid kit in case of any accidents during the move. This will help you be prepared for any minor injuries and make sure you have everything you need to take care of them. The first aid kit should include bandages, antiseptic cream, painkillers, and scissors.
Pack a toolkit
It’s always a good idea to pack a toolkit when moving house. You’ll have everything you need to assemble furniture and hang pictures in your new home. Your toolkit should include a hammer, screwdriver, drill, tape measure, and level.
Pack an essentials box
When packing for a move, be sure to pack an essentials box. This should include things like toiletries, clothes, bedding, and medications. Having an essentials box will make it easy to find what you need when you first arrive at your new home.
Handle clothes smartly
One of the best packing tips is to roll your clothes instead of folding them. This will save space and prevent creases. You can also use vacuum seal bags to pack your clothes. This is a great way to save space and keep your clothes clean and wrinkle-free.
Use roll tubes to pack appliance wiring and cables
It is always good to use roll tubes while packing appliance wiring and cables. This will help you avoid tangles and keep them organized. You can also use zip ties to secure the cords and prevent them from getting tangled.
Keep all of your valuable belongings in one place
When packing for a move, it’s important to store all of your valuables in one place. This could include jewellery, money, important documents, and photographs. You should keep these items with you during the move to avoid getting lost or stolen.
Don’t forget the documents
Take all of your important documents with you when you’re moving house. This includes things like your passport, birth certificate, and marriage certificate. You should also take any financial documents, such as your bank statements and tax returns.
Fill empty spaces in the box with soft items
When packing your boxes, fill any empty gaps with soft items. This could include clothes, towels, or blankets. This will help to prevent your belongings from shifting around during the move.
Put lighter boxes on the top
When stacking boxes, put the heavier ones on the bottom. This will help to prevent them from toppling over and damaging your household items.
Dispose of hazardous materials
When you’re moving house, be sure to properly dispose of any hazardous materials. This includes things like cleaning products, paint, and pesticides. You should take these items to a local recycling centre or Hazardous Waste facility.
Do a final clean of your old home
Before you move out of your old home, do a final clean. This will help you get your deposit back, making unpacking easier. Start by decluttering each room and then focus on deep cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen.
Be mindful of your pets
If you’re moving with pets, be sure to plan. This includes arranging for a pet-friendly hotel, packing their food and toys, and ensuring they have current ID tags.
Final Words
Moving house can be a stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to be. By following these packing tips, you can make the process much easier. You’ll be settled into your new home with a little planning and organisation.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of packing and moving, you can always hire a professional moving company. With over 20 years of expertise and exceptional customer service, we are a Cambridgeshire-based family-owned moving company named Cromwell Removals.
Nothing makes us happier than carefully packing up a house and loading it into one of our custom purpose-built moving lorries to transport it to its new location, where the happy new owners are waiting.
