House Moving Boxes

1. 1
   Boxes for moving home are only part of the equation.
2. 2
   You also need brown parcel tape (not masking tape, which peels under pressure), bubble wrap for fragile items, tissue paper for wrapping glasses and crockery, marker pens for labelling, and furniture blankets for protecting wood surfaces.
3. 3
   A typical 3-bed house requires 2 to 3 rolls of tape, one roll of bubble wrap (30 metres), and about 2kg of tissue paper.
4. 4
   Mattress bags stop your mattress absorbing dirt and moisture in the van.
5. 5
   They cost around £5 to £8 each and are worth every penny when the alternative is sleeping on a grubby mattress.
6. 6
   Sofa covers serve the same purpose for upholstered furniture.
7. 7
   Stretch wrap (cling film on a roll) holds drawers shut, keeps cables tidy, and bundles flat-pack parts together.

The Packing Materials Guide Booking Journey

1. 1
   Free house moving boxes from supermarkets and Facebook groups save £20 to £50 but come with trade-offs.
2. 2
   Free boxes are different sizes, which makes stacking in the van less efficient.
3. 3
   Some may be damp or weakened from storage.
4. 4
   You still need to buy tape, bubble wrap, and tissue paper separately.
5. 5
   A complete box kit from a removal supplier costs £25 to £80 and includes uniform boxes in the right sizes plus tape and wrap.
6. 6
   Giant Van kits start from £48 delivered.
7. 7
   Uniform boxes stack better, protect contents more reliably, and make loading the van faster.
8. 8
   For moves with fragile items or long distances, new boxes are worth the investment.