Packing is one of the parts of moving that can raise your stress levels fast. Where do you start? How do you pack things so they don’t break? How many boxes do you even need? It makes sense to want someone with experience to take care of it instead.
So, do moving companies pack for you? You can take one worry off your list because they do! Most movers offer packing as a service, and here’s how it works and what to expect.
How Packing Services Work With Moving Companies
Most movers offer packing as an additional service so you simply request it when booking. From there, you can choose how much help you want. Some people have movers pack the entire home, while others only need certain rooms or fragile items handled. They follow your plan, whether you need a little help or a lot.
To keep it simple movers can help with:
- Full Packing: Movers pack the entire home from top to bottom.
- Partial Packing: Only certain rooms or areas, like the kitchen or closets.
- Fragile-only Packing: Items like dishes, glassware, artwork, and electronics.
What’s Included in Packing Services?
Packing services include both the labor and the materials. Expect your movers to bring boxes in different sizes, tape, padding, paper, and anything needed to keep your items protected. They’ll wrap and pack your belongings, label the boxes, and handle basic disassembly for items that need to be taken apart before moving day.
Most packing crews can handle anything from everyday household items to fragile pieces like dishes, glassware, electronics, artwork, and decor.
However, keep in mind that there are a few things movers usually don’t pack: hazardous materials (cleaning chemicals, fuel, aerosols), open liquids, perishables, valuables that should stay with you (jewelry, cash, important documents), and anything the law won’t allow on a truck.
How Long Does Packing Take?
This depends on the size of your home and how much you want the movers to handle. Most packing crews can finish an average home in a single day, especially if you’re choosing full packing.
At Eco Movers, we often recommend splitting packing and moving into two days when the home is larger or the project is more detailed. For homes over 2,500 square feet or with unique needs, we suggest a quick evaluation first for a more accurate estimate.
For smaller places or partial packing jobs, packing can usually take a few hours. Your movers should give you a simple, clear estimate ahead of time so you know how long it’ll take.
How to Get Ready for a Professional Packing Service
You won’t need to do much before the packing crew arrives, but there are a couple of things on your end that can help everything stay organized.
Explain Clearly What You Want Help With
You’ll usually cover this when you book the service, but it’s worth double-checking with the crew on arrival. Confirm whether you need the full home packed or just specific rooms or fragile items.
Set Aside Anything You Don’t Want Packed
Movers will pack what they see, so keep your essentials like medications, documents, chargers, valuables, or next-day items in a separate spot or label them “Do Not Pack.”
Do a Light Declutter
You don’t need to do a major cleanout. Just remove obvious trash or items you already know you’re not taking. It helps the crew work faster and reduces the number of boxes used.
Unplug and Prepare Electronics
If you can, disconnect TVs, computers, and small appliances. Movers will handle the packing, but unplugging will save them some time.
Mention Fragile or High-priority Items
If something needs extra care or you want certain rooms packed first, just say so. Movers are there to help, and pointing these things out makes their job easier.
Need Help with Packing? We’ve Got You Covered
If packing feels like a chore you’d rather skip, we’re here for that! Since we do this every day, you can count on us to take care of the job without any stress. Reach out anytime for a quote or to ask how packing could fit into your move.
