Moving house is an incredibly exciting as well as stressful time and it’s best to be prepared throughout. One of the most stressful situations is packing but if you are prepared and plan ahead you can make your life a lot easier. Moving companies usually offer professional packing services and specialist export packing so this is always an option. If you do decide to pack yourself though, here are a few tips to help:
Firstly, get all your tools together. For example, marker pens, strong tape, fragile stickers, newspapers, scissors, bubble wrap, packing peanuts and most importantly boxes. It really is best to buy boxes and assemble them together rather than using old ones as you need them to be sturdy and reliable. It is also worth noting that for international shipments, you can’t use old food cartons due to customs and quarantine restrictions. There are a variety of places where you can purchase boxes especially online but Argos, which are on most high streets, sell a wide variety.
Start with one room at a time and make a list of everything that needs packing, with the most valuable items being at the top of the list. Then begin to pack similar items accordingly to their weight and size.
Ensure you don’t under pack a box as this can lead to it collapsing during transit but also equally don’t over pack as the boxes can rupture and get damaged.
Next, write on the box the content and what room it came from. As well as either writing on or sticking a sticker that says ‘fragile’ if the contents contains fragile items.
It might seem obvious but in the heat of packing many forget and just put anything into a box but remember to place heavier items in first with lighter ones on top.
Once the boxes are packed up give the room a once over checking nothing is left behind. then tap the bottom of the boxes ensuring they are secure and ready to be moved.
Following these few helpful tips can dramatically change your packing experience but it’s also wise to be fully prepared before you even start packing and make making lists/piles of items that can be thrown away, given to charity and to be packed. Plus, it’s also a good opportunity to have a good clear out of all your stuff – oh and try not to be too much of a hoarder!
