What do I need in my ‘grab’ bag for the full day I have in new home before removers arrive

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I’m going to preface this by saying the legal work is still precarious, so dates could shift… but I am supposed to sell and buy this week.
Plan A is that I move out on Friday and I get the keys to new place on Monday. Removers are expected to arrive first thing Tuesday.
I anticipate DH and I will stay in a hotel the Monday night, although we do have sleeping bags. DDog is not coming until Wednesday.
What do I need to have handy for Day 1 before our gear arrives?

Kettle, mugs, tea/coffee, snacks, phone chargers, cleaning stuff, hand soap and towel, loo roll, couple of light bulbs (sellers have been known to take these type of things), bin bags, in case they leave crap behind, extra jumper in case it takes a while to get the hang of the thermostat, notepad and pen

blow up mattress and pillows if staying overnight
kettle, mugs etc
££ for takeaway, paper plates
cleaning kit
vacuum
tool kit

my tip - book a professional carpet cleaner for day 1 before your stuff arrives.

A mug each
Tea/coffee supplies (inc tea spoon)
Kettle
A couple of plates/cutlery
Toiletries
Jumper in case the heating is off
Notepad + pen to make lists of diy/things to buy
Camping chairs
A roll of kitchen towel
Toilet roll
Hand soap

I will consider hiring a rug doctor @FourForksSake- I have the liquid still and I think it might be one of the things prohibited from removal van. For same reason we will have paint in car but no enthusiasm to take it out.

@chesterelly1 @PragmaticIsh I think the house has been empty since before Xmas so good shout something warm to wear

The number one rule is not to leave the bag for the removers to take, or accidentally throw it away with the rubbish! I have done both 🤡

Lots of biscuits and plenty of mugs and tea/instant coffee/sugar/spoons so you can give drinks and snacks to the removal men - in my recent experience they REALLY like and appreciate this as lots of people don't bother offering now, and by the end of the day they really like you and have become less grumpy macho sods and more we wish all our customers were as nice as you. 😂

Honestly, I would make sure I got the keys to your new house on the same day as you hand over the keys to your current house! The only time I wouldn’t would be as bothered is if the new house is at the other end of the country and the estate agent is holding the keys

@Soontobe60 The houses are 10 hrs’ drive away and in different countries so this is the best it can be!

Oh and a cash bonus in an envelope for the removal team.

Do you think the guys will do Monzo etc or will it still be cash ? Serious question…

Bottled water! You don't know if the taps will work etc.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen.

A security camera to attach to the front of the property immediately - some people might try to take advantage of the chaos of moving.

Nice smelling candles to pop in every room to help with any musty lingering smells. Lighter or matches.

Bin bags and rubber gloves. Stanley knife.

Finally - a bottle of fizz for the evening ;)

If it’s been empty since Christmas look up who you think will be a decent heating engineer. Wear lots of layers and have extra socks, a hat and your slippers handy. Maybe a plug-in heater so that you can get one room warmer more quickly?

plus in heater is a good idea.

i think everyone else has covered it.

recently helped my sister move house. cleaning supplies and loads of cloths was what we needed most. and kettle/mugs/snacks. we used paper plates and got takeaway for lunch.

don't forget to remove valuables/jewellery/cash to your car.

Tomorrow is bag prep day. @Beachtastic in response I’m setting up a No Go room for the removal people so nothing from that room gets packed on the lorry.
Considering booking a Sainsbury’s shop for late Tuesday evening although it’s possible we might want to go for a pint./ supper.
Thank goodness it’s supposed to stop raining for Thursday/Friday

Definitely snacks for the removal men. I bought mine bacon sarnies from the shop round the corner. They repaid me sharing the ice lollies that they bought later in the day.
They inhaled tea and coffee at their break times but also bought cans of pop as it was a really hot day. Next time I'd get a box in.
Definitely pays to look after them as they were fantastic when we arrived at the new place including helping with some new furniture that we had delivered the same day.

Huge thanks to all. I took every piece of advice going and I have survived part 1 of my 6 day move!
I had all my don’t touch things in a no go area but DH and DD thought I was over the top. Hey presto within 30 mins my DH had lost all his shoes and had to have them repatriated.

Well done! We moved in October but we'd been in a rental for a year so moved twice to get to our lovely new house. The movers - because we treated them well with snacks and tips - were absolutely gold, and it made it so much less stressful. It's such a massive thing, moving, people underestimate how hard it is. You did well getting yourself prepared like this. Hope the rest of it goes smoothly and you enjoy being settled in your new home. 🏡

congratulations! I hope the rest goes smoothly

in the end what was in your grab bag?!

No-one mentioned packing the cat! We’re in the process of moving and I wondered what people do with their cats? I’m assuming ours will get very spooked by having packers in for a day or two beforehand and more so on the day of the move.

growlybear83 depends on how far you are moving I think.

Last time we moved I boxed the ca up early doors and took her to the new place first; with litter tray and food etc. she was deposited in a downstairs bathroom with a big sign saying no "cat do not enter".

Then I went back and helped with everything but mainly stayed unpacking in the new place as the movers arrived.

She was dying to be out of the bathroom after a few hours but we kept going in to check on her and eventually let her out at the end of the day. She was totally fine and settled in really easily once she was sure of where her meals were 🤪❤️🐈

Disinfectant wipes so you can wipe down worktops before using them. I'd take cleaning stuff too as best to clean before stuff arrives. I hope they leave it clean for you but you never know. I sprayed and washed out all cupboards before putting my plates and dishes in them.

If you’re getting packers in, make sure you don’t do what my MIL did and end up with all her shoes and lots of her clothes in storage apart from the slippers she was wearing while she did her final checks upstairs! Label boxes carefully….

Cleaning materials, vacuum. An empty house is the perfect opportunity to clean places that you may not be able to once your stuff arrives. I’d give it a going over and literally wipe the last occupants away.

🍾