Removals DIY or NOT !

Owain_Moneysaver

Balabalabala_and_Volare wrote: »

Distance isn't the issue. Loading/unloading is.

Agreed. But if you get everything boxed up in sensible sized boxes, properly packed, so you can stack 3 or 4 on a sack truck, and you have 2 or 3 sack trucks, 2 or 3 pushers, and a loader at one end and an unloader at the other end, you can move a lot of boxes very quickly over level ground.

If there's a possibility you have to be out of the old before you get into the new, get a gazebo for the garden to store things under.

If there isn't a man-and-van locally or they won't supply a man-without-a-van then an employment agency will be able to supply labourers. You will be responsible for supervising and directing them though.

(Note that if you do not have a full removal service you will not be covered by removal insurance.)

NicNicP

We moved just down the road and hired a van and did it ourselves. We were lucky that we’d agreed a price to include the washer, dishwasher and fridge freezer and the house had built in wardrobes in every room so we had less large items to transport. I tried to get a quote but I had to list every item to be packed so didn’t bother!

SuboJvR

Ooh this is interesting! I’ve done four moves now, two DIY and two used removals. Both the times we used a removal company, we still hired a van to deal with the garage stuff - first time as hubby wanted to make sure it was all well looked after and because some needed to go to another location, and second time to pick up from second location and because garage stuff was all in a loft by that point. Both of the DIY removals also involved four flights of stairs - but we did have help from friends and family. For latter removals help wasn’t really possible due to geography and people at work etc.

The thing I find most stressful about moving is the packing. Unpacking I’m better with as you feel much closer to the end goal, and you can rest whenever you want. Carrying heavy goods - I can do some, but not all. So moving an entire house, if it were just us, I would worry about this as I may reach a point where I just can’t carry on anymore, or I would keep trying and break something/myself.

So, packing wise I would probably cope if I had enough time off work although one day should be enough really. Moving the gear? I’d want the help. Same for dissembling and reassembling any relevant furniture.

Just some food for thought there

exiled_red

As a lot of people have said it depends on the timescale that you are buying and selling on. If you are buying and selling at the same time then you really need to have all your stuff out and be waiting for everything to be sorted. In this case it makes sense to have a van as temporary storage for your stuff, the alternative is to line up your furniture on the pavement between your old and new place waiting for it all to be done, which isn't really great for a winter move.


If you aren't buying and selling at the same time that makes things easier as you can move at a more leisurely pace. If the distance is so short that it's not much further than carrying the stuff to and from the van then DIY is an option. If this is a case a half way solution could be hiring a man with a van type removal company. We recently moved house over a couple of days and moved everything except furniture ourselves and got a man with a van to shift than for us, we paid them by the hour to do that and it cost us less than £200. And they did all the heavy lifting

getmore4less

I wonder if the OP and their partner have ever moved any of these items on their own, with no help, just into or out of a house

Washing machine.
Tall FF.
Sofa.
A wardrobe that won't flatpack.

Zoology_Dragon

getmore4less wrote: »

I wonder if the OP and their partner have ever moved any of these items on their own, with no help, just into or out of a house

Washing machine.
Tall FF.
Sofa.
A wardrobe that won't flatpack.

Husband and I have moved all of these things ourselves with no help, all over the country. It's tough but has been worth it for us to save the money.

getmore4less

Zoology_Dragon wrote: »

Husband and I have moved all of these things ourselves with no help, all over the country. It's tough but has been worth it for us to save the money.

Plenty have, the question was have the OP and partner.

do they even know what equipment they need and if getting a van what sort or how long i will take if they DIY even if just round the corner.

zagubov

Balabalabala_and_Volare wrote: »

If you can afford it, get the professionals in. Distance isn't the issue. Loading/unloading is. If, on the other hand, you have better things to spend your hard earned on, a move of such a short distance is entirely possible on a DIY basis. But it will take 3 times longer and leave you 10 times more frazzled than you had predicted! You pays your money (or not) and takes your choice.

This sounds absolutely spot on. Moving house is as stressful as a bereavement. Get the professionals in. And if they do the packing, pay for that service too. It'll be worth every penny.

Autumnella

I would always use a removal company now. When I moved in August I found a small local company on Facebook who had 2 men and moved my whole house for £135, including dismantling and rebuilding some of the larger items and putting everything back where needed. It was so worth it.

LandyAndy

Autumnella wrote: »

I would always use a removal company now. When I moved in August I found a small local company on Facebook who had 2 men and moved my whole house for £135, including dismantling and rebuilding some of the larger items and putting everything back where needed. It was so worth it.

:eek: For two people and a van for a day?