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Property/DIY

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Original poster

It looks like we're moving! Any good checklists and tips.

12 replies

vacaloca · 15/04/2010 16:15

We had our offer accepted today and found a buyer for our place - the whole process took just one week so it's taken us a bit by surprise.

Any recommendations for a good moving checklist?

Any tips for moving with 3 small DC? Last time we moved was 11 years ago and didn't have any kids. We're only moving 2 streets down but is still very daunting as it coincides with major busy period at work and DH's big 40th party. Scared and excited in equal measure.

OP posts:

KnickKnack · 15/04/2010 22:46

write contents on outside of every box

pack a box with things you'll need straight away...kettle, cups, snacks, drinks, toilet roll etc

pack a box of toys for kids to open straight away

make up all beds as soon as you get there...you'll appreciate that you did it straight away when kids/you are really exhausted later

start packing now, its surprising how much you own that you will not need for the next few weeks

will think of more later!

McDreamy · 15/04/2010 22:49

Get rid if the crap NOW, don't move it. If you don't love it/use it/need it - get rid.

Is there anyone that can look after your DC's on the day of the move?

McDreamy · 15/04/2010 22:49

Congratulations BTW

MrsWednesday · 15/04/2010 23:02

I moved last year, a few days before DS2's 4th birthday and DH's 40th (we had a party at the new house a week after we moved, must have been mad!)

Agree with all KnickKnack's advice. I had a list of all boxes, numbered, list of contents and what room they needed to be put in. Gave one copy to the removal men and I had the other. I put the number and room info on the boxes too.

My ILs came to help on the day - they were a brilliant help. Me and MIL sorted the kitchen and DH and FIL assembled beds, furniture etc.

Agree completely about childcare for the day itself (if it's an option for you). Much less stressful if you don't have to supervise small children.

Do a list of all the people you need to contact about change of address, with account numbers, phone numbers etc. Easier to have it all in one place.

Pack up as much stuff as you can now. Get rid of anything you've kept since the last move, thinking you'll need it but have never used (old college books in my case).

Get decent removal men - even though we only moved half a mile we still paid for a company to do a lot of the work (I did the packing though).

Borrow as many boxes as you can.

Good luck and congrats - very exciting!

Original poster

vacaloca · 15/04/2010 23:33

all good ideas, thanks. The ILs would be really helpful but I think it might be easier to send the kids down with them for a couple of days while we move. On the other hand they'll probably be really excited and want to 'help'. DD1 (6.5) was in heaven today writing lists. She lurves lists.

I was wondering how extravagant (ridiculously expensive?) would be to have a removals company packing it all for us. I don't think I can handle the packing with everything else I've got on at the moment. Any experience?

OP posts:

MortaIWombat · 15/04/2010 23:46

Oh God, it is a complete luxury. Expensive, but soooo worth it. All you have to do is sit back and relax. It is wonderful!

RustyBear · 09/05/2010 16:26

DD was 18 months old when we last moved (she's just turned 20, so it was a while ago!)
My sister offered to have her for the day & she never seemed to notice that she left us in one house & came back to a different house! It was a good idea too, as we had to retrieve her from the unfenced front drive four times between her arrival at the new house & her bedtime. The first thing we did next day was put a fence & gate up along the path from the front door.

DS was 3.5 & very excited about the new house. I gave him a large ELC wind up measuring tape & got him to measure every space in his room to make sure the furniture would fit while we got all the toys into the new playroom, then he went in there & 'unpacked' them. Kept him busy for ages.

SparkyUK · 09/05/2010 18:30

I'd get quotes from a couple of moving firms and see if it is in your budget. We just did and the first one quoted a couple of grand for packing up our house and moving us about a mile away. I was a bit dismayed and thought it was out of the question.

I then got two more firms in and they both quoted a third his price. They are both legit firms (one has been in bussiness since the 19th century!) the first guy was just totally taking the piss. I was surprisd though that the packing was only a few hundred pounds (around 300?) which includes materials. we have a lot of books and stuff and I'm sure it would take a few weeks of evenings and a few days off work to get it all organised and packed up...

MNHubbie · 09/05/2010 18:37

Check with a variety of broadband providers in advance and get quotes on time and price for all.

We were with Talk Talk and were charged over and over for it and told 4 weeks was the minimum as BT held them back. We went to BT directly and they were cheaper but quoted 2 weeks as that is as long as it takes them to do it. Then went to Sky and were told that they could do it in 2 days and were cheaper (despite being through BT).

Similarly check your Sky etc too we got standard Sky switched instantly and got even better deals all round by switching to Sky Plus (which was there in 3 days).

Always remember to have a box of essentials for the first few nights the food, cookery stuff, toaster etc as no matter how much you plan to get unpacked straight-away real life will get in the way and it might take weeks to even face the bulk of the boxes.

Good luck with the move!

Original poster

vacaloca · 12/05/2010 20:21

I did get 3 quotes in the end and doing the whole packing was only around £200 extra which I think is totally worth it. I also got them to include in the price dismantling all our self-assembly furniture (quite a lot!) and assemble it all again at the other end. All in all it comes to £1100 which is much less than I imagined, although we're only moving a few streets down.

OP posts:

Polynomial · 13/05/2010 13:10

Change the landline tel no of your new house - I had so many calls for the previous occupiers that I had to include their new no on the answerphone message.

petalpower · 13/05/2010 13:19

If you're only moving a couple of streets away you'll be able to take your old number with you so long as it's through the same exchange. Pack a bag for each member of the family as if you're going away for an overnight trip and put the bags in your car rather than the removal van. That way you'll know exactly where your LO's pj's, bedtime toys, blankies etc are when you really need then. Don't forget a bottle of wine, glasses and corkscrew to be handy for your moving in night too!

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