How to Pack a Van for a House Move
Moving house is one of the most satisfying things you can do, leaving you feeling proud and exhausted in equal measure. That’s because it’s also one of the most stressful. The packing, the logistics, the paperwork, the many trips back and forth because you forgot something – it can all add up pretty quickly.
The good news is that most of the stress could be prevented with a bit of planning and a few simple techniques, helping to make a house move a more manageable job.
We have put a practical step-by-step to help ensure your house move goes as smoothly as possible, and reduce the stress that comes with those final few days before you get the keys.
Start earlier than you think you need to
The single biggest mistake most people make when moving house is underestimating how long packing takes. A room that looks manageable to begin with ends up taking a lot longer once you start sorting out what to keep, and packing everything into boxes properly.
Begin with items that you rarely use or are unlikely to use soon, such as books, seasonal clothes, decorations, spare bedding, and then work towards the essentials as moving day approaches. By the time moving day arrives, you want almost everything in boxes. The last morning should be spent loading your van, not packing.
Get the right supplies before you start
Trying to improvise packing materials costs you time and could end up damaging your belongings. Before you start boxing anything up, make sure you have:
- Double-walled cardboard boxes in a range of sizes
- Good-quality packing tape and scissors
- Bubble wrap or newspaper for anything fragile
- Packing paper or newspaper for filling gaps and wrapping delicate items
- Marker pens in a couple of colours
- Coloured stickers or tape (one colour per room)
- Mattress bags if you want to keep beds clean in transit
You can often source free boxes from supermarkets, off-licences, or local community Facebook groups. Just make sure any second-hand boxes are clean, dry, and not already weakened from previous use.
Label everything
Labelling boxes is one of those things everyone intends to do and then rushes. Do it properly and it will save you hours at the other end, when all you want to do is collapse on the sofa in your new home.
Write the contents and the room on at least two sides of every box. Using a coloured sticker or strip of coloured tape per room means your helpers know where each box goes without reading the label, which matters when you are making multiple trips up the stairs.
Also, mark anything fragile clearly on the top and sides, and add an arrow so you know which way up it should be carried.
Pack heavy items in small boxes
This is the most commonly ignored packing tip, and the one people regret most on moving day. Books, kitchen equipment, tools, and anything dense should go into smaller boxes. The logic is simple: a small box full of books is manageable. A large box full of books is almost impossible to lift safely, and risks the bottom giving way.
Save your larger boxes for lighter, bulkier items. Items like duvets, pillows, lampshades, and soft furnishings take up a lot of space but weigh very little.
Use what you already own as packing material
Towels, clothes, bedding, and tea towels can all make excellent padding. Wrapping fragile items in soft furnishings instead of bubble wrap saves money, reduces waste, and often protects things just as well.
Try to fill every gap in a box before sealing it. If items can move around inside, they can break. A box that is packed tightly enough to resist being squashed and prevent movement is one that will arrive with its contents intact.
How to pack fragile items
Plates and dishes
Pack plates vertically, standing on their edge like records in a crate, rather than stacking them flat. Plates packed flat transmit impact directly to the one below. On their edge, they are much more resilient. Wrap each one individually in packing paper before placing them in the box.
Glasses and mugs
Stuff crumpled newspaper inside each glass or mug before wrapping the outside, which helps to prevent crushing. Pack them upright or on their side.
Mirrors and picture frames
Mark an X across the glass with masking tape before wrapping. If the glass does crack in transit, the tape holds the pieces together rather than letting them scatter. Wrap in bubble wrap and pack upright, not flat.
How to pack other items
Clothes
Leave hanging clothes on their hangers and use a wardrobe box if you have a lot of them. You can hang them directly in the box and then rehang them when you arrive without any refolding. Alternatively, folded clothes pack well into suitcases and holdalls, which saves boxes and travels well in a van.
Electronics
If you still have the original boxes the electronics came in, this is ideal. Wrap anything breakable, like TV screens, in blankets or towels rather than directly in bubble wrap, which can leave residue on some surfaces.
Kitchen appliances
Remove any parts that can be removed, wrap them separately, and secure any wires or cables with a twist tie or elastic band, and place in a plastic bag, so they don’t scratch any screens or surfaces inside the box. Fill gaps with packing paper and keep all the parts together in one box.
Pack a first-night box or bag
Do this before you pack anything else! Put everything aside that you’ll need for moving day and your first night. Make sure you put this pile somewhere you’ll not accidentally pack it in other boxes.
Make sure you include things like phone chargers and any other cables you use daily, a change of clothes, toiletries, any medication, snacks and drinks, the kettle and a couple of mugs, teabags and coffee, toilet roll, and a basic toolkit if you have one.
Knowing this bag is sorted takes one significant worry off your mind before a busy day, and you then don’t have to spend hours searching through everything if you’ve divided these items up across all the boxes.
What to think about on moving day
Moving day will go more smoothly when everything is already packed and you are just picking up your new keys, loading the van, and driving back and forth. There are things that tend to catch people out, though, so try and follow the below advice.
Load the van heaviest first
The heaviest and largest items, such as appliances, furniture, stacked boxes of books, go in first, against the bulkhead at the front of the van. Lighter and more fragile items come last so they don’t get buried. Think about what you will need to unload first at the other end, and then load it into the van last.
Protect your furniture
Use moving blankets or your own duvets and throws to wrap wooden furniture, mirrors, and anything with a painted surface. Van interiors are harder than they look.
Do a final sweep
Check every room, every cupboard, the loft, the shed, the garage, and the garden. Check under beds, behind doors, and in the airing cupboard. Do not leave until you are certain the house is empty.
Take meter readings
Photograph the gas and electricity meters at your old property before you leave, and the meters at your new one when you arrive. You will need these when settling final bills and starting new accounts.
Return everything you need to return
Keys for every door in the house, any fobs, and any physical parking permits should all go back to the landlord or agent on the day. Leave anything that isn’t yours to take, and take photos of the condition of the house – especially if you had been renting.
What to do once you have arrived
The boxes are in, the van is back at the depot, and it is tempting to leave everything until tomorrow. There are a few things worth doing on day one while you still have the energy.
This includes locating the essentials in case of an emergency. Find the stopcock, the fuse box, and the boiler controls, and make sure you know how to use them. Check that the heating works, too, if you are moving in winter.
Check through the property to assess that the condition is as expected, and nothing has been left that wasn’t mentioned on the Fixtures and Fittings Form that both parties signed. Walk around and note anything that was already damaged before you arrived. Photograph it. If you are renting, this protects your deposit.
Even if you cannot unpack everything, getting the basics sorted makes the first night feel significantly more like you’re in a home. Having the bed frame assembled and being able to have a cup of tea is exactly the kind of relaxation you’ll need after a tiring day.
The rest can wait – just enjoy your new home and the relief that comes with it!
Hiring a van for your house move
If you are handling the move yourself, a hire van is often the most cost-effective and flexible option. You’re in control of the timing, not waiting for a removal team, and you pay a straightforward daily rate with no hidden costs.
At Trott Rentals, all our vans are automatic, there is no deposit to pay, and unlimited mileage is included as standard. Up to three named drivers can be added to any hire at no extra cost, and every vehicle comes with 24-hour UK breakdown cover.
We have been helping people move in and around Norwich for over 50 years. If you’re not sure which size van to choose, give us a call and we will talk you through it.
Book online or call us on 01603 426487. Our depot is located at 21 Hurricane Way, Norwich, NR6 6EZ, just near the airport.
