Moving - packing service?

[Dreamingofthishouse]

Just wondering what thoughts were on using a full packing service? Have a very busy time ahead work wise and we are still
unsure of completion date so looks like myself or partner could be away with work around the moving period making hard to pack a house it’s small children and no help!. Considering getting some quotes for a packing service, not sure what to expect to pay for this in addition to removals, any advice?

The first time we moved together it took 4 men 10 hours to pack all of our stuff (we have a lot).

We realised there was no way we were going to find 40 spare hours to do our packing in future, plus we'd be slower as nowhere near as fit and easily distracted.

The other advantage of the packing service is they normally do it the day before the move, leaving you with beds and basics overnight, then load the vans the following morning. I had friends who did their own packing living surrounded by boxes for weeks in advance whereas we only had one night like that.

I'd echo what everybody said about the joys of using a packing service. My one piece of advice would be to be ruthless in advance about getting rid of rubbish and stuff you really don't need (especially in children's bedrooms) as it will all reappear at the other end.

Definitely pay for packing if you can afford to. Last time we moved others in the chain messed us around so much that completion date kept changing. In the end we only had about 24 hours' notice of completion.

If we'd been packing ourselves it would have taken much longer. We'd either have had to pack weeks previously when the chain first looked like completing then lived out of boxes with a 2 year old for ages, or pushed completion back yet again to allow time to pack.

As it was, the packers just turned up and blitzed the whole thing in about 6-7 hours. They moved through the house like a whirlwind, putting everything safely into boxes. Brilliant service, and I wouldn't move without it if it could possibly be avoided.

This is definitely true. Friends who recently moved unpacked a couple of empty wine bottles that had been left on the worktop from the night before the packers came. They had been carefully wrapped in tissue paper and put into a box labelled kitchen glassware....

Last time, we were moving city and in fact had all started new schools+jobs in the new city for several weeks staying with family. We only drove back to our old house every weekend to check on it, pick up post and that sort of thing.

The morning before completion, I took the train to old city (with a small overnight bag). Let the packers into the house. They spend the entire day packing the entire house like locusts, leaving only my bed with all bedding, my overnight bag, and the kettle/mugs/teabags/milk/biscuits. Everything piled with Tetris-like efficiency into their giant lorry.

First thing next morning, they came back, disassembled and packed the bed, and finally the tea things into a separate box labelled "last in, first out." Then they drove off. We'd arranged for them to come to the new house the following day, but I think they'd have been able to come the same day (2 hour drive) if we had requested it.

I strolled to the station, ate a brunch fry-up in the caff, and got the train back to the new city.

Worth. Every. Penny.

The decision depends on your specific needs and circumstances. This company offers comprehensive Moving & Packing services and assistance for those who prefer to pack their own. Professional packers can save you time and ensure efficient packing, especially for larger moves. However, if you prefer to pack your own, They can provide guidance, packing materials, and tips to ensure your items are properly packed and protected.

Update on quotes for those interested- the companies I contacted mostly quoted per hour as I mentioned that I would anticipate that I would pack some items- clothes, toys etc prior to their arrival . so generally for 3people per hour it would be about £120 plus vat then packing materials on top so “ likely” going to cost about £600/700 pounds but could be more if additional time needed. One company quoted an all in price for everything as the house currently is and that was an additional £900 to the removals. So still not too bad I think considering that’s dismantling furniture too. Thanks so everyone’s help and advice!

It's worth every penny, do it and keep your sanity.