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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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Original poster

If you moved house with packers, can you share tips?

32 replies

wejammin · 20/10/2019 13:15

We're hoping to complete and move in exactly 1 months' time. Moving from a tiny 2 bed that is packed from cellar to attic with stuff.
We've saved enough money to get packers, which will be a godsend. We both work and have 3 kids, oldest age 7 has ASD and lots of challenging behaviour, middle is 5 (NT) and baby is 13 months and just starting to walk, so it's basically chaos. Also a senile blind cat in the mix.
The packer lady (angel) came round last week and basically said I don't need to do anything, they do it all, which sounds amazing but I can't help thinking that sounds too easy and there are things I should be doing to assist the process.
Decluttering is not an option as I have no time or space to declutter into until we move.
If you've been there and done it, can you share any tips please. Much appreciated!

OP posts:

MrsFezziwig · 20/10/2019 13:25

I’ve had them and are amazed by their speed and efficiency. The only slight drawback for me was that they didn’t label the boxes in as detailed a manner as I would have liked. Make sure at least they label them with the rooms they are to go in, and once you get the keys to your new house put matching labels on the door of each room so they know where to put them.

I understand where you’re coming from with the decluttering, but basically you’re paying for them to transport stuff you don’t need, so the process will take longer and will make it more difficult for you to get the stuff you do need sorted.

Have a separate bag for any valuables and documents which it would be a pain to lose, and keep it with you during the move (maybe in your car boot?). Ditto with kettle, a few plates & anything else you may need before the unpacking is done.

Original poster

wejammin · 20/10/2019 14:34

Documents bag is a good idea, also kettle! Thanks.
I do wish we could declutter, I did a bit when we went on the market but we've had 2 kids birthdays since then and it all seems to have accumulated again. I'm trying to do a few things a day, and also need to eat all the stuff in the freezer and cupboards.

OP posts:

WhatFreshHell71 · 20/10/2019 14:38

If you have different crockery sets make sure they pack them separately.

user159 · 20/10/2019 14:46

We had them pack for us and it was the best money we've ever spent. I did pack some personal items and documents etc but they were incredibly considerate and when I told them things had sentimental value they took such great care. I would fully recommend it, the guys said they actually prefer packing as so many people pack badly then try to claim against them for breaks etc which is why it's cheaper than I expected it to be!

AuntImmortelle · 20/10/2019 14:49

So I packed -
a suitcase with clothes/pjs and toiletries for all 4 of us for the next day after we've moved.
a bag with towels and bed linen as you need to make beds once they're set up.
A box with essentials eg kettle/tea/coffee etc, phone chargers, mugs, a few plates and cutlery etc, kitchen towels, fairy liquid etc
A box with valuables - jewellery, passports, important documents
The hoover and box of cleaning stuff came with us on our car.

The packers did everything else. They labelled the boxes perfectly.

Bcnamechanger · 20/10/2019 14:56

It's easier if you're going house to house (we've done house to storage as well which is a pain).

You need to have kettle, tea, coffee, sugar (!!!) Milk and biscuits out and ready to use. The packers will pack them last and unpack them first. Be generous with drinks and food - I've never got away with a single packet of biscuits.

Precious things (paperwork but also jewellery, cash and musical instruments) I move myself - check your house contents and movers contact to see what they're covered/not covered for.

Arrange parking for them if they've not done it.

Get your kids out of the house. Anywhere is better than home. My DS1 was utterly traumatised the first time he was aware of moving house because we went back to the house and nothing was there (move to storage). Never again. We've begged help from anyone willing to avoid it all the other moves.

Pack day sacks and overnight bags for each child - so it doesn't matter if the only things unpacked in your new house is the bed, you can get them down and keep unpacking.

The movers might not be obliged by contract to reassemble beds/wardrobes etc. Ask very nicely and be prepared to tip in cash if they do it for you.

You might want to check that your movers are using their own people rather than agency. Things tend to walk and hey broken less when it's own-company movers.

If you don't have time to declutter I wouldn't worry. Several times we've moved and as I've unpacked I've thrown stuff out (thirty black bags type throwing out). It would have been cheaper to do it first but life isn't always like that.

Have wee plastic bags (for nuts, bolts etc from deconstructed furniture) to hand. Have spare marker pens so every box gets written on.

Have a spare toilet roll in the loo - we've had to go out to buy it when the upstairs cupboard was already packed and the inevitable happened.

Make sure you move anything that's included in the sale or that you're leaving for any other reason out of the way. They pack in a whirlwind so if it's not away or signposted to them before they start you won't see it again until it's unpacked.

Make sure you update your house contents insurance to cover the move and the new address from the relevant dates.

Good luck!

Original poster

wejammin · 20/10/2019 15:00

Great tips, thank you!

Were you there all day cleaning behind furniture and stuff? They're packing the day before the move except for beds, so I should have time to clean but don't want to be in the way.

OP posts:

WitchDancer · 20/10/2019 15:04

Make sure you don't have dirty crockery around - everything will be packed as they come to it, exactly how it is. Not good if you don't unpack for a week or two...

Kallyderon · 20/10/2019 15:04

Agree with everything bcnamechanger has said and also the advice to keep bedding separate to put on when you're there. They are like machines and pack everything so get your documents now. That is also what makes it brilliant though. What can take you weeks to do takes them hours. Also agree with not stressing too much about moving junk. Unless you're hoarders your two bedroom place won't be so very different from other two bedroom places so the cost increase between the two is likely to be low and you can take your time and have a proper clear out when you get there.

Finfintytint · 20/10/2019 15:08

The only things our packers couldn’t take were gas canisters so if you have any bbq gas then work out what you want to do about it.
Are you putting the cat in a chattery for the day?

Finfintytint · 20/10/2019 15:08

Cattery lol

NonUrinatInVentum · 20/10/2019 15:09

Echoing previous posts. Anything not nailed down will go so don't leave anything on the side to take with you. Pack a suitcase with enough clothes and a box with your personal documents, anything sensitive etc. and put it in your car.

They are like machines as said, so very fast. Make sure you're ready for them! We fed them McDs for lunch when they packed and then again when our stuff arrived (international but same movers) and then there them €20 for a couples of pints when they were done.

DustyDoorframes · 20/10/2019 15:10

I'd put anything you will crucially need in the first week in the suitcase (in our case some stuff for a work trip, and the makings of DD's birthday cake and presents!). If you are moving somewhere with more rooms you can designate a box room and then bring out the boxes as you have time to unpack them)

FinallyHere · 20/10/2019 15:29

It is important for me to know have the boxes labelled, so that I know what is inside each one. My system is to number all the shelves and drawers and wardrobes, basically each location that has stuff packed gas a number.

You keep the map of the location numbers. Leave a label with the number in each locations, so the packers label the boxes as they go along.

Ideally each box is labelled on top and at the end. Make sure they are stacked with the labels showing

I also worked out where everything was to go when we got to the new place. Easy to prioritise what to unpack.

Separately, pack a suitcase with what you need for the first night and first morning

Get the beds set up and made up first thing. Set out clothes and washing stuff for the next day.

Keep a box with jugs, kettle and coffee/tea and biscuits. And the vacuum cleaner.

Original poster

wejammin · 20/10/2019 16:51

@FinallyHere you sound very organised! I fear I would make a hash of such a good system
I like the idea of a box room, the front reception room can probably do that job for a few days.

The cat can't cope with a cattery, last time we tried she had a seizure and it took a few weeks for her to come out from under the sofa when she got home, so I'll just have to shut her into whichever room is finished. Last time we moved she came with us in the last load.

OP posts:

MrsPellegrinoPetrichor · 20/10/2019 16:56

Just leave them to it,they're amazingly fast.

Keep kettle etc out and get lots of biscuits.

viques · 20/10/2019 17:04

Wejammin.Your vet will be able to give you some sedatives for the cat so the poor thing doesn't get too stressed. Don't leave her unboxed in a room unless the door is locked and you have the key around your neck! Could you borrow a small animal crate to put her in with her bed and blankets so you know she is secure . Even blind and senile cats can find an open door.

HobbyIsCodeForDogging · 20/10/2019 19:32

Leave the packers to it. Make sure they don't pack the shoes that you're going to put on when you leave your flat for the last time - speaking from experience 😂

SchnitzelVonKrumm · 20/10/2019 20:06

We stupidly moved house on a Monday after a week where both of us had to work away, so literally nothing had been packed in advance. They arrived at 8, packed up our entire house while we took the kids to the park, picked up stuff from our storage unit, drove across London to the new house, unpacked the boxes, rebuilt the furniture and we were all sitting in the garden drinking tea before 3 o'clock. Best money I've ever spent.

hotdogwoof · 20/10/2019 20:37

I did this when I moved house. Best money I've ever spent.

Make sure they label exactly what room it's going on and roughly what's in the box.

Have shoes, change of clothes, toothbrushes, snacks Etc in your car.

Kallyderon · 20/10/2019 23:03

Just thought of something else - empty all bins! They pack everything.

Palaver1 · 21/10/2019 07:44

They will do it .Best to have your child with additional needs out of the way with the other children you really don’t need to be there good luck and congratulations.

BertrandRussell · 21/10/2019 07:48

Don’t do what my mil did and find yourself with all your shoes packed and taken away to storage and having to go shoe shopping in fluffy slippers......!

BertrandRussell · 21/10/2019 07:50

Now I’ve rest the thread I realise that mil was not uniquely ditzy! Not going to tell her though- we still tease her about it.

funmummy48 · 21/10/2019 07:59

Chuckling at the reminders/warnings here about shoes. We had a shoe cupboard by the for the front door which was immediately loaded into the van. 15 minutes later, I was in there, scrabbling around for my daughter's school shoes! 😂

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