Oh god help me!

[Moaningturtle]

We’ve been in the process of buying our first home since April, it’s been delay after delay until today we find out it’s probably going to complete next Friday

I packed up things like books and out of season clothes a while ago, but there’s just SO MUCH STUFF everywhere. I can’t get my head wrapped around what I need to do.

Argh!!!!!

Get many many boxes and much tape, newspaper and or bubble wrap. Start in one room and just pack everything you will not need for the next week and repeat! Good luck.

Don't know how much you have, but priority is to get removals sorted and get boxes. If you're doing self drive/move, it's still worth asking removal companies if they have any boxes you could have. Ask on Facebook local groups.

Pack fast, but try to label all boxes in a way that will make sense. Enlist help!

Number the boxes, write name of room on the side, keep a list of the contents in a notebook. Saves a lot of hassle.

I’m making many notes, thank you!

We are renting a van and self moving, luckily we rent off family so don’t have to be out in one day. But I want to get it done over the weekend.

I am rather ashamed that I’ve managed to accumulate so much crap over the past 8 years living in our current home. My kitchen cupboards are gross…I could cry

Defo pack up things a room at a time.

Write room or number if room on box.

Put tape right round boxes so the arse doesn’t fall out of them if full of heavy stuff.

Pack stuff you need last and take it with you if you are travelling by car.

Same with valuables.

When we moved last time - I got the removal firm to collect everything already packed 2 weeks before the move and any non-essential furniture and left me with just one sofa and basically just what we needed
This was a huge help and meant that we had room to manoeuvre and get stuff sorted and start cleaning it was a brilliant suggestion from my friend

Get one box that is clearly labelled and always handy.

Use this box for all paperwork relating to banks, insurance, birth certificates, health records, vets, exam certificates, warranties, driving licences,vehicles, passports etc.

If you need to access any of these unexpectedly/ in a hurry then you won't need to rummage through endless other boxes.

Also use the box for any keys which you will need e.g. bike locks and put all the remotes/chargers in there too.

Have one box called 'Take in car' or similar and pack loo roll, scissor, cloths, spray cleaner, chargers, mugs, tea, coffee etc. Put kettle on last minute. Pack of crisps, biscuits etc and on last day some fruit or whatever will keep you going.

Get rid of the crap - pack separately and donate somewhere.

Get more boxes, tape etc than you think you need.

Thank you thank you!!

I have boxes and tape, I bought those in the spring when I was naive about how long the purchase would take!

I don’t have bubble wrap… I need to get that. Loving all the tips!!

Do not empty drawers of clothes. Just pull them out, put the drawer carcass in the van and slot the drawers back in for transport.
Have a box in the kitchen with everything in it for making a brew. This is the single most important box you will move.

What’s the best way to clean as I move? Room by room or wait until it’s empty and go back?

Wait until it's empty, keep the momentum going on the packing first. Don't look at what you are packing, just get it boxed up.

Ok, I’ve got this. Luckily I have this week off for half term. So tomorrow I will focus on the kitchen.

Thanks MNetters!

When dismantling furniture or removing fittings you will take with you, e.g. stair gates, put the screws etc into a labelled sandwich/coin bag or envelope. Keep all these bags together, and when fitting them at your new house all the fittings will be complete and easy to find.
This alone, made me feel like I was winning at life after my last house move, esp as a lot of it had been in storage for 18months.
Good luck with the move, hope it all goes smoothly.

@Moaningturtle

How are you getting on with everything??

List the items on a sheet of paper and stick it on the completed box then you won't need to hunt for contents later.
It's a good idea to designate a colour to each room and then put a corresponding sticker on each box for that room.
Then the removal men or family helpers can easily put things in the right room without constantly asking.

Pack the kettle, mugs and teabags last so they are first out. Don't forget make sure your hoover and cleaning gear is easy to hand at the new property so you can vac up while it's empty.
Don't forget the loo roll!

[quote SpookyPumpkinPants]@Moaningturtle

How are you getting on with everything??[/quote]
It was going ok, but yesterday we found out there’s problems up the chain. So no idea if it will happen on Friday and I have no stuff that’s not in boxes!

@Moaningturtle

Are you in my chain?! We've had exactly the same!!!

Such a nightmare!

[quote doris9034]@Moaningturtle

Are you in my chain?! We've had exactly the same!!!

Such a nightmare![/quote]
Maybe I’m buying your house! If I am I apologise for how utterly crap my conveyancer has been at communicating anything ever. But I promise for once this isn’t our solicitor being crap!

@Moaningturtle luckily you're not buying our house as we are moving out of rented.

But so with you on the utterly crap communication skills of conveyancers!!

We literally found out the morning of completion that it wasn't going ahead, as one of the conveyancers hadn't done something they should have done weeks ago .... we're now on our 4th anticipated completion date, and our rented property is sold........ so if this one doesn't happen we'll be homeless!!

We finally completed today, at 16:15 - 45 minutes before our mortgage offer expired!!

We are moving on Friday. I’ve packed But the house appears to be dirtier than ever…. I’m working nights this week too, maybe I should shell out for a professional clean.

Well done OP! Last time I moved I broke the hoover trying to clean up all the filthy bits like behind the TV. Good intentions and all... Enjoy your new home.