Are you looking to hire a removal van for your moving day and not sure where to start your search?

If you are carrying out your home or office move by yourself, hiring a removal van is more economical and practical to move your belongings than using cars. Therefore, Big Brown Box has put together a handy guide on hiring a removal van.

There are many different aspects to consider when hiring your van. It is easier, less time consuming and cheaper if you hire a van big enough to ensure that you only need one trip. This is especially true if you are moving a long distance between houses/offices.

However, hiring a big enough van is not quite as easy as it sounds! Estimating the size of van you need to move is tricky. To gain a better understanding of the van you require, get a quote from a removal company and ask them the size of van they intend to use for all your stuff. However, bear in mind that as the vans get bigger, driving licence requirements change so while the removal company may have a driver qualified to drive a larger van, you might not have the appropriate licence. Therefore, you may have to hire 2 vans or make use of cars alongside the van.

Once you have identified the size of the van you need, get quotes from a selection of van hire companies. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right company for you:

• What level of insurance is including in the price?
• Do you get breakdown cover with the van?
• Do they offer unlimited mileage?
• If there is no unlimited mileage, what are the mileage charges?
• Do they run any special offers at weekends?

To make the most of your removal van, it is important to pack it properly. This also takes some planning – plan the position of each item like a jigsaw. Larger items of furniture like sofas and wardrobes should be placed in first and strapped against the front wall.

When it comes to packing boxes, we always recommend heavy duty, double walled boxes. These are sturdy and can be stacked on top of each other to maximise space. Boxes containing heavier items should be on the bottom layer with lighter boxes on top. This limits the chances of your possessions being crushed.

Once all the packing boxes are in place, fill in the gaps between the box stacks using your soft furnishings including rugs, blankets and cushions. Make sure everything is secure before driving off!

Happy moving from Big Brown Box!

Are you about to take the plunge and move out of your parents’ home for the first time? Are you looking for a way to ensure your first home move goes as smoothly as possible?

If you’re about to move house for the first time, check out the Bog Brown Box moving house tips for first time movers.

Moving house is always an exciting time but those who have experienced it before will also know that it can be an extremely stressful time.

Moving out from your parents’ house, whether it is to have your own space, move away for college/university, move in with friends or with a partner, is a time of your life you should look back on with fond memories so it pays to plan the move properly.

1. Use a moving house checklist. Moving house involves organising and coordinating a number of processes and people. Therefore, it can be very easy to miss something which may be crucial in your move. The easiest way to plan for the move is to write everything down using lists and tracking your progress. To help you with this, use our moving home checklist.
2. Combine your belongings. If you are moving in with friends or with a partner after living separately, it is easier and more cost effective if you combine your belongings. Picking the best of your belongings means that you can sell the ones you don’t want to keep and also save money on packing boxes and removal fees by having fewer things to move.
3. Consider opening a joint bank account. When moving in with a partner, a joint bank account can be used to cover household bills and other shared expenses to make life easier. Paying a percentage of your salary into a joint account also helps to minimise potential arguments about money.
4. Pack your items carefully. We recommend using heavy duty moving boxes to pack your items. Buying a range of sizes of boxes means you pack carefully, minimising the cost of packing and moving. Generally, you should pack heavy items into smaller boxes and lighter items into large boxes – this means that the box does not become too heavy to carry. Once the boxes are packed, seal with packing tape and label the outside with the contents and the destination room in your new house.
5. Give yourself time to settle in. Buy a bottle of bubbly and look out some takeaway menus for your first night. You may still be tense after the move and may find yourself arguing with your roommate/partner more than normal. This should settle down quickly and you can enjoy your new home.

Check out our other moving house tips and guides >>>