Packing Tips For Moving House
Packing is one of the most important parts of any house move.
Done properly, packing protects your belongings, speeds up moving day and makes unpacking far easier. Done badly, it can lead to damaged items, lost belongings and unnecessary stress.
Whether you’re moving locally in Plymouth, relocating across Devon and Cornwall or planning a nationwide move, these professional packing tips will help you prepare for a smooth and organised move.
At PERERA Movers, we’ve packed and moved hundreds of homes, from city centre apartments to large family houses. This guide shares some of the best packing advice used by professional mover
Why Good Packing Matters
Packing isn’t simply putting items into boxes.
Good packing helps:
➢ Protect Fragile Items
➢ Prevent Breakages
➢ Save Time On Moving Day
➢ Improve Organisation
➢ Reduce Stress
➢ Simplify Unpacking
➢ Protect Furniture
➢ Reduce Moving Costs
The better your preparation, the smoother your move is likely to be.
Start Packing Early
One of the biggest mistakes people make is leaving packing until the last minute.
A typical family home often contains far more belongings than expected.
We recommend:
➢ 4 Weeks Before Moving – Start Non-Essential Items
➢ 3 Weeks Before Moving – Spare Rooms & Storage Areas
➢ 2 Weeks Before Moving – Most Household Items
➢ 1 Week Before Moving – Daily Living Items
➢ Moving Day – Essential Items Only
Starting early reduces pressure and allows time to pack properly.
Declutter Before You Pack
Don’t pay to move items you no longer need.
Before packing, sort belongings into:
➢ Keep
➢ Donate
➢ Sell
➢ Recycle
➢ Store
Decluttering can:
➢ Reduce Moving Costs
➢ Reduce Packing Time
➢ Reduce Storage Needs
➢ Create Space In Your New Home
Many customers are surprised by how much they no longer use.
Use Strong Quality Boxes
Not all boxes are suitable for moving.
Choose:
➢ Double Wall Boxes
➢ Strong Cardboard Boxes
➢ Professional Removal Boxes
➢ Wardrobe Boxes
➢ Archive Boxes
Avoid damaged or weak boxes that could fail during transportation.
Don’t Overfill Boxes
A common mistake is making boxes too heavy.
Pack:
➢ Books In Small Boxes
➢ Kitchenware In Medium Boxes
➢ Clothing In Larger Boxes
➢ Bedding In Large Boxes
Heavy boxes are difficult to lift and more likely to break.
Label Everything Clearly
Professional movers love clearly labelled boxes.
Include:
➢ Room Name
➢ Contents
➢ Fragile Items
➢ Priority Items
Examples:
➢ Kitchen – Glassware
➢ Bedroom 1 – Clothing
➢ Lounge – Books
➢ Office – Important Documents
Good labelling saves hours during unpacking.
Pack One Room At A Time
Packing room by room helps maintain organisation.
Benefits include:
➢ Easier Packing
➢ Easier Unpacking
➢ Less Confusion
➢ Better Inventory Control
➢ Reduced Risk Of Lost Items
Avoid mixing rooms whenever possible.
Protect Fragile Items Properly
Fragile belongings require additional care.
Items requiring extra protection include:
➢ Glassware
➢ Plates
➢ Mirrors
➢ Artwork
➢ Vases
➢ Ornaments
➢ Electronics
➢ Collectables
Use:
➢ Bubble Wrap
➢ Packing Paper
➢ Soft Towels
➢ Blankets
➢ Protective Covers
Never leave empty spaces inside fragile boxes.
Packing The Kitchen
Kitchens often take longer to pack than expected.
Pack carefully:
➢ Plates Vertically
➢ Glasses Individually Wrapped
➢ Small Appliances Securely
➢ Cutlery Together
➢ Food Items Separately
Many customers underestimate how much time kitchen packing requires.
Packing Clothes Efficiently
Packing Clothes Efficiently
Options include:
➢ Wardrobe Boxes
➢ Suitcases
➢ Storage Bags
➢ Vacuum Bags
Wardrobe boxes allow clothing to remain on hangers, saving time when unpacking.
Protect Furniture Before Moving
Furniture should be protected before transportation.
We recommend:
➢ Furniture Blankets
➢ Stretch Wrap
➢ Mattress Protectors
➢ Sofa Covers
➢ Corner Protectors
➢ Protective Padding
This helps reduce the risk of scratches and marks during the move.
Create An Essentials Box
One of the smartest packing tips is preparing an essentials box.
Include:
➢ Phone Chargers
➢ Medication
➢ Kettle
➢ Tea & Coffee
➢ Snacks
➢ Toiletries
➢ Important Documents
➢ Children’s Essentials
➢ Pet Supplies
This prevents searching through boxes on your first night.
Packing Important Documents
Keep important paperwork separate.
Examples include:
➢ Passports
➢ Driving Licences
➢ House Documents
➢ Insurance Policies
➢ Contracts
➢ Bank Information
➢ Medical Records
Keep these items with you rather than inside removal boxes.
Packing Electronics
Before disconnecting equipment:
➢ Photograph Cable Layouts
➢ Label Cables
➢ Back Up Data
➢ Use Original Packaging If Available
➢ Protect Screens Carefully
This makes reconnection much easier.
Common Packing Mistakes To Avoid
Avoid these common problems:
➢ Leaving Packing Too Late
➢ Overfilling Boxes
➢ Using Weak Boxes
➢ Failing To Label Boxes
➢ Mixing Rooms Together
➢ Forgetting Essentials
➢ Poor Fragile Protection
➢ Packing Hazardous Materials
Professional preparation helps prevent many moving day issues.
Should You Use Professional Packing Services?
Many customers choose professional packers because it saves considerable time and stress.
Benefits include:
➢ Faster Packing
➢ Better Protection
➢ Professional Materials
➢ Reduced Stress
➢ Improved Efficiency
➢ Moving Day Readiness
Professional packing is particularly useful for larger homes and busy families.
Packing Tips For Plymouth House Moves
Local Plymouth moves often involve:
➢ Apartments
➢ Terraced Houses
➢ Narrow Streets
➢ Permit Parking Areas
➢ City Centre Properties
Good organisation can help speed up loading and unloading.
Areas commonly requiring additional planning include:
➢ Mutley
➢ Lipson
➢ Stoke
➢ Devonport
➢ Plymouth City Centre
➢ Crownhill
Why Choose PERERA Movers?
PERERA Movers provides:
➢ Professional Packing Services
➢ Fragile Item Packing
➢ House Removals
➢ Office Removals
➢ Storage Solutions
➢ Furniture Protection
➢ Local Plymouth Expertise
➢ Nationwide Moving Services
➢ Hourly Rate Options
➢ Fixed Price Quotes
Helping customers enjoy a safer, smoother move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Moving Services
If you’re planning a move, you may also find these services useful:
➢ House Removals
➢ Packing Services
➢ Storage Solutions
➢ Office Removals
➢ Areas We Cover
➢ Get A Free Quote
Get A Free Packing & Removal Quote
Planning a move in Plymouth, Devon, Cornwall or anywhere in the UK?
PERERA Movers offers professional packing services, house removals, storage solutions and nationwide moving services.
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