The Complete UK Guide

Packing materials for moving a two-bedroom flat typically cost between £60 and £120 if you buy everything new.

A three-bedroom house usually runs £100 to £180. These figures assume you source materials from online retailers or specialist removal suppliers rather than high-street shops, which charge a premium.

Here is a rough breakdown of typical UK prices:

Double-walled cardboard boxes (pack of 20, medium): £18 to £30.

Single box prices at homeware shops can reach £4 to £6 each, so buying in bulk is always cheaper.

Packing tape (pack of 6 rolls, 48mm x 50m): £8 to £14.

Bubble wrap (500mm x 100m roll): £14 to £22.

Packing paper (5kg bundle, approximately 500 sheets): £10 to £16.

Wardrobe boxes (each, 50 x 50 x 120cm): £6 to £12.

These are worth the cost as they let clothes hang in transit, cutting ironing time significantly.

Mattress bags (king size): £4 to £8 each.

Foam rolls (500mm x 25m): £10 to £18.

To keep costs down, ask your removal company whether they sell or loan packing supplies.

Giant Van offers packing materials at trade prices for customers who book a removal. You can also request used boxes from local supermarkets, online marketplaces, or community groups, though quality varies and contamination is a risk for food items. Call to ask about our packing supply options.

There are no legal restrictions on what packing materials you can use for a domestic house move in the UK.

However, several practical rules apply, particularly if items are going into storage, crossing into Scotland or Northern Ireland via ferry, or if you are using a removal company that applies its own goods-in-transit conditions.

Most removal companies, including Giant Van, carry goods-in-transit insurance as standard.

However, this cover often applies only to items packed by the removal company or packed to a professional standard. If you pack yourself and an item is damaged, the insurer may decline the claim on the grounds that inadequate packing caused the damage. Always confirm what standard of packing is required to maintain cover.

Flammable materials such as aerosols, paint, and cleaning chemicals cannot legally travel in a removal van.

These items must be transported in your own vehicle or disposed of before the move.

Perishable food should not be packed in boxes more than 24 hours before the move.

Defrost the freezer at least two days before removal day and dry it completely before wrapping or moving it.

Cardboard boxes used for food storage should not be reused for house moves.

They may contain moisture, mould, or food residue that damages other items. Purpose-made removal boxes are food-safe by design and structurally stronger.

Climate can affect packing in the UK.

Damp summer days cause cardboard to soften. If you are moving during wet weather, consider plastic storage crates for items that must stay completely dry, such as documents, artwork, and electronics.