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The Trek Removals Guide to packing-up – (5.) The Loft/Attic

In this final blog in the packing-up series Trek Removals takes you to the last place in your home that needs taking care of and packing up – the loft/attic space. The reason why we say “last place” is because not every home will have a loft and if they do, the task of going up there and sifting through the accumulation of stuff from over the years is very daunting indeed. You may have to sort through over a decade’s worth of items.

You’ll need to do a reconnaissance mission up there to know how much you have stored away and from that recon you need to get ready to de-clutter and pack shortly afterwards.

Ask yourself;

What items/furniture have you found up there?

Out of all of it is there anything you want to keep?

Do you want to throw out the rest or put it into storage?

Once you have established the answers to these questions and you have inventoried your goods (making a list is important especially if you have  lot up there) then it’s time to start packing.

We can provide you with the packing materials you need to safely and securely wrap, pack and tie-up your belongings. Of course, we also offer a full packing and unpacking option with our removals service. There might not be enough space in your new home for all the boxes of belongings that you have accumulated over the years so there will definitely be the need to catalogue and sift through what is worth keeping and what is worth throwing away or putting into storage.

Trek Removals once again can provide a solution for you with our removals storage option where your unwanted’s can be kept in a storage unit for safekeeping until the time comes that you might need them again.

Be very careful when navigating your loft space and packing up the things in there as lofts can often be dangerous environments where there is no real solid footing. It is best advised to go through your loft with a second person to help you in case of an accident or emergency.

Use new, collapsed boxes and bubble wrap to insulate and fully protect any valuables or fragile items you unearth from the dusty depths of the loft.

Items you might find up there can vary between the recently placed to the long forgotten including:

  • Books
  • Tapes/Records/Videos/DVDs
  • Toys
  • Household appliances
  • Old furniture
  • Pictures/photos/albums
  • Jewellery
  • Paperwork/documents
  • Electricals (TV’s, radios, toasters, VCRs, DVD players, computer consoles)
  • Clothes/shoes
  • Treasure maps!

And those are just the things we could think of!

The loft is a place used for storage and when it comes to your home removal you need to be ready to know what are the keepers and what are the non-keepers.

For more information on home removals in London or any home removals in the UK please get in touch with us at Trek Removals and we will give you a free moving quote. Thanks for reading the ‘The Trek Removals Guide to packing-up’ and remember you can always ask for our help during any stage of your move!

The Trek Removals Guide to packing-up – (4.) The Garage & Shed

In the last blog we gave you the tips on packing up the bedroom in time for removal day. In this latest blog Trek Removals tells you what packing needs to be done for the dreaded Garage and Shed.

Removal companies generally offer a removal service that includes packing up your household goods for you. Trek Removals specialises in London removals, commercial storage services and packing. If you don’t fancy doing the hard work let us do it for you!

That said, we understand when people prefer to do the packing themselves, which is why we are continuing with our blog series on packing up the individual rooms and items. We have already taken you through packing up the Lounge, the Kitchen and the Bedroom, now it is time to really get your hands dirty and pack-up the garage and shed.

Some homes might not have both, but if you live in a house, you will most likely have a garage. The items that are stored in a shed or garage are often similar. It’s where a lot of junk and dirt can accumulate too.

First task is to sift through the garage/shed and unearth the items and objects you no longer need or want, and chuck them out! The less mess and clutter the better. You want a fresher start when you move into your new home.

If you own a bicycle make sure you loosen, lower and turn the handlebars at right angles to save space. Clean and cover the bicycle chains and the pedals with corrugated card to protect other items from being snagged.

Any sharp objects such as garden shears or tools should corked and bubble wrapped in many layers.

Drain the fuel and oil from lawn mowers and any other machinery before packing them away. Remove blades and place them in sturdy boxes. Mark properly. You don’t want to forget where you store your sharp objects when it comes to unpacking, it could easily lead to a nasty accident.

Drain your garden hoses, coil them up and then pack them in boxes. Secure any brooms, shovels, and other long-handled tools together with handywrap. Make sure the binding around the wrap is tight.

If you use the garage or shed for any additional storage of items make sure to catalogue, wrap and label them accordingly.

Trek Removals and storage services are always on hand to help you by supplying materials, helping you pack and transport your furniture/goods to your new home, particularly if you require a London move.

The Trek Removals Guide to packing-up – (3.) The Bedroom

In the last two blogs Trek Removals discussed packing-up the Lounge and packing-up the Kitchen, slowly making our way through the home until each room has been covered for you. We take you through the big London removal step by step and the services that we as a removal company provide if you prefer professional packing for all your household goods.

In this blog we are going to take you through to the bedroom now and go through what needs to be packed and how.

Bedrooms can be invariably difficult to sort through. If you have wardrobes and chest of drawers filled with all sorts, packing and removal can be increasingly more tricky than necessary. Sort through your essentials and separate what you are taking from what you are leaving or throwing out first.

Sort through your clothes, coats, suits and shoes. It is best to move these items via suitcases and bags. Fold them up and put them inside as neatly as you can. Secure the suitcases and bags so they don’t break or fall open during the move.

The bed offers up its own unique set of challenges. Consider the following;

Quilts, pillows, duvets and other light but bulky items will need to be strapped with handy-wrap and packed in large boxes. It’s a good idea to pack any fragile or breakable items in with these pillows and quilts for extra cushioning. As long as you remember that you put them in there of course!

If you are moving your bed with you then you will need to dismantle the bedframe into its individual pieces. Divans beds are generally easier to move. Secure all of these pieces together and keep all the screws, nuts and bolts together in a sealable bag. Remember to label things so you know how to reassemble furniture after you move in to your new home.

Protect the mattress with a plastic cover. It may make it more awkward to carry and move but it protects the mattress from any damage in transit.

Tape shut the drawers to the dressers and chests of drawers. Do not overload with heavy items.

Be careful when transporting books or DVD’s. They can get very heavy, very fast. Stack them flat inside book boxes.

Any valuables should be set aside, such as jewellery and financial documents, and placed into small containers that you can keep on you at all times during the removal.

As most removals can often be a very big job, we offer our own removal and packing services to help you with your London move. Everything that we have detailed in our blogs can be taken on by us at Trek Removals, or we’re happy to provide you with the full range of high quality packing materials needed to complete the job yourself.

In the next blog we will talk you through packing-up the dreaded garage and garden shed!

The Trek Removals Guide to packing-up – (2.) The Kitchen

In the last blog on London Removals we gave you the tips on packing up the lounge in time for removal day. In this latest blog Trek Removals tells you what packing needs to be done for the kitchen and the best ways to go about it. You can use the removal company to pack the items for you. We offer a comprehensive service that can cater to whatever your removal needs may be. If you prefer to pack your household goods by your own hands than keep reading:

Think about what items you find in the kitchen. There are many appliances and kitchenware that can be considered as hazardous or dangerous if mishandled and there are many fragile items to consider. The kitchen can take quite a bit of time to sort through safely.

The first thing you should ensure is that all your sharp objects such as knives, forks, scissors etc are wrapped separately unless they come stored in blocks. Insulate them with extra layers of wrapping and secure them with tape.  Anything breakable such as glasses, mugs, cups, plates, bowls will need to be specifically wrapped. Glasses should be wrapped from the stem up. The space inside the glass should be filled with packing paper as well. They should be placed upright in strong boxes surrounded by more packing paper. Dont forget to label them as FRAGILE.

Do not stack plates flat. Stack all plates, platters and saucers vertically on their sides. Individually wrap the dishes.

Watch out from transporting wine bottles. If one breaks they can ruin many of your items through leakage.

As for those pots and pans, invert the lids to utilise the space inside the pans and stack them in the boxes placing packing paper between them. Pots and pans are designed to be durable so you don’t have to worry about breakage.

If you still own the original containers for your small appliances, they are the best choice for removal. If you don’t have the original packaging then pad a box with wrapping paper and seal bubble wrap around the appliance to ensure adequate cushioning. For the larger appliances, remove all the loose fittings or accessories and pack them separately. Make sure these appliances have been cleaned. Bound the wrapping around them with tape. It is recommended that you stuff the inside of appliances such as washing machines and dryers with towels, linens and fabrics to help protect the inner machinery. Any gas appliances must be disconnected by a qualified plumber.

A London move can be a very stress-filled experience which is why Trek Removals offers such a considerable service. Where most removal companies expect you to do all the heavy-lifting we ask you if you would like the choice of doing it yourself or letting us do it for you with our packing and unpacking service.

In the next blog we go through how to pack-up the Bedroom.

Contact us for a free moving quote.

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The Trek Removals Guide to packing up – (1). The Lounge

Trek Removals offer you a comprehensive guide to packing-up your items and furniture when it comes to moving home in London. Our expert packing and removal service is designed to help you have a stress-free move. We supply you with the materials to start the job of packing up the house. We use recyclable protective packaging for all of our extensive ranges of boxes and cartons.

You have to consider the different areas of the home and the various items you will need to pack for removal day. Today’s blog will focus on the first major area of the home; start by tackling the lounge/front room/den

Major furniture items that usually are found in the lounge or front room are things like sofas, coffee tables, dining tables, armchairs, TV’s, stands, paintings, pictures, ornaments, chairs, lamplights etc. There is a lot of bulk and heavy items amongst the primary furniture in the room, as well as a lot of fragile items too.

Any of the larger items that you can detach or can be dismantle should be done so. It helps to make the move easier. Many sofa and dining tables can be disassembled into separate pieces, especially designed for the purposes of making removal, storage and transit more efficient. Just make sure you keep all your nuts, bolts, screws and connecting hinges in sealed bags and secure them to the furniture item they came from. Labelling is a big help here.

Wrap all your finest furniture in bubble wrap or furniture blankets to protect from scratching, dust and dirt. Make sure you wrap the items well. Snags are a common occurrence during the removal process and you want the luxury, fine items fully protected from harm and blemishes. Tape drawer shut so they don’t fly open or fall out. Wrap exposed table and chair legs in bubble or handy wrap.

Take caution when packing electrical and fragile items. Use packing paper and bubble wrap to cushion and reinforce them during transit.

Vacuum all your rugs, throws and mats before you roll them up. Place them in plastic covers and secure them with tape or tie them with durable string.

The most fragile of all your household goods is of course any mirrors or framed glass paintings you may have. No one wants seven years of bad luck. Tape an X shape across the mirror and framed glass paintings. Wrap them in bubble wrap. Pack them in purpose-made picture boxes. Mark with FRAGILE GLASS on the outside to prevent any mishandling.

If you have any large houseplants you will need tall boxes to protect the foliage. These can damage easily if not packed and secured right.

Ensure that any electrical gods such as televisions, stereos, DVD players are well packed upright and surrounded by padding. These boxes need to be marked with FRAGILE also.

Ornaments and any other small fragile items need to be cushioned and packed separately in ornament boxes. Wrap first in tissue paper, then pad out with wrapping paper.

Of course, we can do the packing for you, if you prefer to sit back and relax. Moving home doesn’t have to be as stressful as you expect it to be. Trek Removals specialises in London Removals, commercial storage services and packing. We can pack all your goods or just the breakables so you know they will be transported securely. So if you don’t fancy doing it yourself or you would like some help, let us know. For free packing advice or to get a competitive free moving quote please contact us by clicking on the link.

Look out for the next blog in the London Removals packing series where we will go through step-by-step what you need to do when packing up the Kitchen.

Going for a trek overseas?

Trek Removals is well travelled and experience in the European removals process and international moving. We carry out removals to key countries and destinations all over the UK and Europe including:

In the current economical climate many people are moving abroad to either save money buying cheaper properties or going for long spells to rent apartments, villas and houses for breaks or for work related purposes.

What’s interesting is the degree in which our services are required. Sometimes we are used for part-load deliveries where only so many belongings are used for the move (which often means the move will not be permanent) and often we get requests for items to be put in storage for safekeeping as they will not be required for transportation to the destination.

There are many options available and many customers who all require different solutions to their removal and storage needs.

In the first few months of a new year many people are financially struggling as it is and it can be a tumultuous time of year for people to take the risky proposition of moving, whether it be for the best or not. However, that doesn’t stop people jetting off in their thousands. We offer a cost effective service, especially seeing as how the time period is particularly a financially baron time for many.

Consider us as the facilitators of your escape to ‘the new world.’

Trek Removals becomes Trek International shipping and storage where we work to moving schedules to meet your requirements. Domestic and commercial moves are a focus for us and a speciality. The trick to doing things the way do them is understanding the defining principle of international removals; no two moves are ever the same.

We have discussed in previous blogs how our particular international moving process works and taken you through it step-by-step. To give a quick recap rundown of the process:

  • Shipping containers and crew assigned to your removals
  • Exact date and collection/delivery time given
  • Storage options are available until you are ready for them to be shipped
  • Full or part load options available
  • Delivery to anywhere in the world
  • Secure, strong units used for storage transportation
  • All belongings are fully insured whilst in transit
  • Unpacking services available at destination

Essentially, an international move is possible, economical and wholly viable to anyone and everyone looking to fly off into the sunset without having to drag their entire house with them in the cargo haul.

For more information on the European removals process or to get a free moving quote please Contact Us.

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