hints, tips and advice for a smooth move

choose the right company for you

make sure you choose the right removals company for your specific requirements. some companies may or may not have a packing service or supply packing materials, have the right insurance, do national or international moves, clear rubbish in their vehicles, do office or shop relocation or add the dreaded value added tax etc.
we do: have a packing service and supply packing materials, insure your goods up to £ 20 000.00 per load, do office and shop relocations and can move you anywhere in the country.
we don't: do international moves, clear rubbish in our vehicles or add 15% value added tax.

think ahead

unless you travel light, you won't be able to unpack everything in the first day, so it's worth deciding what you might need easy access to soon after you cross the threshold of your new home.

pack an 'essentials' box for the first night in your new home and carry it with you. instant access to coffee, tea, snacks, cups and a kettle may be welcome soon after you arrive. as will plates, utensils and a kitchen cloth.
prepare an overnight bag for everyone in the family, and make sure that there is enough toilet paper and toiletries for everyone.
other useful items that should be kept close to hand are a torch, a first-aid kit including pain relievers, pencil and paper, and re-closable plastic bags, along with a small tool kit.
if possible, finish any laundry well before you move to avoid packing damp clothes. keep a separate box/bag for dirty washing.
make sure the boxes containing items you need the least are loaded up first.

packing tips

if you don't want us to take the stress and strain away and take care of all the packing for you here are some tips on making it as smooth as possible. remember we also do a part packing service. this could mean we come in and pack some of the more problem areas: kitchens, fine china or garages and sheds etc. see price calculator page for details.

before you start

you don't need to leave everything to the day before the move. consider what you don't need to take with you, what will need careful packing, and that you are covered for potential breakages.

make a priority packing list
take some time to sift through your belongings and have a clear-out. you can make up a box for charity and if you've time, hold a car boot sale or log onto an online auction, then put the proceeds of your sold goods towards some re-decorating or a new carpet.
calculate how many boxes you will need and get these well in advance. find boxes in a variety of sizes. think about what else will be useful, such as strong tape, bubble wrap, wardrobe cartons, tissue paper for wrapping fine china etc and strong black bags for any soft toys towels and clothes etc. save old newspapers for lining boxes. all packing materils can be delivered free. see price calculator page for details.
use smaller boxes for heavy items like books and cds. fill larger boxes to the top so they stack on top of each other insuring they are not to heavy to carry.
two wardrobe cartons will be provided on the day of your move so any hanging clothes can be left where they are. the team will make up the boxes next to your wardrobes, transfer the clothes, move the boxes to the new address and transfer the clothes back the other end. if you need to keep hold of the cartons to store your clothes for a period of time these can be purchased for £ 10.00 each.
check that your contents insurance will cover damage and breakages during the move.
put all hazardous materials, such as paint, bleach and aerosols, into a separate box and keep them away from the rest of your stuff.

sensible packing

spend some time considering how you are going to pack your possessions. books are easy but heavy, valuables need careful wrapping and will take time, and some furniture may need to be dismantled.

start early. packing always takes longer than anticipated, particularly when you start reminiscing over old photographs stored in the attic or you realise that you need to dismantle the wardrobe to get it downstairs.
begin at the top of the house and move downwards. if you have an attic, it's a good idea to sort it out first.
always pack heavy items in small boxes. it will make transporting them easier. also, keep the weight of all boxes to a minimum to avoid any back injuries.
pack one room at a time, clearly labelling each box with details of its contents and the room to which it belongs. clearly label boxes that contain breakables and also those that are load-bearing and can be stacked in the van.
keep all boxes for each room together. this will save time unpacking.
it may sound obvious but pack heavier items on the bottom of the box and lighter items on top.
wrap items individually and place in a box that's been lined with several layers of newspaper and a sheet of bubble wrap. any breakables should also be wrapped in bubble wrap or tissue paper. use clean tissue or wrapping paper for the first layer to prevent newspaper print leaving marks. pillows blankets and tea towels are also useful for wrapping valuables and protecting furniture prone to dents and scratches.
pack important documents together, such as birth and marriage certificates, and keep them in a safe place.