Packing
Packing is where most moves slow down or go wrong. Getting the right boxes, wrapping fragile items correctly, and knowing what to pack last are the things that separate a smooth move from a stressful one. Giant Van offers packing assistance alongside removals and can advise on supplies before moving day.
Get free packing boxes from supermarkets, Freecycle, or local Facebook groups. Buy double-walled moving boxes from B&Q or Argos from around £1.50 each. Giant Van can advise on quantities when you book your removal.
Balloon Box Delivery and Specialist Packing Supplies
Balloon box delivery services — where oversized or unusual-shaped boxes arrive ready for packing — are useful for awkward items like lampshades, large artwork, and sports equipment.
Standard removal boxes come in small (1.5 cubic feet), medium (3 cubic feet), and large (4.5 cubic feet) sizes.
For a two-bedroom flat, you will typically need around 30–40 boxes in total.
Specialist supplies worth considering include wardrobe boxes with hanging rails, dish-pack cells for crockery, and mattress bags.
These are available from removal suppliers and large DIY stores.
Giant Van can advise on quantities when you book.
Choosing Storage Boxes for Moving
Moving and Storage Boxes: What Size Do You Need?
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Get a Free Quote →Packing Order: What to Pack First and What to Leave Until Last
Packing for a house move works best in a strict order that minimises disruption to daily life.
Start four to six weeks out with non-essentials: books, seasonal clothing, decorative items, spare crockery, hobby equipment, and anything stored in the loft or garage.
These are items you will not miss for weeks.
At the two-week mark, pack out-of-season items, spare bedding, and anything in the spare bedroom.
One week before the move, pack the study, home office, and any collections.
In the final three days, pack the main bedroom — leaving out only what you need for the last few nights — and the living room, keeping only the TV and essential seating.
The kitchen is packed last, the morning of the move, leaving out the kettle, mugs, and breakfast items.
Label every box on the side with room and contents.
Do not label the top — when boxes are stacked you cannot see it.
For a two-bedroom move, 40–60 boxes in total is a reasonable estimate.
Giant Van can supply double-walled removal boxes when you book.
How to Pack Fragile Items Properly
Fragile item packing accounts for most of the damage that occurs during house moves.
The common mistakes: using single-walled boxes that collapse under stacking weight, wrapping in newspaper alone without a cushioning layer underneath, and leaving air space inside boxes that allows contents to shift.
The correct approach: start with a layer of crumpled paper at the box base.
Wrap each fragile item individually in tissue or bubble wrap, then in newspaper as a secondary layer.
Place the heaviest items at the base and the lightest at the top.
Packing for Storage: What Changes When Items Are Going Into a Unit
Packing for storage requires different decisions to packing for a house move.
Items going into storage may sit in a unit for months — sometimes years.
Cardboard boxes are not ideal for long-term storage because they absorb moisture and eventually collapse under stacking weight.
For items stored longer than four weeks, use lidded plastic crates.
These resist damp, stack securely without compressing, and can be reused indefinitely.
Use moisture absorber sachets inside boxes or crates that contain clothing, soft furnishings, or papers.
Avoid storing items in black bin bags — they trap condensation and encourage mould.
Wrap wooden furniture in breathable cotton dust sheets, not plastic wrap, which prevents airflow.
Keep a room-by-room inventory list of what is in storage.
When Giant Van collects for a removal-plus-storage job, the crew can photograph each loaded item and provide a basic inventory on request.
Questions about your move?
Professional Packing Service: What Is and Is Not Worth Paying For
A professional packing service is worth the cost for fragile rooms — kitchens, china collections, artwork, and electronics — where DIY packing frequently results in transit damage.
It is less necessary for rooms with soft contents — bedrooms of clothing, spare bedding, garden equipment — where the risk of damage is low and packing skill adds little.
The most efficient approach: hire professional packing for the kitchen and any rooms containing fragile or valuable items, and pack the low-risk rooms yourself.
Giant Van offers packing as a full-service addition to any removal booking or as a kitchen-and-fragiles-only option.
Ask for kitchen packing specifically when calling +44 7414 655129.
The crew arrives with the correct materials — dish-pack cells, mirror boxes, TV cartons — and packs and labels each box before it goes on the van.
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Packing Tips That Reduce Loading Time on Moving Day
DIY Packing vs Professional Packing: Where the Risk Lies
If you are asking where can I get free packing boxes, try local Facebook groups, Freecycle, and supermarket service desks.
Liquor stores and bookshops often discard sturdy boxes that work well for removals.
For large moves, a mix of free boxes for soft furnishings and bought double-walled boxes for heavy or fragile items keeps costs down without compromising protection.
Giant Van provides packing assistance alongside every house removal booking.
The crew brings double-walled boxes, bubble wrap, dish-pack cells, wardrobe cartons, and mirror boxes to every packing job.
Packing can be added to any removal booking for an extra fixed cost, or booked as a standalone packing-only visit the day before your move.
Call +44 7414 655129 to discuss packing requirements.
What Our Customers Say
Smooth move from start to finish
VerifiedBooked online in under a minute and the crew turned up right on time. Everything was wrapped carefully and nothing was damaged. Genuinely the easiest move I've had.
Fixed price — no nasty surprises
VerifiedThe quote I got online was exactly what I paid. No hidden fees, no extra charges on the day. The two-man crew were professional, fast, and really friendly.
Same-day booking saved our move
VerifiedOur original movers cancelled last minute. Giant Van had a crew available the same day. They handled a full 2-bed flat and had us settled in by evening.
Packing — FAQs
Where can I find inexpensive storage boxes for a move?
What are the best moving storage boxes to buy?
How many packing boxes do I need for a three-bedroom house?
Is bubble wrap or newspaper better for packing fragile items?
Can I pack my own boxes and still use Giant Van?
What should I not pack when moving house?
Reviewed by Giant Van Editorial Team, Content Reviewer at Giant Van
Giant Van Ltd. Registered in England & Wales.
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