How to Pack Boxes for Moving

Pack Boxes for Moving

How to Pack Boxes for Moving

Our clients often ask us how to best prepare to move. Very often people want to know how to pack their boxes, what boxes and materials to use to secure their valuables, and how to best make use of space. We have created this article to help guide you in your moving preparation. Read on!

Best packing materials for removals and storage

The most common question we are asked is what kind of boxes to use, and how to build and tape them to maximise safety of packed items. Choosing the appropriate packing materials might seem simple enough, but it is crucial to the whole removals process that your belongings are packed safely and correctly.

Boxes: not a one-size-fits-all situation

It is important to correctly match boxes sizes/types to your belongings that you want to move or store. Destination plays a big role in deciding what kind of packing materials to use: new home, temporary accommodation, garage or storage.

For all types of moves we usually recommend strong double walled boxes for peace of mind, especially with delicate items like glass. More often than not, however, normal boxes will suffice for moving from property A to property B in a direct move. When moving belongings into storage spaces, whether rented or your personal garage, we recommend boxes of the best possible quality to ensure longer term security of your personal items.

Price difference is negligible on single box of this quality, but when you’re packing tens or hundreds of boxes this can add up.

Breaking it down: the items you are packing and the boxes you can use

  • medium boxes: use these to pack glass, china, ornaments, food, CDs, books, documents; they measure 46cm x 30cm x 30cm
  • large boxes: perfect for packing clothes, pillows, linens, towels, toys, pots and pans
  • special boxes: these are double-walled like wardrobe boxes, wine boxes, picture boxes, vinyl records boxes

2D to 3D

By preparing your boxes properly, you lower the risk of something breaking during the removal process. The most important part when building a box is securing the bottom of the box; this should be done using a good quality tape.

You have couple of taping techniques to choose from:

Keep in mind the purpose of the box i.e type and weight of the items you intend to pack in it. Each of the above options will secure your box for quite a bit of weight.

When packing fragile items:

When you are packing fragile items like glass, china, delicate vases, small lamps, or crystal, it is a good practice to use bubble wrap or packing paper as a cushion on the bottom of the box as well as filler to avoid anything moving inside a box during transit.

Seal and label your boxes appropriately

Seal the box once it’s packed. You can choose from the same techniques you used to secure the bottom of the box, as listed above.

Once the box is packed and sealed we recommend describing the box using a permanent marker. It is often the case that pens or regular markers are easily erased when moving, transporting and keeping the boxes in storage. Label the box with the type of items, indicate that it is fragile if the box contains glass or china, write “This Side Up” where appropriate, and even indicate which room the box will eventually be needed in (i.e. “Kitchen”). Not only will this help secure the safety of your items but it will also help you to unpack your belongings with greater ease once they have arrived at their final destination. The more descriptive your labeling, the easier it will be for you to unpack in your new home.

To summarize, here are 4 steps to build a box:

  • Match a box type to the nature of the items you wish to pack
  • Match the box type to the item’s destination (new home, storage, garage)
  • Properly tape the box, both in securing the bottom and sealing the top
  • Label the box in a detailed manner to avoid confusion in transportation and unpacking

We hope this article has been useful in assisting you to prepare for your move!

We would be more than happy to provide a quote for our professional packing service.

/0 Comments/by

How To Pack A Picture

How to Pack a Picture

How To Pack A Picture

Want to know how to pack your pictures and paintings for removal in a professional way? Read on! We have all the tips and tricks you need to ensure your pictures and paintings get safely from your old home or office to your new one.

Things to consider about your picture or painting before packing:

  1. What size is it?
  2. What type of wall hanging is it (i.e. is it a framed picture with a glass, a painting, etc.)?
  3. What is the value of the picture?

Packing materials and tools to collect before you start:

  1. A cardboard box/cardboard boxes
  2. Bubble wrap or a bubble blanket
  3. Packing tape
  4. Scissors or a knife
  5. A permanent marker

Now that you know what size and type of picture you are packing and have all the necessary materials you are ready to begin. Below you will find instructions for how to pack a small picture, how to pack a medium sized picture, and how to pack a large painting. We recommend that you start by gathering all your pictures or paintings to be packed at the same time and prepare a work space on a table or the floor.

How to Pack a Small Picture

  1. Ensure you have an appropriate size of bubble wrap laid out so you can wrap your small picture with two to three layers of bubble wrap on each side.
  2. Secure bubble wrap with a piece of tape.
  3. If you are wrapping pictures of the same size you can wrap them placing them front to front placing a piece of bubble wrap or cardboard between pictures.
  4. Place wrapped pictures inside a box.
  5. Label the box using your permanent marker so that both yourself and your removal experts know the contents of the box and what room you would like it to end up in at its destination.

How to Wrap a Medium-Sized Picture

  1. Wrap the picture with at least 3 layers of bubble wrap and 1-2 layers of blanket.
  2. Place the wrapped picture in a cardboard box for extra layer of security; OR
    a) Squeeze in your wrapped picture between walls of flat packed box, fold where needed and tape it up carefully; OR
    b) Cut open the flat cardboard box and use it to wrap around the picture. Ensure you tape around it thoroughly.
  3. Label where the front of the picture is, mark it as fragile, and prepare a safe space for you to place the wrapped picture in.

NB: Bubble wrap is usually most suitable for packing a medium sized picture for general moving. You may want to opt in for a bit more expensive bubble blanket for more valuable pictures or when you would like to put them in storage. You can pack a medium sized picture on you own.

How to Pack a Large Painting

  1. Place a large piece of bubble wrap or your woolen removal blanket in your safe workspace.
  2. Lay the painting out on the bubble wrap/blanket.
  3. As with smaller paintings/pictures, you will want a few layers of bubble wrap around the painting to secure it.
  4. Tape the bubble wrap to secure the safety of the painting. If you are using a blanket you can tape all the way around in a “+” shape to ensure that your painting remains properly wrapped.
  5. Label the painting, either along the tape or by affixing a piece of paper, as fragile and indicate where the front of the painting is.

NB: For wrapping a large painting you can use bubble wrap. When moving into storage or for particularly valuable painting you should consider bubble blanket or removal woolen blanket. For large paintings and pictures we recommend you to have extra pair of hands to assist with packing.

There you have it: easy ways to pack a picture or painting for removal! If you have any questions about your removal or would like a free quote for our services we are happy to help.

/0 Comments/by

Enjoying your Move

Enjoying your Move

Enjoying your Move

Overwhelmed by the number of jobs you’ve got to get done before your removals and storage London journey can begin? Here at St Albans removals, we know how stressful your moving day can be – that’s why we’ve put together a checklist of everything you need to make sure your move goes ahead without any bumps in the road. Read on for our round-up of the St Albans Removals necessities you’ll need.

1. Choosing An St Albans removals team

Enlisting the help of a quality St Albans removals team will ensure your moving day itself goes as smoothly as possible, saving you the stress of having to navigate any unexpected issues. Assisting you with everything from packing to end of tenancy cleaning, an expert St Albans removalsteam will take the ins and outs of your move out of your hands, leaving you to enjoy your day.

2. Getting to grips with your calendar

Organization is key when it comes to keeping your move running smoothly. In the weeks leading up to your move, factoring in key dates like the day of your move, booking time off work either side of the big day to give you time to settle in, and checking out St Albans removals team that will be available on the day to help you get your move done and dusted, will help you feel more organized, soothing your worries and making sure every element of your move falls into place.

3. Thinking about packing materials

If you’re taking any fragile or unusually shaped items along with you for the ride, it’s important to think about the types of packing materials you’ll need to keep your items safe and sound while they’re on the move. An St Albans removals team  will be able to offer you the most sound advice when it comes to packing up your belongings, making sure your possessions arrive in perfect condition.

4. Decluttering your space 

One of the most simple ways to stop your St Albans removals team journey from overwhelming you is to think about decluttering your home. You might be surprised at the forgotten belongings that have been collected in your home over the years. By easing the amount of stuff you’ve got to shift on your moving day, you can ensure your day goes entirely to plan – and you might find some hidden treasures you’d forgotten about, too.

5.Planning for every eventuality 

When you’re undergoing a house move as part of your St Albans removals team y, it can be easy to forget about the little things that keep your everyday life ticking over easily. However, tasks like clearing out your freezer, changing your utility providers, taking meter readings, and keeping your contacts informed about your move are all simple measures you can take to put your mind at ease once the dust has settled after your move. Making a note to remember the intricacies of your move in this way is a sure-fire way of helping your new house become a home.

6. Keeping your documents close by

Whether you’re close to going on holiday or not, there’s nothing more gut-dropping than the feeling of losing your passport and other important files. When you move house, it’s important to make sure you know exactly where important documents like your passport, driving license, and home insurance certificates are. One way to avoid the hassle of this during your move is to store your items with an expert St Albans removals team. As well as carefully checking off your items with an inventory so you have the peace of mind that everything is where it should be, storing your documents in this way leaves you free from the hassle of burrowing through boxes trying to find everything you need, when you need it.

Feeling the pressure when it comes to planning your house move? Whatever your moving dilemmas, our expert St Albans removals team .will be on hand to help you make your moving day one to remember for all the right reasons. Give us a call to find out more.

/0 Comments/by

Large-Scale Commercial Removals

Large-Scale Commercial Removals

Large-Scale Commercial Removals 

Planning a large-scale office move is a big task and there’s a lot to consider. From moving fixtures and fittings to expensive technology and sensitive documents, ensuring your commercial office clearance goes smoothly is imperative. With the correct planning and systems in place, you can make your big business relocation go as smoothly as possible. So, how can you make your commercial relocation have the least impact on your business? In this ultimate guide to large-scale commercial removals and storage, we’ll show you a step-by-step process for business relocation so you can move safely and securely, with minimal disruption.

How to Move A Large-Scale Business

Large relocation projects require thorough execution. There are several stages of office relocation and we’ll discuss each one with action steps you can easily implement. These stages include:

  • Planning
  • Building a moving team
  • Packing
  • What to do on the day before the move
  • Moving day
  • Unpacking
  • Storage facilities

Planning Your Move

The most important part of any business relocation project is planning. With the right planning, your move will be a seamless process. Without it, your large-scale move is likely to be unorganized, chaotic and more detrimental to your business. There are two parts to the planning process – preparing the overall movement of fixtures and fittings and establishing a moving team. First, let’s look at the steps involved in planning the relocation of physical items. This should commence around 6 months before your business relocation.

Create a detailed list of your business move

Business removals are a complex process, especially when it’s a large-scale operation. Your first point of action is to create a detailed list of all tasks which need to be completed. You can use this guide to help you in noting down what you need to consider. Alongside each task, you should note the timeframe and deadline for each one. Don’t worry about being too precise. These timeframes are likely to alter along the way, particularly if things don’t go to plan. However, establishing deadlines means tasks will get taken care of promptly.

Create a business relocation budget

A budget for your business relocation is a must. A budget for each task, such as packaging materials, moving services and van hire will prevent you from spending too much money during the move. Naturally, this budget may require assistance from investors, owners and your finance department.

Establish a precise moving date

If you haven’t already committed to a moving date, now is the time to set it in stone. This is important for the next steps of your move, especially if you’re considering hiring commercial removals services. Professional removals services can get booked up quickly and for a large-scale project, you’ll likely require several vans and moving services assistants. Booking this in advance gives you plenty of time to prepare your staff and clients for the relocation.

Are you going to hire commercial removals services?

Hiring a professional removal service means you won’t need to utilize as many employees to help during your move. Alternatively, you may prefer to go it alone. Either way, you’re going to require vans to transport your business equipment, furniture, technology and documents. This is the time to contemplate your options and make a final decision.

Start gathering packing materials

You can start gathering packing materials a few months before your relocation. Make a list of all the materials you require. If you begin planning at this point, it gives you plenty of time to acquire more materials should you need them.

/0 Comments/by

What To Do When Moving Country

What To Do When Moving Country

What To Do When Moving Country

Moving to another country is often a complex and stressful task that requires careful planning and organisation. If you’re moving abroad, the best way to plan an international move is by using our moving country checklist.

Here is the international move checklist we will cover:

Get Permits and Insurance Documents

The first step on your checklist for moving country is to research the required documents. The documents you need depend on your country of residence and where you’re moving. It’s good to contact the UK embassy in your destination country to determine precisely what expats require when moving abroad.

Here are some of the common documents a host country requires:

  • Permits and visas
  • Vaccinations for family and pets
  • Insurance documents
  • Import tax on items
  • Restricted items
  • Quarantine for pets
  • Health and/or travel insurance

Get The Correct Visa

The visa you require will depend on where you’re moving to. While we can’t tell you what type of visa you’ll need, we can provide crucial information to prevent you from obtaining the wrong one.

Some countries offer more than one type of visa. For example, one will limit your residency while another will allow you to live in the destination long-term. Some allow you to work, while others allow studying only. When applying for a visa, ask yourself:

  • Does this visa lead to permanent residency?
  • Will I need to renew it?
  • Will I be restricted to certain hours during employment?
  • Will I be able to acquire access to healthcare and benefits?
  • How much will my visa cost?
  • Is there a time limit for how long I can stay?

Knowing the answers to these questions will ensure you apply for the correct visa for your circumstances.

Prepare Your Documents

The next step is to prepare your documents for becoming a permanent resident within another country. For example, you’ll need your passport and proof of citizenship. A few other things you’ll need to sort out include:

  • Medical records
  • Dental records
  • Records of insurance plans
  • Birth and marriage certificates
  • Academic records
  • Driving licence
  • Proof of residence
  • New employment details
  • Bank accounts and credit or debit cards

Consider Your Finances

Moving abroad can be an expensive task. Plus, you need to think about the long-term cost of living in the country you’re moving to. There are a few ways to do this:

  • Check the prices of food, utilities, rent/mortgage and other costs. This will help you to create a new budget for your new country. You’ll be able to determine the difference between your home country and the destination country and whether your outgoings will increase or decrease.
  • Determine the average salary for your new job. If you’re looking for work, it’s best to do this well before moving. You’ll also need to look at pension schemes as these will likely differ from those in the UK.
  • Calculate your short-term moving costs. This should include the cost of travel, moving your pets, moving your belongings, and your travel costs.
  • Notify your local bank of your move. They’ll be able to assist you in transferring your assets abroad and how to bank in your new country.

Create An Emergency Fund

When you first move abroad, complications can arise quickly. You need extra cash for living expenses that you didn’t account for. Building an emergency fund gives you some backup finances if you get stuck. Ideally, save at least three months’ worth of living expenses. However, having six months or more will give you a buffer should you find yourself in a sticky situation abroad.

Prepare Your Healthcare

Healthcare can differ significantly abroad than in the UK. Many countries don’t offer free healthcare like the UK, so international health insurance is essential. Before moving, consider your local healthcare options and whether you need to contact an insurance company beforehand. Private healthcare will give you peace of mind in an emergency, and many expats choose this route. Researching to get the best cover and price will help you get your cover set up before you move abroad.

Sort Out Any Medication

If you take prescribed medication, you’ll need to ensure you have enough to cover your move. Check out the healthcare in your new country to determine if you can get easy access to the same medication abroad. This is critically important if you have a serious health condition.

Find a Place to Live

You may already have your living situation sorted. However, if you’re still figuring out the logistics of your move, you may want to peruse the local rental and buying market to determine your options. Many people choose to rent property when they first move abroad—renting before buying lets you scope out your new surroundings before committing to a long-term property. If you are thinking of buying a property, seek a solicitor in your new destination to give you advice. A local estate agent will also be able to provide you with the lowdown on the property market.

If In Doubt, Call In The Professionals!

Now you have your international move checklist, it’s time to start planning for your belongings. If you need to put your items into storage, St Albans Removals can assist you. Our secure storage facilities are temperature-controlled for optimal conditions, ensuring your possessions are kept clean and dry. Get in touch today.

/0 Comments/by

Tips To Get Free Boxes

blog Tips To Get Free Boxes

Tips To Get Free Boxes

Planning on moving house or relocating your business? Maybe you’re planning on putting items into storage? Then, it’s likely you’ll need some decent cardboard boxes to transport your belongings securely.

Moving and transportation costs can mount up so using free packing boxes for moving can help you to save money. Where can you find cardboard boxes for free? Here, we’ll reveal the very best places on where to get cardboard boxes for free.

1. Ask friends and family

One of the first and easiest places to find free moving boxes for moving is to ask friends, family and co-workers. Many people shop online so they may have some packing boxes which you can recycle. Even if you only get one or two decent sized boxes, it’s a good start to make.

2. Ask local Facebook groups

Social media is an excellent place to connect with others, especially those in your local area. Many areas have local Facebook groups where you can find people who live close to you. Some people may have spare boxes which you can use for your move. Just make a post asking for free packing boxes and see if anyone responds to your request. It really is that easy.

3. Ask local recycling centres

Local recycling centers usually have plenty of cardboard boxes, particularly as it’s often where people get rid of them. A word of warning though – it’s best to inspect them carefully for signs of damage or infestation.

4. Ask a local fast food restaurant

One of the best places to get boxes for moving is via local fast-food restaurants. Fast food places, such as McDonald’s and KFC, get regular deliveries housed in large cardboard boxes so it’s well worth asking if they can spare you a few.

5. Look on Gumtree

Gumtree is a hotspot for free stuff, including cardboard boxes. You can navigate the website to find free boxes in your local area. If you’re lucky, you may find someone with a couple of cardboard boxes you can have. Remember to check for damage or wet spots as these can make the boxes too weak to transport your belongings securely.

6. Check on Freecycle

Freecycle is a website where people get rid of their unwanted items for free. If you find someone with cardboard boxes, it’s best to ask how much these have been used, especially if this person has used them for transporting their items during a move. You need strong, sturdy boxes to place your belongings in otherwise you could end up with broken or damaged goods.

7. Ask your supermarket

Supermarkets receive many large deliveries on a daily basis, meaning they obtain many cardboard boxes. They will likely have a few packing boxes to spare. Additionally, these boxes have only been used to store groceries or other household items, so they’ll probably be in very good condition. Make a point of heading to the supermarket either early in the morning between 7 am and 8 am or late at night after 10 pm, as these are key times when shelves are restocked and you’re going to be able to ask a member of staff who replenishes stock.

8. Check your local discount stores

Local discount stores, such as B&M, Poundland and Home Bargains stock an extensive collection of goods and receive them in large cardboard boxes. Other local discount stores also sell items in bulk so they’ll probably have packing boxes that you can make use of. They’ll be happy for you to take them. After all, it means there are fewer boxes for them to dispose of.

9. Ask your nearest schools

Schools receive lots of stationery, paper, books and food, all being shipped in packing boxes. If you have children in school, you can easily ask one of the teachers or assistant staff members if they have any spare boxes you can use. Alternatively, phone your local school first to see if they can assist you.

10. Ask your local print shop

Print shops take delivery of reams of paper and card, all being packed in strong cardboard boxes. Try ringing your local store to ask if they have any you can use. The bonus is that they’ll only have been used for paper and stationery type of items so you can expect to gain strong packing boxes in great condition.

/0 Comments/by

Colour Code Your Moving Boxes

How to Pack a Picture

Colour Code Your Moving Boxes

Why Colour Code Your Moving Boxes?

Packing can be a challenge, but the bigger challenge is making sure your moving boxes end up in the right room so unpacking is a cinch. Before you fill your boxes for moving, put an organisation plan into place to make the move simple. The most effective packing method is colour-coding and using labels and stickers to manage the organisation process.

How to Colour Code Your Moving Boxes

Before you get started, you need a permanent pen, some labels in different colours and tape in similar colours, if possible. Then:

  1. Assign a specific colour to each item category, for example:
  • White for linen
  • Green for outdoors
  • Red for living spaces
  • Yellow for kids’ bedrooms
  • Black for kitchen or laundry
  1. Use coloured tapes, sticky notes, or markers that correspond to each item category.
  1. Pick bright colours to easily identify moving boxes for different rooms.
  1. Place the same colour-coded moving boxes in a designated area.
  1. Create a list of all colour-coded moving boxes so you know what’s what (and you can give this to the removalists as well).

Which Colours Are Best For Moving?

The best colours for moving are bright, difficult-to-miss colours. Yellow, white, black, green, blue, red, orange, and any colour that stands out against the moving boxes you have purchased is ideal. It’s also a good idea to choose intuitive colours – like green for gardening and outdoors, blue for bathrooms, and white for linen.

In the event that you are moving somewhere with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, you might want to choose a different colour to differentiate between each individual room. Remember to take clear notes on which one is which so the movers place each box in the correct room upon arrival.

Use green colour-coded labels to pack up your shed and outdoor space. Use yellow to denote the contents of your kitchen. If you have a dining room, orange might pair well as these rooms are generally adjacent to each other. You can use red to pack your living room, and black is ideal for accessories, electronics, or just miscellaneous items.

Final Notes

If this all sounds like too much effort, what you need is a team of professionals to handle the process for you. You don’t need to worry about how to colour code moving boxes or where to buy boxes for moving if you hire a service to provide the packing materials and do the packing for you. Take the stress out of moving by utilising our packing professionals!

/0 Comments/by