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Original poster

Would I be mad to try and pack up our house myself?

90 replies

plipplops · 10/02/2023 17:03

We're moving in 2 weeks (just exchanged contracts), completing on a Thursday. Previously we've always had the removal people pack everything up for us and it's pretty effortless.

For complicated reasons, the removal co will now need to pack up our stuff maybe on the Monday/Tuesday into boxes, then we'll move on the Thursday.

If it's going to be a 3/4 days of disruption, rather than them sweep in Wednesday and pack us up to move Thursday, should I just take a couple of days (Tue/Wed) and do it myself? Would save maybe £550 which we can afford but money is a bit tight.

4 bed semi, 2 teenagers, reasonable amount of stuff but not bonkers? Autistic DD who is going to struggle with the move in any case, so I'm half wondering whether us doing it rather than having strangers in the house might be better.

Would really appreciate any thoughts....Thanks!

OP posts:
antipodeancanary · 10/02/2023 17:06

Most people do their own packaging surely? I've helped many people move and I've never known anyone to have professional packers. Normal middle class families.

Coffeellama · 10/02/2023 17:08

Why would it be mad? Packing your own stuff is the norm, sure plenty of people have the luxury of getting someone else to do it for them too, but most people pack their own house. Go for it.

MummyDummyNow · 10/02/2023 17:08

We've always packed everything ourselves even when the kids were tiny, as have all our friends.

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gogohmm · 10/02/2023 17:09

I've only ever moved myself, packed up, hired a self drive van or man &van and had friends help. We moved a 3 bed house just the 2 of us 2 years ago

Janek · 10/02/2023 17:11

I honestly wouldn't. We had packers, but chose not to pay the extra £100 for them to pack the loft. I honestly cannot think why. That £100 must have been a MASSIVE underquote and it was such difficult awkward work (and made the movers job more difficult when they came to move us).

We were packed on Saturday and moved on Monday, yes it was a PITA to have boxes everywhere for the weekend, but my overriding memory is that they did everything and all we had to do was unpack once we got there. I would definitely, definitely get them to pack for you!

Forestdweller11 · 10/02/2023 17:12

Have you got all the boxes, tape, labels etc so that you can do it. What is your energy levels like?

Prometheus · 10/02/2023 17:13

I’ve only ever packed myself - wouldn’t want a stranger going through all my stuff. It’s also a great chance to have a clear out.

20viona · 10/02/2023 17:13

Most people do their own packing this is not something unheard of. In fact Iv never known anyone pay for people to pack their stuff.

Flowerfairy101 · 10/02/2023 17:14

I did mine all myself, 3 bed with a toddler and me and DP. I did start pretty much the minute offer accepted though. It's definitely doable.

mynameiscalypso · 10/02/2023 17:14

I would never ever pack myself - packers are so much more efficient and effective for not much more money. I don't think it's a big deal if they pack a few days before you move; it's been quite usual for people recently. We had a couple of days and we just packed a suitcase and lived out of that.

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 10/02/2023 17:14

It’s not mad its normal.

Never done it any other way, always just us and rent a van. Even big houses stuffed full over five floors and with babies and toddlers helping. Taking apart all the beds and wardrobes to carry them piece by piece where possible, stacking the entire contents of the house on the lawn under a tarp ready for the van, manoeuvring king size mattresses and silly long sofas round tight stairs and turns. Took a window out once. PIVOT!

TheChosenTwo · 10/02/2023 17:15

I’d get the packers in, I’d never move without them again. Take the dc out somewhere and then turn up at your new house with everything there. No living with boxes and no need for your dd to be in her home with strangers there at the same time.
money well spent and when we move again I’ll be doing the same as we did before.

AppleKatie · 10/02/2023 17:17

I’ve done it both ways and if the money is there I would choose packers every time.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 10/02/2023 17:17

I don't think you can do it in two weeks starting from scratch. Well maybe you can but it will be hard.

rizzo999 · 10/02/2023 17:19

I'm sure it would be perfectly doable. I packed up a three bed house on my own (single parent, 2 DC), loaded and drove the van and unpacked it the other side with just a couple of mates to help lift stuff. Was completely unpacked and settled by the end of the day after.

The truck is to pack systematically, label everything clearly and start packing stuff you don't need asap so it's not a rush if possible.

Coffeellama · 10/02/2023 17:19

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 10/02/2023 17:17

I don't think you can do it in two weeks starting from scratch. Well maybe you can but it will be hard.

Of course she can, don’t be daft! Yes it’s a lot of effort but it’s clearly more than doable in 2 weeks.

UserNameSameGame · 10/02/2023 17:19

So if you have packers do you literally just leave them to it? Surely there must be a bunch of stuff you have to do yourself? Or can you literally just make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are empty, walk away, and find everything all boxed up and ready to unpack at your new house?

VintageVest · 10/02/2023 17:23

How much does it cost to get someone to do all the packing and moving for you?

Chiasmi · 10/02/2023 17:26

A professional packer did our house in a day so obviously it is possible, but when we've done it ourselves it's taken days.

If you DIY just be really disciplined and pack fast and mechanically, like you're up against the clock. But personally I would start well before the Monday if you are doing it yourself. Moving house is so expensive and stressful. For me getting packers in is the best bang for your buck in making it less awful.

AppleKatie · 10/02/2023 17:30

So if you have packers do you literally just leave them to it? Surely there must be a bunch of stuff you have to do yourself? Or can you literally just make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are empty, walk away, and find everything all boxed up and ready to unpack at your new house?

yup you can literally just let them and and they do it ALL.

Tact and decency means I do a suitcase for each family member first including what we will need for a few days til the move/the first day or so + important ID and documents and any ahem personal items I don’t want someone else packing.

everything else they will do including dismantling furniture if required and taking pictures off the walls etc…

Chiasmi · 10/02/2023 17:30

UserNameSameGame · 10/02/2023 17:19

So if you have packers do you literally just leave them to it? Surely there must be a bunch of stuff you have to do yourself? Or can you literally just make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are empty, walk away, and find everything all boxed up and ready to unpack at your new house?

Almost literally this. You just pack anything you're going to take with you rather than putting in the van. So a bag of clothes, maybe paperwork, box with kettle and teabags. Tins of paint. Your job on the day is to direct the movers as needed and (the big one) make sure it's left clean.

RobertsRadio · 10/02/2023 17:31

I've moved several times and always packed myself apart from once and that time 10 mins into packing up and one of the packers broke my late Nan's beautiful 1930s glass jug. I've never ever broken anything when I've packed myself and I have a lot of china and glass, so I would never use packers, unless I was physically incapacitated.

Nandocushion · 10/02/2023 17:37

We haven't packed our own stuff since we were living in a tiny flat with a tiny baby. Never ever again. It will be a tricky couple of days but keep a suitcase each, get takeaways, and get the packers!

Sucessinthenewyear · 10/02/2023 17:38

You need a plan
Saturday - loft
Sunday morning - shed
Sunday - afternoon garage
Monday night- bedroom 1, except essential
Tuesday night - bedroom 2,
Wednesday - bedroom 2
And so on, remember spaces like the loft and junk areas.

Did you declutter before you went on the market?

woohooho · 10/02/2023 17:41

I was ready to divorce DH when we packed ourselves and that was just us from a two bedroom flat.
We got the packers next time and I would never move again without them.

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