An inventory turns vague “two-bedroom home” estimates into something you can measure and update.
Number every box
Use a unique number plus room name. Keep the detailed contents in a separate list rather than writing valuables on the outside of a carton.
List furniture individually
Record major furniture pieces, appliances and unusually heavy or fragile items. Note which pieces will be dismantled.
Track volume and handling notes
Add approximate dimensions for large items and flags such as “two-person lift”, “fragile”, “keep upright” or “first off truck”.
Try these quantities in the Moving Box Calculator, then adjust them to your inventory.
Worked planning example
Make a list of 30 packed boxes, 4 large furniture items and 2 appliances. In average-box mode their raw estimate is 30 × 0.085 + 4 × 1.05 + 2 × 0.65 = 8.05 m³. At 15% allowance it becomes 9.26 m³. Mark the four large pieces as measured or estimated so later changes are traceable.
Common mistakes
- Counting a boxed object once as a box and again as furniture.
- Leaving out sheds and outdoor possessions.
- Keeping no distinction between moving, donating and disposing.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What should one inventory row record?
An item or grouped carton count, destination, packed dimensions where useful and any access or handling constraint.
Can the website retain my detailed inventory?
The shared plan stores calculated box quantities, total volume and material quantities locally. It is not a room-by-room inventory database.
When should I update the inventory?
After decluttering and again after trial packing or disassembly, when box counts and packed dimensions are better known.