Tips for moving

[DiamondBright]

I'd be grateful for your top tips for getting ready to move, my timeline is roughly that I have two months to do some decluttering and then we'll be decorating some rooms (just painting) and then putting the house straight on the market.

I'm not experienced at moving and I have some health issues which effect my mobility so I want to be organised, I won't be able to cope with any last minute crazy packing on top of working full time. I just need to make a start.

I was thinking about clearing as much as possible out of the shed, and then using it as storage space so I can clear out the loft, I'll need to pay someone to help me clear the loft and it'll create the most dust and mess, so I want to start there. The shed is dry and secure. I thought I'd order some packing boxes and pack as I go.

Thankfully the house isn't very cluttered, but I do have lots of things like kitchen stuff and just stuff in the loft that needs sorting through like Christmas decorations and boxes of books and toys. I've been trying to cull things like bedding, you just accumulate a lot of stuff.

I’d budget a couple of grand for a full packaging and moving service. It’s amazing! They move everything. (Also get a skip a couple of weeks before)

Massive Declutter, store what you can't part with, clean clean clean and get packers.
Before they come, pack up essentials - change of clothes, toiletries, kettle and some cutlery and dinnerware. If you have kids their school books and uniforms. You want to be able to get through the first day or so without scrambling to find that essential bit of kit or medication.

If you can't afford a packing and moving service (which is what I fully intend to do, next time I move!), then my best advice would be actually start packing BEFORE you actually need to start. At least 2 weeks before, if possible. If you know you're moving in 3 weeks, start packing at the 5 week mark. Start with the non-essentials, such as out-of-season clothes, and books. Also get more boxes than you think you'll need. Think you'll need 20? Get 30.

Also, start decluttering NOW.

I try and do a whole-house, intensive declutter every 4 to 5 years, and it's incredibly therapeutic and freeing. Last time I did it, I got rid of 19 binbags of stuff, and I haven't missed a single bit of it.

Phrased that badly. If you know you're moving on X date, and think it'll take you 3 weeks to pack. Start packing with 5 weeks to go.

I was thinking if I go through the house now and make sure every cupboard and drawer only has things that we'll be taking with us then packing will be easier, and I'll then start packaging as soon as the house sells.

I'll definitely be getting movers but not sure I want to pay for packing, especially as DP is also selling his house (already on the market) so we have two houses to pack and move (and will need some storage for some of his stuff if timelines don't align and he has to move in with me for a bit.

Don't forget to order packing materials , rolls of bubble wrap or sheets of paper , order more than you think you'll need ( packing paper is great for amusing the kids for drawing , noughts and crosses) .

Absolutely have the moving company do the packing. Best money ever spent. Would never move again without that sevice.

Absolutely recommend the packing service if your budget stretches. Completely worth it!

OK, thanks I'll get some quotes.

Decluttering as much as you possibly can is a really good idea, and makes it easier for viewings too if there's not lots of stuff everywhere.

I took Mumsnet advice and had the packing service from my movers last time. It was only £300-400 more than the quotes just for moving without the packing service and it was an absolute game changer and made everything less stressful. We just put overnight bags, bedding and essential stuff (kettle, mugs, a bit of food and drink, loo roll, toolbox etc) in our cars the night before and they came in the morning to pack, I literally walked out the house with my handbag and they did it all.

Honestly if you can afford it the packing service is so worth it. We decluttered and brought stuff down from the loft but that was all, they came in the day before and boxed everything up, moving day we sat around while they loaded the vans, packed any last minute bits like the plates and cutlery they'd left out for us. They also did the shed, it was so easy!

You are so far off packing right now, forget about it until the house sells. Definitely get quotes for packing and moving tho. It truly is a game changer, and sounds like it is something you would really benifit from.

But you do need to declutter. It is insane how decluttered the house needs to be for viewings, so the more space you can make now, the easier it will be to hide the shampoo, the kettle, the cat bed for viewings.......

Good luck

Get the movers to quote with and without a packing service before you make a decision. We found the packing cost hardly any extra on top of the removal cost, especially as it includes the cost of all the packing materials.

Other than that, get EAs round to value sooner rather than later if you haven't had your house valued yet. We had planned to redecorate some rooms before going on the market, but three EAs all said don't bother as buyers expect to repaint when they move in.

Sorry, can't resist. This is from Viz comic years ago.

If you have a goldfish put the bowl in the freezer overnight. This will prevent the water shopping everywhere.

I've had some building work done and have some bare plaster in a couple of rooms, so it definitely needs painting, I wouldn't bother otherwise. I'm only having the bare minimum done because I have to pay someone to do it.