Home packing for a move always takes longer than people expect. It expands to fill whatever time you give it. The customers with the smoothest moving days nearly always started earlier than felt necessary. They also cleared out more than they planned, and thought through the loading order before the van arrived. We see a wide range of moves through our Tilley Street depot for van hire in Warrington. So, the advice below reflects what actually helps on the day.
Start Home Packing Earlier Than You Think
The most common mistake is underestimating how long packing takes. A room that looks manageable holds far more than you can see at a glance. Think of the backs of wardrobes, drawers, and everything under beds and in the loft.
Start at least two weeks before moving day, beginning with the rooms you use least. That way, by moving day the bulk of the work is done. You are loading a van rather than wrapping things at midnight.
Use home packing as a chance to clear out, too. Charity shops, reuse schemes and tip runs deal with items you do not want to take. A van hired for a tip run before moving day also makes the main load smaller. Our post on van hire for tip runs covers the practical side.
Boxes, Materials and What You Need
Sort your packing materials early to remove a source of stress. You need sturdy double-walled boxes in several sizes, good tape and bubble wrap. Packing paper fills gaps, and self-sealing bags hold screws and fixings from furniture. Buy more tape than you think, because people run out far more often than they have spare.
Use smaller boxes for heavy items such as books, kitchen kit and tools. Meanwhile, larger boxes suit light, bulky things like bedding and towels. A large box of books is hard to lift and may split. Finally, label every box on the side rather than the top, since the side is what you see in a stacked van.
Packing Fragile Items and Taking Furniture Apart
Wrap fragile items individually in bubble wrap or several layers of paper. Pad the box on all sides, including below the first layer and above the top one. Then mark fragile boxes clearly and load them last, so they sit on top of the load.
Take furniture apart before moving day rather than on the morning. Wardrobes, bed frames and dining tables become far less awkward once dismantled. In addition, the panels stand neatly against the van walls. Keep fixings in labelled bags taped to the right piece, so reassembly is quick.
Preparing an Essentials Box
Pack a separate essentials box that travels where you can reach it. It holds what you need in the first hours at the new address. Think kettle, mugs, tea, milk, phone chargers, toilet roll and a change of clothes. Keep important documents in it, too. Load it last so it comes out first, and mark it with a different coloured label.
Loading the Van on Moving Day
The loading order affects both space and stability. Heavy items such as white goods and full drawer units go in first, low against the bulkhead. Next, mattresses and wardrobe panels stand against the side walls. Boxes then fill the floor, heaviest at the bottom. Last of all, the essentials box and fragile items sit near the rear doors.
The right van also removes the pressure to make everything fit. A two-bedroom home usually needs a long wheelbase high roof van. For a three or four-bedroom house, an extra long wheelbase van avoids a second trip. For heavy furniture, a Luton van with tail lift makes loading safer. Our guide on how to choose the right van size helps you decide.
Book Your Moving Van
Remember to update your address with official bodies after the move. The GOV.UK change of address service for your driving licence is a good place to start. Our depot at Cockhedge Shopping Centre opens Monday to Saturday from 8am until 4pm. There is secure on-site parking and no deposit on most vehicles.
Once your home packing is under way, call us on 01925 396 222 to check availability for your date. Alternatively, use our contact us page.
