The 18 Tips
- Never pack a heavy item in a big box. Books and plates go in small boxes — big ones are for light, bulky things like bedding.
- Keep boxes under 20kg. That's the safe carrying weight for a mover. Heavy boxes slow everyone down and get damaged.
- Tape the bottom of every box with a "H" of tape — two strips across and one along. Dozens of boxes fail at the bottom fold.
- Use wadding and paper, not just bubble wrap. Newspaper ink transfers; acid-free paper protects china and glass better.
- Plates travel on edge, like records — not flat. Stack them upright, separated by paper.
- Fill every gap. A box that moves inside a box is how things break. Use tea towels and clothes as free void-fillers.
- Label by room, not by list. "Kitchen — one of three" tells the crew exactly where to put it.
- Label the side, not the top. Boxes are carried from the sides — labels on top get covered by the box above.
- Keep an essentials box for each overnight. Kettle, mugs, teabags, loo roll, chargers, meds, a change of clothes.
- Pack the bed last and unpack it first. You'll thank yourself at 10pm.
- Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes. It saves the ironing marathon after a big move.
- Take drawers out for a heavy chest — or remove the contents and tape the drawers shut. The piece becomes half the weight.
- Wrap mirrors and artwork in blankets face-out and tape the corners — never the glass surface.
- Put screws and fittings in a labelled bag taped to the item they came from. No mystery hardware at the new house.
- Photograph electronics wiring before unplugging. Reassembling the TV cabinet becomes a five-minute job.
- Pack a small "open first" box with tools, light bulbs, and the kettle — for the new address.
- Don't pack the kettle for the last morning — it's the single most-repacked item in the country.
- Consider professional packing. It costs less than you think and takes the whole job off your plate — see our packing service.
Want Us to Handle It?
Our crews can pack your whole home in a day — or just the fragile rooms. Request a quote or call 0121 679 2511.
