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How long to pack?

37 replies

Orangerunner10 · 11/04/2021 10:44

We are moving in just over two weeks, meant to exchange next week but as long as both ends of our chain don’t fall through (FTB at bottom and our seller) we can move either way regardless. We are doing a DIY move as we have a storage unit, so most stuff into storage unit, full van on the day, then the weekend unloading the unit. Two bedrooms, a full attic and cellar. LOADS of stuff due to various equipment heavy hobbies; photography, climbing, scuba, camping etc.

How long do you think it will take to pack? Is it too ambitious to make plans for both weekends in between moving that don’t involve packing? We both WFH full time currently.

OP posts:
Oddbutnotodd · 11/04/2021 15:45

Never do a diy removal. It takes forever. It takes way longer than you think and is exhausting. Definitely do not book anything social between now and removal day. Just keep out the bare minimum and pack everything else.

SlidesAndLadders · 11/04/2021 19:28

It took our packers 5 man days to get us boxed up - again a lot of hobby items. And then on the day itself it took them 8-2 to get the rest of our stuff done and on the lorry.

The thought of squeezing it in after work and dinner, and thinking you can go out at the weekends and not worry about it!

No one ever says their move was calm and that they packed too much or too early. Get started tonight.

Justkeepswimming321 · 11/04/2021 19:50

2 weeks?! Oh my goodness. Please get started right now! We are expecting to move in around 8weeks and Ian overwhelmed at how much needs to be done!

Orangerunner10 · 11/04/2021 20:13

Ok I have got around 50 boxes and started to fill some this afternoon. Hoping to empty the attic out by the end of the week which will be a good start!

OP posts:
tigerbread20 · 11/04/2021 20:22

It took us a month and I wasn't working so had some time midweek too.
I'd be feeling very nervous at a DIY move with 2 weeks notice

InescapableDeath · 12/04/2021 13:55

I'm at a similar point to you OP. We are supposed to be completing on the 19th but we haven't quite exchanged yet. I've found the whole process so stressful I can't bear to pack the whole house up when it's fallen apart before.

I haven't done nothing - we've packed all books, our bedroom, and most of the garage has gone to storage. But now we only have a week, so presuming we do exchange as I want to, it's going to be tight getting the rest of it done!

emmathedilemma · 12/04/2021 14:08

Twice as long as you expect in my experience! I would box up everything you aren't likely to use in the next 2 weeks as soon as you can. Clear out things like the garage and attic, start eating your way through the kitchen cupboards and freezer, do a run to the tip and the charity shop.....
You need to be at the point of eating takeaway out of the wrapper by the last night and only have the kettle and a couple of mugs / essentials left to pack on the day you move.

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 12/04/2021 16:23

I think you will need more boxes.

BiddyPop · 12/04/2021 16:39

We started packing as soon as we were sale agreed (process is quicker here - about 6 weeks from sale agreed to moving). It was our first house and we were there 30 months, so not enough time to really accumulate loads. And it still took us most of that time, doing a box a day and putting aside the spare bedroom to fill with boxes.

Now, looking at the clutter, even with a storage unit available (we have 1), unless you can dedicate a number of hours every evening after work (like, 3-4 hours at least, DAILY), and preferably move at least some boxes, hobby items etc to the storage ahead of time (that can be part of the 3-4 hours), you won't have any time for things other than moving on the 2 weekends.

DH and I packed up our house but got movers for the boxes/furniture. I have also moved a DUncle (who is a serial mover for reasons of his profession) on a number of occasions - he also usually gets professionals for the transport and a lot of the packing too, but there is a lot to organise and that needs to be done personally. He did the last 2 moves without professionals though, just family and friends using cars and a hired van.

DBro also moved using family last year and a rented van.

And I am also used to packing up the van for my Cubs going camping every year.

Don't underestimate the amount of thinking in loading the van itself so everything is fitted securely and won't move in transit (both for your safety and to prevent damage to your stuff), and to make sure each load is as full as possible to reduce trips and that it is not top heavy or otherwise dangerously loaded.

And the amount of energy that moving boxes in and out of vans, onto trollies and stacked into storage, and again back out of storage into the new house - is also astonishing. You will start out great, but literally hit a wall (and need hot tea/cold coke and sugary biscuits to keep going) as the day progresses. But there will still be a mountain yet to be done.

I really would start moving as much as possible to the storage unit now, at least a car load a day, and spend a couple of hours daily packing up the less used spaces - attic, cellar, out of season clothing, spare bedding you won't need for a couple of weeks, art from the walls, book cases/music collections (keep out a few to enjoy while you work and for your "collapse in a heap" time) etc. And get into higher intensity of packing the more everyday spaces and items closer to completion day - but aiming to be fully packed up the night before so you only have to strip beds, load up, clean and go in the morning once the paperwork is done. Cos you will need to keep lots of energy for your arrival in the new place also.

pipsqueakbollock · 12/04/2021 17:11

I moved a 3 bed house to a 3 bed house.
One shed.
I had 120 boxes and it took me 3 weeks after work. No hobbies.

There's weight limits on boxes so if you are a book heavy house, you've already used up half your 50 boxes.

Onelifeonly · 12/04/2021 17:20

50 boxes doesn't sound much. Can't recall exactly how many we had but we laughed initially thinking we'd been given far too many.......no, we filled them all.

Smokeahontas · 12/04/2021 23:54

Mine is going on the market next week (all being well!). I have rented a storage unit and have already started moving non essentials into it the last week. I’ve also started a ruthless thinning out of ‘stuff’ - have several large bin bags ready to go to the Sally Army. Hopefully it’ll mean when the time comes, I can get through what’s left in the house far quicker.

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