Packing and Boxes

Packing and Boxes in Soho – Man With a Van Soho

At Man With a Van Soho, our dedicated Packing and Boxes service is designed to make your move smoother, safer and far less stressful. As a local, experienced removals company, we provide sturdy materials and careful packing carried out by trained, professional teams who treat your belongings as if they were their own.

What Our Packing and Boxes Service Includes

Our service can be booked on its own or alongside our full removals. We supply and, if required, professionally pack with:

• Double-walled moving boxes in a range of sizes
• Wardrobe cartons for hanging clothes
• Book boxes for heavier items
• TV and picture cartons
• Bubble wrap, packing paper and furniture blankets
• Mattress covers and sofa protection
• Tape, labels and floor protection

We offer three main variations of the service:

• Full packing service – we pack your entire property, ready for loading.
• Fragile-only packing – we focus on breakables such as glassware, china, artwork and tech.
• Boxes and materials only – we deliver professional-grade boxes and supplies for you to pack yourself.

Local Packing Expertise in Soho

Working daily in Soho and central London, we understand the challenges of tight staircases, small lifts, narrow streets and restrictive loading bays. Our team plans packing with these constraints in mind, choosing box sizes and packing methods that are safe to carry up and down stairs, through communal areas and in and out of basement or loft spaces.

Because we know the area well, we can schedule packing visits around local traffic and access restrictions, helping to keep your overall move on time and well organised.

Who Our Packing and Boxes Service Is For

Homeowners

Ideal if you are moving from a house or larger flat and want everything boxed properly to protect furniture, collections, artwork and family items. We can manage full-house packing over one or more days, depending on the size of the property.

Renters

If you are in a rented flat or house in Soho, efficient packing helps avoid damage to walls and fixtures when moving out. We provide neat, clearly labelled boxes that make check-out and cleaning much easier.

Landlords

We assist landlords with end-of-tenancy packing and box supply when properties need to be cleared or part-cleared between tenancies. Items can be packed for storage, disposal or transfer to another property.

Businesses

Our office packing service covers files, IT equipment, stock, marketing materials and more. We use systematic labelling so everything is easy to locate at the new premises, keeping downtime to a minimum.

Students

Students in and around Soho benefit from compact, affordable student packing options. We supply smaller boxes suitable for halls of residence and shared houses, and can pack only what you need to take home or into storage.

What We Can and Cannot Pack

Items We Typically Pack

• Clothing, books, CDs, records and personal belongings
• Kitchenware, glassware, crockery and small appliances
• TVs, computers, consoles and other tech (with added protection)
• Pictures, mirrors and decorative items
• Bedding, towels and soft furnishings
• Office files, paperwork and standard office equipment

Items We Cannot or Will Not Pack

For safety, insurance and legal reasons, we generally cannot pack:

• Hazardous materials (paints, solvents, gas cylinders, fuel, chemicals)
• Open food, perishable goods and leaking liquids
• Live plants for long-distance moves where conditions may be unsuitable
• Cash, jewellery, important documents and other high-value personal items (we advise you to keep these with you)
• Illegal or prohibited items

If you are unsure about a particular item, we will advise you during the survey stage.

How Our Packing and Boxes Process Works

1. Enquiry & Quote

You contact us with basic details: property size, location in Soho, move date and whether you want full, partial or materials-only packing. We provide a clear, no-obligation estimate and outline what is and is not included.

2. Survey (Virtual or Onsite)

For anything more than a small flat or simple student move, we recommend a short survey, either via video call or in person. This lets us assess the volume of items, access points and any fragile or unusual pieces that need special packing.

3. Packing & Preparation

On the scheduled day, our trained packers arrive with all necessary materials. We systematically work room by room, carefully wrapping breakables and packing boxes so they are safe to stack and easy to carry. Boxes are clearly labelled with contents and destination room, which makes unpacking far simpler.

4. Loading & Transport (If Combined with Removals)

If you have booked us for the full move, our removals team then loads the packed boxes onto our vehicles, using appropriate lifting techniques and protection. Our goods in transit insurance covers your belongings while they are being transported.

5. Unloading & Placement

At the destination, we unload boxes into the correct rooms, following the labelling. If you have also booked an unpacking service, we will place items on surfaces and worktops or in cupboards as agreed, and remove used packing materials for recycling where possible.

Transparent Pricing for Packing and Boxes

We believe in straightforward, transparent pricing with no hidden extras. Costs are based on:

• The volume of items to be packed
• The level of service (full, fragile-only, or boxes only)
• The number of packers required and time on site
• Any specialist packing materials for unusual or high-value items

Box and material-only orders are priced per box and per item (tape, wrap, covers), with volume discounts for larger moves or office relocations. We always confirm rates in writing before you commit, and we are happy to explain exactly how your price has been calculated.

Why Use Professional Packers Instead of Doing It Yourself?

While many people consider packing themselves, there are clear advantages to using a professional service:

• Items are packed to industry standards, reducing the risk of damage.
• We use purpose-made boxes that stack correctly and protect contents.
• Packing time is significantly reduced; what might take you days can often be done in one visit.
• Our team knows how to handle fragile, bulky and awkward items safely.
• Professional packing supports your insurance cover if a claim is ever needed.

By contrast, DIY or informal man-and-van options may rely on second-hand boxes and improvised packing, which can compromise both safety and insurance protection.

Insurance and Professional Standards

Man With a Van Soho operates to clear, professional standards and maintains appropriate insurance to protect you and your belongings:

• Goods in transit insurance – covers your items while they are being transported in our vehicles, when you use our removals service.
• Public liability cover – protection in the unlikely event of accidental damage to property while we are working on site.
• Trained moving teams – our staff receive practical training in safe lifting, packing techniques and protection of property.

We are happy to provide details of cover on request and explain how it applies to your specific move and packing requirements.

Care, Protection and Sustainability

We take care not only of your belongings, but also of your property and the environment. During packing we protect floors, bannisters and doorways where needed. Boxes are filled so that weight is manageable and contents are cushioned properly to avoid crushing or breakage.

Where possible, we reuse and recycle materials such as cardboard boxes and paper. We encourage clients to return usable boxes after their move, and we are steadily increasing the proportion of recyclable or reusable materials in our packing kits. Our vehicles are scheduled efficiently to reduce unnecessary journeys in and out of Soho.

Real-World Uses of Our Packing and Boxes Service

Moving House

For homeowners and families, we handle everything from fragile glassware to children’s toys and wardrobes. A full packing service can significantly cut down the disruption leading up to moving day.

Office Relocations

Businesses rely on us to pack files in sequence, protect IT equipment and keep labelled boxes organised so that operations can restart quickly at the new address.

Urgent and Short-Notice Moves

If you need to move quickly, professional packing is often the only realistic way to be ready in time. We can deploy additional packers where availability allows, to pack and prepare your property at short notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does your packing and boxes service cost?

Costs depend on the size of your property, how much needs packing and the level of service you choose. A small Soho flat with a fragile-only pack will be cheaper than a full-house pack for a larger home. We price materials separately from labour so you can see exactly what you are paying for. After a brief discussion or survey, we provide a written quote with no obligation. There are no hidden extras; any additional charges, such as specialist crate hire, are always discussed in advance.

Can you offer same-day or urgent packing?

Where our schedule allows, we can provide same-day or very short-notice packing in Soho, particularly for smaller properties or student moves. Availability depends on how many packers and vehicles are already committed, so it is best to call us as early as possible if time is tight. In urgent situations we may focus first on key areas such as the kitchen, fragile items and essential belongings, then return to complete the remaining packing if needed. We will always be honest about what we can realistically achieve within your timeframe.

Are my belongings insured while you pack and move them?

Yes. While we are working in your property, our public liability cover protects against accidental damage to the building or fixtures. When your packed items are transported in our vehicles as part of a removals booking, they are covered by our goods in transit insurance, subject to policy terms and conditions. We will explain how insurance applies to specific items, particularly high-value or unusual pieces, during the survey. You may also wish to inform your own home insurer that you are moving, as some policies offer additional cover during relocation.

What is included in your packing and boxes service?

As standard, we supply professional-grade boxes and packing materials, and our team will pack the agreed contents of your property, room by room. We wrap fragile items, seal and label boxes, and prepare everything so it is ready for safe loading. If you have also booked removals, the same team usually coordinates with our movers to ensure a smooth handover. Optional extras include unpacking at your destination and removal of used materials. We will always confirm in writing exactly what is, and is not, included before you book.

How is your service different from a basic man-and-van?

A casual man-and-van service typically offers transport only, with limited packing materials and no formal training or structured packing process. By contrast, we provide professional packing carried out by trained staff using purpose-made boxes and protective materials. Our work is backed by appropriate insurance, clear booking terms and a planned process from survey through to completion. This reduces the risk of damage, makes loading safer and more efficient, and gives you much better visibility of where everything is packed. For most people, this level of care and organisation more than justifies the difference in cost.

How far in advance should I book packing?

For the best choice of dates, we recommend booking packing at least two weeks before your move, particularly if you are moving at the end of the month or during busy periods. This allows us to schedule enough packers and ensure all materials are reserved for you. However, we appreciate that moves are not always predictable, and we will always try to accommodate shorter notice where possible. Once booked, we confirm your packing date and approximate start time so you can plan around our visit.