Packing service - To what extent?

[BlackAudi]

Hi sorry to post here, I didn't know which other topic to pick as I'm fairly new here....

I'm moving house next week and I've requested a packing service as I'm unable to pack everything myself and have nobody to help.

I just wondered if anyone else has had a packing service before please? To what extent did they pack? Obviously I'll sort all my documents, precious items and clothes - plus Kettle, couple of mugs & teabags and a days worth of food for us, anything we'll need for first couple of days. But what about things like freezer food, duvets, toys, bottles of bleach etc?

I guess what I'm asking, is do they pack quite literally EVERYTHING?!

Sorry if that's a daft question! My anxiety kicked in when I spoke to removal man. I probably should've asked him although he seems a man of few words!!

Thanks

From memory, the only things they didn't pack was the fridge/freezer food and flammable items like tins of gloss paint. Absolutely everything else was packed by them

Thankyou @CMOTDibbler Would it be acceptable to tape the fridge freezer's doors closed do you think?! I would take most stuff out of fridge section of course!

Thanks

I guess it may vary between firms, but my experience is they packed everything. It was such a help. They arrived the day before, made up the boxed and just went through the whole house much faster than I could have done it.

When my sister used them last, she was unpacking and found a single piece of cardboard that had been packed! It was rubbish but because they had to pack everything in the room, they did!!

Its not a service I would ever use as I'm a bit of a control freak when it comes to packing and labelling my own boxes!!

They will pack literally everything... The full nappy bin, your car keys, the kettle lid... Presuming it's a move within 1 country so no customs issues.

We pack our personal items, put everything we don't want packing in a cupboard or bathroom, and let them loose.

In 5 moves (4 international) we've had less than 10 items broken.

They've never touched the fridge freezer content, that was expected to be defrosted and empty

Ime, they will pack EVERYTHING including the window keys and the still full bin.
Never moved close enough to have any food in the freezer. I suspect they want it empty and defrosted tho so water doesn't drip over everything else in the van. You are also supposed to leave fridges and freezers for a few hours after moving.

Clothes: if ut was in a drawer, they just moved the drawers still full.
If it was all hung up, they just transferred the hangers to a box with a rail. You do need to check this one tho.

I used one of these services and as we moved with a 3 week old prem baby I hadn't had time to pack anything myself. They did literally everything! Found a used kitchen scourer packed in paper! I would use them again even if I didn't need them, it was the best thing ever!

They won't do the fridge freezer, valuables or hazardous (gas canisters, lighters, aerosol spray paint etc.) But they do everything else. If you want to take it separately, then put it all in another location in the house. I've even had them pack wet dirty laundry which was headed for a container ship for at least 4 weeks 😱 I had to unpack it myself and take with my luggage to the airport....

Check about the fridge freezer because if you arent moving very far they will just unplug at the end and move with the frozen items still in there. They won't start defrosting for a while and they just plug back in asap at the other end. Keep a box to one side with things you dont want packed such as kettle and tea/coffee and tell them not to pack it.

They will pack everything unless you tell them otherwise. Make sure you clear out all the tat you may have in draws etc it makes a big difference. Make sure you have all your important items and documents in one place, passport/keys etc. and keep that separate not to be taken by the movers

Different companies (I have used domestic and international many times) will do lists of whats in each box, some are better at this than others.

When you sign the contract withe the company they should inform you of whats ok to pack and whats not. Empty the freezer/fridge of everything then clean it, and if you still have the washing machine bolts put them back in.

Tip, have yourself a box/bag with duvet, pillows/covers, towels a toilet bag, couple tea towels, cups tea/coffee/sugar, toilet roll, wine and glasses (essential for me) and a change of clothing for everyone for the next day.

And as soon as you move in and the bed arrives, make up the bed/s straight away, then at the end of the day when your worn out you can flop to bed without finding where everything is, it makes such a difference

I remember unwrapping a little parcel and finding a handful of paper clips, elastic bands, bits of a broken plastic toy from a kinder egg and some dust.

When I moved a few months ago they asked if there was anything I wanted not packed but otherwise packed the lot. I'd emptied the fridge and freezer (to make my life easier) and I packed one box myself of bits for the night we moved in (bed sheets, baby's dummy's and pyjamas for everyone). It was brilliant, and best of all they unpacked the bed bits, some kitchen bits and uninstalled and re-installed our appliances for us. They even packed the animal cages!

Just to clarify, the animals were not in said cages. I took them in carriers.

Haha!

Thanks everyone, you've all really put my mind at rest. Only moving 2 miles away. Should I risk my beloved Emma Bridgewater teapots do you think?!

They will be fine, but if you feel better packing them and taking them separate do that

Moved, many times, used packing services for last 3 (because I had children and worked ft). Not had a thing broken.
They are a wonder to watch- like locusts stripping down a field. The most recent ones labelled everything wonderfully- I found everything within 24 hours, they were fantastic.

They packed everything- including the clean knickers I’d left out for moving day!

I put my jewellery and my craft stuff in my car, but everything else was packed.

Thankyou everyone! So glad I found Mumsnet, you have all calmed my anxiety right down and saved me an embarrassing call to the grungy man - cheers!

GRUNTY! Not grungy 🤦🏼‍♀️🤣

They packed everything, including the full and stinky nappy bin.