After 10,000+ moves since 2013, the Bros have noticed a pattern: the moves that go smoothest are the ones where people have already sorted their belongings. Less to pack, faster load times, lower quotes, and a cleaner start.
Decluttering before you move saves time, reduces your moving costs, and means you start fresh in your new home instead of filling it with things you never use.
This guide walks you through a simple 7-day decluttering plan you can fit around work and family.
There are three solid reasons to sort before you pack:
Start with paperwork and documents. Bankruptcy statements from 2015? Bills from 2018? Most documents can be safely shredded after seven years (ask your accountant about tax records specific to your situation).
Scan anything important and store digitally. Shred the rest. Papers are heavy and take up surprising amounts of box space.
Then move to bedroom drawers. Pull out anything you haven't used in a year. Be ruthless about old electronics, broken items, and hobby kit you've abandoned.
Pull out anything you haven't worn in a year. Be honest: if it doesn't fit, you feel great in it, or you'd wear it again, it goes.
Donate to a local charity shop or list on Vinted. Shoes take up real space and weight, especially if you have multiples you never wear.
Kitchens are full of gadgets you swore you'd use. The bread maker. The spiraliser. The set of mugs you got as a gift.
Keep what you actually use. Everything else is just taking up boxes and space in your moving van. Check the backs of cupboards for duplicate utensils and outdated small appliances.
If you haven't read it, watched it, or listened to it in two years, you're unlikely to start now. Be ruthless here, especially with DVDs and CDs (digital alternatives exist for most).
Donate books to your local library sale or a charity shop. Sell box sets on eBay or Vinted if they're recent.
Move to the bedroom and lounge. Under-bed storage is a magnet for things you've forgotten about. Pull it all out.
Keep only what you actually use or love. Spare bedding you never use, cushions you don't sit on, all candidates for the charity pile.
The boring places often hold the most rubbish. Cleaning supplies you never opened. Old hobbies you've abandoned. Coats that don't fit. Winter decorations you could replace for £5 next year.
Clear out cupboards under the stairs and in hallways. These spaces are valuable in your new home, don't fill them with stuff you don't want.
Walk through the entire house one more time. Open every drawer, every cupboard, every corner. You'll always find something else.
Once you're happy, sort your keepers into loose packing zones. This helps our team pack efficiently and gives you a head start.
Keep three bags or boxes handy:
Limit your 'maybe' box to one small crate. Give yourself a deadline (e.g. one week after moving) to decide. If you still haven't used it, donate it. This keeps decluttering practical without causing decision paralysis.
For packing supplies once you've sorted, grab boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and labels from our box shop. We also stock reusable plastic crates and wardrobe boxes if you prefer a sustainable option.
Print this or tick off as you go:
"After decluttering, the move felt so much lighter and quicker. The Bros were in and out in half the time we expected. Really pleased.", Sarah, Brighton
Charity shops: Oxfam, British Heart Foundation, Barnardo's, Cancer Research UK shops. Most will collect larger items if you have a lot.
Online: Vinted (clothes, shoes, books), eBay (anything collectable or valuable), Facebook Marketplace (furniture, kitchen items), Depop (fashion).
Free: Freecycle (local group, zero waste), Buy Nothing Facebook groups (your neighbourhood).
Recycling: Local tip for anything broken or unsaleable. Check your council's website for what they accept.
Once you've decluttered, get a quote from Bearded Bros. Tell us roughly how many rooms and whether you need packing help, and we'll return a fair, honest quote within a day. Call 01273 917898 or fill in our contact form and we'll get back to you straight away.
Let the Brothers do the heavy lifting.
It depends on what you're moving. If you're shifting a three-bedroom house and you remove a bedroom's worth of stuff, you could see a meaningful drop in your removal quote. Even smaller declutters help. Our team can give you an exact figure once you've sorted. Get in touch for a quote.
Yes, but it's worth doing at least some of it yourself so you know what's being kept and what's going. If you're short on time, you could sort into piles (keep, donate, recycle) and hire someone to do the collection and drop-off.
Don't pack paint tins, chemicals, petrol, or gas cylinders into a moving van. These need to be disposed of safely at your local recycling centre. Check their website for accepted items and opening times. We can't transport these items, so handle them before booking your removal.
