Packing and preparing to move house

Follow our step-by-step guide to make moving home as stress-free as possible.
Stephen Maunder

1. Declutter

When you're moving house, the last thing you want to do is pay to transport items that you end up throwing away once you're in the new place. Have a thorough sort out at least two weeks before the move.

Make sure you look everywhere - the loft, under the stairs, spare rooms, outbuildings, the back of kitchen cupboards, and the garden. It can come as a big shock to discover just how much stuff you've accumulated over the years. 

Be honest with yourself about whether you're really going to use anything that hasn't been out in the last couple of years again. If the answer's no, get rid - you might even get some money for it.

2. Plan where furniture will go

Picture your new home and think about how and whether you'll use your current furniture in it.

The seller should have provided you with a document detailing the dimensions of each room, so you can work out what will fit and what won't.

It's a good idea to visit your new property before completion so that you can double-check measurements and see for yourself whether there's room for your curtains, furniture, appliances etc.

The sooner you begin this task, the longer you'll have to to try and sell things for a decent price.

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3. Decide whether to use a removals company

If you live in a ground-floor, one-bedroom flat with little clutter, you could hire a van and move yourself on the day for as little as £100.

If you're doing it yourself, book the largest van you can (bearing in mind that you can drive a van up to 3.5 tonnes with a standard driving licence). Ask for one with a low kerb height or a let-down tailboard to make loading and unloading easier.

Remember you'll probably have to make several journeys, including a final one to return the van, so this option is only practical if you're moving a fairly short distance.

If you've got more than four rooms to empty, there's probably too much for a DIY move. Imagine having to pick up every item you own, carry it across an obstacle course (including stairs), and put it down without breaking your back - and all to a deadline.

A removals firm can ease the mental and physical stress of loading and unloading to a lunchtime deadline on moving day.

If you decide to use a removals company, start researching firms early so you have time to get competitive quotes. You could begin by searching Which? Trusted Traders, where every company has been assessed in person and checked for credit and references by Which?.

4. Identify your valuables and breakables

Some removals firms will pack for you, for an extra cost, which removes a lot of the stress and is much quicker than doing it yourself.

But if you're not using a removals company or would prefer to pack for yourself, try to pack your breakable items first. Use bubble wrap or extra packaging for protection, and label these boxes as fragile. Consider transporting anything that's particularly delicate in your own car, rather than the van or lorry.

The removal company's insurance may only cover objects up to a certain value, even if they pack them for you, so also move anything especially expensive or sentimental in your own vehicle.

5. Start packing your boxes

There are simple things you can do to make packing - as well as moving and unpacking - easier for yourself:

  • buy quality packing materials, including enough boxes, bubble wrap and tissue paper
  • put layers of crumpled paper or protective material between each item to prevent scratching
  • don't overpack boxes
  • spread heavy items out between boxes
  • write on each box what the contents are, which room they should go in, and indicate which is the right way up.

If this sounds like too much hassle, getting your removals company to pack your belongings for you can add surprisingly little to the cost of your move. Not only will it mean your items are insured against breakage, but they'll also be packed by specialists who will do it quickly and carefully.

You can even go the whole hog and ask them to unpack for you, too.

It generally takes professional removal companies between half a day and two days to pack your items, depending on how much stuff you own, and a day or two to deliver them.

6. Notify companies of your move

Before you move house, you'll need to let your utilities providers, banks, insurers, doctors and a host of other organisations know that you're changing address.

For a full list of who you need to contact, see our moving house checklist.

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