5 things to take extra care with during home removals

Most of what goes into a removal van is easy to move. A few things, though, cause most of the breakages and lost items. If you put extra effort into these five, the rest of the day tends to take care of itself.

1. Glass, china and other fragile items

Plates, glasses, ornaments and vases are the most common breakages. The problem is usually packing, not handling.

• Wrap each item on its own in packing paper. Avoid newspaper on fine china, as the ink can rub off.
• Stand plates on their edge in the box, like records, rather than stacking them flat.
• Use smaller boxes for heavy kitchen items, so they do not get too heavy to lift safely.
• Fill every gap with scrunched paper or tea towels so nothing can move.
• Label the box “fragile” and the room, on the top and sides.

If you do not have the time, our packing service can wrap and box your kitchen and fragile items for you.

2. TVs, computers and other electronics

Flat-screen TVs are light but easy to crack. Computers hold data you may not be able to replace.

• Use the original box if you still have it.
• Otherwise, wrap the screen in a thick blanket, add card on the front, and keep it standing upright.
• Take a photo of the cables at the back before unplugging, and put leads and remotes in a labelled bag.
• Back up laptops and computers before the move.
• Remove wall brackets in good time and keep the screws together.

3. Heavy and awkward furniture

Wardrobes, sofas, sideboards and solid wood tables are hard on backs, walls and door frames.

Bradford homes make this trickier than most. A lot of the city’s housing is Victorian stone terraces and back-to-backs, in areas like Manningham and Laisterdyke, with narrow halls, tight stair turns and steps up to the front door. Furniture that went in decades ago may have to come apart to come out.

• Measure large items and the narrowest point of the route out of the house.
• Take apart beds, tables and flat-pack units, and keep fittings in labelled bags taped to each piece.
• Empty drawers so they are lighter and do not slide out.
• Wrap wooden pieces in blankets to protect the finish.
• Leave heavy lifting to people with the right straps and trolleys.

Our furniture removals service also covers moving single heavy items on their own.

4. Mirrors, pictures and glass-topped furniture

Large mirrors and framed pictures crack easily if they are laid flat with something on top, or if they flex.

• Tape a cross of masking tape on the glass to hold it together if it breaks.
• Protect the corners with card or corner protectors.
• Wrap in blankets or bubble wrap, then sandwich between sheets of card.
• Always stand them upright and never stack heavy items against them.
• Take glass tops off tables and wrap them separately.

5. Documents, valuables and sentimental items

These are the items that are hardest to replace. They do not need special packing so much as special handling.

Keep a separate bag or box that travels with you, not on the van:

• Passports, driving licences and birth certificates.
• House deeds, tenancy agreements and completion paperwork.
• Bank cards, cash and chequebooks.
• Jewellery and small valuables.
• Medication and prescriptions.
• Keys for both homes.
• Photos, letters and other small sentimental items.

A few general tips

• Start early. Rushed packing causes most damage.
• Tell your removal company about valuable or delicate items when you ask for a quote, so they can plan for them.
• Check your insurance. Find out how your belongings are covered in transit, and ask about extra goods in transit cover if needed.
• Be there at both ends to point out the delicate items and where they go.

Pianos are a special case, with their own weight and access issues. Our guide on how to move a piano covers them in detail.

Ready to book? Get a free quote through our quote form or call 08000862860.