House move - hiring a van

skm1981

I am hoping because all our stuff (except essentials which we'll take to my parents) will be packed up and boxed ready to go from the storage unit that it won't be too stressful for us either.  I think if it's just going to be a couple of long possibly (probably) stressful days, but we save £1k, then it will be worth the hassle.  Hopefully they're not famous last words!

Getting_greyer

I did this couple weeks ago.  45 min trip one way and did 4 trips over fri-sun.  I guess i saved a chunk of cash but lost the weekend which just seemed like endless box moving.  Get a sack trolley btw.  Also, I picked up the van just down the road from my new house on the Thursday night,  this meant was easier come Monday morning when handing back.  I know you can get different pick up/drop off point with the larger hire firms but I think costs more.
It's also hard graft so be prepared for a few aches the next day.

Tippytoes

The last time we moved house, we hired a van with a tail lift - not sure what type.  I lost count of how many trips we made between properties.  Yes, it worked out a lot cheaper than hiring professionals but it's hard, physical work.  Were I to move again, I'd pay the experts to do it!

Slinky

Don't underestimate how hard it is to get heavy stuff upstairs. We have a wooden cupboard that's only about 3ft wide and 4ft high. I'm a pretty strong woman but this was too heavy for us to juggle up the stairs between us and I had to ask the chap next door to help my husband. It's not just the weight you have to consider, big things can be difficult to grip. I was scared of things slipping out of my hands and crushing my husband.  There was no chance we could manage to get wardrobes up with just him and me doing it.

MysteryMe

You could consider buying (or hiring if available) furniture moving straps to help with larger items. As mentioned above, it's not always the weight but the shape and lack of grip.

skm1981

This is my main concern, not necessarily the weight of things as my brother in law will be able to help us as well, but it's getting things in if there are awkward angles.  It's been a good while since I last saw the house, BUT, aside from our sofas, fridge and washing machine, everything else can be taken apart and put back together again.  

Green_hopeful

We have done this loads, endless relatives to help move.

 It’s hard work but so long as the boxes are not too heavy it goes quite quickly.

For storage at your unit it’s useful to have proper packaging boxes that are sturdy and similar sizes so they stack well. We got lots of boxes through freecycle when we still could. Also you want good parcel tape to seal everything up and lots of marker pens to write where they are going in the new house.

You can buy wheels from large diy shops to move heavy stuff but we found an old fashioned sack barrow is best for the washing machine (really very heavy - mine is 90 plus kg).

Couple of things to watch out for. A tail lift is a must but that’s normal on a Luton van. They don’t have a very large payload. That’s the weight of stuff you can put in the back because the 3.5 tonnes includes the van, fuel, people and what you put in the back.

The cost of £180 per weekend is about right plus we paid £50 fuel for each 300 mile return journey in November 2020. I take it steady when I drive though. Our van hire will let you pick it up the night before for no extra cost which save time on the hire day. 

We found it helpful to have someone unload with us at the unit. We were quite tired and it was nice to get it unloaded quickly. I think you have quite a bit of time so I suggest you start early so you are not rushing at the end. 

We hire from near where we are going so we have an easy return. that would also be good if you get it the night before. 

Best of luck. We have not had any disasters save for managing to juggle a washing machine while trying not to drop it and it landing completely upside down. Still working though. 

amandacat

We moved ourselves last time using a 3.5 tonne Luton from work. We moved out of a 2 bed house and needed to do two trips in this size van.  We only moved 10 miles. Worked out fine, the hardest part is the lifting of heavy furniture, particularly things from upstairs. Despite our inexperience, nothing was damaged. 
I’ve been getting quotes for my next move as this will be 6 hours from south to north so we can’t do ourselves as will need to be done in one go so too risky if we can’t get everything in a van. 
I initially got quotes from removal companies in my current area in the south, I then got some further quotes from removal companies in the north and they were actually substantially cheaper so it might be worth trying removal companies local to the area you are moving to as well. I’ve been quoted much less than 1500 for a removal company with a 7 tonne van to take us c 6 hours away. 

Tippytoes

 It’s hard work but so long as the boxes are not too heavy it goes quite quickly.

For storage at your unit it’s useful to have proper packaging boxes that are sturdy and similar sizes so they stack well. We got lots of boxes through freecycle when we still could. Also you want good parcel tape to seal everything up and lots of marker pens to write where they are going in the new house.

On the subject of boxes:
They can be really difficult to source these days.  If you are lucky enough to have a nearby Costco, you can pick up the "open top" type at the checkouts.  They stack brilliantly and are really strong.  Failing that, they sell strong packing boxes which are much cheaper than anywhere else.  Bubble wrap and tape is very cheap, too.  Hope this helps.

Nebulous2

Tippytoes said:

 It’s hard work but so long as the boxes are not too heavy it goes quite quickly.

For storage at your unit it’s useful to have proper packaging boxes that are sturdy and similar sizes so they stack well. We got lots of boxes through freecycle when we still could. Also you want good parcel tape to seal everything up and lots of marker pens to write where they are going in the new house.

On the subject of boxes:
They can be really difficult to source these days.  If you are lucky enough to have a nearby Costco, you can pick up the "open top" type at the checkouts.  They stack brilliantly and are really strong.  Failing that, they sell strong packing boxes which are much cheaper than anywhere else.  Bubble wrap and tape is very cheap, too.  Hope this helps.

We used Argos boxes to help a relative move. While it wasn’t exactly a case of ‘money no object’ we had a tight timescale and didn’t have time to mess around. Use medium ones, not large and don’t overpack them. Remember you have to carry them. 

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7656282
A tape gun is also very handy, though they can take a bit of getting used to.