Expert packing tips for a smooth house move

How long does packing to move house take?

The time it takes to pack depends on how much you own, but don’t try to rush or do it all in one go. Taking regular breaks makes it easier to handle any unforeseen hold-ups. If you’re using professional house packing services, you won’t need to spare as much time, but you may want to pack cherished or irreplaceable belongings yourself for peace of mind.

Why packing smart matters

Save time and effort by planning ahead and packing efficiently. This can help avoid broken items and make unpacking boxes in your new home a whole lot easier.

The benefits of planning ahead

Creating a realistic timeline can help reduce the urgency of last-minute packing. Spreading the workload over weeks rather than days can prevent breakages in poorly packed boxes. Items should be carefully wrapped and strategically placed to ensure fragile items arrive intact, and help avoid costly replacements, repairs and damage to sentimental belongings.

Planning ahead also means avoiding the rush to buy unnecessary packing materials or paying for expensive last-minute movers.

The risks of poor packing

When fragile items aren’t wrapped and cushioned in your moving boxes, they might be in danger of being crushed, broken and cracked. Using bubble wrap or appropriate padding around delicate items can help prevent them from being damaged. You may also want to label your boxes; otherwise, you risk losing or forgetting where certain valuables or essentials are.

Preparation and decluttering before you pack

Preparing and decluttering are vital before your move. It’s easy to accumulate items over the years, but it’s unlikely you still need them all. Instead, you can find new homes for unused items by donating or selling them. You may even find a checklist useful to account for all your items.

Start with a clear-out

We can’t tell you exactly what to pack, what to sell, or what to throw away when moving house, but there’s a simple way to make decluttering easier and faster. Ask yourself whether you’ve used each item since your last move. If not, is it likely to be used in your new home? Consider donating to your local charity shops or listing valuable items on sites like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace or eBay.

Create an inventory checklist before packing

Organisation is key when packing, and an inventory checklist can ensure every item is accounted for. Create a list organised by room and document every item you're moving. This can also help you estimate how many boxes you need.

You may even want to take photos of specific pieces of furniture to make assembly easier when you arrive at your new home. For the first night in your new home, you may want to put together a checklist of essential items and label the boxes you want to unpack first.

Choosing packing boxes, materials and supplies

Packing tape, boxes, and protective materials will be your best friends during your new home move.

Types of packing boxes and their uses

We recommend having a variety of boxes in different sizes and shapes on hand while packing. Strong, double-walled boxes are best for transporting heavy or fragile items. For a more sustainable option, you can also save boxes from deliveries in the run-up to your house move.

Protective materials

Bubble wrap, packing paper, blankets and towels are perfect for cushioning fragile items. Glassware, picture frames, electronic items, and valuables can be wrapped in boxes, while blankets and towels can protect furniture from damage during transit.

Packing strategies for your new house move

There are a few strategies that you can use when packing.

Pack one room at a time

Rather than taking on every room in your home at once, it may be more efficient to pack one room at a time. Avoid half-packed, scattered boxes and dedicate time to finishing single rooms. This also helps when unpacking, as similar items will be grouped together.

Handle delicate and fragile items with care

From glassware to ornaments, picture frames to pottery, the best way to protect delicate belongings when you’re moving between houses is to wrap them up well. Bubble wrap offers maximum protection, but newspapers are a cheaper, plastic-free alternative.

Disassemble furniture where possible

Lifting and transporting furniture is much easier when it’s disassembled, so take any flatpack furniture apart. We recommend keeping all the screws, bolts, and Allen keys together in a clearly labelled Ziploc bag, then taping it to the furniture they belong to.

Save space in your packing

When packing your wardrobe, rolling clothes can save space in boxes compared to folding them. If you want to keep items crease-free and make unpacking even easier, it’s worth investing in boxes with built-in hanging rails. This way, you can transfer each item on its hanger.

Use dust covers

Large cloths and plastic sheets can prevent scratches on your furniture during your move and protect your new carpets and wood floors as you unpack. You can also buy rolls of floor-protecting film to keep busy walkways clean on moving day.

Group similar items together

In addition to packing boxes by room, we recommend packing similar items together so you can focus on one area at a time. For example, packing clothing together, rather than an assortment of bedroom items, can help with organisation when unpacking.

Tips for moving day

It can be tempting to pack everything away when you’re moving house, but keep a few essentials to hand for a smooth first night. These include:

• Toothbrush and toiletries

• Towels

• Bedding

• Spare clothes

• Device chargers

• Cups, cutlery and plates (one for each person)

• Teabags or coffee

Having clearly marked ‘first to open’ boxes can make the first few hours or days in your new home more comfortable. From kitchenware to tools, you’ll be glad to know that these essentials are at the top of the pile.

Common mistakes to avoid when packing

What are the common mistakes that movers make when packing for a new home? From overpacking boxes to not protecting valuables, there are a few things to watch out for.

Overpacking boxes

It’s important to pay attention to how heavy your boxes are getting as you pack them. It’s always safer to put a few heavy items into small, shallow boxes so that they’re easier to carry and won’t break. If you need to stack boxes, place the heaviest at the bottom and the lightest at the top to avoid crushing anything fragile.

Not labelling boxes

Clearly labelling your boxes is a must, and thick marker pens are better for writing on cardboard than a biro. Include which room the box comes from and what sort of things are inside.

Not safeguarding valuables and important documents

For added peace of mind, you may want to transport irreplaceable and valuable items personally in your own vehicle. This includes passports, birth certificates, jewellery and sentimental photos.

For more help moving, discover our homebuying offers, including Deposit Unlock and Bank of Family. Contact our Sales Advisers today to get started.