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DIY house removals or bring in the professionals?

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Evening all,

We will be moving from a flat to a bungalow in the next few months. It’s 5 miles from our current place. 
Starting to think about the removals process. 
Whether we hire some vans and do it ourselves or if we hire in removal men. 
I’m getting quotes for removal men for £500-750. Whereas van hire is around £60-80 for the day. 

Has anyone ever done their own DIY removal process? Is it going to be too much hassle or is it worth paying for the pro’s to come in and do it? If we did it ourselves plan would be hire 2 vans and use friends/family to help with some lifting/packing. 
Moving from small 1 bed flat to 2 bed bungalow. 

Would appreciate anyone’s previous experiences with moving as this is a first for us. 
Thanks in advance!

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Comments

  • dimbo61
    dimbo61 Posts: 13,727 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Moved my son and his gf from one bed flat to 2 bed house.
    How much big stuff do you have ?
    Sofa, wardrobes, heavy furniture, fridge freezer, washing machine etc
    How good are you at packing ?
    Can you start to bin the crap you have collected over the years.
    We used a small van and golf hatchback
  • robatwork
    robatwork Posts: 7,268 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Depends if you're more cash rich than time rich.
    I've done both and moving was one of the most difficult stressful things I've ever done. I underestimated the size of Luton van and it only just squeezed in. Also had about 4 friends helping.

    Last move the pros did it all including packing. Best money I've ever spent.
  • Mickygg
    Mickygg Posts: 1,737 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I did it DIY last time, never again. The time and back breaking lifting simply wasnt worth it. I saved money but I wont do it again. I too moved about 5 miles and had help but it was a mad rush to fit everything in.
  • greatcrested
    greatcrested Posts: 5,925 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Depends
    * how much stuff you have
    * how old and how fit you are
    * how much spare cash you have
    * whether you have transport
    * how lazy you are
    * whether you have kids
    and a multitude of other criteria!

  • SootySweep1
    SootySweep1 Posts: 238 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    Hi
    How much time will you have to move ? Have you got to get it done in one day ? Or can you move over several days ? How much big stuff have you got to move ?

    Jen
  • youth_leader
    youth_leader Posts: 2,919 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I sold at auction and had to move myself due to lockdown, removal companies weren't classed as essential workers.  I didn't expect to be doing it on my own and it nearly killed me, but if you have a lot of friends/family able to help, might not be as bad.  
    £216 saved 24 October 2014
  • diggingdude
    diggingdude Posts: 2,492 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I have always moved myself but i now have furniture i love so would get the pro's in to move it.  The fact I have a rebuilt shoulder on one arm and a rebuilt wrist on the other harm also plays a factor now
    An answer isn't spam just because you don't like it......
  • onwards&upwards
    onwards&upwards Posts: 3,423 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    I've done it myself but only when I was selling my flat furnished, so I only had smaller items to take.  If I was moving sofas, mattresses, dining tables etc. it would be professionals every time. 
  • comeandgo
    comeandgo Posts: 5,930 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Is your flat ground floor or higher?  We have done both but prefer the professionals but I always pack myself.  Lifting and moving heavy items can cause injury to untrained people. Manual handing is now a standard training few hours in most businesses due to injuries and business covering their backsides.  
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