Packing calculator
How many boxes, how much tape, and how many hours — plus a week-by-week plan so you're not packing at midnight before the van arrives.
28
Small boxes
books, tins, heavy items
36
Medium boxes
the workhorse — most things
23
Large boxes
bedding, lampshades, light bulky items
4
Wardrobe boxes
hanging clothes
91
Total
≈ 36 hours of packing
Plus roughly 8 rolls of tape, 25m of bubble wrap, and a thick marker per packer. At a sustainable 2 hours per evening, that's 18 packing sessions — which is why the plan below starts four weeks out.
Your packing plan
4 weeks before
~19 boxesRarely-used rooms: loft, garage, shed, spare room, books, out-of-season clothes, decorations
2 weeks before
~32 boxesNon-essentials: most kitchenware, ornaments, pictures (leave walls up for viewings if selling), games, most wardrobes
1 week before
~28 boxesMost remaining items: spare bedding, towels, small appliances, half the kitchen — live simply this week
Day before
~14 boxesEverything except the essentials box: last kitchen items, bathroom, tech. Beds stay up until morning
The essentials box (pack last, unpack first)
- ☐Kettle, mugs, tea/coffee, milk
- ☐Phone chargers and an extension lead
- ☐Toilet roll, soap, hand towel
- ☐Basic tools: screwdriver, Allen keys, scissors, tape
- ☐Bedding for the first night (made-up duvet bag per bed)
- ☐Medications, glasses, contact lenses
- ☐Kids' comfort items / pet food and bowls
- ☐Cleaning spray, cloths, bin bags
- ☐Snacks and a bottle opener
- ☐Important documents folder (kept with you, not in the van)
Packing is Chapter 4. House Chapter tracks all six chapters of your move — with a checklist for each.
Start your journey freeEstimates based on typical UK household contents. Every home differs — hoarders and minimalists, adjust accordingly.