Starting to pack ahead of exchange?

[Lelivre]

Short chain here, we have a cash buyer in rented. The house we want had been rented now empty. Surveys done most searches returned some minor queries outstanding. But local searches are delayed for both.

I have tiny kids and I'm almost done with the decluttering stage and I don't want to leave it all late but it's not a done deal...what would you do?

I'd get on with packing the things you are unlikely to need/use unless you are paying the removal firm to do the packing. You may as well use the time to do this as have a last minute rush. Yes, there is a slight risk things may not go to plan, but probably only slight.

pack what you don't use at the moment, get hold of boxes, get your redirect form from the post office ready to go.

Wow I could have written your post myself even the chain is the same except our cash buyer is an investor. We have started packing stuff that we don't need like winter coats and cds, I even packed a box of kids toys today but they have far too many and doubt they will notice.

When do you think you will exchange, we are hoping for next week.

I was expecting next week but now it would appear this one set of searches will delay things by another two weeks. I am packing myself. And wish for completion no later than the end of next month.

sometimes house moves take forever, but it does no harm to pack up your clutter (and throw some away) and put e.g. winter clothes in boxes.

I am very fond of the translucent plastic crates, they stack up neatly and will be quick to shift when you need. Get a size that you can easily carry (so books go in small crates but bedding in large)

It is also a good idea to put a moth-killing sachet in each crate of clothes or blankets (not just a repellent or scent)

We started packing 6 months ago when our offer was accepted (we have loads of stuff)

we are still waiting for their solicitors to get their arse in gear, and nowhere near exchange let alone completion.

I now find I need the name tapes I packed somewhere, the costume/dressing up stuff and sewing things for a school production, summer shoes and clothes...the list is endless. I don't know where any of it is.

Getting very fed up of living among boxes. Our house looks like a scene from Minecraft.

I would start packing any stuff you know you won't need - such as ornaments, random collections/display items, that kind of thing.

One thing is it's much easier to tidy when most of your belongings are in boxes

Oh and we're cash buyers in rented, with no chain either end. It's all to do with leasehold stuff/variation of lease/ that kind of thing. apparently.

translucent boxes, you can see what's in each crate

it helps to pack "sorted" so your name tapes will be with your sewing stuff and the buttons and the good scissors.

I would wait if you're going to have a week or more between exchange and completion. It takes longer if you start earlier as there's more you're still using.
Have you any way of outsourcing the children for a day or two?

Thanks Piglet. I bought a few huge clear boxes from staples, but couldn't afford to use them for all the packing. I just inherited an awful lot of things from my late Grandmother and most of that was sewing related and art materials (she was an artist) so there's just no hope.

We are on the higher end of the scale for ridiculous quantities of stuff though. so it is great advice for those more modest in their possessions

like this

I have to say I am having a great time decluttering. It's quite a good feeling and I'm making some decent £££ selling on eBay.

Thanks pigletJ for the crates idea. I could do with some storage solutions like that anyway.

Oh rooners my heart sank when I read 6 months. I hope it gets sorted for you soon. I don't think we will have that but there's the thing, you can't assume anything with conveyancing.

It's worth getting everything down from the loft ASAP - there will be a lot to go through. Also, you can tape up some of the tools in the shed and removers like dirty ones covered with black bags. If you've got small groups of things you'd like to keep together, you can put them in small boxes or plastic bags (which can later go into big boxes. Also, make a note of contact details for utilities and get a redirection of post form now.

We moved last week. Almost thought our chain was going to collapse, then suddenly everything was on and nine days to pack. I set myself a room a day and stuck to it whatever. We only had seven rooms to pack if you include storage in hall/airing cupboard and that left two days for the shed and final packing/taking things to the tip. Hope that helps with timescale.

Starfish that is soooooooo helpful. Thank you. I feel like I have a plan now. That's great. I hope you are enjoying your new home :)

I started packing when we went on the market. There is a lot that you just don't need to get to everyday. Things like books and CDs. Even extra plates, bowls and cutlery can be packed away.

We're packing up loads of stuff just to get on the market! On amazon there's a seller who sells bulk packs of really useful boxes - they work out at around £7.50 each because they are seconds - the colour is usually swirled or defective in some way. We've bought loads of them, sturdy and easy to stack.

Lizzie do you mind linking please? Thanks!