The moving house thread

[Blownupdolly]

Karma suggested last week, that it might be a good idea to start a thread for us folks who are about to move home. Hopefully, along the way, we can give out some good tips to help make the move go smoother, but also help people through the undeniably stressful process.

Yes, I am at pulling hair out stage, hence my quietness on the forum. I am so worn out with all the stress, every evening I am sat here, eyes glazed over, vowing never EVER to do it again!

Feeling very low as the pets all went to their new homes today. Feel very lonely without them.

Enough of the negativity. First helpful tip. If you require packing boxes, a great way to get them free of charge is to advertise on websites such as Freecycle, or local community sites on Facebook. There are many people out there who have moved home and are stuck with all the boxes, especially those coming from overseas. When we came back from Australia I was drowning in them. We got lucky a few weeks ago and a lady answered our advert offering us forty boxes! So we haven't had to pay out for anything. Once we have moved we shall then place an ad to pass them on.

[Karma]

As my DD just moved last week, I now have a whole room full of boxes still empty though

How long have you got until you move Blownupdolly ? and do you have to lift all your carpets etc?

[Blownupdolly]

Apr 1, 2014 19:52:33 GMT Karma said:

As my DD just moved last week, I now have a whole room full of boxes still empty though

How long have you got until you move Blownupdolly ? and do you have to lift all your carpets etc?

We get the keys Friday afternoon, but have decided to spread it out over the weekend. We have a man with a van coming to help move the bulky stuff with Mr D helping him. I am supervisor at new house. Granddaughters have promised under my instructions to put stuff in cupboards for me. of course, bribery is involved

Thankfully we don't have to rip up flooring like you. I still can't believe they are making you do that.

[Karma]

Crikey, no wonder you're stressed

Have you got internet and stuff sorted? Will you have some time to go back to the old property and clean? what about all your excess furniture?

I'm considering hiring a skip!

[newdawn]

Oh thank god a thread for moving! Been driving me loopy lately too.

Needed to have the boiler inspected last week for a gas safe cert since we've got a buyer for the house. The guy not only refused to cert it, he condemned the damn thing. Disabled it, big sticker on and a warning letter to us saying it was a danger. Marv. We've been without heat/hot water for the week, but electric shower, portable heater and dishwasher saved us on that front. They'll be here at 8am tomorrow to install the new boiler for the princely sum of £1,400.

We've hired PetAir UK to transport our two Labradors to America. Had planned to treat ourselves to business class flights seeing as it's a big move and we're getting married, but it's costing £3,000 for the two dogs! We're now flying coach.

Two international moving companies will be here next week to give me quotes. I'm already cringing at the thought of it. Good thing we got full asking price for the house because this is turning into an expensive move!

[loobiebloo]

Blownupdolly I know what it's like to say goodbye to much loved pets (family members). It's horrid but be assured that they will be much more practical than you and will make the very best of their situation. They will be absolutely fine. It would be good if you can have reassurance of this after a few weeks - I had to move overseas but received letters and photos to let me know all was well - it made a huge difference and I was able to dump the guilt trip even though I still felt (feel) the loss.

[Karma]

That sure is a big move newdawn never mind though the dogs will be well looked after x Can you claim any money back on your boiler through 'Green Deal'?

Some handy hints, not any good for people moving long distance and you need access to a car

Drawers - are already boxes, just give them a bit tidy, cover with a towel or something (nobody wants to see your knickers blowing along the road) pop into car and move to new place.

Clothes on hangers - only works if there are already wardrobes in the new place, leave on hangers, tape a few together, cover with bin bag, pop into back seat of car and hang straight up in new wardrobe!

Use tea towels, hand towels, pillow cases etc to wrap crockery etc, cuts down on packaging waste

[newdawn]

Someone mentioned it to us last week Karma, but turns out we don't qualify as we're not claiming a benefit of any sort and OH's income is too high for the 15k threshold they've set.

In a way, I'm glad it was discovered and we're dealing with it. The buyers are a young couple just starting out and I'd have felt awful if it gave them trouble soon after moving in. They've been lovely with us. They're happy to wait on completion until we're ready to go to the States which is a HUGE help to us. For that reason, we're leaving behind nearly a whole house full of stuff to get them started instead of selling it off on ebay or whatever. Only thing I was hell bent on taking is the dining table and chairs. They're getting 3 bedrooms of furniture, extra large sofa and all electrical appliances. Big flat screen telly, lawn mower, microwave, you name it...they're getting it. Not a bad deal for first time buyers hoping to start their own family and I don't want to ruin it over a boiler.

Sorry you had to let go of your cats Blownupdolly. Where did the other two end up?

[jacquif]

Thank God for this thread! My house is like cardboard city and the stress levels are through the roof! I'm only selling, my buyer is only buying as it's a buy to let and the solicitors are dawdling along at a snail's pace. I'm starting a new job on April 28 so I'm moving out on 12 April and as yet not a definite completion date in sight. Survey went through no problem we're just waiting on the searches and to make sure the buyers are happy with my answers to a couple of queries. So Wednesday 9th I finish work, drive down to Norfolk with yet another car full. Friday 11th we pick up the hired Luton and drive back up to Newcastle to load up. Saturday 12th we drive back to Norfolk where we have a bunch of friends on standby to help us unload. Sunday 13th I intend to be chilling in the pub all day.

[Karma]

newdawn I got in touch with Energy saving Scotland just a couple of weeks ago to talk 'boilers' they said that even though we weren't on benefits we would still be entitled to £400 cash back under the boiler scrapage scheme!

jacquif I hear you re solicitors

[newdawn]

Ah cheers Karma! Will get OH to ring them during his lunch break, just in case.

[Karma]

Apr 2, 2014 8:42:11 GMT newdawn said:

Ah cheers Karma! Will get OH to ring them during his lunch break, just in case.

Worth a try.  The house we're buying has a back boiler so I was trying to find out if we could get any help to change it to a combi

another tip

My DD and her hubby just moved last week.  Before they moved she recommended her hubby to Sky at the new address and got £100 Tesco voucher, he then accepted Sky and got another £100 Tesco voucher, then they cancelled it at the old address

[Blownupdolly]

Apr 1, 2014 19:57:49 GMT Karma said:

Crikey, no wonder you're stressed

Have you got internet and stuff sorted? Will you have some time to go back to the old property and clean? what about all your excess furniture?

I'm considering hiring a skip!

Going through the hell of internet, phone and sky TV as I type! I cannot believe the incompetantcy of the various companies involved. Apparently, my new home doesn't even exist.

As for Royal Mail. Highway robbery springs to mind. I have just gone on to their website. Guess how much they want per PERSON minimum charge to redirect your mail? £25!!!!! Sod that. I am not giving them that kind of money to put my mail in a different pigeon hole!

[Blownupdolly]

newdawn a nice family have taken the two female cats together. I couldn't go in the house with the wheelchair so Mr D took them in. He reckons little Poppet was first out of the cage and calmly walked all around the house exploring. Not phased at all! Minky was less confident, but sat quietly in the room without hiding, so I am confident they will be fine.

[Phoenix .]

Apr 2, 2014 10:05:23 GMT Blownupdolly said:

newdawn a nice family have taken the two female cats together. I couldn't go in the house with the wheelchair so Mr D took them in. He reckons little Poppet was first out of the cage and calmly walked all around the house exploring. Not phased at all! Minky was less confident, but sat quietly in the room without hiding, so I am confident they will be fine.

Please to hear that you them a 'forever' home Dolly, you can concentrate on the move secure in the knowledge that all pets are taken care of and will be happy.