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Housekeeping

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Your best moving house / packing advice and stories please!

12 replies

Mumatuks · 17/01/2007 16:08

Hi,

We're moving house one 2nd Feb.

We've got the removal men booked and the packing boxes delivered.. but I'm wondering where the hell I start! Some of the stuff I want to pack, we need, what is best left to the last minute?

I know there are some good websites out there with tips on, but they don't really take into account 3 very young children!

Surely there must be a Mum out there that has moved and survived!

TIA

OP posts:
noddyholder · 17/01/2007 16:11

I pack everything early.Just keep out a basic amount for everyone and a basic kitchen kit.Start using up shopping and don't add to it buy exactly what you need to make meals and the cupboards will clear Anyhting you don't need give away or do a car boot sale.If you have a spare room as you pack boxes put them all in one room and it is so much easier.

Mumatuks · 17/01/2007 16:14

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Blandmum · 17/01/2007 16:20

Go trough all your stuff. If you are doubtful about taking something with you....get rid of it! Be ruthless.

QPootle · 17/01/2007 17:26

Have moved twice in last three years. Most important thing is to start do a box or two every day if you can. I did my most valuable things first because I'm more careful at the start. I also started with draws, cupboards areas etc that I haven't been to for ages and was ruthless. So back of the kitchen cupboards, draws of "stuff". Then you go right, am I really, really going to need this in the next two/three weeks, any doubts, pack it!. Also glasses and china, do you really need more than the basic amount of plates and cups etc, vases, all those pretty but useless things.

Not many tips about kids as DS was 1 when I moved last year and I packed while he was napping for about two weeks. We moved ourselves though and must admit while it was hairy at times, he loved both the new and old house because both were different as we moved. He was a fab crawler too... If I'd had anyone then I'd have got a sitter for an afternoon or two to really whack through it. I did an essentials box for him, so that when we finally moved I had the teddies, bubble bath, books, key toys, important food so routine wasn't totally disrupted. Maybe worth doing similar, or at least making a list for each of yours while your head's still clear.

Good Luck!

23balloons · 17/01/2007 17:37

If you can afford it get them to pack everything - thats what everyone kept telling me so I have booked the whole package. They will come in the day before we move and do everything all I have to pack is the contents of the fridge and freezer. I figure I am hopefully never going to move again so it is definitely a one off expense. Also some companies quoted only £100-200 extra for packing everything.

doormat · 17/01/2007 17:41

start with one room at a time,
just pack and leave say a bin bag of essentials/clothes per person

be ruthless and throw anything you think you will not use

keep hold of kitchen utensils,plates, cutlery, kettle, blender etc that is essentially needed and pack everything else away

label boxes and bags with what room or whos clothes they belong to
much easier to sort out when moved
good luck
xxx

mistletoemania · 17/01/2007 17:47

if you are getting packers put everything you need to take with you ie kettle essential stuff into bathroom so you can keep it hand and it won't get lost with the packers. tell them do not pack anything in the bathroom. good luck to you.

Mumatuks · 17/01/2007 18:16

Oops, just got back to this after cooking dinner!

MB. You're absolutely right, I must chuck out the stuff we don't need. How does it aquire to so much?!

QPootle, love the idea of the essentials box. As we're renting we can have the keys a week early, so I've planned to take a few toys over, but now I'll take everything in one box!

Doormat, I giggled at the labelling boxes! Not that your suggestion is funny, it'd be just the kind of thing I'd forget!

23Balloons. I'm too embarrased to have them pack, god knows what they might find!! I've found stuff I fogot I had.

MM, great idea about keeping one room as a "don't take stuff from here zone" I'm guessing I'll be in charge of taking some mugs and the kettle over for drinks when we get there.

Thanks everyone! Very helpful indeed!

OP posts:
Quootiepie · 17/01/2007 18:20

Label Label Label. Every itme in every box. And put the room down. I am still hunting things down at mums in the garage that belong elsewhere 3 years later!

SaintGeorge · 17/01/2007 18:26

Agree with labelling but recommend simple colour coding. Allocate every room at the new place a colour and label boxes accordingly.

Much easier, especially for bedrooms.

Skribble · 17/01/2007 21:44

Allocate a spare room or end of a room and start now, pack up stuff that you wan't need for now like summer clothes, holiday stuff, garden toys, spare bedding and towels.

Label the box with a room name and a brief run down on contents may be a pain but it makes it so much easier. It means there is less rush to unpack, as you will be able to find what you need easier, rather than emptying every box to find one thing.

Don't pack junk, decide now

do you need it,
do you love it,
do you use it,
or does it fit.

Be ruthless now no point in paying to pack and transport rubbish.

On the day have sheets of plastic or tarpulin to hand to cover boxes and furniture if heavy rain when carrying in the house. Old towels to dry things put down on floors etc. Consider one of those plastic runners you can but by the length to cover downstairs carpets.

Cheack list for sorting out utilities etc are very helpful as on the day your brain will be mush. Be very clear about arrangments for everybody else, even if it means writing down a time table on a big sheet and sticking it on a door.

Agree make up a vitals box and keep to hand take it in your car, include kettle and cuppa stuff, favorite toys, cutlery for eating takeaway, lists and phonenumbers, firstaid kit.

Also consider sleeping arangements for the first night, keep bedding in mind and night clothes etc.

Skribble · 17/01/2007 21:47

BBC moving
House web moving

loads more just google .

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