Self packing
Allow yourself plenty of time to pack before your move day. Carry out all the packing of non essentials items well in advance leaving just the packing of last minute items such as overnight duvet and wash bag for the morning of the move. All packing needs to be completed and sealed prior to our arrival so it is just a case of lifting the items and placing onto the removal vehicle.

If you decide to obtain your own packing boxes we do suggest that you try and get the strong “double walled” boxes which are more robust rather than the weak “single walled” boxes that can flatten in transit. Remembering that the removal vehicle needs to be loaded from floor to ceiling it is important that the boxes are designed to be loaded upon, e.g. with lids. We recommend that you DO NOT use supermarket boxes which do not come with lids and are not double walled.

When you make up a box please make sure you reinforce the bottom of the box with extra tape for added strength.

If you are packing your goods by yourself please ensure that each box is filled to the top (so that the box does not flatten when loaded upon) with the weight maintained at a level that is comfortable for yourself to carry and manoeuvre. Sometimes to keep the weight of the box at an acceptable level you will need to mix the contents with things such as pillows and duvets after starting with something heavy initially.

Many households have books, CD’s and DVD’s. We recommend you pack these in small boxes so they do not become overweight and they are relatively light to pick up.

Wrap china and glass items in paper generously and pack plates upright on their sides, not flat. Do not pack fine wine glasses on their sides, use a separate box and pack them altogether standing them upright side by side again using paper generously.

When packing china and glass items, it is important that you place in the bottom of a box, some kind of cushion to act as a” shock absorber”. You can improvise using cushions, pillows or indeed screwed up paper. The secret to packing a china and glass box is to start with the most robust/heaviest piece at the bottom packing in layers until you have the weakest/lightest items at the top of the box. The layers will descend in weight as mentioned. It is important after each layer another “shock absorber” is placed in the box before continuing to pack a further layer.

Please ensure you label each closed box clearly for us to understand where it needs to be located at delivery. Boxes are used time and time again and may have previous locations noted on them. To avoid this we suggest you use a permanent marker and write on the tape you have used to seal the top of the box. The tape will be removed when you open the box leaving a clean and serviceable box for another move. You can list the contents on top of the box if you wish but please do tell us if the contents are fragile or breakable. If you feel that a particular box should not have anything placed on it then you can label the box “Top Stack.”

Don’t pack or move flammable, combustible, corrosive or explosive items such as paint, petrol, chemical spirits and ammunition.  A full list of prohibited items are provided in our Terms and Conditions should you book with us.

Storage
If you are moving into store please disconnect, clean and dry white domestic appliances and fridge freezers at least 2 days prior to your move. This will avoid damp being transferred to your other items held in store and will reduce the risk of mildew. This is good practice for direct moves also.

Once your goods are in store with New Horizons it remains there until you require you re-delivery. Storage customers often leave their items in store longer than originally planned. Please make sure that you do not put into store any personal items such as passports (if you intend to go on holiday), cheque books and personal papers.

Please remember each item that goes into store needs to be dry beforehand. This includes lawnmowers, because the fuel needs to be emptied to prevent spillage.

NO FOOD is to be placed into store because this may encourage vermin. Also, no plants are to be placed into store because they will wilt and die due to no light and water.

General moving tips
Pack a bag of overnight essentials and items that you might need during the move such as change of clothes, medicines, passports, paperwork relating to occupancy of previous and future home, cheque book, keys and other personal items so that the removal crew or yourself do not pack away.

Disconnect and bundle television and stereo cords together and label them with masking tape (using normal selo-tape will leave a sticky residue) so you know where they belong and what piece of equipment to re-connect them to.

When dismantling furniture put those awkward pieces of fittings into a small bag or Tupperware box and label it so that you know where they are when you come to re-build the piece of furniture.

If you have any items that are not going with you on your move day, or you do not wish for New Horizons to take, clearly label them and place in a designated room.

If you have many items to move from the garden, shed or garage it is particularly helpful if you group them altogether so the removal team can identify what is to be moved.

Do not pack away your mobile/phone and make sure you have plenty of credit to phone any necessary people. Ensure you have to hand any important or relevant telephone numbers.

Do not allow painters and decorators, plumbers, electricians and carpenters, builders and carpet fitters in on the day of moving. When you are moving, it is impossible for any removal team to carry out the move in an efficient manner if there are other trades present. This will cause delay and of course mishaps and extra costs.

After your move please allow the gases in your fridge/freezer to settle overnight before switching them on.

If you have strict parking restrictions or access issues you need to inform New Horizons as soon as possible and organise parking with the relevant authorities if required. It is always cheaper and less stressful to plan ahead rather than try and deal with a problem at a minute’s notice.

All removal men love tea! We do appreciate it if you leave the kettle, teapot, teabags, sugar and milk in the kitchen so that the removal team can re-fuel!