Mastering the Art of House Moving: Professional Secrets Revealed
Very few life events generate as much anxiety as relocating to a new home. The prospect of transporting your entire life from one location to another can feel overwhelming, but with careful preparation and insider knowledge, the process can become remarkably manageable. Professional removal experts from across the UK share their accumulated wisdom to help you navigate your move with minimal stress and maximum efficiency.
Time Management: Your Most Valuable Moving Asset
Manny Sahmbi, director of Slough-based Happy2Move, reveals that his professional team can typically pack a standard four-bedroom property within a single day. "For larger homes with five or six bedrooms, we can still manage efficiently depending on the volume of contents," he explains. For those undertaking the task themselves, Sahmbi recommends allocating significantly more time: approximately one week for a one-bedroom flat, two weeks for a two-bedroom home, and proportionally longer for larger properties.
Hannah Crawford, known professionally as Han With a Van and operating from north London, strongly agrees with this approach. "Book more than just a weekend for your move," she advises. "Not only do you need practical time for packing, transporting, and unpacking, but insufficient time means everything takes much longer to settle properly at your new address." Crawford emphasises that decluttering and packing for relocation are distinct activities, warning that attempting a major clear-out immediately before moving day creates unnecessary pressure.
Strategic Preparation: Measurements and Materials
A surprisingly common moving disaster involves furniture that simply won't fit through doorways or staircases at the new property. "Sofas present particular challenges," notes Sahmbi. "We frequently encounter situations where furniture reaches the new location only to prove impossible to maneuver inside due to awkward access points." In such circumstances, Sahmbi cautions against automatically opting for storage solutions, suggesting donation to friends or charity shops as preferable alternatives that prevent long-term storage costs.
When it comes to containers, Crawford insists on boxes over bags. "People often think bags will be easier to carry, but they're mistaken," she states. "Large bags filled with irregularly shaped objects cannot be stacked efficiently or carried multiple at once." While sourcing free boxes from supermarkets might seem economical and environmentally friendly, Sahmbi warns that these typically feature single-walled construction that collapses under weight, offering inadequate protection for your possessions.
"Moving boxes are specifically designed with double-walled construction for strength and durability," Sahmbi explains. Crawford adds dramatically: "Imagine carefully wrapping your grandmother's china in packing materials, only to have the box disintegrate on the stairs. No amount of bubble wrap can save those treasures at that point." For eco-conscious movers, both experts recommend seeking used moving boxes through local community platforms like Facebook Marketplace or investigating removal companies' sustainability policies.
Packing Techniques: Safety and Organisation
Henry Marino-Hacking of Selected Removals in Cambridge stresses the importance of balanced packing. "Avoid overloading boxes, but equally don't leave empty spaces inside," he advises. "Fill gaps with soft items or packing paper to prevent contents shifting during transit." Sahmbi echoes this with his company's motto: "If you pack it better, we can stack it better."
For fragile items, Sahmbi recommends specific materials: packing paper or bubble wrap for general protection, with acid-free tissue paper reserved for fine china and delicate antiques. When packing crockery, Crawford suggests a hybrid approach: "Line boxes with bubble wrap, then wrap individual items in packing paper rather than using excessive bubble wrap that consumes valuable space."
Comprehensive labeling proves crucial for smooth operations. "Mark boxes clearly as 'fragile' and stack them carefully," instructs Marino-Hacking. "For extremely delicate contents, add 'top box' indicators so nothing gets placed above them during loading."
Specialist Handling: From Plates to Plants
Transport orientation makes significant differences for certain items. Sahmbi recommends moving plates, vinyl records, televisions, mirrors, and framed artworks vertically rather than flat. "Laying them flat allows flexing, which frequently causes cracks in screens and glass," he explains.
Mattresses and soft furnishings require protection from moisture and odours during transit. "We use plastic wrap or paper bags specifically to prevent fabric absorption of unwanted smells," says Sahmbi.
For living companions, Marino-Hacking offers specific guidance: "Transport plants upright in open boxes after light watering. For heavy planters, consider removing soil to reduce weight. Keep pets confined in a quiet room until departure time, then transport them in their familiar carriers while maintaining normal routines as much as possible."
Practical Moving Day Strategies
Crawford strongly advocates preparing a "first night" kit. "Pack a suitcase with essentials for the initial few days," she suggests. "Include a kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, daily medications, painkillers, toilet paper, and cutlery. This prevents that desperate search through dozens of boxes when you're exhausted."
Loading strategy significantly impacts safety and efficiency. "Place heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones on top, filling every gap to prevent shifting," advises Marino-Hacking. Sahmbi adds: "Create a stable base with heavy items, then load fragile pieces last, securing them safely. Wrap wooden furniture in blankets to prevent scratches during stacking."
For self-movers, Crawford recommends investing in packing blankets, ratchet straps, and bungee ropes, suggesting YouTube tutorials for proper usage and subsequent resale to recoup costs.
Physical Safety: Lifting and Carrying Techniques
"Work smarter, not harder," Crawford emphasises regarding heavy lifting. "Lift with your knees, keep your back straight, and engage your core muscles." She particularly recommends acquiring a sack truck for maneuvering heavier items. "Nobody awards stickers for solo washing machine lifting," she quips. "I always consider how to move items from point A to B while bearing minimal weight. That approach has never failed me."
Marino-Hacking concurs: "Lift with your legs, not your back. Never attempt to carry excessive weight alone, and always recruit assistance for awkward or heavy objects. Moving isn't an ideal solo activity." Sahmbi adds crucial technical advice: "To prevent injury, never lift and twist simultaneously. If your feet aren't facing your intended placement direction, stop and reposition yourself completely."
Stair navigation requires particular caution. "Have the strongest person positioned at the bottom, regardless of direction," advises Crawford. "For exceptionally heavy items, proceed step-by-step with breaks between each step. Rushing causes accidents." Marino-Hacking suggests practical modifications: "Sometimes removing legs from sofas or tables, or even taking doors off hinges, facilitates difficult maneuvers. Always have a spotter guiding around tight corners."
Final Preparations and Emotional Considerations
Practical details often get overlooked in moving chaos. "People frequently forget to defrost freezers or redirect mail," notes Marino-Hacking. "Always conduct final checks of every cupboard, drawer, and loft space before locking up permanently."
Crawford emphasises sustenance for everyone involved: "Begin with a substantial breakfast, schedule proper lunch breaks, and maintain supplies of snacks and drinks. Attempting physical labor while hungry or exhausted compounds stress unnecessarily."
Beyond practicalities, Crawford addresses the emotional dimension often neglected in moving preparations. "Many people feel unexpectedly desolate on their first night in a new home," she observes. "The space feels like an empty shell with unfamiliar smells after an exhausting 16-hour day." Her solution involves psychological preparation: "Designate a box with comforting items—photographs, familiar objects, whimsical treasures—that make you feel at home. Mark it with distinctive tape and unpack it first to establish personal connection with your new environment."
Finally, Crawford recommends a symbolic closure ritual: "Take five conscious minutes to say goodbye to your old home. Acknowledge the transition emotionally rather than just physically."
