Removal Tips and Checklist

 FAQ's

Where Can I Buy Packing/Removal Boxes? - At our convenient online shop. We sell high quality packing boxes with printed lables to mark box destination and contents.

Where Can I Buy Storage Boxes? - Our packing boxes are ideal for storage too. They are strong and being modular, they stack together to save space during transit and storage.

How strong do boxes need to be? boxes need to be constructed of high grade, strong corrugated cardboard to resist the usual transit impact and downward pressures associated with stacking and moving house.

How do I make up a flat pack box? - Boxes are easy to assemble into sturdy containers and the kits are designed to provide the materials to ensure packing can be efficiently and safely carried out.

To Assemble Moving Boxes

1. Identify the bottom of the box.
2. Fold the two smaller flaps
3. Fold the two larger flaps
4. Seal with packing tape. Put a strip along the joint and at least six inches up the sides.
5. Do not interlock the flaps, as this will weaken the packing box.
6. Mark boxes for your recognition i.e., destination at your new home, contents and your name and box number, if going into storage.

NB. The heavier the item the smaller the box it should be packed in.

 Moving Tips

Smallest Packing Boxes

• These best for packing of tins, packed foods, books, records for easy carrying; and for delicate china and glassware to minimise the inner box loadings on fragile items.

Medium Packing Boxes

• The ideal size for breakable ornaments, crockery, kitchen utensils, lamps and lamp shades. the base can be lined with bubble wrap for additional padding.

Large Packing Boxes

• The large boxes are perfect for the packing of toys, picture frames, mirrors, bed linen, shoes, soft items such as clothing. If items are tall then use removal box 4, or long - packing box 3 is best.

Wardrobe Boxes

• Wardrobe boxes are useful for moving clothes between your old and new house without them getting damaged or creased. The sturdy cardboard wardrobes have a metal hanging rail for hangers that provides structural stability to the box. The boxes also double up as temporary wardrobes and are ideal for longer term storage of clothes such as winter coats, jackets and suits..

Tips on Packing

China, Ornaments, Glassware & Breakables

• Before filling the removal box, place a layer of screwed-up packing paper approximately two inches thick, or a layer of bubble wrap in the bottom of the box to act as a cushion, then place a layer of strong or heavy china across the bottom, add another layer of china, each separately wrapped in a sheet of packing paper, continue until the box is almost full, then add another layer of screwed-up packing paper or bubblerap a couple of inches thick before sealing removal box with 'FRAGILE' packing tape and marking on contents and destination room.
• Plates should be packed one on top of the other with a sheet of packing paper between each. Place in the corners of the box with the largest at the bottom and work upwards. Wrap cups, mugs, bowls etc and place in the centre of the box.
• Cutlery is often sharp and awkward to pack though does not scratch, so it can be wrapped in small bundles within a sheet of packing paper, place sharp knive blades facing inwards.
• Teapots and container items with handles need have additional padding such as bubblewrap and be packed upright.
• Avoid overfilling removal boxes or leaving items protruding from the top, as it will increase the risk of damage and make boxes harder to handle and stack.
• Do not make boxes too heavy as you may need to move them yourself once the removal people have left.
• Boxes with breakable contents need be clearly marked "FRAGILE" or "Glass with Care".

Bedding

• Bed linen can generally be packed into black plastic sacks and tied with zip ties.
• Keep a spare sack and tie for your removals day's bedding.

Wardrobes

• Hanging clothes in wardrobes can usually be left for the removal people to pack and transport in the wardrobe boxes. DIY self moving tip is to take approximately ten items on hangers, place a black plastic sack upside down over them - with a hole for the hooks to come through - then place packing tape around the hooks of the hangers to keep them together. They can then be placed into the wardrobe placed as close to the exit as possible, or even in the van.

Irons, Fryers, Kettles

• Typically these contain liquids, empty them and drain thoroughly dry before packing upright.
• Do not pack your kettle, mugs etc, as you may need to make drinks for yourselves and or removals people.

Washing Machines and Dishwashers

• Un-plumb and drain the day before your removal day, your removal company will usually expect to do this job.

Fridges and Freezers

• In the weeks up to the house move try to use up any freezer stocks then defrost, drain and clean the inside surfaces the day before your removal.

Cookers and Fires

Disconnect gas and electric supplies to cookers and replace fittings with suitable plugs and caps. Your removal company can generally do this if you want. To protect white goods, wrap with bubblewrap or in corrugated cardboard sheet to protect the cooker sides.

Hi-Fi, DVD and Computer Games

• As a preventative measure the DVD drawers should be emptied of disks, to prevent any jamming when re-starting or trying to add another disck ontop of the existing. Place all components such as wires, remote controls, power adapters in a bag within the box.

Lamps and Lamp Shades

• Lamps and lamp shades should be packed as breakables. Pack lamp shades in plastic sacks or packing paper. Remove light bulbs and wrap these in bubble wrap.

Carpets

• To take up a carpet remove tacks and rolled up. Avoid bending the carpet as this will make it more difficult to carry. Your removal company will need to know if you are taking some or all of your carpets.

Flamables and Fuel Filled Items

• Fuel is flammable and containers should be emptied before your house move. Packed canisters separately and mark them for handling with caution, many removal companies are not allowed to carry accelerants and such goods due to insurance clauses, inflamables may include: paint, petrol canisters, gas bottles (full or empty) garden chemicals etc.

Loading Sequence

• Place items that you'll need first at your new home in a box and clearly marked "Load Last". Items will include (kettle and lead, tea, coffee, cups, milk, sugar, etc).

House Moving Checklist

2-4 weeks before moving

• Make sure relatives and friends have the date and address of the move.
• Mail - HGave the post office forward your mail to your new address. At least seven days notice is required for redirection.
• Telephone - If you are moving within a calling area you need to let your provider know that you wish to take the number with you, for mobiles notify the provider.
• TV Licence- Telephone go online to notify of your new address.
• Driving Licence - Notify DVLA - you need a form from the post office or go online.
• V5 (vehicle log book)- Fill in the change of address on the form and mail to DVLA at Swansea or go online.
• Home and car insurance - Your policy information needs your correct details for premium calculations, you may be due a refund even.
• Schools- Notify your present school admin depts that you are moving and your future schools of your arrival date.
• Hire purchase and loan companies - Notify the provider concerned of the move.
• Credit cards and standing orders - Notify your bank and card company of your new address and this will help protect your financial details.
• Council Tax - Contact the councils at old and new areas of the arrival and departure date.
• Legal - Notify your solicitor of your new personal address.
• Window cleaner - let him know what date you are leaving.
• Milk man- Let him know the last date for delivery and settle the account.
• Mail and online order companies - notify them of your new delivery address and the date you will be there.

1-2 weeks before moving

• Life Insurance & Pensions - Notify your policy provider or agent of your new address and moving dates.
• State pension - the Post Office or DSS can arrange notification of transfer or go online.
• National Insurance/DSS - Your local office needs to know where you are moving to, quote your national insurance number in correspondence.
• Optician - Ask for the results of your latest eye tests and copies of the prescription and then you will have them for your new optician.
• Doctors & Dentists - Find details in advance of local services in case of emergency.
• Vet - Register with a new vets practice and have your pet records such as vaccination cards up to date for your new vet.
• Bank - Notify your bank branch that your are moving and of the change of address. Your account will then be moved.
• Premium Bonds - Ensure you are notified of wins (you can also check online) by completing a change of address form, the post office will have the relevant forms and you can phone for these.
• National Savings Certificates - Post office have the relevant forms.
• Police - If you are subject to immigration or other controls let you local police station know.
• Newsagent - Cancel papers from the departure date, settle outstanding bills and find a new local supplier.
• Coalman/Gardener - Settle bills and find new suppliers in your new locality.

7 Days before moving

• Gas/Electricity/Water Meters should be read on the morning of the removal and results noted and notified.
• Sky/Cable TV require 7 days notice.
• Let your local garage know you are moving if they send you promotional literature.
• AA/RAC- Transfer your policy to your new address.
• Child benefit- Contact your local office a week before your move to arrange a transfer.
• Blood Donors - provide new address details.
• Library - Return any books and find new a library to join in the new area.
• Items On Loan - Return any items or books to friends or neighbours.
• Dry Cleaning - Collect items.
• Removal Company - Inform them of any problems or issues, that may affect the move.

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