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Clueless about removals

8 replies

Balaclavarama · 12/07/2023 16:55

Hi,
We have actually moved before but from a furnished rental into our current 3 bed home.
Aiming to move again towards the end of the summer and I've realised I am clueless about how to go about this?
We are moving 100 miles away, have a toddler and I am also pregnant with twins (will be fairly heavily pregnant by the time we move)
Budget for moving costs is around 1k but less would be better!

How do we find a removal company?
Should we use a big company or smaller local - local to us or to where we're moving?
Or hire a van or 2 and get friends to help?
Use packing services?
Or if not, when to start packing?
Any tips on packing, how to order boxes, what to pack first etc?
When to book this?
I already feel very stressed that we could be moving in 8 weeks and I'm not yet organised? I like to have things arranged well before time but not knowing if we will exchange and having a week to pack with a toddler around is stressing me out?!

Just to add we are so crap at DIY and could really use someone to dismantle and remantle (?!) things like beds? Can other large furniture just be taken whole without being dismantled?

Any ideas/tips/help from more experienced wise people would be so helpful!
Thanks

OP posts:
Kimchikitchen · 12/07/2023 16:56

Where to start?

I don’t think I have the energy!

good luck

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 12/07/2023 16:57

Ask for recommendations on local social media where you live now. It sounds as if it's a smallish quantity so I'd start with smaller local companies; start getting quotes now. They are used to slightly flakey moving dates. If you can afford packing then it's a godsend but I suspect it might blow your budget.

Kingsparkle · 12/07/2023 16:59

If your budget is £1k I think your only option will be hiring a van and moving yourself. You are looking at £2-3k plus for professional movers for that distance and size of house. Very worth it though in my opinion.

Lots of nationwide rental places allow you to pick up a van from one place and drop it off at another, I would look for quotes online.

For packing, I pack everything we aren’t using regularly as early as possible and keep a detailed spreadsheet of what is in each numbered box and what room they go in. I don’t pack anything else until we’ve exchanged, from bitter experience. Best of luck with the move.

FreyafromLondon · 12/07/2023 17:01

Hey, I've spent the last two weeks packing a bit a day. I ordered boxes from Amazon. I cleared the rooms that have most things in first like the kitchen, and my child's bedroom (toys etc) I'm still in the process of doing that. I will pack my clothes in to the suit cases I own and dismantle beds.
I am going to look for a removal company tomorrow. I have to be out by Monday and don't even know where the council are placing me yet. I am currently in a rental and am trying to do it while looking after my child who has SEN with no help from family.
I advise to start packing as early as possible and just leave out you use daily and pack those bits last minute.
I won't lie, it's not easy and is stressful.
Good luck

user1471538283 · 12/07/2023 17:23

I've moved so much and always hired movers but I've packed myself. Hiring movers is alot less stressful than going it yourself and if you ask them they will take apart and put together furniture including beds. They are also really fast and insured.

Try a number of places for quotes. I recently paid £600 for one van to go 5 miles so £1k will probably not be enough.

I declutter before each move because otherwise you are paying to move stuff you then get rid of the other end. I gave stuff to charity, put it up on Facebook marketplace, left it outside. Everything went.

I then packed as much as possible. One thing I always do is pack a suitcase with bed linen for each bed, outfits for a few days, toiletries, hairdryer, pyjamas and towels. That goes in the car with us.

I pack an essentials box with tea, mugs, kettle, cat food etc and keep all important documents in my workbag. Again in the car.

Then pack as much as you can in each box.

Good luck!

DamaskRosie · 12/07/2023 17:27

£1k won't cover a removal service but it would probably cover a van and a couple of chaps. Get lots of quotes. Talk to them all about booking times. Lots of such people will also be handy with a screwdriver.

Yes you will need to pack yourself if you're not paying for it. You can buy boxes from removal companies or ask on Freecycle etc in case people have them that you could take or borrow. My only tip is that mugs and kettle are the last things packed and first things unpacked. Talk to whoever you hire about what thy prefer re clothes in drawers etc.

Stratocumulus · 12/07/2023 17:28

Contact several local removal companies now for a visit to quote. Mix of small local and maybe a couple of nationals.

Start researching box suppliers now. Buy the best you can afford. Start eyeing up every box u see at the supermarket. Nothing too big or you won’t be able to lift it.
Banana trays are great for paperback books.

Buy white wrapping paper from Amazon.
Buy bubble wrap from Amazon.
Buy strong black bags for bedding and soft stuff.

Get yourself a small box labelled “pens, tie on luggage labels for bags, Stanley knife, scissors, sticky tapes, note pad and measuring tape.” Put those items together & keep them together. Drill that into your husband! It’s your go-to place for oddments to make things efficient.
The thick black felt tip type pens will be great for writing on the boxes “lounge, kitchen, spare room, master bedroom” etc.

Start packing now. Stuff you don’t use every day.
Keep back 3 pans, frying pan, minimum cutlery and kitchen utensils. Kettle, minimum mugs etc. (You get my drift?)

If you can, dedicate a space somewhere in one of your rooms for boxes you’ve already packed and stack them there. Make sure labels are facing out so IF you do need to retrieve something it narrows down which boxes to re-open.

Sort and save, chuck or donate anything you can.

Empty drawers of clothing during last few days & strap or tie drawers shut so they can’t slide open on moving day. IF removal people need to dismantle anything they might charge extra. Ask about that.

From now on, eye up every item you touch and weigh up if you’re really really going to need it again before you move? Box it up now if you can get away with it.

A little bit each day is the way forward. My suggestions are just that because everyone has different experiences to draw on. Your team work with hubby is key & will save you stress and money.

Good luck in your new home OP. I hope your confinement goes well too. ❤️ Exciting times.

Balaclavarama · 12/07/2023 18:00

Omg thank you everyone so much, this is so helpful and I am going to go through tonight and make notes and a more detailed plan for myself.
Thank you!

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