Under ordinary circumstances Howes Removals offers a full, careful packing service to assist in the safe transportation of your possessions from A-B. However, you may find you wish to or need to pack yourself, due to time/ budget/ Coronavirus pandemics… So we’ve put together an expert “Howes How To” guide to packing for your upcoming house move efficiently and safely. 

Plan

Packing and unpacking can take longer than you think, so we suggest;

• Writing down a list or priority items you will need initially and keeping them together in clearly labelled boxes so you can access them straight away – you don’t want to be digging through ten boxes to find your kettle when you arrive in your new home!
• Stock up on packing materials. You’ll need boxes of varying size (including wardrobe boxes for clothes you don’t want to fold away), packing paper/ bubble wrap, packing tape & marker pens.
• Pack a room at a time and keep these boxes together and labelled so you know where everything is.
• Start packing items you don’t use often as early as possible.
• Remember you may also have to dismantle some of your furniture so allow time for this.

Pack

• Don’t overfill your boxes – check as you go that the box isn’t too heavy to carry.
• Use smaller boxes for heavier items.
• Pack heavier items at the bottom of the box and top up with light items.
• Depending on the contents, you may want to line the box with layers or bubble-wrap or packing paper to provide additional padding.
• Wrap breakable items individually with bubble wrap and packing paper and, where possible, arrange them with soft items such as towels to provide even more cushioning.
• Prepare your essentials box and an over night bag separately.
• Keep important documents separate and transport them with you rather than in one of your moving boxes.
• Keep liquids together and ensure they are not leaking before you pack.
• Larger breakable items, such as TVs and large picture frames may not fit in boxes, these can be wrapped in bubble wrap or we can provide padded bags and blankets on the day

Move

• Consider if there is anything you will need straight away and ask to have that packed last.
• Have an idea of where you would like items in your new home before you arrive.