Packing / boxes with no lids

Kazzam1984

Hi all probably a stupid question but I have never used a removals company before.  We are using one this time,  but is it OK to use a few boxes with no lids for non fragile stuff? Would they accept them on the van do u think ?

MrsBrush

I don't think this is a stupid question - actually a practical question as some things just need to be bundled up and an open box is as good a place as any. But, I am boxing up absolutely everything and sealing the lids regardless. No danger of anything getting lost that way - especially as we have a house that seems to eat random stuff which is never seen again! 

Having said all that, I suspect that a removals company would prefer boxes to have lids / closed, as easier to stack in their lorry and also less risk of anything being lost, which i expect they would rather didn't happen. 

To be on the safe side, give them a call and ask. They are the people doing the transporting and are far better placed to advise.

Thrugelmir

Probably decline any liability for damage of any kind. Are the boxes strong enough to be stacked?  With no top the sides could be split open. 

Veromartos

A question for everyone who is packing now.
We are selling our 3 beds house and we are 2 adults and 2 kids.
I do not have a moving date yet and we did not even exchanged contracts. My solicitor told me we are aiming for end of October.
When should I start packing?

eddddy

Kazzam1984 said:

Hi all probably a stupid question but I have never used a removals company before.  We are using one this time,  but is it OK to use a few boxes with no lids for non fragile stuff? Would they accept them on the van do u think ?

Bear in mind that removal vans are usually packed like this, so there might be 4 or 5 or more boxes stacked on top of each other. Would 4 or 5 of your open boxes stack ok, without damaging your stuff?


   

eddddy

Veromartos said:

A question for everyone who is packing now.
We are selling our 3 beds house and we are 2 adults and 2 kids.
I do not have a moving date yet and we did not even exchanged contracts. My solicitor told me we are aiming for end of October.
When should I start packing?

How long will you have between exchange and completion?

The ideal approach is to start packing after exchange of contracts, because you're then certain that you are moving, and you know which date it will be.

Until that point, your sale/purchase could fall through and/or the dates could slip by weeks or months.

(It will be depressing enough if things falls through and you lose your 'dream house' - and then you have to start house selling and house hunting all over again - it might be even more depressing if all your stuff is already packed in boxes.)

But if you're only planning a short period between exchange and completion, you might have to take that risk.

p00hsticks

Veromartos said:

A question for everyone who is packing now.
We are selling our 3 beds house and we are 2 adults and 2 kids.
I do not have a moving date yet and we did not even exchanged contracts. My solicitor told me we are aiming for end of October.
When should I start packing?

Start decluttering straight away, if you haven't done so before - if your area is like ours with fortnightly bin collections that's only so many chances to get rid of unwanted stuff that can't go to charity before the end of October.

Don't forget to run down the freezer beforehand if you have one.

If you have the space to put packed boxes for a month or so, I'd say it's not too early to start thinking about packing. Things like ornaments etc so won't be missed for a few weeks so take the time to pack them away carefully now, rather than in a frantic rush a day or two before moving.

pinkteapot

Kazzam1984 said:

Hi all probably a stupid question but I have never used a removals company before.  We are using one this time,  but is it OK to use a few boxes with no lids for non fragile stuff? Would they accept them on the van do u think ?

Best bet is to ask the company as it'll depend on what size truck they plan to use for you and how they usually pack it. But in general, every time I've moved (and we've used several removals companies), there's always a few boxes that aren't closed - with large/awkward things wrapped inside. And we always have the removal company do the packing so that's the way they've done it. You need to keep them to a minimum, but they should be able to take a small number of them by putting them on top in the van. 

Also bear in mind that it'll take them a while to load your stuff into the truck, so if you have a few bits and pieces not packed when they come then it's fine - you can ask them how they want them packed. I do just mean a few bits and pieces though.  

Ashworks

Ours took some open boxes to our rental for us, but they were very clear that they had no liability if anything got broken.

youth_leader

My removal company stacked the boxes very tightly to the roof of the van. They had asked me to put clothing into bags so they could be squeezed into gaps, I bought the Ikea zippy type.

csgohan4

if it's a rainy day, it will be exposed as well. Close all boxes and label them

It was pouring it down when we moved