How do I move house cheaply?

SuzySu

We are due to be completing in the next few weeks and we need to start packing up our house. We are trying to move ourselves to save money but not sure where to start.

Do any of you know where I can get some boxes (we will need more than can be found scouting round local supermarkets as we have a 3-bed house) and will need extras such as bubble wrap etc.

Also, any ideas about who to use for moving? I have googled man with a van and got a quote for about £168 which is a medium sized van plus a driver who helps load/unload for 3 hours (not including journey time). Does that sound reasonable. It will take us for ever moving stuff in my car and we could not cope with things like sofa, beds etc.

Any advice with regards to moving house the MSE way will be greatly appreciated.

anansi69

Join Freecycle- I often see (& have offered) boxes and packing stuff for free. We also asked our friends to help out with their cars in return for a big party once we'd unpacked- everyone was really helpful. We did hire some men with vans to shift the white goods & larger items, but only for a couple of hours.

Good luck

Paparika

Morrisons leave fruit boxes at their tills - these are *excellent* for packing books! (they stack really well and hold enough to make it reasonable to carry)

Strong cardboard boxes can be aquired from off-licences - the smaller wine boxes are great for dvds and videos; just phone ahead and they'll hold a variety back for you.

poppysarah

truck with a lift thing on the back is 85 quid for a day apparently.

Depends if you can get a couple of strong blokes to move the heavy stuff - having one strong person and one not so strong person is a recipe for exhaustion and back problems.

missile

If any people have moved in near you, ask them for their packaging materials. We were happy to pass ours on to a neighbour.

I would suggest you check and compare quotes from local removal companies. You could save a few quid DIY, but it is very heavy work and a higher risk of damage to your stuff. To load and unload an average three bed house in 3 hours is going some, even for a professional.

shall78

I got a load of boxes of Freecycle, if you cant be bothered with that most storage companies sell boxes, bubble wrap etc

poppysarah

I think it cost me £260 (Saw the receipt the other day - but it is 4 years ago) to have 2 blokes and a huge van come and move my stuff. They bought packing cases on the morning for the stuff I hadn't packed - but bought boxes too the night before.

It was very last minute so you might be able to negotiate if you book in advance.

I know I wouldn't have managed to lift half the stuff - it was exhuasting enough packing.

(Clear out all that stuff for the charity shops before you move!)

SuzySu

Thanks so much - there are some great ideas. I will spend this evening googling some more options.

missile

Another consideration, moving is very stressful particularly with kids. You may want to clean your old and new houses on the day? Do you really need the extra work of packing and unpacking? A job best left to those big strong men who do it oh so well, whilst you enjoy a glass or two of champange, I would suggest.

LandyAndy

Get a proper quote from a removal company including supply of packing materials, you'll probably be surprised just how much you need. They can supply the boxes well in advance so that you can take your time packing. On the day they just turn up and shift it all. I really believe that this is one activity that is best left to the 'experts'.

PeteW

It shoudn't cost more than £40 to hire a Transit for the day - you'd be amazed how much you could fit in!