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Original poster

When to start packing?

17 replies

CatchingBabies · 30/03/2018 06:30

How early would you start packing for a house move if you had a LOT of sorting and decluttering to do along the way as well as take items to the tip (that are being used now but won't be coming) etc.

We considered using a packing service but they will just pack everything and as we have well outgrown this house there is stuff stored in every nook and cranny that we need to sort. Plus they do it on move day don't they? That wouldn't leave any time to dispose of the items that we are not taking,

You can probably guess this is the first time I have moved!

OP posts:
joystir59 · 30/03/2018 07:06

We did loads of decluttering/deep clean as part of preparing the house to go on the market. So we knew that everything we had in the house was what we wanted to take with us. We partially packed when we SSTC, but it proved to be a mistake as the sale fell through and we had to go back to market and have fresh viewings with a load of boxes in one room, which wasn't ideal. So I would recommend you deep clean and declutter ruthlessly early in the process so you are presenting a thoroughly clean tidy house and garden to market. We depersonalised thoroughly for viewings. We made sure all kinds of little outstanding jobs were sorted out (painted garden gates, replaced a leaking tap, stuff like that) and then leave the packing until you've exchanged contracts and know a moving date. In the meantime you can source packing boxes/ get quotes for a packing and or removal service so you know who you are going to use. Good luck OP it's a stressful process.

Phillipa12 · 30/03/2018 07:08

I went through and decluttered from about 1 month before move (monumental amount of crap that was hoarded and not coming with). I then paid for packers who came in the day before, who are also well worth the money and they dont need you there whilst they pack so you could take tip stuff to the tip. Just put stuff you need for move day to one side and let them know not to pack it and same with tip stuff. (I moved 300 miles after a divorce and was going into temp housing so half the house was staying put for my ex, and my half was being split between moving and storage, i was panicing, but it went so smoothly i could have cried with relief)

AnnieAnoniMouser · 30/03/2018 07:15

Did you post a similar thread the other day? If not, you have a ‘moving twin’ out there!

Declutter now. One room at a time, be as ruthless as you possibly can. Take things for charity shops little & often as otherwise they either clutter the place up or merge back into the house.

Buy a shredder & be ruthless with paperwork - no one needs 15 years with of phone/water/electricity bills. Take photos of things you’re not 100% sure of.

What sort of things are you using now but won’t be taking with you?

ilovewinterpansies · 30/03/2018 07:17

We are hopefully going to exchange soon and I have the same dilemma.

I know it's SO lazy and wastes costs but I was thinking of sorting things as I unpack at the other end - is that mad? I figure I'll have to unpack and organise things there anyway...I know I'll have to pay for a few things to be moved unnecessarily but it won't necessitate too much travel (we're moving around the corner to a bigger place). Big stuff obvs I'll take to the tip/charity shop but I have so many clothes/toys I need to bin/charity and the thought of going through them all fills me with dread...

QuiteLikely5 · 30/03/2018 07:18

The first thing should be to declutter. Buy some super strength black bags and go for it. Toys clothes etc

Start today.

Also start sourcing boxes for your move

If you have a lot of clothes hanging up you can buy boxes with rails in this saves you from re ironing them in your new place

I would start packing a week before

wowfudge · 30/03/2018 12:27

I would declutter and pay the removal firm for packing. That way you can live normally until just before you move.

Waspsarewankers · 30/03/2018 13:43

It's never too early to declutter and whilst decluttering pack things you won't need again as you go.
Things like ornaments, sherry glasses, bedt china etc. It's not going to kill you to be without these items even if it means using wine glasses and cheap china instead gor guests etc.

You might be surprised how much stuff you have like this.

Original poster
CatchingBabies · 30/03/2018 15:38

Nope not posted before so I have a twin lol.

We're moving out of rented into our first home so we havnt had the declutter before market motivation. I guess we should start on that soon to make it easier later. There's just soooooooo much clutter!

OP posts:
Original poster
CatchingBabies · 30/03/2018 15:43

And we are not taking all wardrobes as they are built in at the new house, not taking the bunk beds as kids will have their own rooms now and new beds have been bought for the new house. And I swear I'm NOT taking 13 years of clutter and wires that look useful but no one knows what they belong to! We are moving into a new build so we will only get 10 days notice to move and we've already exchanged. Very exciting!

OP posts:
FiveGoMadInDorset · 30/03/2018 15:43

I have stated, no move date yet!

TENDTOprocrastinate · 01/04/2018 10:22

I’m in a similar position to you OP, we are moving from rented to buying a new build.
We are moving in one month and I’ve started de-cluttering. I’m going through each room and sorting things into charity shop or dump bags. We’ve done 2 charity shop drops and 2 dump drops so far.
I’m about 1/3 of the way through my sort out. (5 bed house)
We plan to pay for the removal company to pack our stuff which will happen over the 2 days before we move. We’ve done this before and it was money well spent!

BlueAnchor · 01/04/2018 10:32

Do the loft first! Bitter experience!
Left ours till the day before the move....then had to stay up all night to empty it!
SOOOOOO much stuff. Started sorting and carefully packing, ended up in the early hours just shoving stuff into bags/car boot for the tip.

Meant the moving day was exhausting ...and finding out over the years the things I had tipped that I should have kept

GreenTulips · 01/04/2018 10:38

You should be packing up stuff you are keeping but don't use. Orniments pucitres etc
Keepsakes you know you want
Then go through kids clothes and get rid of anything they don use or wear
Sooner the better

MaggieFS · 01/04/2018 19:04

@ilovewinterpansies the thing is you probably won't then do it when you get to the new house, you'll be too busy getting your new home sorted! Plus you'll may the removal costs on stuff you don't intend to keep. I bet what would happen is a load of boxes will get shoved in the loft or garage of your new place until you move again. Declutter now!

TheClitterati · 01/04/2018 19:06

It's never too early to start.

Twirlstwirlstwirls · 01/04/2018 19:10

I’m in kind of similar position and have tried to follow minimalist threads on social media - like donating any duplicate kitchen utensils to charity (I realised I didn’t need 3 cheese graters nor 4 sieves) I’m also trying to use everything up in cupboards, freezer, bathroom. Finally, thinking of what would be the first thing I’d save in a fire.... and making sure I keep that aside but I feel for you - beyond that it’s hard!!!

Maverick66 · 01/04/2018 19:34

Today. Declutter declutter declutter.

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