Removal Company vs hiring own van : which is best

hethmar

This is their heavy stuff, any self respecting couple of blokes can move this without a major trauma and will enjoy the macho image they achieve through doing so:

. "We dont have *that* much stuff, probably between two an entire one-bed flat.. (the place we're moving to is part furnished, you see.. ) and we have one double bed, 2 chest of drawers, a small sofa and 2 bookcases".

Blimey, me and OH moved a whole houseful between us when we were young - get that hire van booked and ask them if they have a trolley to push the heavy stuff about.

One tip *** DO NOT put a lot of books into one box or whatever - they weigh an absolute ton - put a few in with other stuff in boxes.

anovic

Go for the van. Get yourselves some strong boxes from your local supermarket - they should have plenty. Always keep lifting the box when you are packing it, making sure it's not getting heavier than is comfortable for you to lift - better to carry a few more lighter boxes than heavy ones where either you or the box collapses half way down the stairs. And buy some labels or a big marker pen and write on the outside of the boxes what's in them and which room they are for in the new place. Makes it easier when everything ends up where it should be!

Sailor_Sam

With such a small move, go for the van. Make a fun day of it, with a bit of booze, (not for the driver), and some buffet things that can be done in the microwave.
Flutter your eyelashes, if the blokes are offering, accept it.

1399steve

We moved recently and hired a van and did it between myself, my bruv and my mate. Easily moved a reasonably full 2 bed house in a day.

Only problem was although it was only £50 for the van day (plus a crate of Stella for each helper), some considerate person bumped the van when it was parked which cost me the £100 excess so not quite so cheap after all! Just glad I paid the £10 for extra insurance or it could have been up to £300!

hethmar

Well theres another tip - get insurance cover.

currynchips

Hire the van. Saving at least £150 for a few hours hard graft - which your friends are doing for you anyway!
Those who suggest getting people in a just bloody lazy considering the small amount involved.

Rent-a-van in Bitterne are very good.

dander

Personally I'd stump up the cash and get the two men and a van to do it. They'll do it quickest with minimum fuss, minimum having to be grateful etc.

I reckon if you've got friends in you'll feel you have to help, so you'll still be lifting and shuffling and you'll feel you can't hurry them along. Whole thing could take ages and you can't just say "thanks, now sod off!" while you get on with the unpacking and settling in.

The men with the van will do it in a couple of hours, take the cash and be on their way, leaving you with plenty of time to potter around - and no guilt or favours owed!

londongirl

Hey at least you are considering some kind of van either way! My ex-OH and I decided (no wait, I decided to save money! Even though he is now ex can't really blame that one on him!) to move into a 1 bed flat from 2 seperate 1 bed flats using just our cars and a bit of help from my parents!
It was Christmas 2006 and it took us 8 days in total of going back and forth (i have a renault clio!!) and then he finally had to borrow a pick up truck from his work to move my double bed mattress and bed as it was the only thing we couldn't squeeze into either of our cars. The pick up truck had no roof so we had to buy tarpaulin and it rained and rained and we had to stop in the middle of the road and get soaked trying to tie the tarpaulin back on when the wind whipped it off!

When i moved out of the flat back to my parents after splitting with my ex i used a man and van (well a lady, man and a van!) just for my stuff and although i thought it was expensive £160 i think - the whole thing was done in about 4 hours. I think my ex and i probably spent about £160 in petrol the amount of journeys we did in our cars - back and forth from his old place about 3 miles away and back and forth from my old place about 8 miles away!

He on the other hand when we split ended up hiring a van for two days - came down once with his parents and once with a friend so i'm sure he spent the same as it would have cost by hiring man and van for just half a day.

If i ever manage to complete finally on the studio flat i am buying i will be using man and van all the way! Despite offers from male friends! A lot less stressful!

HairyApeMan

*Louise* wrote: »

2 blokes are offering to help???


Where's your dilemma?:D

Hire a van, grab the 2 blokes, move all your stuff then give the guys something for their trouble (pub meal mentioned previously is a good idea)

You're sorted.

This is how I moved house, had a couple of friends over and they helped me out. I gave one a chair and the other a bottle of wine, the only dilemma, one of them wants me to help move soon!!!:o

huntersc

I moved house once, never again. Now I hire people to do a full pack and move and go down the pub. Give them a tip at the end of the day and move into my fully unpacked house