What don't I want the packers to pack?

[Northey]

I've packed a small bag with clothes, laptop, a few crucial papers...

Should I also keep my storage box of household paperwork with me? It is big and heavy and I don't drive, so will have to lug it to the new place by train and bus. But I am absurdly stressed at the thought of it being stored by the removal men overnight.

Or am I just fretting because of sleeplessness?

If it's too heavy to take with you, you'll have to let them take it. I'm sure it will be fine. It will be even more fine if you don't mark the box as "Very Important Papers"! Bung an item of clothing in it to hide the papers

If you're worried about losing it, scan the papers or take photos of them on a digital camera. Then you will have copies.

Hope your move goes smoothly!

They are arriving in 2 hours, peri so I probably don't have time to sort the scanning. I think I am going to have to lug it around with me. Even if I am probably just being paranoid and stressy.

Are you worried in case it is lost, or in case they look at the papers and use the info for fraud or something like that? Tbh I'd have thought either is pretty unlikely. We let our packers pack our household filing (incl bank account papers etc) without worrying - but then maybe we were being naive!

Some other things which are good to have with you, or at least very easily accessible when you get to the new place:

loo roll
stuff for tea - kettle, teabags, milk, cups
phone charger
dust cloth/sponge - in case the sellers have left the place filthy and you want to wipe surfaces before you start unpacking

What Peri said.

Hope the move goes well

In case it gets lost!

This weather is horrific. Poor bastards. I am so glad I am not carrying this to and fro myself.

Have you got a roll along suitcase you could fit it in? That might make it easier.

I know what you mean. It is probably just you 'twitching' about things but if it makes you feel better, do it.

I would never let anyone pack my stuff. I don't know why. I just think I can do it better and don't want the horror of finding stuff broken and having to get cross about it...I'd rather blame myself.

jen that is a BRILLIANT idea. I have rescued my wheelie suitcase just in time, and the archive box just fits in. Thank you! You're right - it does make me feel so much better.

Do you mind me asking how much stuff you have? I'm trying to work out if I am just lazy about it, or if you are someone with a very minimalist lifestyle living in a furnished flat, so can manage packing more easily. Probably the former...

Without a car you really have to pare down to the bare essentials. Take a rolling suitcase if you can, and think about what you could not live without for 24h.

What mincepie said, plus children's teddies, and passports and all documentation relating to the move. I would also take jewelry, if you have anything valuable.

Hope it goes well!

MASSES. I have masses of stuff. So much that you can't always move without climbing over stuff.

It's terrible. I have trouble making decisions and thus it's a bit like that hoarding man on Channel 4 (well not that bad but still).

Last time I moved I got a cheap quote, but the guys really complained on the day, I think one of them nearly had a coronary. I felt bad but they did see everything before they quoted so it was their own problem, and I tipped after.

I tend to start packing months in advance though, not planning to move from here but at the last house I could never settle and half my time was spent packing things and unpacking them just in case. So I am an expert

Good luck - suitcase idea was from thinking how to get a SINK home from London on the train!!!

My mil ended up with every single pair of shoes in storage because she was wearing slippers when the packers packed! Be careful!

Keep the kettle, some mugs, milk, teabags etc or they won't be very happy!

Have you packed an overnight bag for you/your family? I forgot that too.

We moved with Pickfords and they were pretty good at reminding me that I needed x,y,z before they packed up the room.

Pickfords are here as we speak. A bit grumpy to start, but actually really sweet now.

Have started a thread about tipping. I think I do need to give them something. It's awful weather and they have moved a lot of heavy book boxes.

seeker - that is hilarious. Your MIL and mine must be related. Similar thing happened to her. When we last moved, she was just visiting us, and her shoes ended up in one of the boxes, she had to wear her slippers until we had found them again.
Mind you, our removers were so thorough that they even bubble wrapped the fruit off the fruit bowl .