Preparing for Your Move

Moving house doesn’t have to be chaos. After years of lifting sofas down tight staircases, carrying wardrobes that “definitely came up here somehow”, and moving more boxes of books than we care to remember, we’ve learned a thing or two.

Here’s our straight-talking guide to getting ready for moving day.

Don’t Make Your Boxes Too Heavy - This is the golden rule.

If you can barely lift the box yourself, neither should anyone else. A good test? If it makes you grunt when you lift it, it’s too heavy.

Use small boxes for heavy items like books, tools and tins. Use larger boxes for lighter things like bedding, cushions and clothes. Aim to keep boxes under around 20kg where possible.

We move houses every day. We’d quite like to keep doing it for years to come.

Label Everything Properly - Enjoy the process

On moving day, every box looks the same. “Kitchen stuff” isn’t much help when you’re trying to find the kettle.

Label each box with the room it’s going to and a brief description of what’s inside. If it’s fragile, mark it clearly.

If there’s one box you’ll need straight away — tea bags, phone charger, biscuits, the essentials — make sure it’s clearly labelled and easy to find.

Pack a First-Night Box

After a long moving day, the last thing you want is to rummage through dozens of boxes looking for a toothbrush.

Pack a “first night” box with the kettle and mugs, tea and coffee, snacks, toiletries, medication, phone chargers and a change of clothes. It makes a big difference at the end of a long day.

Be Sensible with Breakables

Wrap plates vertically (like records) rather than stacked flat. Use towels, clothes or proper packing paper to protect fragile items.

Fill empty gaps inside boxes so nothing moves around. If it rattles when you shake it, it’s likely to break.

And please don’t mix heavy items with fragile ones. We once opened a box marked “Glassware” that had a dumbbell inside. Let’s avoid that.

Dismantle What You Can (If You’re Confident)

If you’re comfortable doing so, dismantle beds and large furniture before moving day. Keep screws and fittings in a labelled bag — taping it securely to the item works well.

If you’d prefer us to handle dismantling and reassembly, just let us know in advance so we can plan for it.

Clear Pathways

On moving day, we’ll be in and out quite a bit. Clear hallways, stairs and access routes where possible.

It keeps everyone safe, speeds things up and stops anyone tripping over that one mystery shoe that’s been in the hallway since 2018.

Don’t Overfill Drawers

Furniture drawers shouldn’t be packed full of heavy items, as this can cause damage when the item is lifted and moved.

Light clothing is usually fine. Books and heavy objects are not.

Sort Before You Pack

Moving house is the perfect opportunity to declutter.

If you haven’t used something in the last couple of years, ask yourself whether you really want to unpack it again. The less you move, the quicker and more cost-effective your move will be.

Not Taking It With You? We’ll Sort That Too

Moving house is often when you realise just how much you’ve accumulated over the years.

If you have furniture, appliances or general items you’re not taking with you, give us a call before moving day. We can often arrange to collect them in advance so you’re not working around them while trying to pack.

Where we can, we’ll make sure usable furniture goes to be reused or responsibly recycled rather than straight to landfill. It’s better for the environment and the local community.

We’re Fully Licensed Waste Carriers

Yorkshire Shifters are fully licensed for waste removal.

Please don’t rely on unlicensed operators offering cheap clearances. If they dispose of your waste illegally and it ends up fly tipped, you can still be held responsible, and that can result in fines.

Sadly, we see it happen far too often.

With us, your unwanted items are handled properly, legally and responsibly. No nasty surprises later.

On the Day

Trust me, you’ll be busy on the day — sorting keys, doing last-minute cleaning and dealing with all the little things that pop up.

Make sure all boxes are sealed, appliances are disconnected, fridges and freezers are emptied and defrosted, and that someone is available to answer any questions.

Most importantly, try to relax. We’ve done this hundreds of times. There’s not much we haven’t seen.

Moving day can feel stressful, but with a bit of preparation it runs smoothly. We’ll treat your belongings with care and make sure everything gets where it needs to be safely.

If you have any questions before your move, just give us a call. We’re always happy to help.

Yorkshire Shifters – moving you properly, without the drama.