How to Pack a Moving Van Effectively
Believe it or not, there is an art to packing your moving van, read on to find out more
Or let us do it for you
Organising your moving day can be tough. Aside from having to find a new home and organise the changing over of tax and utilities, you also need to plan out the basic yet essential task of getting from point A to point B.
Sadly, this can be more difficult than you would expect. Packing all of your belongings into a removal van can often feel like a game of Tetris, with the difference being that any mistakes could seriously damage your belongings rather than just your high score!
This can be particularly troublesome when dealing with average sized cars. Most self-movers end up hiring their own moving vans instead. However, while this can give you more space to play with, properly utilising this space can be a challenge in itself. For example, how should you arrange heavy furniture or fragile belongings? What about white goods which need to be stored a certain way?
If you have decided not to hire a professional home removal company, it will be on you to ensure that your belongings are safely packed into your moving van. Here are the most important points to consider if you want to get it done right!
Is it cheaper to do a self-move?
Let’s get this out of the way quickly, as it’s something that most people ask when planning a moving day. Considering the cost of moving house, you may wonder whether it would be cheaper to simply do everything yourself.
However, this is often a false economy. Firstly, hiring a removal van and buying the necessary insurance to put it on the road can often cost more than simply hiring a removal company.
It will also be worth keeping in mind preparedness. Professional removers will have the knowledge, equipment and packaging to safely pack, transport and unload your belongings, as well as the insurance required to cover anything in the event of an accident. You may well have friends and family offering to help you, but as helpful as they may be they will not be experts!
Whichever option is cheaper will often depend on your own individual circumstances, so be sure to compare prices carefully before making your decision. Remember, having someone else worry about packing the moving van will save you a huge amount of stress come moving day.
Hiring a removal van
If you do decide to do everything yourself, it will be important to make sure that the vehicle you hire is large enough. Should you run out of space, you could struggle to find an additional vehicle in time (or worse, you could be forced to spend outrageous last minute booking fees in order to secure one).
Start by making a list of all your belongings, including any furniture, suitcases or boxes that you want to bring with you. Next, take the time to measure out the length of each individual item. The goal is to get an idea of the volume of your belongings so that you can choose a vehicle of an appropriate size. It will also be a good idea to make note of the total weight.
When taking your measurements, do your best to include absolutely everything you want to take with you. For example, you should not leave out items like decorative accessories, clothing, white goods and so on.
How to pack a van for moving
If you do decide to pack and drive the moving van yourself, it will be worth doing it right! Here is how to approach the job:
Heavy items first
This is an airtight rule! Start with the heaviest items, such as empty wardrobes or white goods like fridges, freezers and ovens. Ensure that they are balanced, upright and completely secured against the far wall. The last thing you want is to crush everything!
Padding
Certain materials and surfaces can be particularly vulnerable to damage, such as wooden furniture or glass. You can protect these pieces with bubble wrap, thick padding or a secured tarp. You an also reuse packing from parcels you receive!
Longer items
Once the heaviest furniture is secured against the back of your moving van, it will be time to set the longest pieces along the sides. This will include any mattresses, headboards, tabletops and so on. The idea will leave you with enough space in the middle for everything else.
Heavy boxes
Whatever floor space you have left in the moving van should be used for heavier boxes. This will prevent them from moving and crushing anything else. If possible, pack the boxes into cavities such as the spaces underneath tables, as this will help to keep them secure.
Disassemble furniture
Disassembling furniture will help you to save essential space. After all, it will be easier to pack away parts than entire pieces of furniture. Keep any fasteners and other loose pieces clearly labelled. A removal furniture courier will be able to provide this service, but additional charges may apply.
Lighter boxes
With the heavier items stored, you can now start packing everything else. Use up as much space as you can, stacking items as high as the ceiling of the van. At the same time, try not to keep anything loosely packed, as it could get free and cause damage during your journey.
Fragile items
Packing fragile belongings away can be tricky. With items like antiques and crockery, it's important not to take any chances, as they could easily break. It is best to look for tight spaces in the van, such as any cavities underneath tables or chairs. Remember, the idea is to have your fragile items move around as little as possible.
Final items
If you have been packing correctly, the only items left at this point should be shoes, clothing, curtains, rugs, etc. Ideally, you should be able to fit these into suitcases, boxes or any remaining cavities of space in the van. If not, you may need to use space in your car boot, or even the back seats. Footwells behind seats are great spaces too!
Why not book with AnyVan?
"Brilliant service and great value for money. Some of the quotes I got from other companies were eye-watering! The communication was excellent and the driver-tracking on the day made things very easy. The driver himself was courteous and nothing was a problem for him. Definitely recommend."
Brian C., Trustpilot
If you feel ready to make the big move to your new home, why not talk to our home removals experts? Take your first step by speaking to our customer service team on 020 3872 3050 or get prices now!