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Published: 15 July 2022

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How Many Boxes to Move House?

Box clever when it comes to packing!

So the search is over and you’ve found your dream home to move into. That’s brilliant news, it really is. The next chapter of your life can begin.

But wait. You’ve actually got to do the moving bit now and that can often be as daunting as finding a new home in the first place.

If you’ve been in your current home for many years, brought your family up in it, then you’ll know you’ve probably got hundreds, perhaps thousands, of things hanging about the place.

From treasured trinkets, family photos, pictures and paintings to cutlery, pots, pans and plates, you’ve got a lot of things to transport to your new home.

So, how many boxes do you need to move house? This is exactly the sort of question the team at Warren Powell-Richards get asked all the time! Of course you need an idea of how many boxes to order or collect from people who have them going spare.

First off, it really does depend on what you’re taking with you. Are you really going to take everything lock, stock and barrel, or can you make a priority packing list?

Isn’t it actually a good opportunity to throw out some knick knacks, gift some ornaments, make a few pounds from selling things, or donate to a charity shop?

Seriously, think about it. Not only will you declutter, you could make some money and save on buying as many boxes.

So once you’ve decluttered, you’re ready to pack away your belongings.

How many boxes now?

Well, if you Google this, you’ll see that the word average is used a lot. There is of course the problem in that what does average actually mean? Are you below or above average? How would you know?

But, we have to start somewhere and average is a really good rule of thumb (although you have to use your common sense if you think you’re below or above).

According to the Removal Reviews website, a family of three or four people “with an average amount of possessions” will need around 10 small boxes, 10 medium boxes, and five large boxes.

Meanwhile, a family of four might in a three-bed might need 15 small boxes, 10 medium boxes and 10 large boxes.

There are however a lot of packaging websites that will help you calculate how many boxes you need, and they will also show you that there are different shaped boxes too.

We’ve seen boxes designed to act as wardrobes, or boxes that help with documents. Only you will know if you need specialist boxes.

Don’t forget too, that you will also need to factor in packaging materials. Bubble wrap, tape, string, that sort of thing.

Top Tip: You can save money here by using bed linen or clothes to wrap some items. Newspapers can also be used to fill any spaces in boxes.

Pack from the top down

We suggest it’s best to choose one room and target that for packing everything first, before then moving to a different room. It helps with organisation and should keep any mess to a minimum. You should also start at the top of the house, in the attic if you have one.

Pack heavy items in small boxes

Another tip is that heavy items such as books should be in smaller boxes – they’ll be easier to handle and the boxes will be stronger. If you fill a large box with a lot of heavy items, you could be storing up trouble.

Start your packing in good time

One of the key things you must think about is time. Packing things up can take more time than you anticipate. Not only because you might have a lot of things, but because the chances are you’ll be thinking about the memories those things bring back, remembering holidays and parties and get-togethers. You must be focused, or at least know that’s what you’re like and factor it into your planning.

Use a professional removal service

Don’t forget, there is another way. A lot of removal companies will do the packing for you. They can either visit your home beforehand to do a survey, or they can do video surveys so they don’t have to travel and come into your property first. They’ll give you an estimate of how many boxes you need to move home, and if it is a service they offer, they can do the packing for you.

If you need some advice, please don’t hesitate to call out team at Warren Powell-Richards or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will be delighted to offer our words of wisdom.

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Published: 12 July 2022

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A Glimpse into the UK’s Most Expensive Homes! Take a Look at These Beauties

Have you ever wondered how the homes of the rich and famous look? Most of us enjoy a little bit of property porn and these houses are packed with all the luxuries that the super-wealthy enjoy, including gyms, swimming pools and dedicated treatment spaces.

Here are five of the most expensive properties currently on the market in the UK.

12 Bedroom Mayfair Mansion

Sitting at a whopping £54,000,000, this 12-bedroom mansion in the heart of Mayfair encompasses pure wealth and luxury.

This remarkable home is spread over six spectacular floors. The property boasts both a family and a ‘dirty’ kitchen and multiple reception rooms. The home also has 12 large bedrooms and a magnificent rooftop terrace, which will struggle to be beaten anywhere in the capital.

However, the true pièce de resistance is the basement, as this property is home to Mayfair’s largest private swimming pool.

This home provides a true oasis, in perhaps one of the busiest areas in the entire country.

Pure Luxury on the South Coast

In the southeast, £7,000,000 will afford one lucky owner this stunning home.

Sitting just west of Exeter is a magnificent, 14^th-century property that has been painstakingly restored over the past decade.

The centrepiece of this home is unlike anything you will find in any other residential property in the country. This home centres around a grand library, whose shelves are lined with over 22,000 books. This library is surrounded by 10 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and 6 reception rooms.

This incredible property is aimed at a multigenerational household. The home has also been used as a wedding venue, and a backdrop to many dazzling photoshoots.

Nevertheless, the true magnificence of this property lies in its beautiful grounds. The home is enveloped by parklands, woodlands and even a private river. Sitting just to the east of the property is a full-sized tennis court, perfect for friendly games. 

An Opulent Cotswolds Escape

This 7 bedroom Cotswolds mansion provides the ultimate country sanctuary.

The house sits behind a generous gravel driveway which gives a first impression of the home that one would expect from a property worth £6,000,000.

Whilst the home itself is stunning; the highlight is the 10 acres of superb grounds that surround the house. While exploring the gardens, visitors will be drawn to the centrally located, wisteria-covered archway. Head through the archway, and guests will be amazed to discover a fully heated outdoor swimming pool.

As any multimillion-pound home should, the property comes with two additional buildings. One is presently used as an office, and the other provides the current owners with a significant and lucrative rental income. 

7 Floors on London’s Most Prestigious Road

This home is 7 floors of pure luxury, with views that are unrivalled across the whole of the city.

Sitting on one of the most lusted after streets in London, which is popular with the world’s most wealthy. Unsurprisingly, this property is currently listed for £27,000,000.

The artwork, décor and furnishings throughout the whole home exude extravagance, working hard to balance the classic features with a modern twist.

Interestingly, one of the six living rooms sits on the very top floor, offering fantastic views and the ideal place to entertain guests in the city. With over 9000 square feet of indulgence, this home is a prime example of where the richest in the world enjoy spending their time.

This property is on the doorstep of the worlds best shopping and fine dining, meaning the new owner will not struggle to enjoy spending their money in the local area.

An Essex Stately Home

This fourteen bedroom stately home in Essex is precisely what many dream of in a countryside escape.

Valued at just under £9,000,000, this colossal home even comes with planning permission to extend the already massive property. 

This country retreat comprises four separate buildings, and the planning permission mentioned, grants the new owners the ability to join the homes together, creating a complete Georgian empire.

While the décor might not be up to the modern tastes of the new millionaire buyer, the home comes complete with 12 bathrooms and a gymnasium. With a little love and attention, the new owner will be able to catapult this mansion into the 21^st century relatively easily.

The property is also completely gated and secure, with each building having two separate driveways. Not only is this the perfect home for those who are super-rich, but those who value their privacy and safety to the utmost degree.

Looking to buy or sell? While we can’t offer you a millionaire pad, we have a fantastic selection of homes available in the area.

Warren Powell-Richards are your local property experts. Call us or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to chat with a member of our friendly and experienced team.

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Published: 08 July 2022

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Common Mistakes That Can Reduce the Value of Your Property

Selling your home is a huge undertaking, so of course, you want to make the right decisions to achieve the proper resale value for it. Some of the decisions surrounding resale value are more involved than the basic preparation you do when placing your home on the market and of course, these specific decisions can be made months or years before you actually consider selling your home, so you may not even think about it until it’s too late and the value of your home has plummeted. 

So, if you’re considering selling your home anytime soon, it’s time to start thinking about your property through the eyes of potential buyers. As property experts, here at Warren Powell-Richards we know all too well the common mistakes you may make that can reduce the value of your home. But we also know how to remedy them.

Setting the price unrealistically high

Everyone would like to think their home is worth more than their neighbours’ home, especially after finishing a renovation or upgrade of some kind. However, the truth is that your home is really only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. You have to be realistic about the value of your home when setting your price. If you set your price at an unrealistically high number, it could sit on the market for months without selling. The longer a property is on the market unsold, the more unattractive it becomes to potential buyers. You may inevitably end up slashing the price to meet expectations, which may make potential buyers question why the price has been reduced so much. It’s a position you don’t really want to put yourself in, so getting a realistic valuation from the start is important. 

At Warren Powell-Richards, our experienced valuers will always provide you with an honest market appraisal to ensure your property attracts interest.

Not deep cleaning your home before viewings

Nobody wants to view a home that is dirty for two main reasons: one, it’s definitely not appealing, and two, it invariably means that the new homeowner will eventually need to spend time, money and effort cleaning it themselves. Major issues like carpet stains and grubby or mouldy tile grout can leave a poor impression on potential buyers when they view your home. In terms of carpet stains, you may be used to ignoring them every day but an interested buyer will notice them immediately. If an offer is forthcoming, your buyer may then look to negotiate on the asking price to cover the cost of replacing the carpet or having it professionally cleaned before moving in.

In terms of tile grout, ignoring it is detrimental to the sale of your home. It’s one of the most tedious chores, yes, but leaving dirt along your tile grout can create permanent discolouration, ruining the look of your tiles forever. Even worse, if the area is humid, mould and mildew can build up and can become a major problem. 

When it comes to cleaning, being proactive is the best course of action. Make sure you regularly clean your home and deal with any spills before they set, which makes them much more difficult to remove later on. 

Not properly maintaining your home

Taking care of the mechanics of your home is important, especially when it comes to your plumbing and heating. These are directly related to your monthly utilities and can be costly to repair when a big problem arises. Sometimes these issues are unavoidable, but with the right maintenance and care in the long term, smaller problems can be taken care of with plenty of time before they get worse. Potential buyers are likely to ask questions about the state of the plumbing and heating and will be less likely to want to offer on a home that has a history of high utility bills or will need major repairs in the near future. 

Not updating decor

Old, outdated design trends will make your home look dated, which can lower the value of your home simply because potential buyers know they will need to spend money to update the decor once they move in. Wood panelling is a major culprit in this regard, even if it’s restricted to small areas. Viewers will be a little more inclined to offer on your property if the decor is modern and fresh.

Letting personal taste get involved

When showing your home to potential buyers, you’re trying to get them to imagine their new life in their new home, so having your personal taste right in front of their noses can make this difficult for them. Brightly painted walls in colours that are unusual, having too much wallpaper, or having unique or over the top design elements throughout your home is a major turn off. It just means more work once the new owners move in as they try and get the property back to a neutral state. Before putting your home on the market try and make it look as neutral as possible so it can appeal to a wider number of people. Painting the walls and stripping wallpaper is a good start!

For no-obligation advice on buying or selling a home please contact our expert property team at Warren Powell-Richards or call in and see us. We look forward to seeing you.

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Published: 05 July 2022

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4 Simple Home Staging Tips That Can Help Sell Your Flat Quickly

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make a big difference when you’re selling a flat. While it’s easy to spend a fortune staging your home for viewings, you don’t have to splash the cash to freshen up your space.

By maximising the assets your apartment already has and doing a few simple things to spruce up the overall appearance, you can make your home look more attractive to buyers and be on the right track to getting a quicker sale.

In this article, we’ll share our best home staging tips for apartments that can help you sell your flat quickly.

1.  Declutter

One of the best things you can do to stage your flat for a quick sale is to declutter. A messy flat can easily make the space appear smaller than it is.

Before viewings, minimise your belongings and put things away in cupboards to maximise your floor space and show off shelving areas.

Remember, it’s best to depersonalise as much as you can, but never make your flat feel empty. Buyers want to see open space, but too much emptiness can have a negative impact and make your home look cold.

Strike a good balance and stick to decluttering the clutter, not everything.

2.  Accentuate Natural Light

Natural light is one of the best features a home can have. If you have many windows in your flat, accentuate the natural light as best you can.

When viewings are booked in, make sure your window ledges are clear and your blinds/curtains are opened all the way. If you have time, give your windows a quick clean, too.

These changes may be small, but they can make a huge difference in how bright your apartment feels.

3.  Wash Rugs & Upholstery

Sometimes, it’s the little things that make a big difference! If you want to make your apartment look brighter, give your rugs, upholstery and sofa cushions a clean.

You may not notice it yourself, but these items can become dirty over time. With a quick wash of the essentials, you can make your space look fresher and cleaner. Plus, your apartment will smell fab when buyers walk in!

4.  Refresh Walls

Your apartment walls are likely one of the first things buyers will notice. With a bright, neutral colour, your flat can easily appear bigger and cleaner.

To stage your apartment for a quicker sale, giving it a fresh coat of paint can go a long way. However, we know not everyone can spare the cash or the time to paint.

Instead, you can simply wipe walls down with a magic eraser. With just a quick spruce, dirt and blemishes can disappear entirely.

Need Help Selling?

If you’re selling your apartment, we’d love to talk! Warren Powell-Richards are your local property experts. Our friendly team are happy to arrange a valuation of your flat and provide personalised home staging tips.

Give us a call today or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about our services and how we can help.