Packing Tips? When to start?

Nikkinakkinoo2017

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

If one of you works in a job where they throw away lots of cardboard boxes, ask if its ok to take some home for moving. I've never paid for cardboard boxes! If you don't, ask a friend who does if they can grab some for you.

Ahhh funny you posted this, our friend who works in the offices at the local hospital has been round with so many boxes and said she will just keep them coming until we say stop. So grateful xx

tealady wrote: »

Make sure that one set of bedding for every bed, nightclothes, bathroom stuff, kettle, mugs, drinks and mobile phone chargers are packed last and unpacked 1st.
Soon as you are in read meters (take photos on phones its easier), make the beds, put stuff in bathroom and have a brew. The rest can wait.
HTH

This is fab advice thank you. My main problem is I am so laid back and so is my hubby. We are just floating our way through this process lol. I will definitely do this thanks ever so much. Clueless :rotfl:

penguingirl

Always put toilet roll, soap and a towel in your easily accessed box as well!

[Deleted User]

I was tempted by the stories on here about how worthwhile removal firms doing the packing is, particularly as I have a few physical difficulties.

Put the details on a removals quotes website, got one quote for £500 which I thought was way too low to be believable, and another (after giving them a full list of where to where (5 mins drive away if that) and they came back with a quote of £1.200 plus vat. Two days for three men. I can understand totally packing taking some time.., but a full day for a two bed maisonette (not cluttered)? And another full day to move five minutes down the road. I really don't have oodles of stuff.

Looks like somehow I am going to have to do it myself lol. I am decluttering now. Packing up books, toys bedding, DIY tools etc in kitchen and hallway (areas I have cleared for this purpose). Sorting stuff under beds but already boxed up. Nearer move time will sort out clothes, box up stuff in wardrobes, just declutter chest of drawers as they can be taped up and moved as is.

Kitchen cupboards - cooking equipment can probably be done without and boxed up early. Eat up as much food from freezer as you can before moving.

I order stuff from Amazon and online so always have boxes folded and stored. Buying a tape gun and tape on ebay to seal them (£5) and some bubble wrap.

Hope that helps.

Red-Squirrel_2

Nikkinakkinoo2017 wrote: »

Ahhh funny you posted this, our friend who works in the offices at the local hospital has been round with so many boxes and said she will just keep them coming until we say stop. So grateful xx

The boxes for bags of fluids are the strongest.

kerri_gt

Another vote here for getting the professionals to pack. I packed sentimental / fragile items myself into a few boxes and put those in my car but had the removal company come in and pack the day before we moved (which was our completion date as we were also renting so didn't have to be out the same day) then they did the actual move the next day.

We weren't moving far (about a mile) and I thought 'oh we don't have much stuff) but the furniture soon adds up. It was so much easier to let them do their stuff while I could then clean the house we were moving out of (which took a good few hours even though the bathroom / kitchen deep cleans had already been done). Given the £££ that go into buying a house, the cost of the removal company was relatively minor and so worth it vs the effort / time / stress of trying to self move (which we've done before with well meaning friends and ended up with just about every bit of furniture we owned damaged in some way)

smallholdingsister

Will professional movers move potted plants?

Upsidedown_Bear

smallholdingsister wrote: »

Will professional movers move potted plants?

Yes either inside or garden.

cloo

Declutter now by all mean, but don't pack until you've exchanged, as even if there is no chain and things seem straightforward, things do happen. We;ve got tonnes of stuff but managed to pack within a week, no problem.

If you have lots of books/dvds, my husband always goes to supermarkets and picks up those fairly flat, open boxes they use for fruit and veg. They're a good size for them, don't get too heavy and are generally easy to carry. Plus they stack easily.

System

Some supermarkets will save boxes if you ring them up and ask to save them. Though, many products don't come in what you will call boxes. They are ripped up to get to the shelf ready packaging.

Wine/spirits bottle boxes are good for DVDs, CDs, books, ornaments, glasses. Banana boxes are good for kitchen stuff - just get 3 sheets of newspaper to tape over the hole.

If live near a McDs, some do let you have their boxes. I remember someone moving into the flats using them and took some for a friend who was moving. The ones I remember had cups and Happy Meal toys. They were lovely, big and strong.

You pack in reverse - the first box packed is often the final box to be opened at your new home.

With loft stuff such as Xmas decs - leave them as they are. Don't waste time repackaging them, unless the boxes are really battered.

Have a box containing kettle, tea bags, coffee, milk, sugar, mugs - enough for the household plus the removal men, biscuits, dinner plates, cutlery, glasses, some alcoholic drink. Download either the Hungry Horse or Just Eat apps to order some takeaway. You are too tired, been on your feet all day and last thing you want is to cook. With the mugs, if your own are too posh, get to a charity shop and pick some up. If they get dropped or lost, you will not get upset over it. Also in the box, include some breakfast items - bowls, plates, cereals, bread, jam etc.

Have a bag packed with clothes and toiletries for 2-3 days as you may not been able to put your stuff in the wardrobes etc until then.

Put remote controls of TVs etc in this bag as know people who couldn't remember which box they were packed and gave up to buy these universal remotes.

System

In the day of move box - include a few light bulbs. It has never happened to me, but to friends. The previous owner removed all of the light bulbs! Plus loo roll.