Most removals companies offer packing services ranging from full-packing to fragile-packing only. This is usually started one or two days before the move takes place and the cost of the materials is often included in the price. However, some customers prefer to pack everything themselves.
Where this is the case, it is important to use the right packing materials. Not all boxes are suitable for packing household goods for transport. There are money-saving websites, blogs and even newspapers that suggest reusing boxes from supermarkets or local shops. This is a bad idea. These boxes are usually flimsy and offer no protection for their contents. They are difficult to stack on the vehicle and they are prone to collapsing, which can make the load unstable. The savings made by using cheap or free boxes can soon be lost in the cost of damages.
Professional removals boxes are designed and manufactured to a high standard, with the specific purpose of protecting household goods and making them safer to move, load and unload. It may seem like a box is just a box, but there is a whole industry in designing, making and supplying boxes specific to household and commercial removals.
The standard removals box (aka carton) is double-walled with each wall designed to absorb impact and maintain structural integrity. They have industry-standard sizes, with some (such as book boxes or garment carriers) being designed for specific tasks.
If you do decide to do the packing yourself, your mover can usually sell you all the boxes you need. Even though the price of boxes has increased in 2022 by around 40%, it is still usually cheaper to buy from a professional mover than from most retailers. Second-hand removals boxes may be available in some cases, which could save further.
Most professional movers have a sustainability policy which includes reducing waste and prioritizing re-use over recycling. So they will be happy to collect your used boxes when you have finished unpacking. If you have moved a long distance and collecting the boxes is impractical, a more local mover may be interested in collecting the boxes from you.
In most cases, there is no need to empty and pack the items hanging in a wardrobe. Movers can provide garment carriers on the day, or hire them to you if you require them earlier. Garment carriers (aka wardrobe boxes) allow you to leave clothes on their hangers and transfer them to a hanging rail in a sealable box. This makes unpacking a lot easier and saves on ironing.
Important Note
For insurance purposes, it is better to have the goods packed by professional, experienced and trained removals staff. Usually, if there is damage due to inadequate packing, insurance will only cover the contents of a box if it was packed by the removals company.
