To start packing 13 days before move?

[ItsBuisnessTime]

We're (myself, DH, 3 DC's - 4, 3 and 1) moving in 13 days from a 2 bed flat, to a 3 bed house.

I want to start packing now, as so far, literally nothing has been done. I've started some minimal deep cleaning as life with three small children in a small environment equals chocolate finger prints everywhere and the occasional wall drawing, so I've been doing some touch up painting and skirting board/door cleaning etc to get the ball rolling.

However, in my mind, 13 days is quite a race to get our entire lives packed up and spotlessly clean our current flat, on top of looking after our three small children!

DH thinks we have all the time in the world, and I needn't start packing anything yet!

AIBU to just start? I planned to do the kitchen and the bathroom today - putting away things like the slow cooker, soup maker, a few utensils, stacks of plates and the majority of cutlery, pots and pans that never really get used etc. In the bathroom - just leaving out the essentials... you get my drift!

I ideally want most rooms packed up within the next few days so that I can properly clean everywhere, as going backwards and forwards between the kids demands and needs means I feel as though we don't actually have a great deal of time!

Sorry for the long post! Any veteran movers with an insight to when I should reasonably start packing and deep cleaning - please give tips!

We can't really afford to pay for a packing service, the move itself is costing us around £3000, so any packing/cleaning really needs to be done by us!

We already have all the boxes, tape etc - ordered around 35/40 I believe in two different sizes... we wasn't sure how many we'd need, but the bathroom has only taken up one small box, and I suspect the bedroom will average around 3-4 larger boxes.

We've not booked the removal van yet, no. Where we live they are literally everywhere, there are two removal firms at the top of my road, and even doing a quick Google search brings up at least 20 different companies within a 5 mile radius.

We're moving round the corner! As in, you come out of our flat, walk 20 seconds down the road, turn right and continue for another minute or so, and you're there!

We're moving on the 29th, but have paid rent on our current flat until the 8th, so we do have a crossover. But ideally we want all our boxes and furniture out of here on the 29th, then use those last few days to do any hoovering or window cleaning that we may have missed!

Regarding charity shops - I'm not too sure I'll have that much to offer as I'd already binned loads of things a couple months back, and we filled a skip last month too!

Definitely start packing ASAP. I’m packing at the moment , it’s amazing how many boxes you use, so the last thing you need is a last minute panic that you’re run out of boxes.
Make sure all boxes are clearly marked with what’s in them, in case you need to find something plus which room to be put in, you probably know this but just in case. I did order a moving box pack, and it came with one extra large box for moving day which is great to throw in last m8nute things. B and Q cheapest place for bubble wrap 25m for £8 great for pictures and breakables. Bes5 of luck with your move

Thank you @Yogalola! All the best for your move too!

Luckily a massive roll of bubble wrap was included with our boxes, plus a huge roll of extra wide cello tape and a marker, so we're all kitted out for when my DH decides to pull his finger out and actually pack something! 🤦🏻‍♂️😂

I'm going to try and go full steam ahead tomorrow, as I'd planned to get the majority of the kitchen packed up today, but was instead tied to my baby and the washing machine, blasting through bedding and duvets!

If completion day is 29th I would give it a day or so after that date to move. It will give you the chance to clean the new house if it needs it and takes a tremendous amount of stress off you.

I think you're doing the right thing by getting packed ASAP. Better to be all packed and ready to go early than running around the night before panic packing!