Packing for a move: supplies, boxes and tips

Packing is the longest part of a move, but with good supplies and the right order it takes half the time: boxes in several sizes, wrap and tape, then sorting, packing rarely used things first and working room by room. We have put together what you will need and how to pack so the boxes arrive intact and easy to find.

What packing supplies do you need?

• Moving boxes in several sizes: 40×40×40 cm for books and folders; 60×40×40 cm for clothes, fragile items and dishes; 62×55×137 and 62×55×100 cm with a hanging rail for clothes on hangers; 80×60×60 cm for bedding and pillows.
• Bubble wrap for fragile and valuable items, stretch film for furniture and pieces with drawers.
• Tissue paper or packing paper for wrapping glasses and plates one by one.
• Waterproof packing tape, preferably more rolls than you first think.
• Marker pen and labels for labelling the boxes.
• Space filler: towels, clothes or newspaper to fill empty spaces.

Herkules-Trans provides moving boxes for every booked move: there is no rental or usage fee, only a deposit, which is refunded when you return them. Packing materials (tape, wrap, bubble wrap) are listed as a separate item in the quote. Details: free moving boxes.

In what order should you pack?

1. Sorting. Give away, advertise or take to a waste yard whatever you no longer use. Fewer belongings mean a smaller vehicle and shorter loading.
2. Rarely used things first. Books, ornaments, out-of-season clothes, cellar and storage.
3. Deal with one room at a time, and write on every box which room it goes to in the new flat.
4. Last of all, the kitchen and bathroom basics. Put the coffee maker, a few plates and glasses, toiletries and chargers in a separate "first day" box.

How to pack heavy and fragile items?

• The heavier the item, the smaller the box: books and folders go in the 40×40×40 cm box, so the packed box stays liftable.
• Don't tape the bottom of the box only in the middle: the tape should reach up the sides, and for heavy contents run it both horizontally and vertically.
• Wrap fragile items one by one in paper or bubble wrap, and write "fragile" on the box.
• Don't leave empty space in the box: towels, clothes or newspaper make good fillers.
• Tape or wrap cabinet and fridge doors so they don't open in transit; take loose items out of drawers.

How to label and stack the boxes?

Write the destination room on every box, and if you will need the contents right after the move, note that too: "kitchen – glasses" is far more useful when unpacking than "mixed". Write the label on the side of the box, because the top is hidden when boxes are stacked. When loading, the heaviest box goes at the bottom, lighter and fragile ones on top.

What to keep with you, and what movers will not transport?

Keep jewellery, cash, documents, your passport, bank papers and photographs with you in a separate bag; they are too valuable to go into a box. Flammable and hazardous materials (gas cylinders, paint, thinner, ammunition, fireworks, aerosol cans, batteries) cannot be transported by a moving company; they can be handed in at a waste yard. If you are not sure what counts as hazardous material, ask your mover.

Is it worth leaving the packing to the movers?

Packing is where you can save money, but your own time is worth money too. With us you can choose from three levels: packing materials only, partial packing for fragile items, or full packing and unpacking. Packing is charged at the moving hourly rate, and we give the price of packing materials in the quote. Details: moving with packing.

Frequently asked questions about packing

Related guides

• Moving checklist: what to arrange and when
• Tips for experienced movers: a schedule for the month before moving
• Moving prices in Budapest

If you would rather leave the packing to us too, request a free on-site survey and a written quote, or call us on +36 30 999 8619.