Would you use this service?

[cabbage67]

I'm just after a bit of feedback please. I have often had this idea as I have moved a lot in the last 10 years and have just helped a friend move the last few days and it prompted me to revisit this idea of a business again.

Would anyone use a combined packing and cleaning service when moving house? I was thinking that I'd offer a package whereby I would provide boxes etc, pack and then do the final clean in the house.

I realise that removal companies offer a packing service, but I think I could undercut their prices, and also provide a packing service that was a little more tailored to the customer. I would also clean and unpack at the other end at an extra cost if this was required.

Personally I wouldn't pay for this as 1. I couldn't afford it 2. I'd rather do the packing myself, 3. I'm a SAHM and have the time, but I know first hand what a stressful time it is and most working people don't have the time for packing and the last thing you want to do is make the house you're leaving look the cleanest it's ever looked.

I'd be really grateful for your feedback please

We’re about to move and will use packers/removals. If the price was competitive a cleaning service sounds like a great idea! Especially if it could help people get the deposit back in a rental place.

Yep, in my last rented place I would have done this, I think it's especially helpful for someone with a large family, lots of stuff with little time on their hands.

Yes! I love packing services but if you want to get a cleaner in you often have to get them a day early so that the cleaning and moving isn't happening on the same day which is a massive pain.

Bear in mind the removal firm's insurance may not cover the move if someone else packs (this was our situation anyway) and you'll have to careful not to make boxes too heavy for the movers. Other than that it sounds a good service.

I think it's a good idea, as you suggest it would appeal to people who are cash rich/time poor
An issue I would forsee is the amount of dirt you would be expected to clean/to what standard, as people's houses will vary hugely in how dirty they are
also timing, if the new people are coming in the same day as the vendors move out, when will you clean?
I knew of a related service, aimed at older people which would take care of selling, buying and moving- a much bigger proposition but I thought a great idea for people who could afford it

When you say you'd provide a more tailored packaging service, what do you mean? How are you differentiating yourself? And how will you undercut the current market rate? When I moved house last year we paid for a packaging service and 2 guys came and packed up our whole house, including bubble-wrapping artwork and all kitchen cups/saucers/etc, in a few hours for really cheap.

On the cleaning side - a lot of people use End of Tenancy cleaners for when they leave their rented or owned property. These guys are pretty specialist in deep cleaning. You'll be lugging around loads of specialist cleaning equipment plus all your boxes and packing tape?

Are you doing this in your own or with a team? Calculate how long it will take you to do on your own. Some people might not like the idea that you will be there for 10+ hours in the day at their house when a small 2-3 (wo)man team could do it in 4 hours. And if you're fitting it around your DC and the school run, it might be tough.

Just trying to play devils advocate

The services already exist as things that people pay for, but I'm struggling to see a compelling reason to combine packing and cleaning together.

There's a compelling reason to combine packing and removals - so that the removals company know things are adequately protected from damage, of a safe handling weight, etc. So you need a more compelling reason to divide these two tasks and create the packing/cleaning combination instead with the removals being separate. I don't think there is such a reason.

Moved two days ago, it was hell. So a yes from me! I was saying to my oh there should be an unpacking and putting away service too!

You planning on doing this all yourself or with a team?

I always use the removals company to pack. I'd rather pay them because they were cheap and then there was no doubt about who was responsible.

I would have happily paid someone to clean the new house the next day and help us unpack over a couple of days.

I trust the movers far less with unpacking and I didn't necessarily know exactly where everything would go so we did it ourselves. We were so tired and fucked off with it. Some boxes are still in the loft. If you were able to provide food that would go down well. If you knew a local handyman to fix the little bits and bobs you realise are wrong or don't have time for immediately that would be fantastic.

Things like attaching a bookcase to the wall so the children don't tip it over, putting the stair gate up, cleaning the oven, fixing a curtain pole, sorting out the blown fuse. Someone who can sensibly say, yes put that wardrobe there and help you properly fill it, clothes in the right order etc, would be marvellous.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to comment, its been mostly encouraging. I've just got to bite the bullet and have the confidence to do something now.

I would, and I would also welcome an unpacking service.

I once moved house with a newborn and a 4yo at the start of the summer holidays- we were packed, but it was weeks before I managed to unpack...having things in random cupboards would have been better than full boxes everywhere.

Oh, and if you could build the bed too that would be great...I have done the first night mattress on the floor thing.

Great idea never heard of cleaning included.

I would though - upon inspection if the property decide if it was worth it. If it's a damn disgrace and would take hours then I wouldn't do it.

If it was fairly clean then I would offer for a hoover and dust etc

We would. We paid the removals company to do the packing and loads of stuff was just randomly lumped together on boxes- in no real order. Quite a few things were damaged- not badly, but scratched or bent etc and I would have liked someone who took a bit more care than the guy who drew the short draw from the crew to pack our house.

I like the idea of cleaning too- I was heavily pregnant with a toddler so everything that made it easier was great. Unpacking would be good- love the idea of someone chatty and friendly who would help with this.

Oh an unpacking option too. That's a great idea I've never heard of. Yes yes yes to the pp who suggested you could help with sorting out the new place. Cleaning on arrival before I unpack, attaching furniture to walls, putting up mirrors, pictures, curtains and reassembling anything that's been dismantled, and doing all the odd jobs that we notice when we move in (regrouting, painting, fixing). Moving with kids makes even simple things take so long. Imagine a service that helped with whatever was needed... They could just come for a day or two and help. I would hire them right now!

But back to your original question: yes, I've sworn never to move again without help packing and cleaning, so I would definitely be interested.

What if someone's moving out of area? You couldn't go to their new place then.

It would take far too long if you did it on your own. If you're a SAHM then presumably you have to be there before and after school? Six hours wouldn't be enough to pack up a house and clean it.

I think your packing and cleaning idea is a great. I actually thought of the same thing myself, as I also moved house several times. I wanted to go one step further and add the removals too!! What part of the world do you live in now?

I would use your service. I think it is a great idea. Everyone needs help when moving especially with small children and even big children.

I have just started a breakfast and afterschool club in woking and need some tips on advertising and getting more referrals. Any advice or ideas would be helpful.

Have a look and let me know what you think, thanks...
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Sounds great, moving house is THE most stressful thing I've ever encountered, on several occasions. I'd use it and I'd pay for it gladly.

Yes, I would, I want to pack my boxes before we move but need someone to help me being ruthless or I can leave them to do some while I have to do something else

Are you lifting and driving the van too?

Sounds like a good idea. I wouldn’t automatically assume you need to undercut existing operators though. You would be providing a very “full” service targeting customers that will value convenience and quality over cost so make sure you take advantage of that and can afford to still make a decent profit while providing a top quality service.