Pack and move, what to expect.

[Todayiscool]

We booked a pack and move service - the packing is tomorrow.

We've got rid of tonnes of stuff, the house is tidy. I've prepacked our clothes into laundrette bags. I've also pre packed a few other bits as we got rid of the furniture they were kept in (as we didn't want to move with it).

I've separated out precious and expensive things to take in the car (jewellery, a couple of paintings etc.)

I'm losing my head a bit... Any tips gratefully received!!

Make sure you've got a box with a kettle, milk, mugs, teabags/coffee in the car with you so you can make what will no doubt be a much needed cuppa when you get there.

Best of luck with your move - we're a few weeks behind you and not looking forward to the upheaval!

They will be like locusts. If there is anything you don’t want them to take a poster on here recommended putting items in the bath.

You can tell them which room you want the items to be going into in the next house.

Anything you need on the day or when you immediately get to your new house put in the car. Remember anything you have packed yourself might not be covered by their insurance.

They packed the hoover before we could stop them so had to borrow neighbours to clean the house before we left. They will pack your bins with rubbish in unless you tell them otherwise.

They will probably use more packing material than you would.

Remember another story on here when someone went to change out of their slippers and all their shoes had been packed!

Our removal team packed the door ringer which we didn’t notice until we unpacked boxes

Agree with the above, they are like locusts. They will come in & pack everything they see! So make sure you haven’t left anything out you don’t want packed up and put into their lorry.
Also, sometimes they come very early so be prepared the night before just in case. Other times they won’t come until around 9 but you never know.

Be prepared to unpack quickly at the other end. If you leave some boxes for weeks (as most of us do when moving) then claiming for pilfering is much harder. How do I know this? We lost 2 full bottles of single malt whiskey, a stand alone hot plate, a speaker for plugging an iPhone into and a rather nice new travel bag. Interestingly all things which could be useful to someone who spends a lot of time on the road.

I loved our service. Packed everything in sight yes but so efficient I continued wfh until 3pm when they had to pack my room. They dismantled and reassembled furniture eg beds and tables. They knew beds were the priority in new house so had them built with sheets and duvets on first. Only one broken glass and nothing stolen/lost. They moved all boxes into correct rooms then left us to it, returned a few weeks after to collect boxes. Best money I’ve ever spent.

They are here.

They seem pleasant. And are certainly working fast.

Like PP suggested we put things not to pack in a bath. And then labelled the odd. Other things (eg three plates and sets of cutlery, the hoover (for cleaning post move) and DD's backpack of things.

So far so good. On time. Working hard. Keeping an eye and ear out though, as I am afraid of them taking things (not because of them, but because it's a little unsettling having people having access to all our stuff).

Ps, keeping my eyes and ears our from a different room. Not oggling.

Maybe we are very naive but we went out for lunch whilst the packing was being done, it was my DM’s home, she was moving nearer to us after DF died, and thought she might find it too stressful (plus we were getting to the point there was nowhere to sit!)

We’ve don’t the same in the past @toomuchlaundry - just left them to it and escaped the chaos for a bit!

Mine come next week, hope today has gone well!

So far, so good.

They were on time. They were pleasant. They appeared conscientious. They worked hard, and consistently (l'm not sure they even took a break in 6 hours). They noticed little things (like they didn't pack the extra fridge shelf we keep in the larder, realising it went in the fridge (which we're leaving behind)).

The same guys (+one other) will be moving us tomorrow... Any idea how much we should tip?

I can't believe moving day has nearly arrived. It was a very straight forward purchase (no chain in either direction) and still took a little over three months since the offer was accepted.

@Todayiscool hope you will be happy in your new home

I think I tipped the guys who just did the moving day £30 each and the guys who did both the packing and the moving £50 each. No idea what the going rate is but it was just before Christmas, I had a LOT of stuff and they did a great job, and I wanted to show my appreciation.

I'm thinking similar.

So 180 in total. Which is about 10% the total contract value.

I got 200 out on Thursday thinking it'd be about right. Thank you!