Considering a DIY house move? Read this first!
Moving house is still the number one reason most people rent a van. These days people are much more likely to move their home contents themselves using a rented van rather than hire a specialist to come and do it for them, particularly if it’s a first or second house move, to help keep the costs down. According to MyBigMove.co.uk, the average cost of moving house is around £10,000 so it’s no wonder people are looking to save money where they can.
However, this does mean you need to think about which van to hire – it’s not a one size fits all situation! 3B Vehicle Hire in Aylesbury are happy to give advice on which size van you might need. Ross Batting, owner of 3B Vehicle Hire says the question “will it fit my sofa in?” remains probably the most asked question we hear. If only I knew what size everyone’s sofa was!”
It can be hard to work out which size van you need to move house, and of course it’s different for everyone. It also comes down to how you pack the vehicle. The general rule of thumb is, if you have lots of large bulky items, then go as large as you feel comfortable driving.
The smaller the van, the more adept at packing it you need to be. Most short wheel-based vans – see the image below - will have about 8 foot in length in the back. Enough for most beds or sofas to fit it. Then its really a question of how many other large items you need to fit round the sofa or bed.
If you have some really heavy items, then you may find the ease of a tail lift on a Luton box van (see below) is perfect for you – they certainly make things a little less physical! In fact, the Luton vans are by far the most popular for house moves. At the end of the day, wouldn’t you rather have too much space than not enough? If a truck is too small to hold your belongings, you’ll be forced to make multiple trips back and forth, which will push up your petrol costs, and your time of course.
Here is a step-by-step guide to packing and loading a moving truck like a pro:
Furniture items take up quite a bit of space on a truck. To save room, make sure to disassemble and take apart all the furniture items. This should help maximize your space in the truck, as well as distribute the weight of heavy furniture more evenly. To start, you can disassemble dining tables by taking off the legs. This will allow you to store the dining table and its legs in an upright position on the truck. Next, disassemble all bed frames and headboards, as well as desks and dressers. If you’re unable to disassemble large furniture, try storing moving boxes and other items inside drawers or on top of the furniture to avoid crushing smaller objects.
Load largest and heaviest items first
Start with the largest and heaviest items first. This will include any mattresses, bed frames, tables, chairs, refrigerators, washer/dryers, sofas, and coffee tables you plan to move. Given the weight and size of these items, they should be on the bottom of your moving truck, so as not to crush and damage your other boxes and belongings. Be sure to also place heavier items towards the front of the truck (near the cab where the driver sits).
Place sofas, headboards, and tables in an upright position
Large furniture items take up more cubic feet in a moving truck when laid in the truck horizontally. To save space in your truck, place all sofas, headboards, and tables in an upright, vertical position. It’s also a good idea to provide extra padding and protection around these furnishings. We suggest using moving blankets or plastic wrap to protect upholstered sofas and chairs. Not only will this prevent your big-ticket items from becoming damaged while in transit, but it will also protect your smaller boxes and belongings from becoming crushed.
Roll up rugs
All rugs should be rolled up and secured in plastic wrap to save room on the truck. Before rolling up your rugs, make sure that they are properly cleaned to avoid spreading bad odours. According to hireahelper.com., to properly roll a rug, you must roll it with the top side facing out. This will help to avoid damaging or straining a rug’s backing. Once the rug is rolled up, tie it securely and place it upright in the truck to save space.
Load lightest items last
This will include any moving boxes, appliances, and smaller furniture items. Pictures, mirrors, and TVs must be properly protected before loading. A few other things to remember when loading lighter items onto the truck: pack kitchen appliances in their original boxes to keep track of them, and put collectibles, jewellery, and valuables in a separate, clearly-labeled box. When loading lighter items, be sure to place them on top of furniture and appliances, and not underneath where they could be crushed. Finally, be sure to pack moving day essentials in an easy-to-reach spot.
Distribute weight evenly
One of the most important – if not, the most important – step to packing a moving truck is making sure that the weight is evenly distributed throughout the back of the truck. Distributing the weight evenly throughout the truck will make it easier to load and unload without an avalanche of boxes falling over. It will also be much easier to control when driving on the road. To double-check that all weight is distributed evenly, make sure that the heavier items are located towards the cab and against the walls. Medium-heavy items should go on top of heavier items, and lighter items should go at the very top and towards the front of the truck.
Use moving straps
Finally, as you pack your belongings, you’ll want to make sure that all items are secured with moving straps. This will prevent your items from shifting while in transit to your new home. We recommend strapping down one section of the truck at a time. So, for instance, as you load your heavier belongings (or tier one), strap these in place. Then strap medium size items (tier two) in place over the heavier items, and so on.
The physical effort of actually moving all your belongings is never easy. Guidance on choosing the right one and having it at times to suit you is one less thing to worry about on the day. 3B Hire are based in Aylesbury, Haddenham and now in High Wycombe. They can provide a range of vans starting at just £60 per day. They also have a wealth of experience and can help you make sure you choose the right one. They can all be driven on a standard UK car licence.
You can book online at: https://3bhire.co.uk/ or phone 01844 291430 if you need some advice first.
Happy moving!