https://www.bournesmoves.com/packing-options-for-removals

Packing Options

Bournes offer a range of packing options to suit your individual requirements - from a full packing service to part packing assistance. You can even do your own packing and we'll just handle the heavy lifting! 

 

Packing options for your house removal service

Before loading your personal belongings into our removal vehicle, all the small, non-furniture items must be packed into boxes. This not only applies to loose items on open work surfaces (lamps, ornaments, books etc) but also items inside cupboards, drawers and wardrobes (files, papers, trinkets etc). The basic rule is - if it can fit in a box, it should be in a box. Even the smallest home can easily require 50 or so packing boxes and larger homes can easily use over 300! Packing is a time consuming activity and its easy to under-estimate the quantity of boxes and time required. 

Most of our customers select our full packing service, however we are also able to supply a range of quality packing materials for customers wishing to do all or some of their own packing. 

self packing service - empty box

Self Pack Service

If you have the time and want to save some money then you might consider doing your own packing. With our self packing service: 

  • You do all your own packing before our crew arrives on move day
  • You will need to place all small items into suitable boxes (of reasonable weight and well sealed) ready to be moved by our crew along with your larger items of furniture
  • You can leave clothes in wardrobes and we will load these straight into our wardrobe cartons to reduce creasing (UK moves only)
  • Larger items of furniture will be protected on board our vehicles with woolen transit blankets (or export wrapping if you're moving internationally by sea or air)
  • If we think any of your items need additional protection (E.g. crating or special care wrapping) we will advise you of this during your pre-move survey and provide an optional price in your quote
  • Soft furnished items like sofas and mattresses will be protected from dust and dirt using poly bags
  • You can use your own packing materials or ask us for a price to deliver professional quality packing cartons, wrapping paper and tape in advance

If you are opting for this service check out our tips for self packed moves in the FAQ's below.

*this service may not be available for some international destinations due to customs regulations

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full packing service for removals

Full packing service

OUR MOST POPULAR SERVICE

If your time (or desire!) to pack your own belongings is limited then let our expertly trained crews pack your entire household into boxes for you. Our full packing service includes:

  • Full packing of all small non-furniture items including those on open surfaces as well as inside cupboards and drawers
  • We will provide all the professional packing materials - the boxes, wrapping paper and tape
  • Expertly trained and experienced packing crews with all the skills to safely pack all your belongings ready for transport to your new home
  • Wardrobe cartons for hanging clothes to reduce creasing (UK moves only)
  • Larger items of furniture will be protected on board our vehicles with woolen transit blankets (or export wrapping if you're moving internationally by sea or air)
  • If we think any of your items need additional protection (E.g. crating or export wrapping) we will advise you of this during your pre-move survey and provide an optional price in your quote
  • Soft furnished items like sofas and mattresses will be protected from dust and dirt using poly bags
  • All you need to do is make sure that any essential papers you might need (passports, banking etc) and small valuables (jewellery) etc. are put somewhere safe (preferably in your car)

 

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fragile packing service

Fragile Items Only

Some items are fragile and easily broken if not properly packed for transport and fragile packing can be the most time consuming part of packing for a house removal. Why not let us help make sure everything gets their safely? Our fragile packing service includes:

  • Packing of fragile items like china, glass, ornaments, lamps and pictures
  • We will provide all the professional packing materials needed for your fragile items - boxes, wrapping paper and tape
  • You pack all non fragile items into moving boxes ready to be moved with your larger items of furniture
  • You can use your own packing materials for your non-fragile items or ask us for a price to deliver professional boxes, paper and tape to you in advance prior to moving day.
  • Wardrobe cartons for hanging clothes to reduce creasing (UK moves only)
  • Larger items of furniture will be protected on board our vehicles with woolen transit blankets (or export wrapping if you're moving internationally by sea or air)
  • If we think any of your items need additional protection (E.g. crating or export wrapping) we will advise you of this during your pre-move survey and provide an optional price in your quote
  • Soft furnished items like sofas and mattresses will be protected from dust and dirt using poly bags

If you are opting for this service check out our tips for self packed non-fragiles in the FAQ's below.

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non fragile packing service

Non-fragile items only

If you want to do some of your packing but want us to help with any / all of your non fragile items we'll be happy to provide a little extra help. Our non fragile packing service includes:

  • Packing of all or some of the following items (to be agreed at quote): Books/CDs/DVDs/Records; Kitchen items; Shoes/Linen/Bedding/Clothes; Toys and Sundries; Garage, loft or shed contents
  • We will provide all the professional packing materials needed for the items we are packing - boxes, wrapping paper and tape
  • You will be responsible for packing all other items into moving boxes ready to be moved alongside your larger items of furniutre
  • You can use your own packing materials for the items we're not packing or ask us for a price to deliver professional boxes, paper and tape to you in advance prior to moving day.
  • Wardrobe cartons for hanging clothes to reduce creasing (UK moves only)
  • Larger items of furniture will be protected on board our vehicles with woolen transit blankets (or export wrapping if you're moving internationally by sea or air)
  • If we think any of your items need additional protection (E.g. crating or export wrapping) we will advise you of this during your pre-move survey and provide an optional price in your quote
  • Soft furnished items like sofas and mattresses will be protected from dust and dirt using poly bags

If you are opting for this service check out our tips for self packed items in the FAQ's below.

Get a quote

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PACKING SERVICES FOR YOUR MOVE

What type of boxes should be used for packing to move house?

Ideally you should use professional packing cartons, at least double wall construction. Boxes should be an appropriate size for the weight of your items. e.g.

Small boxes - great for books, canned food or other heavy items

Medium boxes - for lightweight items like clothes or toys

Large boxes - for oversize, light items like bedding or lamps

Old fruit and vegetable boxes from supermarkets should not be used - they tend not to have lids and can often be made of thin, single wall card which can tear, split or be crushed when moving your items causing risk of damage.

It's OK to use plastic crates providing they have lids and can be easily stacked.

How should I pack boxes ready to move?

A good rule for packing boxes is to put heavier, non-fragile items at the bottom of the box and lighter, fragile items at the top. 

Pack boxes as fully as possible without making them too heavy to lift and stuff any empty gaps with scrunched up paper to stop items moving around during movement.

Plates should be stacked upright on their sides on top of a cushion of rough paper and not laid flat. Make sure to use plenty of paper, bubblewrap or tissue to protect them. 

Check out our packing to move house videos for lots of tips on how to pack specific items.

Make sure all boxes are carefully sealed at the top and bottom with strong tape. Don't criss cross the flaps of the box - this won't hold on heavy boxes when they are being lifted!

Can I leave items in drawers?

For UK to UK moves folded clothes, bedding and linen can stay inside drawers so you don't need to pack them separately (providing drawers can be removed for carrying if the piece is heavy). 

All other items (trinkets, paperwork, toiletries and other small items) need to be removed from furniture and put into boxes. 

Hanging clothes can stay in your wardrobe. We include wardrobe cartons as standard on all moves and our crews will transfer items into these portable cartons before loading to reduce creasing.

How should I label my boxes?

Labelling boxes properly is actually one of the top things people forget when moving house - yet one of the most important! Always label your boxes in marker pen with the name of the room they are to be put in when unloading and what's in it (as detailed as you like). Mark any box containing fragile items clearly as this will ensure the crew take extra care when loading and unloading it from the truck, and mark anything that’s got priority items with 'unpack first'. This blog post on labelling boxes when moving house explains everything you need to know about getting it right.

When should I start packing?

It's a good idea to start packing early as it can often take a lot longer than you think, especially when you're juggling everything else that goes with moving house and when you're likely to be pretty stressed out as moving day approaches. 

Start with the things you rarely use and keep boxes safely stacked somewhere they won't be in your way. 

If you do find that you run out of time as it gets closer to move day just let us know, we'll be happy to arrange some extra help in advance of the move (please note we will need advance notice to help with packing to ensure we can still complete your move to the agreed timescale).

How will items that are too big for boxes be protected?

Most furniture items will be wrapped in woolen blankets before loading on our vehicle to protect them during transport if your move is travelling by road. If you're moving internationally by sea or air we will export pack your items using specially designed bubblecraft instead of blankets. We can also use this method for items that you may be particularly worried about like highly polished surfaces. 

If you have any particularly fragile or valuable items we might suggest crating them. At Bournes we have our own custom crate makers who will make a wooden crate and internal bracing to the perfect size for your item to minimise movement and ensure its properly protected during transit.