Packer and movers - worth it? (North London)

[FirstMate]

Looking for experiences generally - and any specific recommendations (or ones to avoid) - from anyone who’s used packers and movers instead of doing the packing themselves. The move is from north London, only going a few miles.

There’s not a huge amount to pack, and not much furniture, so probably quite a quick job - the goal is maximum efficiency and reduced stress on someone who is going to find the usual stress of moving extra challenging.

We used Pickfords. I'm sure that someone will come along soon and tell you to avoid them and they are more expensive sometimes but we've only ever had brilliant experiences with them. Super fast at packing, really helpful (eg we had some heavy boxes we were already storing in the garage of our new house and they cheerfully carried them up the stairs for us). The best bit for me was the fact they came back a week later to pick up all the cardboard boxes.

If low stress and minimal disturbance is the major aim, packers are worth their weight in gold.
4 bed house - 2 days to pack and move it all. We had all furniture put back together, and in the right room of the new house by the end of day 2.
It wasn't a massive amount more for them to pack as well as move.
I'd ask for recommendations (or search for previous answers) on a local FB group.

We paid for packing for our last move as it was at short notice and we were feeling very stressed. It was worth every penny, so much so that we’re treating ourselves to the packing service for our upcoming move too. In the circumstances you outline, I’d absolutely go for packing if it is affordable.

Worth every penny as pp have said - so, so much less stress. Make sure you declutter and empty bins etc before they swoop in as they absolutely pack everything! We used stork removals from Enfield and they were absolutely brilliant twice.

Thanks everyone, this all sounds like it’s going to be the best approach in the circumstances.

Advice to declutter as much as possible and empty the bins duly noted!

Worked out at about £100 per room extra and very worth it. Be aware most will reserve the right to subcontract so we had bishops move for the first move (AMAZING) but then we hired them again and they subcontracted for the next one 9 months later and they were awful.

For North London I’d always use a particular company of packers and movers. I’d go as far as to say I’d not move if they couldn’t do it. Anywhere else I’d probably be more inclined to pack myself as I’m a bit controlling. If you’ve not got a company in mind and are interested in the one I use please feel free to PM me.

I'd recommend Rogers Removals in North London- they've always been excellent for us and reasonably priced.

Definitely get packers and a removal company to make it as stress-free as possible.

We used Burke and Wills several times and they're absolutely brilliant! Really regret not using them for most recent move.

We used City Removals most recently and they were dreadful - avoid!