The right way to pack for a house move

The right way to pack is the way that stacks, labels and does not explode in the truck. Glide Move can pack for you — whole house, one room, or a hand to finish what’s left — at the same $170/hr as the move. If you are packing yourself, do this.

Boxes

• Strong cardboard or plastic that stacks. Weak supermarket boxes collapse and cost time.
• Heavy items (books, plates, tools) in small boxes. Light items (linen, pillows) in large ones.
• Do not mix a few heavy things into a huge box. We still have to carry it.
• Tape the bottom properly. Fill voids so nothing rattles.

Labelling

Write the room on two sides and the top. “Kitchen — mugs” beats “misc”. At the new house we place boxes in the room on the label. If you want a room last on the truck (kids, office), say so in the morning.

What not to pack

• A bag for chargers, medication, documents and anything the children need on the day.
• Open liquids and food. We will not take them.
• LPG bottles. Disconnect them before we arrive.
• Jewellery and passports — those stay with you.

Packing a kitchen, bedroom and garage

Kitchen: plates on edge, glasses in cells or wrapped, no open bottles. Bedroom: drawers can stay in the dresser if they are light; clothes in bags or on hangers in a wardrobe box. Garage: drain mowers, tape toolbox lids, keep chemicals and fuel off the truck. That is the right way to pack for a house move if you want the hours we quoted.

When to get removalists to pack

Kitchens, glass and last-minute leftover rooms are where DIY packing usually slips. Tick packing on the estimate and we quote it before we start. It is still the hourly rate — no surprise packing fee. More on what’s included.