Packing up for your removals can be a difficult process as well as a time-consuming one. Most removal companies will offer this service, but there really isn't any point in paying for something you can do just as efficiently yourself, unless you're severely pressed for time. If you don't mind a nice bit of casual labour, however, the packing process may actually turn out to be a lot of fun. So here are the things you will need to do and get, in order to get through removals and packing as efficiently and painlessly as possible.

1.    First thing's first. Get as many people as possible on your team. Recruit anyone who is free at that time to come and help you in your efforts. Obviously, the more hands you have, working at the same job, the quicker it will get done. However, when enlisting the help of friends, there are certain things that you should always keep in mind.

•    Remember that these people are there to help you voluntarily. So be considerate of their schedules, their abilities and  their needs. Do not ask too much of  your friends and always give clear instructions on how you want each task to be done to avoid any confusion. Also, while your friends are there to help you move, do not forget to be a good host. Offer some refreshments, make pleasant conversation and try to be entertaining. You do not want anyone regretting their choice to help you, after all. And remember to say "thank you" with some sort of nice gesture, like taking all of your mates down to the pub afterwards.

•    Something else to keep in mind is your privacy. Perhaps you do not want to let your helpers into certain rooms or let them see certain things. In that case make sure to pack anything private or potentially embarrassing before anyone arrives.

2.    The second thing to consider is scheduling. When you're not working with professionals, the most important thing to do is to have an agenda and stick to it. Everybody needs to know which room is being packed on which day, how many people are working on each task and what  each person should be doing. This does not need to be incredibly precise - you do not need to turn into a military strategist. However, it may help to print out a general schedule and distribute it to everyone. While making this plan, remember to always overestimate the amount of time you'll need for each task. Giving yourself some leeway is crucial, as there can often be unforeseen circumstances slowing things down.

3.    Assign the correct tasks to the correct people. Perhaps you have a friend with an exceptional memory? Why not ask them to double check that nothing is left behind. The organizational freak of the group can have the job of arranging the smallest items into boxes. Some of your fitness enthusiast mates can do the heavy lifting. You get the general idea.

4.    Lastly, try to pull your own weight. No matter how many people you have helping you, that is no excuse to retreat into the role of a supervisor and not get your hands dirty. While you will need to manage and instruct everyone, you should also do a lot of the work yourself - once again, these people are helping you voluntarily and you should not abuse their kindness.