Packing for a House Move: The Motus 10-Day Plan
By Motus Rentals Team · 2026-06-27 · 5 min read
The exact 10-day packing schedule our crews recommend to customers — so your move day is calm, not chaos.
Start 10 Days Out, Not 10 Hours Out
The #1 reason moves overrun is last-minute packing. Follow this 10-day plan and move day becomes almost boring — which is exactly what you want.
Day 10–8: Materials & Purge
- Order: 40 medium boxes, 20 large boxes, 5 wardrobe boxes, 2 rolls of bubble wrap, 3 rolls of packing tape, permanent markers. Motus supplies these free with every full removal.
- Purge: Charity shop, tip run, sell on Facebook Marketplace. You'll thank yourself.
Day 7–5: Non-Essentials
Books, decorations, out-of-season clothes, spare bedding, garage & loft. Label every box with room + contents on the side, not the top.
Day 4–3: Kitchen (Non-Daily)
Wrap glasses in socks (saves bubble wrap). Plates go vertically like records — they're stronger that way. Keep one mug and one plate per person out.
Day 2: Wardrobes & Bedrooms
Use wardrobe boxes — clothes stay on hangers and go straight into your new wardrobe. Roll shoes into pillowcases.
Day 1: Essentials Box
Pack one box per person with: phone charger, meds, toothbrush, one outfit, chargers, PJs, laptop, snacks, dog food. This box travels with you, not the van.
Move Day
- Strip beds, box bedding.
- Fridge/freezer: defrosted the night before.
- Final walk-through: cupboards, loft, garden shed.
- Meter readings + photos.
Fragile Handling — The 3 Rules
1. No empty space in a box — fill with towels, socks or paper. 2. Heavy on the bottom, light on top — always. 3. Mark it clearly — a red X on the top and two sides.
Book Your Move
[Get your instant quote →](/moves) or call 0333 054 0441.