How do I move on my own? WWYD

[cunntyfunt]

DH and I are due to move in 4 weeks, he's just had a residential work course confirmed, that is non negotiable, starting in 2 weeks and running for 12 weeks!

Due to complete on a Friday and will need to be all packed and ready to go by lunchtime....on my own! Budget doesn't stretch to removal company and I'm already stressing.

Friends and family will be working and only older parents possibly available. A couple of cousins gave offered their help but only after lunchtime.

I'm thinking with careful planning I could manage with a tail lift van as long as everything was downstairs. Nothing ridiculously heavy, 2beds, sofas and a wardrobe are probably the bulkiest/heaviest items to move and I'm reasonably strong/fit/healthy!

How can I do this?!

Advertise on FB for a man with a van. You can’t do it in your own. Not because you’re a woman - because lifting beds, sofa and wardrobe is a two-person job.

Do you know any older teenagers who could help out? Give them a bit of cash and buy pizza for dinner?

You need a man with a van for a couple of hours. Doesn't sound at all safe moving heavy stuff by yourself!

Look on Facebook for a man with a van

You can't do it alone either phone around for professional movers or get on Facebook and look for a Man with a Van type who can help you. Moving without professional movers sucks even when you've got two or three people helping - doing it alone would be madness!

get a professional moving company.
between the two of you, you could get most of the house things packed up in the two weeks before he goes (start with books, dvds, winter clothes etc), leaving the last few things for you to pack on your own.

You will need help to move the bigger stuff. It's not a question of brute strength, you'll need help positioning, balancing it to get it in the van. If you can move all the boxes by yourself and leave the bigger things for the afternoon when you have help you might manage it. But you will be exhausted!
Could DH ask around at work if there's anyone who could help?

Agree with pp, mattresses etc. are a two (wo)man job. Also get one of these. Don't know what it is called in English, but great for dressers, mattresses, boxes etc.

Remember if you pack books, only to cover the bottom of the box and put light stuff on top. Books are heavy. Pack all you can well in advance.

Label all boxes with the room they should be unpacked in and make a box of basic things you will need the first night/day. Kettle, mugs, tea bags, plates, etc.

All very valid points, i was going with the drag and chuck technique of loading the van but appreciate thats a bit bonkers. As long as I can get loaded up and out by lunchtime I can wait on him finishing work until I unpack at the other house.

Man with a van is a good idea....I then thought I could get help loading the bigger things on the Thursday night and just do bags/boxes on the Friday, that could be the fallback plan if I can't get anyone.

DH has now said he could ask if any of his team could help but I'd be mortified and think a stranger might be a better option. I also hate imposing on people. It's bloody typical, this training comes up so infrequently that of course it's when it doesn't really suit us.

You need to pack most of it the day before really. And I do mean in to the van.

There will be very little you're able to move before lunch realistically and you'll need energy to unload it afterwards.

A man with a van sounds like a good idea. Surely there are 3/4 friends you can rope in to help though?

A skateboard works as well as one of those wheelie things if you know someone you can borrow one from.

Davpack are good value for boxes

In this instance I think you need to consider professional movers. I know you say there is no budget but won’t be easy. If you have anyone you know who might be giving you a housewarming gift could you ask for contribution to it. Otherwise at least your OH knows the people he works with so knows how much they SD in some contexts.

If you in the UK think about current issues due to Covid 19. This is on gov.uk so for England but I presume everywhere will have guidelines.

Removal firms are advised to have teams working together as will be in close proximity. If anyone in your house or you care for is vulnerable using a firm would minimise contact with you. Will the place you are buying have been empty?

www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak#advice-to-industry

1. Moving your belongings

Removal firms are able to operate, although they may need to adjust usual procedures in order to ensure moves happen as safely as possible.

We encourage you to contact removal firms as early as possible in advance of your move.
You and your household should also try and do as much of the packing yourself as possible. However, where you are using a removals firm, you may wish to talk to them in advance to discuss packing and in particular, the arrangements for packing fragile items.
We ask that, where possible, you clean your belongings, with standard domestic cleaning products before they are handled by others, including removal firms.
Whilst the removers are in your home, you should ensure any internal doors are open and seek to minimise your contact with the crew, maintaining a distance of at least 2 metres where possible.
All parties should wash their hands and avoid touching surfaces where possible to reduce the risk of transmitting the coronavirus.
You should not provide refreshments but you should ensure they have access to hand washing facilities, using separate towels or paper towels if possible, which should be washed or disposed of safely afterwards.

It takes longer than you think to pack everything into a van.
Get a man with a van, and have everything packed and ready to go by Thursday night.
Get the van there early to start on Friday morning.

Do put out a FB request. if you say why, and ask if anyone is free, you can afford xx amount per person for the day, you may well get a couple of teens who want to earn money and help. ds is 17, and 6'3" and works out. He would be perfect for this, and would be willing to earn money for the day.
People actually really don't mind helping out when it is genuine and the person asking rarely asks.