Packing the more sentimental and more dangerous items for your house move requires care and attention, so we created this guide on how to pack these items properly before your removal company arrives.
Whether you’ve been familiar with this fact or not – there are types of liquids that you simply cannot move in a moving truck or a transport container. There are some items which your removals company wont be able to pack and move for you in the removal van, these are known as non-allowable items. Each removal company will have their own list which you should inquire about before moving day. You are, of course, free to take them with you –- but you should always keep them by your side.
Follow these tips to save you from any last minute stress and help organise the restricted items in advance!
If you are moving house to another country or an area, it’s vital to be aware of the regulations surrounding these hazardous substances.
Be sure to get a list of items from your removals company prior to your move. If you’re unsure on anything, talk to your movers for advice.
The majority of items which your moving company will not be able to transport in the van are liquids. Use as many liquids as possible and dispose of any potentially harmful liquids which can easily be replaced. If something is expired, damaged or hasn’t been used in the past year— bin it.
If you’re planning a long-distance move across the country and not just London, then make sure you take extra safety precautions to secure your items for the road.
Tighten all the lids on the bottles, and seal with a piece of tape. Alternatively take a square of plastic wrap and wrap it around the lid and secure with a rubber band. Pack your liquids by group: toiletries, kitchen items, cleaning products etc.
Place small liquid bottles in a ziplock bag to provide an extra barrier of security.
Pack your liquids into a plastic container because, unlike cardboard, a spill will not leak into other items. It can easily be cleaned if anything was to happen and re-used to store household items. We also recommend placing them in an upright position and putting some newspapers and towels between them.
Label the containers with its contents so it can easily be identified and separated from the other boxes on moving day. You don’t want to be scrambling to find your conditioner or cleaning supplies when you’re unpacking. Don’t forget to label any dangerous chemicals or cleaning products clearly to make it clear for the movers and packers.
With this care and planning, you can avoid spills and most importantly avoid any damage to your belongings and moving boxes! Take your time and feel free to consult your movers. They are very experienced with moving liquids, so don’t hesitate to ask them for guidance.
You should move and pack paint in a similar way to liquids, just remember to take extra care sealing the lids because the last thing you want is paint spilled everywhere!
A simple plastic bag is essential to pack the paint tins in during moving. We recommend using polybags (LDPE) for the most durable solution.
Transfer almost full tins into smaller containers to save space, and smaller paint pots jars as they are much easier to seal. For added security, tap around the edges of the tin to create a strong seal.
If you are taking any flammable liquids with you to your new home, it’s important that you are aware of how best to pack and transport them to avoid any accidents.
The only safe way to move flammable liquids is in fuel containers. You are allowed to store up to 30 litres of petrol legally without informing your local Petroleum Enforcement Authority (PEA). You can store up to 10 litres in suitable plastic containers and up to 20 litres in suitable metal containers. If you have 30 litres then you will require a demountable fuel tank.
You must inform your local rearms and Explosives Licensing Unit when you move house. A new certificate will be provided free of charge. In order to securely transport your firearm, you should keep the firearm out of sight and lock the vehicle at all times. Where possible, an essential part of the firearm, such as the bolt or the fore-end, should be removed and kept in the possession of the responsible person and any ammunition should be stored separately from the firearm and this too should be concealed from view.
Moving house with pets can seem daunting, but with a little organisation you and your pet will remain calm on moving day. See our full article on how to move house with pets for an in depth guide.
Plants are what make your house into a home, so when moving it’s important to prepare your leafy friends so they survive the trip whether they go in the moving van or your car.
Read a full-detailed article on how to move house with plants.
You should consider these factors in order to adjust your watering schedule in advance.
A week before you move house, remember to:
To pack houseplants:
Consult your moving company about how best to move your plants. If they are small it is best to transport them in a car with you, however if they are larger they may be able to be transported in the moving van.
In your new home, give them a few couple to recover from the shock of relocation. Some of them may lose their leaves or wilt, but they should go back to normal in no time!
Moving house can be a stressful period, and you soon realise that you will need to do some major organisation, it can feel overwhelming. Its all about prioritisation! Your documents are something you do not want to forget about, because sorting them out earlier on will save you from paperwork troubles later on. Organise your documents by category in ring binders or plastic sleeves. Although the process of sorting out documents sounds boring, taking this time to create a filing system will help you in the future.
The first thing to do is collect all of your important documents from around the house: check bookcases, drawers and filing cabinets.
Remember:
Save any photos onto an external flash drive and ensure your devices have a secure password. You should also scan or take photos of important documents so you have a back-up copy.
Keep the folders somewhere you know of at all times incase you need to access anything at short notice. Put all the items in a box and label it very clearly, indicating that it is not to be moved with the rest of the household goods in the van.
There are some items which are priceless in a home. Photo-albums which hold thousands of memories, video tapes of family growing up and sentimental family heirlooms. These items should be packed separately and moved by you.
The last thing you want is unpacking to see tangled chains and misshapen earrings. It can be a challenge, as not only do you need to keep your expensive pieces safe and secure, but you should have a strategic way of packing it. Read our full article on how to pack jewellery when moving house.
Speak with you removals company beforehand about the insurance plans which they provide to cover your more expensive jewellery. This way, if anything becomes lost or damaged on moving while in their hands, you’ll receive some level of compensation for your loss.
1) Take an inventory of all your items
2) Sort through everything and separate valuables from costume. Also donate or get rid of jewellery you don’t wear anymore and is taking up unnecessary space.
3) Organise the pieces by type.
That's it from us at I Like To Move It Move It. We hope you this blog post was useful for you during your house move.
There is a long list of things to think about before moving. If and when you are actively planning your move, you are probably facing many challenges. including some that are still left to be handled, such as finding the right moving company to trust with your belongings or setting up energy in your new home.
We all know that moving house can be stressful. There are too many things to think about, and you can only outsource so many of them! But we are here to tell you exactly which tasks you can leave to professionals. From switching your energy contracts in your new home, to organising a moving van, let’s make this process as swift and simple as possible.
Moving house with pets can be a easy ride if you make special arrangements for your pet on moving day. Simple strategies can help make moving with your pet easier and safer for you both, leaving you both free to enjoy your new home!