Practical (and slightly humorous) advice from the people who actually load the van. Follow these tips and your move will be faster, cheaper and far less stressful.
Use quality, sturdy, rectangular boxes of similar sizes. They stack safely like Tetris blocks. Avoid overfilling huge boxes — your mover isn’t an Olympic athlete.
Buy good box tape and double-seal the bottoms. No one wants to search for scattered Lego or hear breaking crockery.
Don’t leave boxes open or stuff bags so full that items stick out — movers cannot stack on top of them, wasting critical van space.
If packing clothes in bags, use heavy-duty bags. Cheap bags split easily, and nobody wants to see your knickers on the driveway.
Group all sealed boxes in the garage or right by the front door. The crew can crack on loading immediately without navigating every room.
Transport large, expensive TVs in your own car if possible. If the van must take them, put the TV back in its original box with its original foam. If you can’t do this, manage your expectations — moving an unprotected glass screen inside a confined space packed with odd-shaped furniture carries a high risk of damage.
Large, thin, frameless mirrors are extremely high risk. Wrap them heavily in blankets or bubble wrap, slide them between mattresses or flat surfaces, or transport them yourself.
Whenever possible, transport high-value or delicate items in your own car. You’ll be stressed enough without arguing over who broke what.
If the mover must take fragile items, group them all together in one dedicated spot. Expecting a mover to spot fragile boxes scattered among 50 others is a recipe for heartbreak.
Keep mattresses, sofa/chair cushions and soft bags separate during loading. They make fantastic gap-fillers to wedge between wooden furniture and prevent items from rubbing or shifting.
Disconnect early. Tuck the drain pipe and the liquid dispenser tray inside the drum so nothing loose catches during transport.
Completely empty both sections (check the very top too). Drain the catch tray at the back, or dirty water will end up all over your carpet.
They are prone to damage due to size. Remove the doors, strip internal shelves, and remember the wheels usually only roll in one direction.
Moving heavy white goods across lino often tears it. Lay down hardboard, plastic sheets or thick cardboard paths first.
Keep garden gear completely separate from household goods — it is a recipe for a dirty disaster. Ask the driver first; many charge a cleanup fee or refuse dirty items.
Write the destination room on multiple sides of every box in thick marker.
Once you’ve prepared using the tips above, you can check our clear Man and Van Plymouth pricing or go straight to the homepage to book.
You may also find our Frequently Asked Questions helpful.