Your Packing Strategy

It comes as a surprise to many people just how long it takes to pack up a house; always make sure you start early - at least two weeks before you're due to move. It will take two of you at least three full days to pack up a 4 bedroom home.

Before you start your packing, try to sort through your closets, attic, basement and other storage areas, and throw away, sell or donate anything you don't want to take with you. Do this as early as possible, as if you leave it too late, you may just be tempted to pack everything and take it with you, where it will simply clutter up your new house.

Packing Materials

Start collecting packing materials as soon as possible - you can often get free boxes from supermarkets and other stores, although it's much better to obtain proper packing boxes, as they are much stronger. Your removal company might provide you with boxes and other materials; if not, you can buy them from most shipping or storage companies.

Make sure that that your boxes and other containers are strong enough to allow stacking in the van without damaging the contents. Don't over-fill boxes (their top should be flat when they are sealed) and don't fill large boxes with heavy items such as books, as they will be too heavy to lift.

You will need:

• Colored marker pens, colored tie labels or tape
• Rolls of strong plastic tape with a dispenser
• Paper for wrapping individual items. You can use newspaper to save money, but it's better to use the plain paper that you can buy from a packing suppliers
• Bubble wrap and tissue paper for delicate items
• Small boxes for books and other heavy items
• Corrugated cardboard or thick foam sheeting for mirrors and pictures
• Stretch wrap - this is really useful for protecting large items, such as sofas, tables, dressers and TVs
• You may also need some old blankets or sheets to protect large delicate items such as mirrors and light fittings

Marking Boxes and Items

Pack things together that you will need in the same room when they're unpacked - don't be tempted to throw things into boxes at random that belong in different rooms.

Make a floor plan of your new home and color-code each room (for example, red for the kitchen, green for the family room, blue for the bathroom, and so on). You can then mark boxes and items with a colored pen, labels or tape, so movers can easily identify where to put them. Mark boxes on the top and the side, as the top of a box may be hidden when it's stacked. Tie colored labels to items that aren't boxed, or mark them with colored tape.

Make sure your removal company has a copy of the floor plan and color-coding.

Fragile Items

Pack fragile items in tissue or bubble wrap with plenty of padding, and mark boxes 'FRAGILE' in large red letters. You can also buy "Fragile" tape, which will save you from having to write it. Make sure both the top and the sides of the boxes are marked. If you have any really valuable or fragile items, you should transport them yourself in your vehicle.

Final Advice

• Take care to pack small, valuable items separately and carry them yourself, as they're usually excluded from liability by insurance companies.
• Remember that anything you pack yourself won't be covered by the removal insurance policy.
• Check that your homeowners insurance covers your belongings in transit and insure your possessions from the day of arrival in your new home.
• If you're doing your own packing, there may still be certain items that would prefer the experts to handle. Ask your removals company if you have any questions about how to deal with plants, antiques, fine art, or anything else of particular importance or value.