Packing to move house tips

toocleverbyhalf

After 24 years I'm moving to a smaller property due to the bedroom tax. Trouble is, it's so long since I've moved that I don't know where to start!!
Has anyone got any tips/ advice they can give me on how to be organised & to make this move as smooth as possible? Many thanks

UpToMyNeckInIt

1). Have a thorough clear out and be ruthless. You will be amazed at the useless stuff that you will have gradually hoarded over the years. Anything you have not used in the last Year: Ebay, charity shop or skip. Remember, the more you have to move, the more it will cost, and as you are downsizing, your new place will quickly become cluttered.

2). Last time I moved house, I used professional packers. Personally, I thought it was well worth it.

But failing that, and to do it on a budget: Scrounge a load of big boxes (most shops will happily oblige, as it saves them having to pay to recycle them), and keep old newspapers for packing material.

Pack each box by room, and label them, so that you can easily put each box in the relevant room at your new place; and

3). If you know a mate with a van - ideally a luton transit, that will save, but they don't cost that much to hire. That may suffice if you are a small household, and if you have been good at de-cluttering.

Otherwise, you will have to book a removal firm - more costly, but less hassle.

Good luck.

toocleverbyhalf

Thank you for your reply. I'm planning to free cycle my excess furniture & do charity shops too. The room by room method sounds like the best way.

googler

Check out my recent posts for a list of people and organisations you (might) need to inform of your move.

Sarahspangles

You need my list of lists (and googler's invaluable list of people to notify)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5035348

toocleverbyhalf

I will. Many thanks.

Lil_Me_2

I'm just about to move and one of the things I've done is pack a suitcase of essentials. All of the things that I use day to day and enough clothes for about 10 days. Then I know that if it's not in the suitcase then it can go into boxes and it's clear what is left to sort through. It also means that I know what to unpack first in the new house!

purple45

Gather up bubblewrap every time you're in the fruit and veg aisle of the supermarket, its a great source! Plus save all your newspapers, you can get through loads of this stuff wrapping all your breakables!

toocleverbyhalf

Thanks everyone for your replies & lists. Sarahspangles & googlers are fantastic, just what I needed. I've printed them off & will start getting myself going now I know what to do. Many thanks again!!

martindow

The most important thing is to pack the kettle, teapot and cups last and unpack them first at the other end. You can then cope with anything that might happen.

Callie22

Number all of your boxes, and write on them which room you'd like them to go in. What I do is give each box a number and a general description (Box 1, books, living room) for example, and then I keep a notebook with a more detailed description of what's in the box (i.e. half novels, half cookery books and screws from bookcase!). That way I can quickly check whether a box is worth unpacking, or whether it's something I can leave for a while.

Also, be realistic when you're packing and don't fill a box half full of useful stuff, and half full of stuff you like but don't really need out yet. Pack all of your essentials together and pack all of your non-essentials together. That way you only have half as much unpacking to get to what you actually need!