REMOVAL VANS LOWESTOFT - MOVE MY STUFF

Packing a removals van to optimum capacity requires experience, spatial awareness and a deft touch. Our customers often comment and stand in amazement at the sheer number of boxes and pieces of furniture we manage to pack, stack and secure in what seems like a relatively small space. But this is no sleight of hand, it's the culmination of many years of finely honing our skill and perfecting the best way in which to transport your belongings from A to B. 

While it might appear like an optical illusion to you, we can assure you it's not. 

This is why packing a removals van may seem like a straight forward task to the wannabe removals novice. But there is a specific way in which to do things. We want to maximise the space available to us on the Luton vans, so it ensures there is limited wriggle room between your furniture and appliances making the chance of any damage occurring highly unlikely. 

LOADING THE VAN

While we don't want to bore you with the banal intricacies (so we'll keep it brief) of packing a removals van (as we can appreciate it doesn't make for the best downtime reading) - but, for the purpose of this blog post, we're going to have to. 

Like most removal companies we work in rows from front to back, building walls of boxes and furniture as we go.

We start with loading the Luton space (the compartment that overhangs the cab) with small boxes and any soft items you may have, such as, cushions, pillows and duvets (if loose). This will be followed by a row of boxes  (we can't stress to you enough how important it is to use good quality moving kits, as they contain boxes of the same size, meaning we can go to the roof of the van).  

Next up is bedroom furniture - beds, wardrobes, chests of drawers and sturdy, boxy items of furniture - this row is then covered with removal blankets for protection and secured in to place with webbing ties - not forgetting to plug the gaps with soft bags and any loose items (this is where the removalists' OCD kicks in - they never want to see an empty space not occupied). 

Once upstairs (if you're living in a house) is tucked up nice and snug on the van. We will then move downstairs and load up sofas, (usually fixed in to place vertically to save valuable space) this will be followed up by tables, chairs and other items of living and dining room furniture - again, blanketed and secured.    

We like to load up kitchen appliances, last - just in case there's any residual water kicking about (again, wrapped and secured - you're getting the hang of this now). 

After completing a few last checks, making sure everything is sound and secure - we'll be off on our merry way. 

IS HOME REMOVALS A SKILL?

Whilst it may not be recognised as a trade or skill so to speak, there is some methodical planning required to make sure your house move is a successful one. Our brains are whirring all the time trying to figure out the next step in this 3D version of Tetris on steroids! Anyone can chuck items into the back of a van haphazardly, but it takes years of experience and a professional touch to handle furniture and pack a removals van to maximum capacity, safely and securely.  

NEED A MAN AND VAN REMOVALS COMPANY?  

Move My Stuff are a Man and Van removals company based near the Suffolk - Norfolk border. If you have an up-and-coming relocation and want an affordable removals service why not give us a call to discuss your options - 07811140064 or email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - we're always happy to help!   

PREPARING APPLIANCES FOR MOVING HOUSE - 

As moving day draws ever closer, you'll no doubt be spinning many plates (excuse the pun) and have 101 things on your to-do list. So, the prospect of preparing your furniture and appliances ready for transportation doesn't seem like a very attractive proposition. However, it is an important task and also requires a bit of forward planning to ensure a smoother relocation. 

Having your appliances such as your fridge freezer and washing machine clean and void of any water makes it easier to load the removals van and prevents us from being submerged! 

DISCONNECTING THE WASHING MACHINE

A washing machine is not one of those appliances which is going to be moved around much during its lifespan (unless you're trying to build muscle mass for a future role in removals). There are times though when these hefty pieces of kit have inevitably got to be shifted - when the machine is being replaced for a newer model or when you're moving home.   

Here's a few simple steps to go by:

1. Your machine is likely to be located in the kitchen, adjacent to the sink - so by carefully shunting the machine from side to side you'll be able to get some movement and release it from its current position, bringing it forward and exposing the pipes at the back of the appliance. Turn the power off. (Take it slowly - you don't want to overexert yourself at this early stage). 
2. Turn off the water valves - modern washing machines are cold water fill so there will only be a blue water tap to release as opposed to the dual taps (hot and cold) - turn it clockwise until you can't move it any further - WARNING: Don't force them they have a habit of breaking off due to the cold water seizing them up - apply a bit of WD40 if necessary.  
3.  Detach the hose(s) from the machine - having a bucket or washing up bowl at this stage will come in handy as you can let the residual water drain from the pipes, preventing any spillages. 
4. Disconnect the waste pipe and try to remove any excess water from it by tilting the machine back ever so slightly, you don't want any of this water to be splashing about - it's an assault on the senses! Depending on your plumbing setup your waste pipe will be either freestanding or attached directly to your sink outlet (so remember to not put anything down the sink until you've found something suitable to block it up - a bit of rag should do the trick!).  

And that's pretty much it - you're good to go! 

DEFROSTING THE FRIDGE- FREEZER 

To defrost your fridge-freezer the first thing you're going to need to do is empty its contents. This is another appliance that can be quite tricky to manoeuvre on your own, this especially goes for the American style behemoths that are becoming increasing popular - something this Lowestoft removals company can attest to, having moved and installed them on many occasions. Get either family or friends on-board to provide some much needed assistance during the preparation stage. 

Make sure you get equipped with cooler and freezer bags for any unused food and also plenty of towels for absorbing the water as it thaws out. There are various techniques you can apply to speed up the defrosting process, such as using a hairdryer to melt the ice or a window scraper to dislodge those stubborn pieces, but you're better off just letting it thaw out naturally. 

Now is a good time to give the appliance a thorough clean, making sure everything is dry before transportation. 

COOKERS

There are other appliances you're going to need to prepare too, such as your cooker. Whether its a gas or an a electric model its ideally going to need a professional touch to get it disconnected should your budget allow. There are though, plenty of step-by-step videos online should you decide to take the job on yourself. 

 

Move My Stuff are a professional Man and Van removals company based in Lowestoft, Suffolk - whose teams have moved households and the aforementioned items all over Norfolk, Suffolk and the UK. If you're looking for some friendly advice on ways to can make your relocation easier and more affordable - you can contact Mark direct on 07811140064 or email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - we're always happy to help! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAN AND VAN COMPANY LOWESTOFT - MOVE MY STUFF

As we've mentioned before in previous blog posts, moving house can be notoriously expensive. So, when you finally get to the stage of booking a removals service no-one could blame you for trying to look for a bargain and save a few extra quid. But, whilst going for the cheapest option available, might seem like the right fit, financially, there is the outside chance this might lead to a lower standard of service. 

Do you really want to run the risk of using a removals provider that strong arms your belongings with no care or worse still, doesn't show up on moving day? 

I thought not! 

WHY USE A MAN AND VAN REMOVALS SERVICE? 

One process that you won't have to worry about when booking a Man and Van service is the lengthy and inconvenient home removal survey (so you can swerve the hard sell and the obligatory sales patter!). You can simply contact Move My Stuff by phone or email to secure your moving date.  

If you're moving across Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth or Norwich, a man and van service is usually the most cost-effective option. And it's because of the smaller vehicles used. The Luton vans are easy to park in town and city locations and they're quite capable of changing direction and re-routing at last minute, so they can easily manage those narrow, treacherous country lanes should the need arise. Bobbing and weaving around any stationary vehicles poses no problem too - if they're causing any obstruction during the loading and offloading process. 

For moving properties of two bedrooms or less we charge an hourly rate, this works out much cheaper than applying a fixed rate and gives you the option (if you want) of having an active role in your move (gym will be out of the question that week!). This helps you control the costs and save a few extra notes! 

For a larger relocation (3 bed and up) we charge a day rate to give you a bit more piece of mind. You can find our transparent prices here. 

As every man and van booking comes with a two man removals team to tackle the heavy items and pack the van like Tetris pros, you'll have the perfect combination between hiring a van and having a professional removals company at your disposal. 

We don't just specialise in house removals, we also carry out office moves and can help out with any delivery or exhibition work too. 

If you have any questions about any of our services and want a Man and Van removals service with a gentlemanly twist - you can contact Mark direct on 07811140064 or email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOVE MY STUFF - LOWESTOFT'S PREMIER MAN & VAN REMOVALS SERVICE 

Moving house is a cash draining experience with your hard-earned paper disappearing off the hip and out of your bank account at an alarming rate. But when it comes to moving the contents of your home it needn't be such a whack to the wallet when you factor in a bit of careful planning and forethought. Whether you're going to bite the proverbial removals bullet and hire a van or you're looking at prospective removal companies to take on the move, the overall cost of the experience is going to come down to one thing - organisation! 

A TIME TO DECLUTTER?

If you've lived in your current property for many years chances are you have accrued a fair bit of clobber! (Or you could even be a secret hoarder - we're all guilty of it to some extent!). The prospect of doing a declutter may seem like a daunting one as you cast your eyes upon the mammoth task that lies before you. But it doesn't have to be. 

So where do you start? 

Although the process is somewhat of a painstaking one, it's a necessity if you're serious about shedding a few unwanted items which no longer serve a purpose. Think of that 1980's food mixer that never made it out of the box since it was purchased many moons ago! These things take up space and do you really want them to be carted to your new home?

By going through each and every item (yes, I know your eyelids are starting to droop!) and start grouping the stuff into piles, you can then decide what you want to donate, recycle or tip. This plan of action is going to require some fairly decisive action, so try not to overthink it and proceed at a steady pace. Create a colour coding system for boxes and bags and separate accordingly. Riveting stuff, we know, but it's a prerequisite in the decluttering process - so hang on in there! 

The same can be said for those unwanted pieces of furniture which just seem to be routinely collecting dust in certain corners of the house. We provide a furniture clearance service prior to or on the day of the move - so if this is something that needs doing we'll be more than happy to help (it won't cost as much as you think!). Items that require disposal will be done so in a responsible manner by taking them to one of the recycling stations we use such as B&B Skip Hire in Beccles. 

Removal companies will either quote your move by fixed price, by the day or on an hourly rate, so it's a complete no-brainer to rid yourself of any unwanted junk and furniture as it will have a positive impact on what your house move will cost. 

REMOVAL BOXES 

One part of the moving process which is often overlooked and left to the last minute, is packing. But we can't express enough how imperative it is to use quality packing materials to ensure a smooth and efficient removal. Getting boxes from the local shop or supermarket might be an option, and on some occasions you may be lucky enough to get your hands on some half decent boxes, but there is a chance you will be gifted with some materials that aren't quite up to scratch - this can result in spillages whilst in transit due to the wear and tear the boxes have already received. 

So, if you can't get your hands on some quality containers, head over to here where you will find removal kits of varying sizes - that few extra quid is money well spent! 

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL MAN AND VAN COMPANY 

If the thought of moving yourself fills you with a sense of dread (the physical slog isn't for everyone!) then the next thing on the agenda is to find an affordable removals service. Move My Stuff is a versatile Lowestoft removals company that covers Suffolk, Norfolk and beyond, and one that offers cost-effective Man and Van services to help keep those removal costs to a minimum. Every Man & Van booking comes with a Luton sized van (with tail lift for those extra heavy items) and a two man crew. This service is available on a hourly rate for those smaller moving jobs and a day rate for larger relocations (fixed prices for further afield are also available on request). 

If you have any questions or if you're planning your next move - Call or text Mark on 07811140064 I'll be happy to advise you of the most suitable option. You can also email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.