Preparing for a Seamless Relocation: Essential Tools and Equipment for Packing and Moving Your Furniture

Before we dive into the subject of essential tools for packing and moving your furniture, the subject of relocating without professional assistance needs to be addressed. While it is undoubtedly possible to tackle relocations alone, there are several compelling reasons not to try, namely:

• Professional removalists already have all the equipment and tools we’re about to list.
• Relocations are stressful at the best of times, and undertaking them alone can be an unnecessary additional burden.
• Some objects are much more sensitive, heavier, or awkward than they appear. Moving them without adequate planning and expertise can be dangerous to the objects and anyone attempting to move them.
• There is no substitute for experience; it is an invaluable commodity when transporting precious items. 

Essential Tools and Equipment for Successful Relocations

We asked the team at Adlam Transport to list the most indispensable items of equipment and tools they would recommend for any relocation, and the following are their top suggestions:

Boxes, Boxes, and More Boxes

Nothing is more crucial when planning and executing any smooth, stress-free relocation than an abundance of boxes to store and transport items. ‘The more the merrier’, as the saying goes, so don’t be afraid to start collecting early. Lean on family members, friends, colleagues, and anyone who can help. They can be recycled or repurposed later if you don’t need them all. 

• Tip – Store boxes flat for convenience; they can be constructed and taped later for added strength. 

Protective Gloves

Moving day can be harsh on the hands, and a good pair of protective gloves can help keep your hands clean and protect against minor scrapes and cuts, especially from box edges. If you will be working in a noisy, dusty, or otherwise challenging environment, consider safety goggles and a face mask for additional protection. 

• Tip – Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Moving days are often long and hectic, so choose things you can wear for long periods and move around in comfortably. Avoid overly baggy or loose clothing that can catch on door handles and other items. 

Packing Tape

Lots of good packing tape is essential. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that any old tape you have lying around will do. For one thing, you will undoubtedly use much more of it than anticipated, and inferior or inappropriate tape will only hinder the process. Tape designed for other purposes may not be strong enough, leave a sticky residue on anything it touches, or tear easily, risking damage to the contents.

Packing Materials

From the ubiquitous bubble wrap to polystyrene blocks, old towels and clothing, newspaper, and bespoke packing blankets for furniture, having enough soft, pliable materials to protect your belongings is crucial. Fragile items require particular attention, and it is always worth the time and effort to wrap glassware, ornaments, and other breakables individually. Packing blankets are an excellent way to protect furniture’s exposed edges and corners. However, thick towels and foam inserts from previous boxed purchases can also be used if none are available. 

• Tip – Avoid leaving empty spaces in boxes as you pack. Find suitable items to fit or fill any voids with packing material. Items that move around and clash inside half-filled boxes during transportation are at risk. 

Zip Ties

Zip ties are one of those rare items that it’s hard to think of a use for ahead of time, but they come in extremely handy once things start moving. Some unexpected uses of these strong plastic ties include:

• Preventing furniture from moving by securing to other items 
• Securing older boxes or those with exceptionally fragile items to maintain structural integrity and keep them closed.
• Organising wires and cables 

• Tip – Choose reusable zip ties if possible, as they can be unzipped and used again, whereas standard ones must be snipped and thrown away.

Stanley Knife (Box Cutter)

A multi-purpose Stanley knife is an indispensable tool when moving because it is extremely versatile, relatively safe to handle, and easy to carry safely. Some primary uses of this tool when moving include:

• Cutting packing tape quickly and precisely 
• Trimming excess tape from boxes to avoid snagging or sticking to other items
• Opening boxes efficiently on arrival
• Preparing divider strips
• Re-sizing certain packing materials, rugs and carpeting

Tape Measure

When planning your relocation, knowing each item’s size and the amount of space you have in your transport vehicle is vital. It can also help to determine whether furniture items will pass through all the doorways intact or need to be partially deconstructed. 

Pen/Pencil, Paper, and Camera

One of the most frustrating things imaginable is arriving at your new location and having no idea what is inside each box. Digging around to find the kettle when you’re desperate for a well-earned cup of tea is easily avoided by numbering each box and listing its contents as you pack it. Adding the room where you want the box to land at the new location lets you have things organised and ready to unpack on arrival. The alternative, where unmarked boxes land in one giant pile to be sorted through, is frustrating, counter-productive, and easily avoided with a little forethought and effort. 

• Tip – Photograph each box with the number and contents visible. If your list is lost or damaged, you can scroll through the photos and see what each box contains. 

Furniture Trolley

A furniture trolley is a game-changing piece of equipment to have when moving. Everything from stacking and moving multiple boxes to large, unwieldy, heavy furniture is made easier and safer. One of the most common injuries people sustain when relocating is to hurt their back by lifting incorrectly. Never underestimate the weight of any box; it does not have to be heavy to hurt your back if you use poor lifting techniques.

• Tip – Most people are unlikely to own a furniture trolley; they can be rented from equipment-rental stores and even local moving companies.

Furniture Sliders 

As the name suggests, furniture sliders allow us to move heavy furniture around without lifting it for long. Great for tackling flights of stairs, once the sliders are in position under the furniture, they can be pushed or pulled in any direction with much less friction and potential snagging.  

Step Ladders

A step ladder is a valuable piece of equipment on moving day. Many relocation tasks are impossible without one, from taking down high-hanging pictures, mirrors, and curtain rails to reaching items on high shelves.

Electric Screwdriver and Drill

An electric screwdriver with an assortment of bits can be exceptionally useful when moving. If stubborn items of furniture need to be dismantled or doors taken off hinges to allow them to pass, this is a fantastic time and effort-saving tool. There may be less immediate need for drill bits, but you may want to quickly hang pictures with fragile glass or put up shelving to aid the unpacking process.

Final Thoughts on Moving Tools and Equipment

Each move is unique, with its logistical issues and requirements. While you may not need all the items mentioned for each successful relocation, they represent a balanced, practical list that should cover most scenarios. The bottom line is that if you feel confident, strong, and capable enough to undertake moving day by yourself, these items will be immensely useful. However, the better solution remains to engage the services of a professional, experienced team like Adlam Transport and let them handle everything for you. They keep the cost as affordable as possible, and it’s worth the price to alleviate the stress, knowing you could not be in more capable, meticulous hands.