Packing and moving house always comes with a mix of anticipation, excitement and stress – but with the help of a professional removals team, the process becomes far more manageable. Still, a bit of preparation before moving day can go a long way to ensure everything runs smoothly. Whether you’re moving up the road, across town or to the other side of the country, here’s a handy checklist to help you get ready for the big day.
1, Declutter before you pack
Moving house is the perfect opportunity to let go of things you no longer use or need. Before you start packing, it’s wise to go through your belongings and have a proper clear-out. Sort your items into categories: keep, donate, sell, recycle or bin. Not only does this mean you’re not cluttering up your new space with things you just don’t need, but it reduces what needs to be moved, which can save you money.
2, Plan your packing strategy
Before you start thinking about how to pack for the movers, work out whether you actually need to. Professional removal companies often offer a range of packing services, so you don’t need to slave away wrapping and boxing everything up yourself. Options typically include:
● Full packing – ideal if you’d prefer the removals team to handle everything.
● Fragile packing – great if you only need help with delicate items like glassware, china, and ornaments.
● Specialist packing – for artwork, antiques, and unusually shaped or valuable pieces.
Let your removal company know in advance which services you’d like so they can bring the right materials and plan accordingly.
3, Ensure you have the right boxes
If you do decide to do all the packing yourself, you’ll need to source boxes. Not just any old cardboard boxes will do for moving house. You’ll want a range of different sizes and styles of a high enough quality to ensure safety and ease for your movers – and yourself. The best removal companies will supply you with boxes, even if you haven’t booked a full packing service, so ask about this when you book.
4, Label boxes clearly
One of the most common mistakes people make when packing for moving house is not labelling their boxes. You’ll thank yourself later if you make sure every box is clearly labelled with its contents and the room in the new property it belongs to. Write on both the top and side of each box so you can identify them quickly, even when they’re stacked. This makes unpacking easier and helps the removals team know exactly where to place each box in your new home.
5, Create a “do not pack” zone
Set aside an area or a specific room for items that shouldn’t be packed with everything else. These are the things you’ll need on moving day or for your first night in your new home – such as phones, chargers, toiletries, medication, important documents, kettle, mugs, bedding etc. These might also be valuables or other items that for whatever reason you prefer to keep on your person to transport yourself. Clearly mark this area before your movers arrive so they know not to pack or load anything from there.
6, Consider parking and access
Make sure the removal team’s vehicles can access your property. Reserve parking spaces if necessary and check with neighbours or your local council if there are restrictions. The same goes for your new place – ensure there’s enough space for unloading. And let your removals team know about any tricky access points in advance too, like pathways or narrow staircases.
7, Dismantle furniture
If you haven’t booked packing services, you’ll want to speed things up on moving day by making sure that furniture like beds, chests of drawers and dining tables are dismantled in advance, ready to be loaded into vans when the movers arrive. Keep all screws and fixings in clearly labelled bags, ideally taped to the furniture they belong to.
8, Confirm details the day before
Give your removals company a quick call the day before moving to confirm timings, addresses and any last-minute arrangements. Things often change, and that’s ok, but clear communication helps avoid hiccups and keeps everyone on the same page.
Take the stress out of moving house and contact Spire Removals today for a bespoke quote including varied packing options.
