Moving house advice. Please.

[haplesshacker]

As you may be aware, we're moving in less than two weeks time. First time with a young family and more stuff than I care to think about, probably about five luton vans worth, maybe more.

The wife and I have been having a 'discussion' about how to go about the move. She thought that it would cost a few hundred quid for a removals company, err, nope, £750 upwards. Even a man and van operation was £850. So she thought about doing it ourselves. Hiring a luton and making several journeys. The distance is a 70 mile round trip.

As it turns out, hiring a van could cost upto £400 (plus fuel to be added of course) for a few days, and packaging materials would be another £250.

I'm not upto the job physically, but the wife thinks it's to expensive to use a removal company, despite the cost difference being negliable. Her argument is that she doesn't want to spend that much on paying someone else to do all the humping.

My dilemma is that last year she spent thousands on a weight loss programme, and yet when it comes to my back and dodgy shoulder she wants to save a hundred quid by not having someone else do it. I've not brought up the weight loss thing during our 'discussions'. As I have a feeling that I'll be stepping over the line! Or should I mention it?


Oh the other thing is that we don't have a lot of friends locally that could help lift stuff at either end of the journey. Sure as hell the wife won't be able to help carry the heavy stuff.


After all that prologue. My question is, has anyone else moved house with a young family, and how did you go about it?

Sorry, but I need a bit of advice and needed to get a bit of it off my chest.

 

[splashtryagain]

I would use the removal firm. Moved ourselves and young family a couple of years back but there is no way we could have done it without help from friends and family. Is the move long distance?

 

[fundy]

Dont have a small family but have moved several times in the last 10 years and have gone both routes.

The DIY route is only feasible if you have 2 or 3 good mates who will help you out on the day, otherwise its just not worth all but killing yourself, seriously its a lot harder physically than it looks and to save £100 simply just not worth it.

If you are even contemplating doing it yourself then you need to be able to lose the kids for the day, with friends or grandparents, they can only make a million times harder

 

[GOLFBALL_WHACKER_GUY]

I'm in the same boat as you re moving soon, luckily we have family who are helping us and the distance isn't as far.

I'd use the removal firm if I were in your situation, more cost effective and far less stress considering the distance and amount of journeys you would have to do.

And never mention the weight to a woman! Just explain the positives and she will surely see it's the right decision. If she doesn't then go all cave man and put your foot down about it

 

[USER1999]

When I moved out of a rented flat to another flat (11th floor, no lift to first floor no lift) it took 4 lutons full of gear, it nearly killed me.

When I moved into my house I had the removal company pack our stuff (it took them 3 working days), and had them move it all in, and then un pack it at the other end. Well worth the money.

 

[ADB]

I moved from a small flat into the house I am now by hiring a Luton and doing it myself - with the help of some friends and family. We had a small child at the time, and my wife busied herself loking after him and doing some box packing etc. I was knackared and I think I only had 2 runs to do with a round trip of 30 miles.

We now have 2 small kids and I would never try and move myself. Logistically it wouldn't work - the kids need feeding, entertaining etc and I know would just get in the way more often than not - love em dearly!!

Also, you say 8 journeys with a Luton and a 70 mile round trip. Well, that's at least 10 hours driving plus the loading/unloading - you would need a week to do it.

I think you need to bite the bullet and get someone in who can move you over the shortest period of time possible. You and your family can then concentrate on packing/unpacking (a mammoth task in itself) and settling in to your new place. I think it will be money very well spent for the grief and backache.....but you know this already.

 

[StuartD]

Removal Firm

Jut tell her. Be a man

For £100 difference it's a no brainer. Even at upto £800 difference i would still go the removal firm. Moved a couple of times and it was FAR easier witha removal firm.

If I was to move again the costs of a removal firm would be accounted for in my outgoings.

 

[chrisd]

By the time you add the fuel and take into account that any breakages are covered by the removers but not if you drop the tv! You would be daft to do it, especially if, like me you dont get the keys until, say, 4.30 pm and the have to go into a second day van hire or work all night. At least the removers will do it all in one go!

You know that the cost saving of £100 (before fuel) is not worth it but I dont think raising the weight loss issue is one I would do as it isnt a direct comparison.

 

[haplesshacker]

I think it will be money very well spent for the grief and backache.....but you know this already.

Yep. I do. But the wife!!!!! Good grief! I just can't get through to the stubbon ..........Mind you she always does have a problem with me being right and just digs her heels in deeper. I love her really!

Thanks for the replies guys.

I know what needs to happen. Being a student and doing on your own is one thing, but not this time around.

I've just spoken to her again, and now she's suggesting that we hire a van for one day to do the big stuff, and then use the cars to do the rest!!! FFS!!!! I'm now getting really stressed over her stupidity. If she hadn't of spent so much on her bloody diet!!!!!!!

Sorry. Getting angry now.

(ps. she does look a lot better for it though, but it never bothered me anyway, it wouldn't, I'm a bloke!)

 

[thecraw]

Just accidently set fire to your house, all your stuff is insured and you get to go shopping at the other end for new gear for the new house!


Or simply get in the experts, it makes sense and it saves you time and distress, day of the move get your clubs and go and play while the Mrs re-organises HER new home.

 

[Leftie]

Just ask her to help with a dummy run of moving a couple of beds and the washing machine to the front door and back. Make sure she has the heavy end - you have got to think of your back of course

It's a no brainer. Removal men every time.

And don't mention the weight loss

 

[haplesshacker]

Crawford. Thanks for the laugh. I needed it!

 

[Golfmmad]

Removal company all the way. It's worth remembering too, that you're paying them to move your house belongings, so you don't have to do a thing - only to tell them where to put them.

You'll even have time to play with the kids, or dare I say it, even time for a quick 9 holes.

Seriously though, it will leave you time to sort the childrens bedroom and then yours, ready to crash out in after a long and hopefully, stress free day.

Put your foot down man!

Golfmmad.

 

[Fyldewhite]

I've moved myself in the past but used a removal firm the last time I moved. I would just say get the removal firm in as it will be money well spent especially as it's not just round the corner. It takes so much off your shoulders on what already is a stressful day and leaves you free to help unpacking, look after the kids or whatever else crops up (something always does). I promise that you won't regret it.

 

[haplesshacker]

especially if, like me you dont get the keys until, say, 4.30 pm

We'll have the keys a couple of days before hand, and no-one is moving into our current house, so there is no immediate rush. Which is why I guess the wife thinks that we should do all the shuttle runs. Regardless of the cost diffence (of virtually nothing!).

 

[CallawayKid]

Removal firm old boy every time.

They are quick, all goes in one truck and it's all insured.

70 mile round-trip, it would take you a couple of days to move then, plus you'll be driving tired. If, heaven forbid, you had an accident, then I don't think the contents would be insured for much if you DIY.

It really is worth that extra bit to get piece of mind.

Good luck and try not to stress too much, stress has never fixed anything!

CK

 

[chrisd]

Say after me " I am not doing it myself but you can if you want to"

Practice it a few times until word perfect and then go and say it to the good lady! (keep your head down for an hour or two afterwards)


Chris

 

[Paul_Stewart]

I would definitely recommend using a removal firm. It is a lot harder than it seems. I only moved 100 yards round the corner last week but still got a firm to help do it.

You can also pay them to ahem .. .accidently lose the wife's extensive shoe collection if required...

 

[viscount17]

unless you can get a lot of help forget doing it yourself and even then you also need step rollers, power tailboard, truck barrows - all adding to the cost.

and you'll need to lose the kids for the entire period of the move plus most of the following week if you do it yourself.

as has been said get her involved in a practice - lifting the washing machine to the equivalent height of a Luton would do.

was that quote including them doing the packing - if so it's not bad

and don't mention the diet - you could lose all golf privileges, even if you are 'product testing'

 

[haplesshacker]

Steve. That quote for £750 was removal only, no packing to be done by them. £1500 is the full service. There's no way I'll get that by the Mrs.