Removals - full packing service - any tips for the day?

sarah_elton

As per the title really, I've never used a removals service before, and we're having full packing so they're doing everything.

Any tips for the packing? For those that have used it before, do they label the boxes or do you have to follow them round and write on them? Is it best to tell them where stuff in a room is going at the new house and just leave them to it, or stick with them while they pack?

We'll be packing ourselves and taking in the car an essentials box (kettle, tea bags, loo roll!) and some personal effects we want to keep with us. At the new house I was going to stick a note on the bedroom doors of which room they are (beds 2-4 are the same size so it's not obvious!), so hopefully stuff goes into the right place.

Anything else to think about?

Mrs_Jojo

Having someone else pack is great! I would just advise that anything really precious is pointed out/taken in the car, maybe have sticky labels ready to put on boxes, but I seem to remember when I did it they had tick boxes on the side for each room. Finally, make sure that any children are occupied - they can't actually let you pack anything, because your possessions are insured on the basis that they have packed it, but I remember them giving my DD (aged 5 at the time) a box that wasn't sealed at the bottom so she could 'pack' her toys and then they packed them properly!

sarah_elton

Thanks! No kids yet so that makes things simpler. Got married in June, now moving out of our 2 bed flat into a 4 bed house (have a garden again after six years!!!), next job kids.

dacouch

They will normally write on the box which room it's from eg MBR (Main Bedroom), living room etc and note on it what it is eg books, bedding and whether it's fragile.

Depending on how the remover works you will either be able to get them to collect the used boxes (Some reuse them) or you get to keep them (They are quite expensive eg circa £2 a box) so you can sell them on via ebay or gumtree if you wish.

When you get to the new house the staff will (Should) walk around the house with you so they know which room is which and where you want specific items eg where you want each bed placed. Putting stickers noting which room is which can be helpful but should not be essential for a good company.

sarah_elton

Thanks. To add to the chaos, we are having a large delivery of new furniture at 4pm on moving in day, so the removers are likely to still be taking stuff in at that point (they are packing and moving us all on one day). They'll love us!

We already have the keys to the new place as we completed on Monday (moving on Tuesday coming), so we've taken a few bits and pieces over ourselves already. Is there anything people can think of that would be handy to have at the house, in place before we arrive?

clutton_2

the last thing to do when you leave your old house is to walk round and check every cupboard - i realised after i had moved that nothing in the aircupboard had been packed and the food in the freezer (which was staying behind) had been taken.... fortunately the new folks weren't moving in for a day or two

one of my packers was a bit "gormless" and packed the tea-making-stuff almost immediatley - not a good thing to have done !!

they packed me the day before, i slept at a friends that night and met them the next morning to drive to the new place. that worked very well indeed...

make sure you see their insurance documents - is your stuff covered overnight and for breakages... good firms who are insured will have no problem showing you these docs...

good luck

my move was soooo much easier than i had possibley imagined it would be - and i am so glad i had packers as well, well worth the money

PasturesNew

I've stood in attendance on two occasions while the box packers were doing their thing .... and I'd say that if you're using a big/national firm then you might as well go out for a pub lunch and leave them to it. They know their stuff, they're professional, they just crack on and do it.... it works seamlessly.

sonastin

Oh I'm so jealous. I can't justify the expense of movers - carpets and curtains are gonna be a higher priority - so I've got to do it myself.

Packing is no fun

talulahbeige_2

I know it will vary depending on how much stuff you have / mileage but what sort of prices can you expect to pay for this service?

wodgerdodger

We have moved 5 times in the last 20 years and each time we have had a full pack done and believe me it's worth every extra penny.

As others have said sit back and enjoy. On one , the first occasion, the "boss" advised my wife to just get out of the way and enjoy a stiff drink and if she didnt get out of the way quickthey would pack the drinks first!!!!

One firm offered a female packer to empty underwear drawers which was quite enlightened and resulted in them getting the job.

Seriously though you dont have to pack a thing just leave it to them, mark the boxes with a room number/ID at the new home sit back and enjoy.

P.S I f you're having flat packed furniture arriving as well, make sure you know where the tools are to put it together.

clutton_2

i paid around £300 extra for packing an 8 roomed house - but i had spent a year decluttering before i moved.....

why pay for stuff you will then dispose of ?