Where the hell do you start with packing?!

[AngryFeet]

So I have ten tonnes of boxes from the removal company plus some packing tape etc. We move in about 4 weeks (complete in 2 but we are very lucky that we can stay where we are for a bit longer so we can get shelves up/clean etc before we move in) and I have never really moved before.

I am going to start this weekend but don't know where to begin. The annoying thing is we are living in my parents house which is still on the market so we need to keep things as neat as possible for viewings. We can't afford to have the packing service as money is incredibly tight.

Do I start with books? In the loft? Help!

Start with the things you don't use regularly. Books are good, but don't fill a whole box with books or the movers won't be able to shift it. What's in the loft? Presumably you could live without that stuff for a month or two.

Yes loft we can do this weekend. There isn't too much up there. Will do books too.

Stupid question but stuff that is in boxes already (plastic crates, toolboxes, wicker baskets with lids etc) - do you put them in boxes? Or just leave as they are?

You can leave them as they are, as long as the boxes are not too small. Those plastic crates are fine.

You might want to bring a toolbox with you, rather than leaving it for the movers. That way you know where it is when you get to the new place, in case you need a hammer or screwdriver or whatever when you get there.

boxes DO need to be full or they collapse - so book boxes mustn't be too big. Movers are not superhuman - if you can't lift it, they won't be able to either.

packing the kitchen stuff takes ages with all the tissue, paper round it - so get on with that as well. Pack up the rarely used stuff and all the spare plates, mugs etc. Or take to the charity shop!

What we did with the books was to put some in the bottom of the box and then fill the rest of it with something light like spare bedding.

I started in the loft and made my way down. It was a fucking nightmare. I can't imagine moving out of our current place. It would seriously tip me over the edge!

I'm afraid I started with getting a quote for packing from the removal company and never looked back. Best money I ever spent.

Buy a box of labels and when you seal every box stick three labels on it. One - what's in the box (doh!), two - where you want the box to go in the new house and three - "unpack immediately" or "don't unpack".

That way you won't be unpacking boxes of fairy lights in the kitchen while looking for the toaster...

I'd start by packing all the "don't unpack" stuff you can live without. Sure, it may feel like you're not achieving anything but its all got to go in a box, right ?

I'm doing this now but for a 4.5bed house
I've started in the loft & spare room.
Packing stuff that we don't use first.
Baby stuff, fiction books, linen for spare room (no guests before we move), Christmas decs, winter duvets, ski gear.
Each box is labelled - 1. upstairs/downstairs/garage, 2. the room it's going in & 3. what's in it.
I've also got an inventory listing each box but that's because when we get to the other end some stuff is staying packed whilst we have work done.
I'm then piling packed boxes in an empty corner.

Also label boxes with 'heavy', 'this way up' & 'fragile' where necessary.

Good luck