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Top Tips on Packing for House Moves
If you are moving house, one of the biggest problems you will face is how to protect all your precious possessions. Here leading moving company Hamiltons Removals, who are based in the heart of East Anglia, offer some top tips on how to avoid breakages on the big day.
Put Heavy Items in Small Boxes
Don’t be tempted to put heavy items together in one massive box, as that way you will struggle to lift them up and run the risk of damaging your back or spine. Instead, put single heavy items in the smallest carton possible so that it becomes more manageable.
If you need to put a range of items of different sizes and weights in the same box, always put heavier or larger items at the bottom. This will mean there’s no chance of any of your possessions suffering from crush damage while the box is in transit.
Protection, Protection, Protection
All valuables and breakables should be protected either with bubble wrap or some sort of tissue or packing paper. Plates should be stood on their ends, rather than on top of one another, and individually wrapped in packing or tissue paper. These measures will guard against any cracks caused by sudden shocks or vibrations.
Where possible, dismantle any large items of furniture to make them more manageable and ensure any bolts and screws are bagged up and clearly labelled so you know what item they go with. If it isn’t possible to dismantle furniture, protect the extremities with bubble wrap or tape so if it does scrape against a doorway or wall it won’t suffer any damage.
What to Avoid
While it can be tempting to put items in plastic or bin bags, this approach should be avoided. The bags won’t keep your items safe and are more difficult to label and sort through afterwards.
Don’t use old newspapers as a packing material, as the print can rub off onto your possessions and be difficult to shift. Avoid using older or unreinforced cardboard boxes as these may not be strong enough to endure the rigours of a house move.
Buy Specialist Containers
Wherever possible, use cartons and boxes which have been designed for a specific purpose. Wardrobe containers will help keep your clothes in an excellent, uncreased condition, whether you want them for self-storage or a house move. Clothing can also be put in layflat cartons, along with linen, curtains, wedding dresses and some electrical items like flat-screen TVs. Picture cartons will protect mirrors as well as artworks with glass.
Get Expert Help
The best way to ensure your packing and unpacking goes without a hitch is to employ qualified professionals. At Hamiltons Removals we can pack and unpack all your possessions as part of our service. Our experienced team will arrive the day before your move and pack everything into labelled cartons so you – and we – know where everything is. All fragile and glass items are individually wrapped.
If you prefer to do your own removals, then we can help there too. Hamiltons Removals have two secure storage facilities near Diss – at Harleston and Aldeby. Our ‘Safe N Stored’ site at Harleston also has a shop which sells a range of high-quality packing equipment, including medium, large and layflat cartons, bubblewrap (including Furniguard, which is designed specifically for furniture) and tissue paper. We also stock specialist cartons, including picture and wardrobe boxes, and all our cartons are double walled for additional strength.
Getting in Touch with East Anglian Moving Company Hamiltons Removals
If you would like to know more about our online shop, follow this link. Our ‘Safe N Stored’ sites are both being manned in line with the Government’s social distancing policies. The Harleston site open from 9.15am-5.15pm, and we are still able to despatch online orders for packaging materials.
If you are moving house and would like to know more about our packing and unpacking services, call us on 01379 855203. We are still carrying out our removal services while following the latest government advice and all our crews have been issued with the necessary PPE.
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