How to pack for moving house

Not sure how to pack for moving house? Don’t worry we’ve covered everything you need to know from when and how to start packing to what to leave out until the last minute.

Ruth Jackson-Kirby Personal Finance & Property Journalist

Packing to move house can be a long, tedious and often daunting process. However, there are a few top tips you need to know from the start that will speed up the process and help you ensure that everything finds its way to your new home in one piece.

1. Declutter first. You don’t want to spend time packing up and then pay to move things you don’t need. You can have a big clear out first or be ruthless as you pack. Read on for a decluttering checklist.
2. Start sooner rather than later. A big house can take a couple of months to pack if you aim for one box a day, a smaller house could be packed in the same way in around a month.
3. Start with the items you use least. This might mean starting in the loft or the garage. Read on for advice on when and where to start.
4. Use a reputable removal firm: See our removal costs guide and compare removals quotes to find the best deal. You can get instant quotes from quality removal companies in your local area now.
5. Get the right supplies. See below for how to find boxes and the list of supplies that will make the packing process a whole lot easier.
6. Choose your box carefully: Don’t pack heavy items into big boxes as you’ll end up with something you cannot lift. Leave the big boxes for linens, pillows and other light items. Or put a couple of heavier items at the bottom and fill the rest with light things. Read on for how to get hold of boxes.
7. Label your boxes: Write which room they are destined for, a brief note on the contents and a number on your box. Then you know what is in it, the removal team know where to put it and you can keep track of your boxes to make sure none are lost.
8. Keep valuables together: Pack your valuable items such as jewellery and tech together so it is easier to keep track of. Move these items in your own vehicle.
9. Don’t forget the “essentials” box. This will be a box/boxes of the items you’ll need on move day and the next day, from the kettle to key documents.
10. Consider the full packing service. Is this list making you sweat already? It’s not cheap, but some removal firms can pack your entire house up for you. So if you like the idea of moving without ever picking up a roll of bubble wrap, then find a removals firm and get packing quotes. Read on for more advice on packing services and how to pack for moving house if you’re doing it yourself.

When should I start packing to move house

The sooner you start packing to move house the better. If you are buying or selling then you should have several weeks, if not months, notice of when the move day is likely to be. If you’re not sure when that will be yet, ask your conveyancing solicitor when they think roughly completion (i.e.the day you get the keys to your new home) might happen. Take advantage of the lengthy conveyancing process to start packing without rushing.

A good rule of thumb is to start with items you won’t need for the next few weeks so you won’t end up hunting for things if the move gets delayed.

Don’t forget to book a removal firm too. You’ll need a completion date to book them in, but you’ll want to get quotes and have them do a visual survey of your home so they can quote accurately. Read our guide on how to find the right removals company.

Book your removal firm early. Compare instant quotes from quality removal companies in your area now.

Declutter before moving – a checklist

Make the unpacking process simpler by having a declutter before you start packing to move house. This is the ideal time to have a really thorough clear out, so you only take the things you love and use to your new home.

If you are moving to a smaller house and decluttering a lifetime of belongings you may find you get rid of more than you end up taking with you.

So, what should you get rid of? Here’s a rough list to help you declutter before moving:

1. Wardrobe: Start by getting rid of anything that is too worn or tatty to wear anymore, including shoes. Then consider what is lurking in your wardrobe that doesn’t fit, or you simply don’t wear. Be honest, if you haven’t worn it in a few years, maybe it’s time to say goodbye. If in good enough condition, take it all to your local charity shop or sell it on Vinted or eBay.
2. Bathroom: Dump all those half-used lotions and potions that are lurking at the back of your bathroom cupboards. Also check the best before dates on your medications and ditch what you can no longer use. There are increasing number of recycling bins for beauty product containers in supermarkets, chemists and online. A quick search online should highlight the most convenient option for you.
3. Kitchen: There is a lot to cover here from air-fryers to egg cups. Is it broken, past its best before, got missing parts (that includes all the tupperware that no longer has a lid), or never used? Get rid.
4. Children’s bedrooms: Sell or donate old toys that are no longer age appropriate or loved. Check for broken toys or things with missing pieces. Finally, check their wardrobe for clothes that are stained, torn or simply no longer fit.
5. Utility room: Has your cleaning equipment seen better days? Now’s the time to ditch it and start with new mops, brushes etc in your new home.
6. Garage/Loft: This is where we all hide our junk but now’s the time to sort it out. Sell sporting equipment you no longer use, and the junk that is still in boxes from your last move. It’s also time for a big trip to the tip with your old paint cans, and gardening and DIY bottles and bits.
7. Furniture: What have you fallen out of love with? What won’t fit with the aesthetic in your new home? Sell it, take it to the tip or arrange for a charity shop to come and collect.
8. Books: You may not realise how many you have until you start taking them off shelves and packing. Only take the books you love and plan to read again. Clear out the rest.

If when you look around you decide there is too much to dispose of using charity shops and the local tip, you might need to call in help. Once you’ve sorted through everything you can use our partner LoveJunk to help you get rid of your rubbish. It finds your cheapest available licensed waste collector in seconds so you can get someone booked easily to come and remove your rubbish. Get quotes for household rubbish removal now

What supplies do I need to pack up my house?

Make the process simpler by making sure you have everything you need to pack for moving house. It’s much easier if you have a pile of boxes and wrapping materials rather than trying to make do with what you already have around the house.

This is what you need to pack for a home move:

• Boxes: Your removals company may provide boxes, but this is likely to be at a price. It’s worth asking friends and on local networks, such as Facebook or Next Door if anyone has moved recently and have any boxes they are looking to get rid of. Ask local supermarkets if they have boxes as well. You can also buy cardboard boxes specifically for home moves online. Go big but not so big you can’t move them once they are packed. Your removals firm may also be able to provide them, so get a quote. Bubble wrap: A big roll will come in handy for protecting valuables.
• Packing paper: Handy for packing up fragile kitchen items such as china.
• Black marker pens: Great for labelling boxes so you can find everything when you get to your new home. Label the top and one side.
• Packing tape: Invest in a tape gun too and you’ll make sealing boxes a much quicker process.
• Cling wrap: Great for securing items and a handy trick for packing drawers – wrap them in cling wrap to save emptying the contents into a box.
• Bin bags: You are sure to generate a lot of rubbish in the packing process. They’re also great for packing soft items that don’t need to go in a box.
• Labels: Stick them on those bin bags to avoid anything going to the tip that was intended for your new home.
• Furniture covers: Mattress covers and furniture protectors can help avoid anything bearing new marks after the move.
• Vacuum pack bags for clothes can means you fit more in a box.

Compare removals quotes – Get instant quotes from quality removals companies in your local area now

What should I pack first when moving house?

Deciding what to pack first when moving house is straightforward. Start with the things you need the least. This could be the contents of your loft, Christmas decorations, clothing you don’t need like winter coats/summer items, books, and lesser-used items in your garage.

Often you can begin packing these items up as you do a general declutter. If you have a lot to pack the boxes can start to get in the way. Are you able to dedicate a room to these boxes? If not you may want to put the first tranche of boxes into storage until after your move. That way you can clear the decks and give yourself space for all the boxes you’ll pack in the second stage. It may be your removal firm will take those boxes and pop them into storage until moving day, so get in touch with them to explore that option. Otherwise consider using a self storage company. Our guide to self storage will tell you everything you need to choose the right firm for you.

What order should I pack my house?

There are a couple of options:

1. Start with the items you use least. You could choose to pack by item starting with the things you use the least – Christmas decorations, out of season clothing, books, garden tools and DIY equipment – and gradually moving up to the items you’ll need at the last minute – kettle, plates, hoover etc.
2. Start with a room. Depending on your space, you could pack up a room and close the door on it until move day. Then you can unpack in reverse, starting with the rooms you need the most – the kitchen, bathroom, main bedrooms – and working on to the lesser-used areas such as the dining room or guest bedroom.

You’ll probably end up doing a combination of the two. But remember to leave things you’ll need to last. These final things may form a part of the most important box on moving day – the box of essentials.

What should be in my box of essentials when moving house?

Your essentials box – or more likely boxes – when moving house should contain all the necessities that you need to have to hand until the last minute at your old home and will need first in your new place. Use a large clear plastic box or crate for this then you can easily find it amongst your other boxes and see what is in it.

Here is a list of what should be in your box of essentials when moving house. It’s not dissimilar to the list you might use when packing for a night camping:

• First aid kit and any medication
• Important paperwork and keys
• Phone chargers
• Cutlery, plates and mugs for the first night/next morning
• Kettle & tea bags/coffee
• Cooking essentials: Tin opener, pan, oven tray etc
• Cleaning essentials: hoover, cloths, washing up liquid etc)
• Snacks and food needed for first meals (don’t forget the pet food)
• Bedsheets & towels
• Change of clothes
• Toiletries, toilet roll
• Baby supplies
• Tool kit

Keep your essentials boxes with you as much as you can. If you have your own vehicle, put them in there rather than in the removal van. That way you know you can access the contents whenever you need it.

How to label boxes when moving house

When you start packing up for a house move make sure you label everything. That way you’ll be able to find everything, and the removal team will know where to place boxes in your new home. Use a black marker to write in large letters the room the box is destined for and a brief description of the contents.

You could also number each box and keep an inventory of each box and what is in it. Then you’ll know where to find things and can also make sure every box makes it from A to B.

Don’t just label your boxes. Consider also labelling furniture if you have dismantled anything. A clear label on each part and the all-important bag of screws will save you a headache in the future.

Wrap a bit of tape around cables and write what on it what they are for. For example, your TV or printer cables.

Numbering also helps you keep track of how many boxes you have, which is helpful when you are getting quotes from removal companies. Read our guide to how much removals cost to get an idea of what you can expect to pay.

Compare removals quotes with HomeOwners Alliance – Get instant quotes from quality removals companies in your local area now

Packing hacks for moving

1. Pack your crockery with care: Use left over paper plates between each plate and dish to offer some protection then bundle them and wrap again with paper. Mark these boxes with fragile tape or write fragile on them.
2. Dig out your tech boxes: When it is time to move, you’ll be grateful to have the original boxes for your TVs and computers so you can pack them safely.
3. Clingfilm your toiletries and spillables. A bit of clingfilm covering your lids will prevent spills. Pack them inside plastic bags so if they do leak, they don’t damage anything else.
4. Use drawers for fragile items. Pack fragile items into drawers you’ve removed from furniture to give them extra protection. Once they are wrapped in paper and packed wrap the draw in clingfilm.
5. “Does it shake? It might break!” Gaps in boxes can mean things move and get damaged. Fill the gaps with towels, clothing or packing materials.
6. Use your suitcases. No point moving empty suitcases. Make use of them, for example for transporting heavy books.
7. Get wardrobe boxes: It is far quicker to simply lift your clothes out of your wardrobe and hang them in a box than move them straight into your new wardrobes. This saves you from having to remove everything from hangers, fold then unfold again. Your removals firm may be able tot provide these.

What not to pack when moving

Packing up your home is a mammoth task, but there are some things you shouldn’t pack up. Whether it is because they would simply be too large for boxes, too fragile or, in some cases, dangerous. In these cases, there are alternatives to simply boxing things up such as leaving them unboxed or transporting them yourself rather than leaving them to the removal firm.

Things you should not pack when moving include:

• Large appliances: You don’t need to get your dishwasher, washing machine or fridge into a box for the removal company. They will transport them carefully as is. But be aware you will need to disconnect all your white goods on the day – removals firms aren’t plumbers and won’t do it for you.
• Valuables: Really valuable and delicate items shouldn’t be place in a box with other things. They are more likely to be broken and would be expensive to replace. These items are better off carefully packed into smaller boxes or suitcases and transported in your own vehicle rather than the removal van.
• Irreplaceable, sentimental items: Transport these items yourself to reduce the risk of them being lost or damaged in the move.
• Dangerous: Don’t pack anything into a random box for the removal team that could hurt someone during the move. For example, a gas canister or ornamental sword could cause serious damage if dropped or someone falls while carrying them. Pack these items separately and make sure the boxes are carefully labelled and warn the removal company what the boxes contain. That way they can be treated with the care and attention they require.

How to pack a house quickly

Need to pack your house up quickly? Get organised and get as many people as possible to help. Then make sure you have all the equipment to hand (boxes, tape, wrapping and a marker pen) and go room by room packing as fast as you can. An assembly line can help. One person builds a box, another wraps items, another packs them and another seals the box up.

Here are some tips to pack your house quickly:

• Clear the clutter: no point wasting time packing unwanted items so have a clear our first.
• Pack an essentials box: you may end up throwing things in boxes so make sure you have all the things you really need in one box first. This should include a change of clothes, toiletries, chargers and important documents.
• Forget sorting: this isn’t the time to pack things by item such as all toys or shoes or pans. Just go room by room and label boxes with the room so they end up in the right place.
• Don’t empty drawers: In a hurry? Simply wrap drawers in clingfilm or wrap the whole chest so the drawers won’t fall out.
• Many hands make light work: Ask for help. Entice friends and family with promises of takeaway or a meal out later.
• Get professional help: Many removal firms offer a packing service. They’re professionals so if you’re prepared to pay, they will pack up your home for you in a day or two.

Will the removals company pack for me?

Yes. Many removals companies offer a packing service where they will box up your belongings for you. This can be invaluable if you are short on time, will struggle to physically pack up your home or have valuables that require specialist packing. Not only will they take all the hassle out of moving, but they’ll also do a much quicker job of packing up, meaning you can live uninterrupted right up to a few days before your moving date.

There are a range of packing services available including:

• Part packing: If you are happy doing some of the work but want help with some of your more valuable or unusual items this is a cost-effective way to get some help.
• Full packing: Sit back and let the removal team do the hard work for you.
• Furniture packing: Not sure how to go about packing your sofa, cooker or kitchen appliances. Many removal firms will handle these for you, wrapping them with specialist blankets and packaging, often at no extra charge provided they know what to expect on removal day.
• Arts and antiques packing: If you have a valuable collection of paintings, sculptures or furniture then choose a removal firm that specialises in these things. They will be able to pack them safely to protect them during the move.

For more advice on getting ready for moving day, read our moving house checklist.

How to Pack for Moving House FAQs