Removal companies Vs do it yourself

KatieXZoe

eddddy said:

If you're moving from a rental to a place you're buying... do you have an overlap (or can you agree an overlap with your landlord) where you have access to both properties?

That could make things much less stressful, if you want to do a diy move...

• You can clean the new place while it's empty before you move in. (Unlike moving into a new rental, a place you're buying is very unlikely to have been cleaned by the seller.) Maybe even paint some walls, if you want to.

• You can make multiple trips with a smaller van - maybe over a few days / evenings, if you want.

• You'll have more time to clean the old rented place after you've taken out all the furniture

This was going to be our plan initially, although a smaller van over several days may work out better and solves the age problem with hiring one big van. 

mashmash90

We recently moved (although moved stuff into storage rather than another flat, which arguably is more stressful as you are constrained by space). We packed everything up gradually ourselves (to the point we walked around 'box foraging ' in the street to get free boxes rather than paying for new ones!). We hired someone on TaskRabbit for 2 hours (£80 total) to help us lift the heavy stuff and transport everything into storage (we don't drive). We also hired another person to do a quick dissassembly of our ottoman bed as we couldn't work it out which cost about £30. If you can do most of it yourself, why not do what you can and then hire someone for a couple of hours to do the harder parts! Also TaskRabbit has lots of promo codes so you can save money on that too.

TripleH

We did what @Eddddy suggested when we bought our last 2 places and my mum is doing that now.

If you can manage it, a great way to get your new home sorted without risking damage to furniture.

Jonboy_1984

We hired a Luton van for three days for the £300 you are quoting through enterprise  (we wanted to collect some large items from a couple of shops as well as the move) and did a similar sized move with us two and two brothers help for the heavy work. We had packed over the few days before and it took a day to complete the actual move.

I did have access to cheap boxes through work and bought bubble wrap through eBay.

We did lose one ikea wardrobe as it wasn’t properly secured and cannot now source a matching replacement to the others (model seemingly available everywhere except the UK…)

I have also hired vans on a couple of occasions and done the driving for younger friends moves to lower the cost to them.

Dont forget you can also get third party CDW excess cover on a hire van online which can lower the costs considerably over buying it through the hire company (it has to be for specific days and in place before you collect the van).

jonnydeppiwish!

Having done both on numerous occasions, pay someone!

Letsgetmoving

We paid someone and while expensive it was worth every penny. You will have a lot more things than you thought. The day will be busy and emotional even without lifting a box 

BobT36

Pack all your boxes yourself. Move them yourself too (if close). 
Hire professionals for the big / heavy stuff. 

If you're CONVINCED you can do it yourself, have a go at moving the settee, bed etc out of a room and down the stairs, and back again. Then imagine doing that when REALLY tired and stressed already. 

Bluebell1000

Pay someone. We paid for packing for our last couple of moves as well. They weren't perfect - we found a few bits when they thought they'd done - but absolutely worth every penny.

Murphybear

Having moved 19 times in my life I know which I’d choose  .  Seriously, a good removal company is worth its weight in gold.  They should be insured so if they damage or break anything you can claim against them.  However if you pack all your own belongings and something gets broken you may not be able to claim.  I would recommend getting a part pack, they pack the china, glassware etc and you do everything else.  

Even if you’re young and fit moving heavy furniture is no joke.  On my last move there were 2 of us pensioners.  With “his hip” and “my knee” we just sat back and watched them get on with it.  

We used a local firm with many 5* reviews.  They weren’t the cheapest but they were worth every penny.  I was impressed with the large padded bags they used for protecting the tv, mirrors and settle/armchairs.  

trailingspouse

Get them to do the packing. Yes, it's slightly more expensive - if you have a granny, sell her, she'll understand...

What you spend on a removal company you'll save on physiotherapy fees.

And if they've packed and something gets broken, they pay up without quibbling. If you packed it yourself, you have to prove that they were negligent.

Murphybear - I see your 19 and raise you 21 - soon to be 22. Hoping this will be the last!!!