It is eleven at night, the truck has left, and you are standing in the new flat holding a box that says "KITCHEN STUFF". You cannot find the kettle, the phone charger or the toothbrushes, and every box looks the same. Many people spend a week living out of half-open boxes because of three missing minutes with a marker pen.
A good labelling system takes about an hour at the start and saves most of a weekend at the end.
What you need
- A thick black marker (a pen fades and smudges)
- Packing tape and a few coloured stickers or masking tape
- A notebook or phone notes for the master list
- Strong boxes of similar sizes, because they stack better
Label every box on the top and on two sides. Labels on the top alone disappear when boxes are stacked.
Give every box a number and a room
Write the number and the room together, for example "K3" for the third kitchen box, "B2" for the second bedroom box, "L5" for the fifth living room box. Use one letter per room, and keep the system the same everywhere.
If there are two bedrooms, give them different codes, such as B1 and C1, or put the name of the person on it. Decide the code on paper before anyone starts taping.
Next to the code, add one line about what is inside. "Plates and glasses, fragile" is useful. "Stuff" is not.
Keep a master list
Use a notebook or a note on your phone, one line per box:
- K1, plates, glasses, fragile
- K2, pots, pans, cooking spoons
- B1, clothes for work, shoes
- L1, books, cables, router
Take a photo of the list and send it to the person helping at the new place. If the truck is travelling to another city, this list is also the way to confirm nothing is missing when the boxes arrive. A quick count against the list takes two minutes.
Colour helps from across a room
A strip of coloured tape on each box makes sorting easier from a distance. Pick one colour per room and stick a piece of the same colour on the door frame of that room in the new home. Helpers do not need to read anything: they see yellow, they walk to the yellow door.
Make an essentials box and keep it with you
This box does not go on the truck. It travels in your own car or in your hands. Pack it last and open it first.
Put in it:
- phone chargers and a power strip
- toilet paper, soap and towels
- a kettle, a few cups, tea or coffee
- basic medicines, and any documents you need that week
- a small toolkit, a screwdriver and scissors
- a change of clothes and pyjamas
Our guide on packing fragile items for a same-day bulk move covers how to protect breakables inside the box itself.
Ready to move?
Request a truck or van on Sphere
Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.
Fragile, heavy and "open first"
Add a second marking to the box for handling:
- Fragile boxes get "FRAGILE" and an arrow showing which way is up.
- Heavy boxes get "HEAVY" and should be small, because books in a large box cannot be lifted safely.
- "OPEN FIRST" goes on the second most important box: bedding, so you can sleep.
Pack heavy items in small boxes and light items in big ones. A box that is too heavy to lift is a box that is likely to split.
Tell the driver what is coming
Drivers decide on an offer from what you describe, so give the number of boxes, the biggest furniture and any stairs. If you have forty boxes and a fridge, say so. Our guide on choosing the right truck size can help you decide between a pickup van and a truck.
If you are leaving a small flat, the checklist in moving out of a self-contain in Lagos shows what a one-van move looks like.
On the day
Number the last boxes as they are closed. At the new place, stand at the door with your list and tick each box as it comes in. Point to the room by the code. If a box is missing, you will know before the truck leaves, when it is easy to sort out.
Start unpacking with the essentials box, then the bedroom, then the kitchen. Leave the books and decorations for the following week.
How to do this on Sphere
- Open the Sphere app and choose a vehicle for the load you listed.
- Add the pickup and drop-off, and mention the number of boxes and large items.
- Describe stairs or a long carry, and tell the driver if you will be at both ends.
- Propose your price. Nearby verified drivers accept it or send counter-offers.
- Agree loading and offloading help with the driver before you accept an offer.
See house moving in Lagos for more planning.
Frequently asked questions
Should I write on the box or on a sticker?
Write on the box with a marker, and add a sticker or coloured tape for the room. Stickers can peel in heat or damp, and a marker on the cardboard will not.
How many boxes should I label with "fragile"?
Only the ones that really need it. If every box says fragile, the helpers stop paying attention, so keep it for glasses, electronics and breakable items.
Do I need a master list for a small move?
Yes, even for ten boxes. It takes a few minutes and helps you check that everything arrived.
What goes in the essentials box?
Chargers, toiletries, a kettle, cups, basic medicines, important documents and a change of clothes. It travels with you, not on the truck.
Can the driver help with packing?
Packing is your job. Agree loading and offloading help with the driver before you accept an offer, and have your boxes ready before the vehicle arrives.
Request your move
Request a truck or van on Sphere
Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.
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