when to pack....?

[beardeddragon174]

We are first time sellers, having bought out first time buy 2.5 years ago. After some rocky business which is too annoying to go into here (first purchase fell through, then our buyers got lazy so we chucked them) we have motivated buyers and we've foubd an onward house we love to bits.

My question is: we have a suggested completion date of June 26th. I know this is some time away, but when do I start to pack? A month before? After exchange?

And how soon should I book movers? We want to pack ourselves (three bed terrace). Our new house is only about 15 min drive away but no way we can move our big furniture in our car.

Thanks in advance!!

Apologies for typos...!

I have already started, and my move is due to complete around the same time as yours.
I have been in this house 20ys though and so have had to do loads of decluttering and sorting.
I have packed everything that would not be used in the next six weeks or so ( books, winter clothes, loft, and most of DC's board games etc as they tend to play with the same stuff most of the time).
I am now at the stage of two boxes left to do in each room plus the kitchen from scratch.

I have already employed a moving firm and they are aware I have no set date, but it means I have all packing materiaals and can take my time over it.

I have never moved before as this was my first house.

I have no idea if how I am going about things is the norm, but it is working for me.

We are waiting to exchange...hoping to move in 6 weeks or so.
We have been decluttering so since we put the house on the market, but the decluttering has got more brutal as time goes on.
Also for us we are only buying absolutely essential items before the move, so are using up toiletry/household products etc. no clothes shopping unless essential.
We are having packers, if we weren't I wouldn't pack much before 2 weeks ahead of time. This is because due to the decluttering, we use most of what is accessible.
Have done most of the garage and loft already.

Norks - I am v impressed! Also did not know you can hire a firm befote you get a date. Useful :-)

Lollipop - how much is the packing service, if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks both

I hired the removals firm before the date. They are used to working like this.

I started packing pretty much as soon as I could. There is a lot you don't need day to day. Stuff in the loft, spare bedlinen and towels, winter clothes, anything beyond the everyday crockery, books, CDs, pictures..............
Scrounge boxes from local shops - all mine came from John Lewis as it as on the way home. Customer service were happy to get rid of them.

You can definitely get quotes for moving now. Give them an estimation of the date that you'll be moving and then confirm when you've exchanged.

When you start packing depends on how much decluttering you need to do (sounds like not loads as you haven't been in the house long) and how much stuff you can manage to live without day to day, along with how much time you have.

We used a packing/moving firm, primarily because it was less disruptive for the children to have the house packed and moved in two days. The packing cost for us was about 800 pounds including materials (3 bedroom house in London).

Just waiting for our quote, so not sure how much it will be. We are also opting for the bed disassembling and reassembling option.

Paying for packing is well worth considering - they do it all in a day or two so you don't have to do any prep at all. A godsend if you have kids or are short of time.

Good to know....we have just had surveys done on our own house and new house....mortgages all in place....no completion date yet....is it realistic to think it will be all complete in 6 weeks? ?

I've been packing (slowly) since I accepted my offer in Feb - mostly decluttering and throwing stuff away. Endless trips to the dump and charity shops.

Got my completion date last week for Friday 8th May so packing ramped up a gear over the weekend, booked removals - just to load/unlaod, ordered a washer and fridge freezer to be delivered on Saturday but found out late yesterday afternoon that completion is now not happening.

Gutted. You should see my house. we're surrounded by boxes. One of my DS has no wardrobe as we took it apart. We have hardly any food in. I am so stressed and of course normal life has to continue, work, school, washing, meals to make.

Then someone asks where his PE kit is and I break out in a cold sweat. I am never moving again!

Oh BG I am gutted for you!! Did you get a reason why it isn't happening? Have you got a new date?

BG sorry to hear this, hope it gets sorted.