Packing Tips

Obtaining Quotations

3 – 4 weeks prior – If you are obtaining several quotations for your move, be sure that each firm is quoting for the same type of service for a fair comparison. A list is taken by our surveyor of the items to be moved from your home. This is the safest way to ensure that both parties know what is to go and that when you get the quotation it details the service you require. Always look for good value.

Confirming a Date

1 – 2 weeks prior – Most house sales become part of a completion chain. The longer the chain, the more difficult it becomes to get everyone to agree to a date. A tentative completion date is agreed by the Solicitors and everyone works towards that date. When each party has everything in place they are ready to exchange contracts. Exchange of contracts normally confirms a completion date. TO AVOID STRESS, HEARTBREAK AND EXTRA COSTS TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS HAS TAKEN PLACE AT LEAST 7 DAYS BEFORE THE PROPOSED COMPLETION DATE. If everyone in the chain is not ready to complete 7 days before you are strongly advised to move the proposed completion date back. Whilst Solicitors can arrange to exchange and complete on the same day if anything goes wrong – and it often does – You have no notice of it until the day.

Packing and Preparing

10 days prior – You should have confirmed your actual moving date by now and can thus finalise your removal booking. Now is the time to start packing up china and small items if you have decided to do so yourself. Make sure that you have enough boxes and packing materials; it is very easy to under-estimate the number of bits and pieces that come out of cupboards and drawers. Do a little each day starting with the least used items (see advice on packing).BOOKS and records are deceptively heavy; half sized cartons may be available for these. As an alternative half fill the larger cartons and put light things on top.

Fragile Items

Fragile items should be packed into the larger pack 2 cartons. Bedding, cushions and towels are useful for around delicate items. Plates should be packed on end and glasses should be packed upright. If you are using our cartons we will provide packing paper for such items. Bubble wrap is also available for an extra fee.

Drawers

Drawers in chests can be left filled with linen and clothes, but ensure that heavy, fragile or valuable items are emptied. Drawers in divan beds should be emptied. Plastic bags (bin liners) can be used for linen, bedding and clothes.

Clothes

Clothes rails or wardrobe cartons are provided on the day of removal for the contents of wardrobes. Please make sure all hangers are the same way round as this makes transferring them onto the rails much easier. All other small effects in wardrobes should be packed into boxes.

Lamps

Lamp shades should be removed and packed separately. Leave normal light bulbs behind.

Plants

Plants pack 5 or 6 smaller plants into a carton with some packing material between the pots so they won’t fall over, seal the box with the flaps up to give extra protection. Leave larger plants for us to deal with. Whilst we will take every care of your plants they are not covered by insurance. In winter on longer journeys frost can be a problem for the more delicate plants. Garden plants/shrubs can be taken but make sure the roots are well bagged up to avoid loose soil in the removal van.

Fridges and Freezers

Fridges and freezers should be emptied and defrosted. Contents may be left in freezers provided that they are bagged and the journey is short. The bags will be taken out immediately prior to it being moved to be replaced when the freezer is in position in the van. Whilst freezers can be plugged in overnight at our depot the contents are not covered by our insurance.

Cookers

Cookers should be disconnected and cleaned thoroughly as grease can lead to a nasty accident. See notes above about disconnecting. Pack the glass plate out of the microwave and any loose fittings off the cooker.

Washing Machines

Washing Machines should be disconnected and contents emptied. A drum locking bar should be fitted to automatic machines. Whilst we move thousands of machines without locking bars and have no problems, it should be noted that fitting the bar is part of the manufacturers warranty.

Garden Tools

Garden tools and equipment should be cleaned as they will be going in the same van as your furniture. Note: we normally load these last to keep them as far away from your household items as possible.

Swings and Slides

Swings and slides will have to be dismantled. Squirt penetrating oil into the nuts a few days before you intend dismantling them.

Sheds and Greenhouses

Sheds and greenhouses should be dismantled in advance. Wrap the glass individually and tie in carryable bundles. Furniture is highly inflammable, so nothing flammable, fuel or gas bottles can be loaded. See the storage section page for details of items that cannot be stored.

Pets

Pets we can provide a cat basket for your pet on the removal date which can be retained on deposit afterwards. Pets are your responsibility and should be kept clear of work. Dogs for example no matter how placid may well think that the removal men are stealing your furniture. Fish tanks should be drained to the gravel and the fish taken in the car in a sealable bucket half filled with water. Consult your local stockists for exotic species.

Children

Children are always excited by the idea of moving and you may want them to be present, but please make sure they are well supervised and that they stay off the removal van.

Do Not Move Stickers

Do not move items that you are leaving behind or are taking with you in the car should be clearly marked with the coloured stickers. This is particularly important where storage is involved. DIY WARDROBE DISMANTLING should only be carried out where absolutely necessary. The old style wardrobes divide in the middle, so all the pieces which cross the joint will have to be removed. Modern wardrobes dismantle into panels; great care must be taken with the sections as chipboard is very easily damaged. Start by removing the doors and the back, then if possible lay the wardrobe on its back and remove the sides. Tape any fittings to the relevant sections.

Oxbox Scheme

In conjunction with Oxfam we can arrange for any unwanted items to be taken directly to Charities regional office in Digbeth. Label “Oxbox” onto one of our boxes and we will make sure that Oxfam gets the contents (note we won’t charge for the box). If you have a lot to give Oxfam, they can arrange to collect straight from you, ring 0121 693 1001.