Packers from the removal company - what do they actually do?

[Aberchips]

Just that really? Do you just let them in & let them get on with it? Or do you have to have packed up some of the smaller things already?

Obviously I'm going to have a big clear out/ declutter before we get to the packing stage, but I would have thought if I just let them in & say "there you go" they're going to have a fit! Our stuff is so disorganised!!

If you had packers what did they do from start to finish?

The ones we're using do the flatpack disassembly and reassembly which is the best bit! I hadn't thought about getting them to pack too, but ooh I think I will get a quote now - we're in such cramped conditions and I know I will take ages (and DP will get lost looking at his stuff!)

I have a question - how well do they label the boxes? I have this worry that I won't be able to find anything at the other end. We've had a fragile pack before (ie kitchen stuff and other breakables like lamps, vases, picture frames etc) and that was great. But that was pre-dc and so I can't really remember we had a lot less stuff!

I put labels on each room while they were packing and then put the labels back up at the new house so that the boxes ended up in the right room.

They had labelled the boxes but not brilliantly so we'd find random things in a book box as well as books.

They did dismantle and reassemble furniture.

They just pack everything they can see. Literally. Be careful, mine packed a carrier bag I was using as a bin (complete with used tea bags in) and the 2 weetabix in a bowl I had carefully put aside for the next morning. Each box will get labelled with the room it came from so it goes into the right room of the new house. Any further organisation is up to you!

We paid for the removal firm to pack valuables and breakables - I would pay for the whole lot if we move again. They packed the heating controls for the house we were leaving though as the guy thought it was a radio controlled clock.

When I realised, the boxes were at the back of the nearly packed up van so we couldn't retrieve them. Took me ages to find the damn thing at the other end and then we had to trail back with it! Ringfence the stuff you don't want them to touch is my advice.

I have used packers twice and would not move without them again.
But didn't bother with 'unpackers' - I have always felt the need to a) clean cupboards etc before stuff goes in them, and b) unpack myself so that I can decide where exactly stuff should go. Also, it can be done in it's own time.

We paid about £120 for one guy for one whole day. It was brilliant!

The removal guys took apart and reassembled the big furniture on the day.

I've only moved once without using the packing service. It was hellish. We've used packers ever since and they've been excellent every time, they're so quick as they don't take forever deciding which items should go in which box, they just pack room by room. On our last move we were leaving a few bits and pieces for the new owners, I stuck post-it notes on the stuff I didn't want packed, it was no problem. Good luck with your move!

Our packers just labelled by room. Then at the other end we told them where the equivalent of each room was and they deposited the boxes there.

Thank you all for your input - much appreciated! I will bear in mind the comments about odd things that have been carefully wrapped up & make sure that I declutter / pack these separately myself!!

If you've time then yes, declutter/pack your essentials etc. yourself.

We ended up (crap solicitor) packing the day before we moved, finishing up with an hours packing on the actual day.

The packer we used did room by room and marked up with things like "Kitchen - glass/bottles. FRAGILE" So no great detail but it was clear what went in what room.

The 12 boxes marked "Books. HEAVY" were a bit of a challenge though :)