Packing Tips
BMS Transport have compiled some handy packing tips to help make your move as smooth as possible.
Remember – if you want to remove the stress of packing altogether you can let us do the packing for you.
Boxes
Making and Sealing Boxes. If you’re using our boxes, use good quality brown tape to seal them (we can supply the tape, too). First tape across the middle, spanning the seam to hold the box together, then tape along the seam to seal the box securely. For extra strength, you can tape along the edges at each end. Tape along the top seam when full. Using a permanent marker, write the room where the box is to be placed and include a brief description of the contents e.g. ‘KITCHEN – PANS’, ‘BEDROOM 1 – CLOTHES’ etc. Mark the appropriate boxes ‘FRAGILE’ to ensure careful transportation.
Small Removal Box. Heavy, small items such as tins, bottles, crockery, cutlery, records and heavy ornaments. Also used for wine glasses, delicate ornaments, very fragile china, glasses and small pictures. Make sure you use packing paper or bubble wrap when packing fragile items. Pictures and records should be packed on their edges. Make sure that bottle tops are tight and pack bottles upright. Books should be packed flat where possible. If they need to be packed on their edges, make sure the spin is not facing up, as this may break the binding.
Medium Removal Box. These are our most popular boxes, and are used for most other household items such as pots, pans, glassware, china, ornaments, pictures, clothing, food etc. Do not overfill the boxes as anything above the top lip of the box maybe squashed. keep the boxes square and in shape. When packing dining plates they should be placed on their edges, never flat, on the bottom of the box in batches of three or four, with paper between each plate. When the bottom of the box is covered continue filling with china, Pyrex, mugs, bowls, vases etc. On top of this, place glass and china. Pack glasses upright. Make sure all crockery is packed in paper or bubble wrap. Fill the boxes to capacity using soft items such as pillows, cushions, towels etc. to ensure there is plenty of padding.
Large Removal Box. These can be used for bedding clothing, linen, shoes, toys and games, light pots and pans. It’s a good idea to reserve one for your current bedding and clothing that needs to be easily accessible. Don’t pack with heavy items as they will be difficult to move.
Checklist
- Room by room, sort through property and choose what to keep
- Donate or throw away any items you no longer need
- Return borrowed items to neighbours and friends
- Start packing non-essential things
- Arrange packed items and sealed boxes in one corner of each room
To begin, you will need boxes, cushioning materials such as bubble wrap and packing paper, scissors, Stanley knife, box labels, permanent markers, tape.
- Start packing in a space that is not often used such as a cellar or garage
- Set up a folding table so you can pack boxes at a comfy height
- Pack heavier items at the bottom of a box and more fragile items near the top
- Line the bottom of the box with cushioning materials such as bubble wrap, packing tissue, or even paper towels
- Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or tissue paper before packing them up
- Fill open spaces inside your box with towels or linens to minimize the risk of damage
- Top off the box with more cushioning materials before you seal it up
- Write or place a fragile sticker on boxes with fragile items
- Keep the weight of each box below 20 kgs if this is not possible write heavy on the box
- Avoid placing items from different rooms in the same box when unpacking it will be easier to have things in correct room and save on leg work around the house
- List the room which the box should be placed and box contents on a label for each box
- Mark both the top and side of the box for easy recognition
- Label the removal boxes that need to be unpacked first with a different colour marker
As I was a tad ‘behind’ with my packing up and was getting quite upset, on arrival ‘Paul and Keith’ very quickly put my mind at ease, assuring me that the move would be fine – it was 100% fine. Absolutely brilliant/awesome people. Well done, please thank them for me again, please.
– Customer in Weybridge
