Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Flip

Original poster

Talk to me about moving with packers please

20 replies

museumum · 28/03/2015 14:48

How do you manage to clean? How does it all work logistically? Will one of us have to stay behind after they've gone and the other go with them to the new house?
Or can we book a cleaner? If so will we know what time for?
We have a one year old so it's going to be complicated anyway....

Also, how did you choose a company? What made the decision for you?

Thanks.

OP posts:

Pooseyfrumpture · 28/03/2015 15:08

IME they came the day before, packed the entire house by lunchtime (and better than I ever could have) just leaving the stuff we needed overnight like bed/sofa/some kitchen stuff. Then we had time to clean around the mostly empty house. On moving day they took what was left as we cleaned around them - it didn't take long as most was done the day before.

The guys really knew what they were doing - what needed packing with what material, what fitted into which box, what didn't need packing at all (chest of drawers) and they were sooooo fast. Taking so much away on the day before moving made it so much easier as well.

TarkaTheOtter · 28/03/2015 15:12

Ours also packed most of it the day before moving day. They just left beds and basics (kettle etc). So we could do most of the cleaning in advance.

Make sure you have tea and coffee stuff (including sugar) available for them at old and new houses.

Tbh the only bit that was a hassle was doing the insurance inventory in advance, but do t know if this was standard or because we were moving abroad. Otherwise they were superb, best moving experience I've had. Our table was scratched and a frame broken and they paid up without any problem too.

tinkerbellvspredator · 28/03/2015 15:17

Once they've loaded the van and rooms are empty they are ridiculously quick and easy to clean, eg empty bedroom = hoover carpet assuming you don't live in filth normally! we did split up with DH going to new house first to open up while DDad and I stayed to clean for a bit.

bodingading · 28/03/2015 15:20

We got Pickfords. They were absolutely great. They packed the whole house in about 3.5 hours and they brought their own tea. They told us when they'd be packed and out by and we booked a cleaner for an hour then to go over the place (but you could tack on a cleaning service through them). At our new house they put the bed back together and hooked up the washing machine before they left as per our extras agreement.

I did nothing. Nothing! We were completely unpacked and moved in by the weekend. It was the least stressful move I have ever done. Amazing.

Original poster

museumum · 28/03/2015 15:31

Oh. I didn't know they came the day before!
So does all your stuff just sit in the van overnight?
Did you leave the Hoover and steam mop out then?

OP posts:

Original poster

museumum · 28/03/2015 15:34

Pickfords service sounds great.

Do they come to your house to give a quote? And how far in advNce did you book them?

OP posts:

bodingading · 28/03/2015 15:57

Pickfords came at 9am and were on the road by 12.30. All the packing happened on the day. I stuck a label on our steam mop and hoover with Do Not Pack written on it. I think we booked them about three weeks beforehand cause that's how much notice we had of the move.

They came beforehand to do an itinerary and talk over what we wanted, then they sent us a quote by email and left it up to us to accept or not. We went with them because we have a lot of (9) work computers at home and I needed them to be properly packed (and insured!), but I'd always have them now.

HawkeyeInChaos · 28/03/2015 16:03

I used a small local company and they were great. They came the day before and packed everything except the overnight essentials into the van. Then came the next day and quickly packed the rest and we were gone. I wasn't required to do an inventory (and would never been able to. If I had been asked I would have just written 'loads of random crap' and left it at that).

They came in to give a quote because they had to look at exactly what would need to be packed. A few of the cupboards I had to open were embarrassing

TarkaTheOtter · 28/03/2015 16:29

Ours took the lorry full of our stuff to a depot and slept in the loft bit above the cab, then returned next day. I expect if you are near their base they'll take the stuff back there overnight.

ChaosTrulyReigns · 28/03/2015 18:05

I'm very tempted by a packing service, not that we've sold yet. But yet kind of cost is it, based on your experiences?

meadowquark · 28/03/2015 19:19

I hired a company for next week, moving and packing. They are recommended by a friend. Packing service is about 300+ and moving is 500+, with VAT is a little over 1000. South London fairly local move. I was surprised that it seemed quite cheap, but then the competition is fierce and they do the job is less than 2 days.

CousinCairngormMcWomble · 28/03/2015 19:32

A tip i learned from here and was very grateful for - throw away your toilet brush! You don't want them to sling it in the bathroom box with everything else!

Seriously though - packing service worth every penny! They were so fast.

I won't quote you my numbers as mine was a 600 mile 3 day job and don't want to put you off! I still think it was worth it.

rockybalboa · 28/03/2015 19:47

Cousin: but no-one on MN has a toilet brush in real life remember... That aside, this is a really reassuring thread as we will shortly be using packers for our move to the other end of the country.

BasinHaircut · 28/03/2015 19:59

We are using one this week coming, I'll report back if you want!

I've got post its to stick on anything that we Are leaving and I'm going to make sure that everything is in the right room before they start.

Anything that we don't want packed will be stored in the car while they are packing apart from my cleaning stuff. I'll be cleaning around them while they pack.

ScottishDiblet · 28/03/2015 20:09

Hello! I definitely recommend Aussie man and van for packing and removals in London. Top tip - they pack everything so make sure you chuck everything you don't want to bring to the new house (including old fruit in the fruit bowl!).

HawkeyeInChaos · 28/03/2015 20:50

I think I paid about £600 for moving and packing, but I was only going a couple of miles down the road. It does depend how much junk there is to pack.

Original poster

museumum · 28/03/2015 21:05

We're looking for a local house (not found it yet) and have only a 1-bed flat to move. But with the 1yr old around I think packers are going to be essential.
We're not in London but it sounds like budgeting a grand will cover it.
I guess logistics depend on the vendors and when they're reaady with their keys. Our buyers are renting so the chain is one way only.

OP posts:

Knittingbat · 29/03/2015 00:12

Another good hint - go through as much stuff and throw away/donate/edit as much as in the weeks or days before as possible. We were quite frazzled pre-move and didn't do this - cue quite a lot of boxes of stuff that was half junk when it came to unpacking (you know the way if you were packing your bathroom stuff or kitchen stuff yourself you would be a bit like 'oh, that's half finished, don't need that, or that, or that…' … well, we weren't like that.)

Oh dear have just made self look like hoarder but really am not, was just shocked how much had to chuck out at other end that naturally would have been got rid of if I was packing myself! They really will pack the old fruit int the fruit bowl!

GiddyOnZackHunt · 29/03/2015 00:24

Packers are a blessed joy. Agree a safe area for things they will not pack (phone chargers etc) and let the loose. Ask them to work by room so you can clean. Get childcare if possible.
You normally have to be out about the same time you get the keys to the new place. Try and persuade your movers that lunch happens while you whip around the new place.

bodingading · 29/03/2015 09:58

I think we paid around £800 total. But apart from the insane computer situation we don't have loads of stuff and we were only going to the next county. The little van they sent was about a quarter full.

Flip